Meet Miss Yarnell ❤️

Born in Brooklyn and raised in the Bronx and South Carolina, Takisha Yarnell Dugar – known for many years as Takisha Yarnell Ball – grew up surrounded by music, creativity, and a deep respect for education. A first-generation college graduate, she attended Duke University on a full basketball scholarship and earned degrees in Cultural Anthropology and Sociology. 

After college, Takisha returned to New York City, where she worked briefly as a Child Protective Specialist before pursuing music and performance throughout New York and Europe. In 2013, she relocated to Davison, Michigan and began working as a teaching artist across Greater Flint, Metro Detroit, and Stratford, Ontario.

Known to young people as Miss Yarnell, she creates original songs, Readers Theater scripts, and performing-arts experiences that help children and youth build confidence, express themselves, and discover the joy of learning.

In 2022, Takisha co-founded Read Art Loud®, where she now serves as Executive Director and Lead Teaching Artist and continues to grow her work as a children’s music artist, performer, writer, and curriculum creator.

Her educational and performing-arts work has been featured on the Michigan Learning Channel, reaching classrooms and families across Michigan.

*Based in Greater Flint and Metro Detroit. Available for select performances, speaking engagements, teaching artist residencies, creative collaborations, and online programs.