A Place for Creativity to Flourish
Emily Vajda
Hi, I’m Emily, the founder of SPARK & SPELL!
I’ve always had really, really big feelings. But I always had a place for those feelings to go—onstage as an actress, through my voice as a singer, and my words as a writer. Growing up, I found a home in the theatre and the choir, a safe space for me to go. And now, as an adult, if I’m not creating, a humongous piece of me feels not just dormant, but dead. So, I’m building SPARK & SPELL, a safe, creative haven for children and adults, where emotions are welcome, creativity is celebrated, and magic is everywhere; we are immersing the community of Queen Anne in creativity, magic, and connection.
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I’ve worked & cultivated relationships within the writing, publishing, and performing arts industries, and I can’t wait to expose these relationships and share this knowledge with you! I was a stage actress in Chicago, a playwright, screenwriter, and now a novelist of spicy, contemporary romance. I received my MFA in Creative Long Fiction from the University of San Francisco, interned at a literary agency, and I am a submissions assessor for She Writes Press. I’m an avid reader. And eager to get back to my roots in the theatre, staging shows for children and adults, and SINGING!
I was told that I can’t do it all—act, sing, write, direct—but I’ve never been one for accepting limitations, especially limitations imposed on me by others. So, there are NO limitations at SPARK & SPELL! We will do it all!
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Hi, I’m Emily, the founder of SPARK & SPELL! I’ve always had really, really big feelings. But I always had a place for those feelings to go—onstage as an actress, through my voice as a singer, and my words as a writer. Growing up, I found a home in the theatre and the choir, a safe space for me to go. And now, as an adult, if I’m not creating, a humongous piece of me feels not just dormant, but dead. So, I’m building SPARK & SPELL, a safe, creative haven for children and adults, where emotions are welcome, creativity is celebrated, and magic is everywhere; we are immersing the community of Queen Anne in creativity, magic, and connection. ​I’ve worked & cultivated relationships within the writing, publishing, and performing arts industries, and I can’t wait to expose these relationships and share this knowledge with you! I was a stage actress in Chicago, a playwright, screenwriter, and now a novelist of spicy, contemporary romance. I received my MFA in Creative Long Fiction from the University of San Francisco, interned at a literary agency, and I am a submissions assessor for She Writes Press. I’m an avid reader. And eager to get back to my roots in the theatre, staging shows for children and adults, and SINGING! I was told that I can’t do it all—act, sing, write, direct—but I’ve never been one for accepting limitations, especially limitations imposed on me by others. So, there are NO limitations at SPARK & SPELL! We will do it all!
Darren Von Britton
Hi, I'm Darren.
Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I've been playing piano since I was four years old, and over the years I've had the privilege of performing, composing, teaching, and sharing music with people of all ages.
After spending many years working in other fields, I found my way back to what has always felt most meaningful: helping others discover the joy of music and creativity.
I believe the best learning happens when students feel seen, encouraged, and genuinely excited to explore. My goal isn't simply to teach notes or technique, but to help every student build confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
Whether we're learning a favorite song, discovering the magic of Broadway, or sitting down at the piano for the very first time, every student is welcomed exactly as they are. I strive to create an environment that feels calm, inspiring, and filled with possibility.
I'm incredibly grateful to be part of the Spark & Spell community, and I can't wait to make music together.
Hi, I'm Darren. Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I've been playing piano since I was four years old, and over the years I've had the privilege of performing, composing, teaching, and sharing music with people of all ages. After spending many years working in other fields, I found my way back to what has always felt most meaningful: helping others discover the joy of music and creativity. I believe the best learning happens when students feel seen, encouraged, and genuinely excited to explore. My goal isn't simply to teach notes or technique, but to help every student build confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts. Whether we're learning a favorite song, discovering the magic of Broadway, or sitting down at the piano for the very first time, every student is welcomed exactly as they are. I strive to create an environment that feels calm, inspiring, and filled with possibility. I'm incredibly grateful to be part of the Spark & Spell community, and I can't wait to make music together.
