We are an experienced team of creative arts therapists, teaching artists, recreation therapists, and gerontologists. Through our extensive knowledge of holistic quality of life and the seven wellness domains, we cultivate joy, engage curiosity, and foster personal expression. Our goal is to increase your loved one’s or client’s quality of life through therapeutic activity that is purposeful and meaningful.
Each team member is a seasoned therapeutic activity specialist with a range of experience to serve every individual, client, or group. We are passionate about working with people living with memory loss (including those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia).
Kari Rogenski, MA, LMFT (#102199)
Creative Director of the Hummingbird Project
BA Theatre Performance, University of Lethbridge; MA Counseling Psychology Drama Therapy, California Institute of Integral Studies
Kari’s love of elders began as a child and spending time with her grandparents was a joy. Grandma’s house was always Kari’s favorite place to be.
Kari combined her passion for eldercare and the creative arts by becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist and creative arts therapist working with elders. She brings well over a decade of experience to her role as Director of The Hummingbird Project and co-creator of Joyful Moments: Meaningful Activities to Engage Older Adults. She is a proud advocate for the importance of finding and embracing joy throughout life. She has presented to both professional and public audiences locally and nationally about Quality of Life and Life Enrichment for older and disabled adults, including several presentations for the Alzheimer’s Association, the Aging Life Care Professional Association, and the North American Drama Therapy Association, among others.
It is Kari’s creative and professional approach, as well as her warm personality, that allows her to connect with clients and engage them in meaningful therapeutic activities. Kari’s passion for theatre has been infused into her education and career. She has expertise in facilitating drama therapy techniques including improvisation, monologue writing, and play reading. Some of her favorite activities to share with older adults include expressive arts such as life story collage, art appreciation, touch drawing, creative storytelling, legacy projects, and more.
Tara Blanca, BS, MA
Director of Operations for The Hummingbird Project
BS Business Management, University of Phoenix; MA Expressive Arts Therapy, European Graduate School/Expressive Arts Institute San Diego
Growing up in a military family, Tara spent her formative years traversing the United States. Her engagement with the elder population began in childhood while accompanying her mother, a geriatric nurse practitioner, on visits to patients. During her summer breaks, Tara would assist in the activities department while her mother completed rounds.
The arts have always been integral to Tara’s quality of life, and she continues her artistic and poetic practices today. Tara has had the privilege of conducting Expressive Arts groups and one-on-one sessions, both online and in person, nationally and internationally for the last decade. Before joining Sage Eldercare and The Hummingbird Project, Tara worked with Musical Biographies, a Villa Musica program, fostering creativity and therapeutic expression through music and visual arts for elders and their care partners.
In her interactions with elders and their care partners, Tara consistently demonstrates deep compassion and dedication, striving to enhance her clients’ quality of life through creative expression and meaningful engagement.
With a robust background in business spanning global territories, Tara holds a strong appreciation for culture and brings a depth of experience to collaborating with teams for optimal client outcomes. Tara’s commitment to excellence and lifelong learning permeates her approach to life.
Bryna McCarty, BS
Hummingbird Project Program and Operations Manager
BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing, San Francisco State University
A Bay Area native, Bryna has 11 years’ experience supporting nonprofit, community-driven companies with her administrative expertise. Through this work she developed a strong desire to fulfill unmet needs in the community. Bryna’s thoughtful approach to administrative work will allow her to support truly meaningful programming from behind the scenes. Bryna is excited to be a part of The Hummingbird Project team and brings her passion for creating and maintaining efficient and effective processes, ensuring we can deliver joyful moments to all.