Story Board

Skylar Bayer

Skylar Bayer moved to Juneau in 2022 and is a marine biologist, a storyteller, and a science communicator. She completed her Ph.D. in the secret sex lives of scallops at the University of Maine which landed her on The Colbert Report in 2013. She’s been a producer for The Story Collider since 2014 and has written and told stories on stage in Maine, Boston, New York City and Washington, D.C. She is the co-editor with Gabi Serrato Marks, of an anthology of stories from scientists: Uncharted: how scientists navigate health, research, and bias. She also enjoys Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, the gentle art, at Evolution Jiu Jitsu in Juneau.

Summer Koester

Born and raised in Juneau, Summer spent a few years living in Latin America and the Caribbean, but the wilderness and arts community called her back. Now she teaches Spanish to middle school students, freelance writes, and helped found Moon Lit Poets in Juneau. She’s also a member of dance groups the Off-the-Hook Honeys and Daughters of the New Moon Dance. As a kid, Summer found her voice performing on stage in plays and writing songs, and in the last few years, she started writing poetry, nonfiction, and satire. She is excited to help others find their voice and share their stories with Mudrooms!

Taylor Beard

Taylor Beard was born and raised in a ranching family in the far north of Utah; evidence can still be found in her penchant for saying things like ‘ya’ll’ or ‘ howdy.’ Brought to Juneau in 2017 by her husband Ben’s career, she finds the rain perfect for spending days weaving words into tales and is in the process of querying her first novel. Thank the gods! Outside of writing, she & her family enjoy most any activity that can be done in nature, though she can often be found gorging herself on good food, music and companionship.