About us
Supporting Creative Expression in the Sierra Foothills and Beyond
Focused on the intersection of art, media, music, nature, and community, Myrtle Tree Arts has a mission to develop and present new creative works and performances. We encourage the exploration of creativity through hosting local and international musicians, artists, writers in artist residencies. We collaborate with event producers, scientists, cultural keepers, and supporters of all kinds, to contribute to new works, and partner with local organizations interested in supporting and presenting the arts in El Dorado County, CA. Our events are invitations to share and encourage community engagement.
Co-Founders
Paul Godwin
Ameera Godwin
Ameera Godwin
With over three decades of international experience creating and empowering musical expression, Paul is passionate about what's next. He is the founder of Music Together of San Francisco (bringing early childhood musical education to over 10,000 Bay Area families,) the creator of award-winning musical projects such as Main St. Collective, The Sippy Cups, Dogon and Eternal Return. Paul is the recipient of the Bay Area Critics Circle Best Composer Award for his theatrical score of Tony Kushner's "Homebody/Kabul" in its West Coast Premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Paul holds a B.A. in Music Production and Engineering from Berklee College of Music, Boston.
Ameera Godwin
Ameera Godwin
Ameera Godwin
Co-Founder, Myrtle Tree Arts, and Talking Tree Ranch Artist Residency. Ameera (Amee) Godwin's artistic work includes digital and mixed media--still and video images, drawings, found objects--integrated into site-specific installations, performances and concerts. A featured artist internationally, her work explores themes at the intersection of art, science, and community. She holds a Master of Arts in Interactive Telecommunications from New York University, consulted at Paul Allen's seminal think tank (Interval Research), and also works to advance open access to education (ISKME).
Collaborating Partners
American River Conservancy
Folsom Lake College Innovation Lab/Zack Dowell
Folsom Lake College Innovation Lab/Zack Dowell
The American River Conservancy serves the region's communities by ensuring healthy ecosystems within the upper American and upper Cosumnes River Watersheds through land conservation, stewardship and education. With its commitment to community outreach, ARC offers environmental and experiential education programs designed to not only inform, but to inspire. Our place-based education programs explore the unique ecology of the Sierra Foothills and encourage learners to connect to their environment on a deeper level.
Folsom Lake College Innovation Lab/Zack Dowell
Folsom Lake College Innovation Lab/Zack Dowell
Folsom Lake College Innovation Lab/Zack Dowell
Zack Dowell is a lifelong tinkerer, musician, and maker, who for over 20 years has coordinated the efforts of the Innovation Center, a discipline-agnostic, general education makerspace and hub for innovation at Folsom Lake College. In that role, he provides training, resources, and energy to support the development of innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Among the Innovation Center’s ongoing projects are explorations of bioacoustics, infrasound, and data sonification/physicalization.
Arts and Culture El Dorado
Folsom Lake College Innovation Lab/Zack Dowell
Arts and Culture El Dorado
Arts and Culture El Dorado’s mission to promote, connect, and empower arts and culture throughout the county is achieved by targeted programs and services, a vibrant gallery exhibition series, and a focus on initiatives which support and sustain the cultural life of the region. Confidence Firehouse Gallery showcases a curated rotating exhibition series which celebrates the unique culture of El Dorado County and is programmed by Arts and Culture El Dorado in a public-private partnership with the City of Placerville.
Collaborating Artists
Miguel Noya
Miguel Noya
Miguel Noya
Venezuelan musical pioneer, Miguel Noya has over 15 albums to his name and continues to collaborate and release ground-breaking, gorgeous electronic music worldwide. He has been sponsored by The Goethe Institute most recently in a long-term musical residency in Berlin. His concerts are always unique with his design for surround sound psycho-acoustic environments. He has presented “Possible Horizons “ for the Venezuela pavilion at the XLI Venice Biennale (1990) and “Sailing Future” Venezuela Pavilion at “World Expo Lisboa 1998”.
Aron Faria
Miguel Noya
Miguel Noya
Aron Faria, a musician and composer grew up in California's Central Valley and received his degree in music composition from CSU Stanislaus. He has released material with Freedom to Forage, Strange Brew, and An Epic Theory in the progressive, jazz, classical, and post-rock genres. A lifelong student and teacher, Aron welcomes any chance to create new music with like-minded individuals. In 2020 Aron joined Dogon for their upcoming release "Fragments/Far Journeys" (NEWdOG Records).
Elena DeLacy
Rina Wakefield
Rina Wakefield
Drawn to the violin at a young age, Elena began studying music at the age of 6. While her formal academic pursuits focused on the sciences (Elena holds a B.S. in Environmental Biology from U.C. Davis), music has always been an important part of her life as a student, teacher and performer. Elena has enjoyed playing music in several local bands and ensembles over the years, including Flint & Tinder, The High Desert Nightshades, and most recently as a founding member of Hither & Yon, a folk/americana band. She believes in the healing power of music as an art form that moves through space and time.
Rina Wakefield
Rina Wakefield
Rina Wakefield
Rina Wakefield is a local Spoken Word performer, poet, freelance writer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature from Sacramento State University and is currently completing her Master’s Degree in Library Science with a focus on rare book curation at San Jose State University. Her work explores aspects of the human condition, issues facing women, topics housed within being of an indigenous background, the divine feminine, as well as highlights the wonders and magic of the natural world. She is an advocate for women’s empowerment and volunteers to support human rights, and environmental awareness campaigns.