Bella Koenig
Hi, I’m Bella.
I grew up in Germany and moved to Seattle seven years ago. Since then, I’ve fallen in love with the Pacific Northwest and the incredible creative community that makes this place feel like home.
I’m a mom of two children who attend Coe Elementary, and being part of this neighborhood has inspired me to create spaces where children can feel safe, curious, and free to be themselves.
Art has always been a big part of my life. I love abstract painting, mixed media, and experimenting with different materials. My work is inspired by connection, emotions, and the beauty of not always knowing where the creative process will lead.
Working with children brings me just as much joy as creating my own art. I don’t see myself as a traditional teacher. I love creating alongside children, encouraging them to explore, take creative risks, and discover their own ideas. I truly believe we learn from one another, and some of the best moments happen when we simply stay curious together.
In my classes, there is no right or wrong. Every child is welcomed exactly as they are. My hope is that they leave feeling proud of what they created, more confident in themselves, and excited to keep making art long after class is over.
I’m so grateful to be part of the Spark & Spell community and can’t wait to create, imagine, and grow together.
Hi, I’m Bella. I grew up in Germany and moved to Seattle seven years ago. Since then, I’ve fallen in love with the Pacific Northwest and the incredible creative community that makes this place feel like home. I’m a mom of two children who attend Coe Elementary, and being part of this neighborhood has inspired me to create spaces where children can feel safe, curious, and free to be themselves. Art has always been a big part of my life. I love abstract painting, mixed media, and experimenting with different materials. My work is inspired by connection, emotions, and the beauty of not always knowing where the creative process will lead. Working with children brings me just as much joy as creating my own art. I don’t see myself as a traditional teacher. I love creating alongside children, encouraging them to explore, take creative risks, and discover their own ideas. I truly believe we learn from one another, and some of the best moments happen when we simply stay curious together. In my classes, there is no right or wrong. Every child is welcomed exactly as they are. My hope is that they leave feeling proud of what they created, more confident in themselves, and excited to keep making art long after class is over. I’m so grateful to be part of the Spark & Spell community and can’t wait to create, imagine, and grow together.
Amber Barney-Nivon
Hi, I'm Amber,
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I am a wide-range media artist based in Seattle, Washington and a new artist-in-residence at Spark and Spell!
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I earned my BFA in Sculpture and Experimental + Digital Arts from the University of Washington in 2016. My practice is concept-driven, with each body of work emerging from an idea and finding its form through the materials best suited to express it. Enchanted by the interconnectedness of nature, culture, and self, I work across disciplines, allowing process and material to shape each concept.
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Becoming a mother in 2018 marked a significant shift in my practice, deepening my exploration of spirituality, transformation, and the patterns that connect personal experience to the natural world.
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I am grateful to be an artist-in-residence at Spark and Spell, where creative freedom and a supportive community make it possible to grow both personally and artistically. During my residency, I will create site-responsive installations for the space while continuing to expand and develop my conceptual practice. I am excited by the opportunity this residency offers to engage with the community in meaningful and lasting ways!
Hi, I'm Amber, I am a wide-range media artist based in Seattle, Washington and a new artist-in-residence at Spark and Spell! ​I earned my BFA in Sculpture and Experimental + Digital Arts from the University of Washington in 2016. My practice is concept-driven, with each body of work emerging from an idea and finding its form through the materials best suited to express it. Enchanted by the interconnectedness of nature, culture, and self, I work across disciplines, allowing process and material to shape each concept. ​Becoming a mother in 2018 marked a significant shift in my practice, deepening my exploration of spirituality, transformation, and the patterns that connect personal experience to the natural world. ​I am grateful to be an artist-in-residence at Spark and Spell, where creative freedom and a supportive community make it possible to grow both personally and artistically. During my residency, I will create site-responsive installations for the space while continuing to expand and develop my conceptual practice. I am excited by the opportunity this residency offers to engage with the community in meaningful and lasting ways!
PLAY · LEARN · CREATE · CONNECT
Creativity lives here. Come find your spark.