Stephanie Kammeraad is a co-producer, writer, and tech director for the Wimee’s Words show. She loves reading and creating, and believes one can never have too many books! She grew up in Metro Detroit, graduated from GVSU with a degree in Psychology/Special Education, and has coordinated and taught preschool through middle school over the past twenty years throughout West Michigan. She is currently the Director of Children’s Ministry at a church in Grand Rapids, MI, where she lives with her family, three cats, and a dog in a home filled with puppets, plants, and lots of plantain chips.
Kevin Kammeraad is the co-producer and lead puppeteer on the Wimee’s Words show and is part of the Community Engagement Team at Kent District Library. Kevin loves to perform, write, draw, sing, make things, and wonder about possibilities. Kevin is an artist, children’s author, music maker, and master puppeteer who has spent his career performing interactive, inspiring, high energy shows at schools, family events, libraries, and festivals across the country over the past twenty years. Kevin grew up in Holland, MI, has a degree in Film & Video Production from GVSU, and currently lives in Grand Rapids, MI, with his family in a home filled with books, music, and lots of tortilla chips.
Michael Hyacinthe is a U.S. Navy Seabee veteran and a social entrepreneur. Following his military service, Michael was recognized as Inc. Magazine’s Top 30 Under 30 Entrepreneur in 2010. Shortly thereafter, Michael founded [Has Heart] to connect with wounded veterans and to help them experience restoration through art. This initiative inspired Michael to create Wimage, a children’s media and tech company that creates digital technology, as well as the popular children’s show titled Wimee’s Words seen around the country on PBS. Originally from the Bronx in New York City, Michael currently lives in Grand Rapids, MI, and enjoys spending time with his four kids, volunteering with various organizations, and playing the drums at musical events and alongside Wimee at his live in-person shows.