The MUSE

Biographies

Robin Bensinger, founder of the MUSE, is a creative writer, filmmaker, environmentalist, humanitarian, educator, and world traveler. She has a B.A. in Literature from The American University in Washington, D.C., and also studied Spanish Literature in Madrid, Spain in 1990. From 1998 to 2005 she worked for Jefferson County Public Schools as an English as a Second Language teacher, where she taught international children in grades K through 12. She published her first collection of poetry entitled Daydream through Wasteland Press in 2002. In June 2005 she co-directed the short documentary "One" to help promote the ONE Campaign to end global AIDS and extreme poverty. In May 2007, she wrote, directed, and produced the short comedy "Dos Equis Beer". In September 2007, she directed and produced a Public Service Announcement about recycling. Each film was featured in one of Louisville's KINO Film Festivals. (See "Movies" link) She enjoys music, web design, practicing Spanish, playing with Bunny the cat, and teaching the youth at Unity of Louisville.

Matthew Presley has always been interested in writing. With an active imagination since early childhood, he often wrote down his dreams and gave them a story line. In college he took many courses in creative writing, concentrating primarily on fiction. In late 1999, his focus shifted to poetry. He began attending the Louisville Poets Guild in 2003, and later joined The MUSE in 2006. In November of that same year, the Troubadours of Divine Bliss invited him to share his work on the Sunday night open stage at the Hideaway Saloon. Now known as the "Blue-Hatted Bard" at the Hideaway, he still continues to write whatever his mind badgers him to put down on paper.

David Allor is an ingenious computer programmer, web designer, and devoted peace activist. His wide array of interests include meditating and studying world religion, history, and linguistics. His favorite style of art is Chinese brush painting, which he fell in love with while studying Chinese at The Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities. He was further inspired by a trip abroad to China. Click on "Visual Art" to see just one example of his artistry.

Jake Shackelford is a talented screenwriter, poet, and independent filmmaker. He graduated from the Youth Performing Arts School in 1988 and has gone on to make his own short films as well as work on the sets of several local feature length films. See "Visual Art" to check out some of his photography. Keep checking back as one of his films will be posted soon!

Suzette Higgs is a passionate and gifted writer who is currently working towards her Ph.D. in Creative Writing at the University of Louisville. Click "Poems" to find two examples of her fine work. Her other talents include exceptional jewelry making, sewing and gardening. She is the proud mother of four beautiful children.

Don FitzGerald hails from Venice, California. As a young man he was lucky enough to be exposed to a very liberal and artistic culture. He was raised in an era when people like Bob Dylan, Canned Heat, & The Doors would perform for free on the beach front. As a child he met and was influenced by many of these talented people. His fondest memories are spending time with his father as he rehearsed with his own band called The Twilighters, and his countless hours in the recording studios with his father. Don FitzGerald has appeared on stage, on T.V., and in three movies. He has led acting workshops based on visualization and metaphysics. He has been a hypnotist for 27 years, a poet, writer and painter. He also is the President/Founder of Louisville’s Jurisdictionary Club.

John Anthony VanBezooijen III took the beautiful picture of Bunny the Cat for the MUSE Logo. He is a talented musician, gardener and artist. Keep checking back, as more of his artistry is coming soon!

Scott McCrory is a talented visual artist. Complete bio coming soon!

More biographies coming soon!

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