OUR STORY
At EmpowerMe Arts we aim to personalize every session to meet the needs of our students, and focus on areas in which the student has the potential to improve. Each session is flexible and designed to work with the student to not only complete their daily tasks, but guide them from novice to professional. We do that in the most effective way possible—mastering the subject area and building lifelong, professional confidence.
Our experienced teachers have taken it upon themselves to help empower the artists around them. Contact us today to learn more about the difference we can make.
The EmpowerMe Arts Team
My love for music started from a very young age. I remember writing a song in my neighbor’s sandbox with a friend at age 5. That little artist soaked up all of the education she could and ended up with around 27 years of piano experience, 16 years of guitar, and a lifetime of vocal training. Along the way she worked on her visual art and created a business off of those creations too! My hope is to give every student the opportunity to be empowered to learn and grow in their musical and artistic gifts too!
Sarah Jolk
Owner/Founder
Voice, Piano, Guitar, Songwriting, Painting, Visual Art, Life Coaching
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Kalen is a Doctor of Physical Therapy in Maple Valley, WA. He is an Eagle Scout and loves acting, woodworking, and dabble in blacksmithing! Kalen is also a great speaker, teacher and support to Sarah and the team. We couldn't do what we do without him!
Kalen Jolk
Co-Owner, Teacher
Speaker, Actor, Woodworking, Blacksmithing
Melynda lives in Black Diamond with her husband and two kids. As an “outgoing introvert”, she loves connecting with people and being a part of the local community. She loves gardening; especially keeping her (many) indoor plants alive. When it comes to creativity, she loves hand lettering and water color painting! She is fascinated with neuroscience and how that informs our relationships, parenting, and personal growth. She is trained in neuroscience-based coaching and has her degree in Public Relations. Those skills, combined with her experience working at the local schools, make her uniquely qualified and equally excited to be a part of the EmpowerMe Arts mission!
Melynda O'Brien
Parent Coach, Events, Communications
Community Empowerment Director
My name is Bethany. I am the Social Media Manager here at EmpowerMe Arts. I love creating content, especially when it comes to bringing someone's vision to life. I have been in the social media arena for about 7 years now and take on clients to help build strategy for their businesses. Let me know if you ever want help or guidance with your business or in creating content!
Bethany Hurst
Social Media Manager and Admin Support
Emily is our very first intern here at EmpowerMe Arts! She is so passionate about the arts. She sings, plays guitar, songwriting, and is even beginning to dabble into some graphic design!
Emily is such a joy to be around! If you've been around or seen her here at the studio, you know!
We're so grateful to have her with us!
Emily
Intern
My name is Amanda Martindale and I've been a marketing specialist for over ten years. My experience ranges from graphic design, to web development, brand strategy, print and digital advertising, and much more. One of my great passions is working with small businesses and it has been an honor getting to know and work with everyone on the team at EmpowerMe Arts! My daughter is also a student, so take it from me, the EmpowerMe team rocks!
Ayla
Assistant
Teaching Team
My love for music started from a very young age. I remember writing a song in my neighbor’s sandbox with a friend at age 5. That little artist soaked up all of the education she could and ended up with around 27 years of piano experience, 16 years of guitar, and a lifetime of vocal training. Along the way she worked on her visual art and created a business off of those creations too! My hope is to give every student the opportunity to be empowered to learn and grow in their musical and artistic gifts too!
Sarah Jolk
Owner/Founder
Voice, Piano, Guitar, Songwriting, Painting, Visual Art, Life Coaching
Noely Bennett is a talented singer, guitar player, visual artist, animator and voice actor! He is teaching beginner guitar as well as art sessions and classes.
Noely Bennett
Music and Art Teacher
Animation, Drawing, Voice Actor, Singer, Beginner Guitar
Thomas R. Niblack, a/k/a Tommy, was born into a musical family in the great city of Philadelphia, PA. Tommy further developed his talent as a drummer, bassist, and guitarist at Georgia College and State University. He has been a background singer for many famous artists and with the assistance of Andre Deyo, ("Jenny From the Block") and Scott "Shavoni" Parker, ("Talk To Me," Brandy), Tommy also developed strong song writing and production skills.
Tommy Niblack
Music Teacher
Acoustic, Electric, and Bass Guitar, Drums, Vocals, Songwriting, Music Theory
Susie has worked in special education for the past 11 years. As a child she spent most of her time taking art and dance classes, performing in musicals, and performing in her high school's marching band color guard. She enjoys using her background as a special education teacher and speech therapist to help empower students to use their creativity to reach their full potential.
Susie Donato, SLP
Music and Group Therapy, Summer Camps
Music Therapy, Music for Littles, Group Coaching
My name is Hannah Megran, and I am primarily involved in summer camps and programs at EmpowerMe Arts. I have 5 years of special education background as an occupational therapy practitioner in schools working with ages pre-K through 5th grade. I love using art as a therapeutic activity and creative outlet with my students, and for myself. I am excited to use my occupational therapy background to inspire unique opportunities for students to discover, explore, and play in creative ways.
Hannah Megran, OT
Summer Camps, K-5th Programs
Music and Art Exploration
My name is Johnny Amado. I was born here in Seattle, Washington.
I've been playing music since I was in elementary school! When I was in middle school, I started playing with other bands outside of church. We did weddings, church events, parties, etc.
The more people I met, the more styles of music I got exposed to, and wanted to take my craft to another level. Doing this has allowed me to meet many people around the Seattle area but in other states and countries as well and have blessed many lives in those places and I can’t wait to meet more. While I’m working on my dream, I’m ready to pour into lives right here at home so others can dream big.
Jonny Amado
Sound Engineering, Guitar, Vocal, Keys Performance
My name is Karen Pratt and I come from the beautiful land of Costa Rica. I have my own graphic design and art business called Lapa Design Studio. And I play the violin as well as have 17 years of experience teaching in Early Education. I am a mom to two very special boys: Luke and Jack. In my free time, I enjoy working with horses, walking in nature, and reading and watching sci-fi movies (especially Star Wars!!).
What I love about EmpowerMe Arts is the way Sarah wants to offer the world of Arts to the community: a path to free yourself, discover the creative in you and most importantly ENJOY the arts! I am so excited to be part of this project and bring the joy of creativity to many people especially young children.
Karen Pratt
Guest Art & Music Teacher, Graphics
Prek and Elementary Art and Music, Beginner Violin and Piano
OUR FOUNDER
Sarah Jolk
Sarah (Klute) Jolk is a worship leader, songwriter, musician, speaker and painter passionate about seeing people set free in life-especially the arts! She longs to see artists of all types EMPOWERED to create freely and to grow in their gifts. Sarah has her M.A. in Leadership from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a B.A. in Communication with a minor in writing from Colorado State University.
Sarah and her husband Kalen are based in Black Diamond, WA with their labradoodle Nala. You can find out more about Sarah, her music, and public speaking at: sarahjolkmusic.com