Deb Mexicotte received her BFA and MA in Theatre from Case Western Reserve University and the University of Michigan, and worked in local and regional theatre as a designer and painter before joining the University of Michigan. She has spent her career working initially with students and student organizations engaged with the arts to help them achieve their highest developmental aspirations, and more recently with faculty and administrators to integrate the arts and design with science and engineering across the curricular and co-curricular spheres. Deb was named Student Organization Adviser of the Year in 1999 and has led research efforts on the impact of the arts on students at U-M. Prior to the last six years at ArtsEngine, she spent eight years as the Program Director for Arts at Michigan, a co-curricular arts engagement program. Her experience in the community includes many years as a Trustee on the Ann Arbor Board of Education and leadership positions with the Arts Alliance of Washtenaw County and the Ann Arbor Public Art Commission.

John Granzow applies the latest manufacturing methods to both scientific and musical instrument design. After completing a masters of science in psychoacoustics, he attended Stanford University for his PhD in computer-based music theory and acoustics. Granzow started and instructed the 3d Printing for Acoustics workshop at the Centre for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics. He attended residencies at the Banff Centre and the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris. His research focuses on computer-aided design, analysis, and fabrication for new musical interfaces with embedded electronics. He also leverages these tools to investigate acoustics and music perception.

Granzow’s instruments include a long-wire installation for Pauline Oliveros, sonified easels for a large-scale installation at La Condition des Soies in Lyon, France, and a hybrid gramophone commissioned by the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players. He is a member of the Acoustics Society of America where he frequently presents his findings. In 2013, Granzow was awarded best paper for his work modeling the vocal tract as it couples to free reeds in musical performance.

Mark earned his bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Akron, performance certificate from Northwester University and masters and doctoral degrees in music from the University of Michigan. After graduation Mark worked as a freelance musician followed by teaching music at the Alcorn State University and the University of Tennessee at Martin. At the University of Michigan Mark has previously worked in the communications and marketing office and the Center for Engineering Diversity and outreach (Now Office of Culture, Community and Equity OCCE). After serving as Program Director for ArtsEngine’s residential Learning community, Mark is now Assistant Director at ArtsEngine where he manages UARTS course accounts, including the Faculty Engineering Arts Student Teams (FEAST), the ADUE office website team and the assessment and evaluation of Living ArtsEngine. Mark is also responsible for overseeing the Living ArtsEngine program and alumni initiatives.

Amanda Benjamin earned her Master’s Degree in Communication, Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Public Relations, and Lean Black Belt Certificate from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. She has over 10 years of experience in administration and marketing, including in higher education. Most recently, she served as Operations Manager for an optical distributor and as Deputy Supervisor for Exeter Township, Michigan. In these roles, she engaged in office management, event planning, marketing and process improvement. She has a passion for continuous learning and helping others learn and grow.

Evelyne Lee is a student from the University of Michigan’s class of 2026, currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science and Art & Design. She has a deep love for exploring various digital media, including programming, filming/editing, digital art, graphic design, web design/development, and more. 

Evelyne is always on the lookout for new ways to express her creativity. Her current focus is on videography, as she is a part of the student-run record label known as Empty Mug Records. In her role as co-head of production, she is in charge of filming and photography during music shows.

She loves capturing the moment any chance she can and keeping memories through the form of videos. In her free time, Evelyne enjoys playing and singing music with friends, snowboarding, drawing, cooking, and reading.

Bio coming soon!

Joan Holder is a fifth year undergrad at U-M, finishing a dual degree in art and linguistics, with a minor in digital studies. As a member, mentor, and active alumni of Living Arts Engine, she’s loved facilitating project creation, bridging communication challenges between disciplines, and exploring iterative design processes.

She’s currently exploring speculative communication design, focusing on digital systems and alternative design histories, through illustration.

She’s enjoying getting to help the behind-the-scenes processes of ArtsEngine!