Jay Cooper

Let me introduce a Professor and Polymath of Pugilistic Principles - "The Hound" Jay Cooper! A lifelong martial artist and former police officer, Jay has distilled over 30 years of training, 5 black belts, multiple disciplines and experience in life or death situations into an engaging and articulate series of talks, lessons and demonstrations.

Although known for the efficacy of his fighting arts, Jay has always taught them as being part of a total approach to life and a way for any individual to explore and express themselves honestly. Jay has trained with a "who's who" of the best in martial arts and continues to pass on their lessons, insights and wisdom tempered with his always irreverent, occasionally profane, but never imitated style. Jay also has his own podcast and is working on several projects including online martial arts training academy and a film credit with a well known French director!

Christine Ahanotu

Christine Ahanotu is an actress, writer, podcast producer and certified permaculture instructor. She has extensive experience in a myriad of creative fields and is a firm believer in the power of creativity. Originally hailing from Boston, MA , she now travels the world interviewing people doing great things for the planet and its people. Her speech topics range from film to producing to the importance of sustainability in all creative fields.

Steve Whitmire

Muppet creator Jim Henson invited Steve Whitmire to join his team in 1978 during the height of the popularity of The Muppet Show, and Whitmire had a hand in virtually every Muppet project for nearly four decades. He originated such characters as Rizzo the Rat, Lips the Trumpet Man, Miss Piggy’s dog Foo-Foo, and Bean Bunny, and also sustained Richard Hunt’s characters, the hapless lab assistant Beaker and codger Statler after Hunt’s death in 1992. Upon Henson’s death in 1990, Whitmire accepted the duty for the continuation of several of Jim’s characters and is best known for his 24-years as Ernie and his 27-years as Kermit the Frog. Projects include Sesame Street and non-Muppet films such as The Dark Crystal, The Witches, Dreamchild and Labyrinth, as well as the popular sitcom Dinosaurs and the classic 1980’s television series Fraggle Rock in which Whitmire originated Wembley Fraggle and Sprocket the Dog. After 19 films, 8 television series, numerous specials, multiple sound recordings, and volumes of unique live appearances, Whitmire carries forth the essential principles of the lineage as the foundation for a progressive approach to the art of puppetry in today’s world and looks forward to sharing that spirit in his future endeavours.