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"Where the locals go"
Joseph D'Arezzo Natale
Director
While Santa Barbara has been Joseph's primary place of residence for most of his life, he has been working internationally for over 30 years. His background is eclectic. However, his experience in mentoring people, young and old, has always been a part of his work. With a Master of Science in Education, and also Business Administration, (both from the University of San Francisco) for over 30 years he has owned and operated a Management Consulting Firm. With his wife, Glenna they founded a global non-profit Called Heart Ventures providing assistance to people who have been victims of, or survived human rights violations. He has worked with large commercial business, and provided organizational development for non-profit organizations. Throughout the years, he worked with university students in career development, and families, youth and adults who faced mental health or other life challenges. His role has been to develop and implement support services including nurturing, goal planning, mentoring and specific education and vocational plans, focusing on the individual as the center of their personal life plan.
Joseph's business degrees included specific application of training for people with disabilities, including people with mental challenges, autism and developmental disabilities.
His experience as adjunct faculty for Westmont College, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Antioch University and concurrently designing and implementing programs for victims and survivors of human trafficking and extreme poverty, has provided him the opportunity of understanding people from all walks of life.
Joseph has worked with youth in many programs such as the Yolo Community Care Continuum in Davis, California, The California Department of Rehabilitation, The Devereux Foundation, our own non-profit Intensive Heart Ventures, provided services in Human Resources, Employment Training, Program and Project Management. He has experience working in various industries from the private sector to social enterprise in the development of programs for people, business processes and technology development, all over the world including the 38 USA States, Asia, Africa, Mexico and Central America.
In 2014 Joseph developed a merging of his for profit and non profit into what he defines as “pure social enterprise. The theme of pure social enterprise is to draw circles around our places of business and homes, and take responsibility for the needs of our immediately surrounding social and physical environment without expecting our government, churches and nonprofit organizations to do it. Even if, due to small profits or personal income that provide just a few dollars above our own needs, and that circle is very small, we believe as our model is adopted by more and more people we can effect huge change in our immediate surroundings. As we evangelize those within our circle, and where our circle intersects with others (our neighboring residents and businesses) to adopt our model, and they evangelize the circles that intersect with theirs, this methodology can spread exponentially to change our world."
After many years of management consulting for complex projects and working as the primary owner of our Caribbean beach front resort-social enterprise, Joseph has settled in his long time hometown of Santa Barbara to work with a team of social entrepreneurs, educators and youth to provide this education and enrichment service to our community in the D'Arezzo Center for Creative Expression.
Avery Artigo:
Avery Artigo is the Director of Fitness and Health. He is an all year, all the time, fundamental health and fitness skills development and training coach. The AA Fitness mission is to use the tried and true Presidential Physical Fitness, quality training system to provide a comprehensive program for athletes of all ages and skill levels.
The focus is individualized training to improve athletes’ fundamental skills, confidence and sportsmanship. Goals are to evaluate each participant and guide them gently into healthy activity and overall fitness including eating habits. Training will build upon a student's existing talents and allow the athlete to grow and see tangible results.
Avery Artigo is a natural born athlete. From soccer, football, baseball, to varsity basketball, Avery's talents demonstrate that a focus on general health and fitness produce eclectic athleticism. Avery is a Certified Lifeguard, and CPR Trained. He was recognized as a hero for quick response rescue at the Boys and Girls Club. Avery's love for youth is only surpassed by their love for him! Avery brings humor and fun into serious training that inspires even those who have been hesitant to join into serious health and fitness training. Avery "rings the bell" of success as he encourages each and every student athlete's accomplishments!
Jesse Natale
Jesse Natale, Director of Photography, Editor
Graduated from Brooks Institute of Photography in with a bachelors degree 2017 in Commercial Film and Photography.
Jesse Natale (son of director Joseph Natale) is the owner of J North Productions, a Santa Barbara Based Video Production and Photography Company. They specialize in commercial, corporate, promotional, real estate, resort and lifestyle, weddings and events.
J North Productions provides media content, starting from concept to final product. This includes design engineering, direction, film, sound, and final editing. Full service production company with a team of 10 media professionals. Some of their clients include Adidas, Figueroa Mountain Company, MOXI Museum, Beckman, Deckers, Ugg, AA Airlines, Enduroshield, private promotions for Actors such as Scott Eastwood and more.
Chris Carmona
Chris Carmona is a Santa Barbara Native, majoring in Drama at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC). Chris recently graduated from San Marcos High School (SMHS) where he performed in nearly every production during his time there including: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: Abridged (Various Roles), Catch Me If You Can (Dance Captain), and Into The Woods (Wolf).
You may have also seen him perform in local theater companies such as: The Theater Group at SBCC’s productions of How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Ensemble) and Grease! (Sonny Latierri). He has performed with the Out Of The Box Theatre Company’s American Psycho (Sean Bateman), and ETC Young Actors Conservatory’s Into The Woods (Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf).
Chris has studied ballet and modern dance with Santa Barbara Festival Ballet (SBFB) since 6th grade. He appeared in The 41st, 42nd and 43rd Nutcracker at the Arlington, as the title role, as well as the 44th and 45th as Drosselmeyer.
During his time at SMHS he was a member of the nationally recognized Madrigals Choir, as well as Vice President of the men’s choir, Royal Knights. A highlight of his time at SMHS was singing in the 2019 Festival of Gold Competition with selectively invited pre-college choirs and orchestras from across the nation. The Festival was adjudicated by legends in the industry with SMHS receiving the overall highest score. Chris was also a member of the 2018-2019 California Regional and State Honor Choirs.
Chris has studied voice since he was 10 years-old. He has a strong passion for directing and choreographing as well as performing. Chris believes that participating in the arts is a truly transformative experience and he is excited to share his love and expertise with students at D’Arezzo Creative Education.
Dakota Middleton
Dakota Middleton is a local Santa Barbaran, born and raised. Dakota, a founding Learning Coach with D'Arezzo Creative Education is versatile and multi-talented. Youth flock to and follow Dakota who serves as a wonderful mentor and model citizen of the community.
Dakota is a well seasoned musician, currently majoring in Music Studies. He is a writer, drummer and bass guitarist. Dakota teaches music, performance and also provides academic tutoring to students of D'Arezzo Creative Education.
Dakota has an amazing talent in building relationships with youth and guiding them into the learning process. He helps them develop a strong motivation to learn while helping them to enjoy the academic path to ultimately graduating from High School and following their dreams.
Dakota embodies the very culture and methodology of D'Arezzo Creative Education naturally and professionally.
Former Vice President of Engineering for Verizon offers a Review-Reference of Joseph Natale
"The founder and leader is a man of unmatched compassion and faith. He has stepped in to help those in need around the world when no one else saw the need. He is the best person I know, his understanding of organizational dynamics and the details required to run a successful venture, are unparalleled. I have been blessed to see him succeed, to the benefit of those who are in real need, time and time again. Recently, I was honored to help teach a science class at D’Arezzo Creative Education, and I can tell you first hand that his energy and commitment are making a difference in this world. I am profoundly proud to have been able work with Joseph for over 30 years and for the relationship that has endured for three decades." Craig Frost