APAP - Association of Performing Arts Professionals > Programs > Leadership and Career Advancement > Emerging Leadership Institute

Facilitators

Theresa Ripley Holden

Theresa Ripley Holden, a theater artist, professor, performing arts manager, … organizer and consultant, is the co-Director of Holden & Arts Associates and the Director of the Artist and Community Connection (ACC). ACC, a not-for-profit organization, offers consulting services to diverse organizations. Theresa also served as the Managing Director and consultant, for Junebug Productions, a theater company based in New Orleans. She has served on NEA and many other funding panels. For over twenty years Theresa has planned, produced and consulted for numerous arts presenters and producing companies. She previously taught theater at Arizona State University and the University of Akron and has co-facilitated ELI for the past 12 years.

Rosalba Rolón

Rosalba Rolón is Artistic Director of Pregones Theater (Bronx)/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater (Manh).… She is a 2008 United States Artists Fellow and a 2006 Ford Foundation New Works Visionary Fellow. In addition to co-facilitating ELI, she is also Faculty of NALAC’s Leadership Institute. Since 1979, Rosalba has led the creation of Pregones' original music theater repertory. Credits include Dancing In My Cockroach Killers, The Harlem Hellfighters On A Latin Beat, Betsy!-with Roadside Theater (KY) and Brides, with companies in Belgium and in the Slovak Republic. Additionally, she is a Board Member of the National Association of Latino Arts and US Artists.

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Participants: Class of 2020

Tenara Calem

Tenara Calem is a theater artist/practitioner and administrator based in Philadelphia, PA. … She currently serves as the Audience Engagement Coordinator at FringeArts, Philadelphia's leading contemporary performance presenter. At Fringe she practices the consensus organizing model of community engagement, as developed by Seema Sueko at the Mo'elelo Performing Arts Company. She has worked as a playwright, educator, director, and coalition builder with a myriad of companies around the country, including Trinity Repertory Company, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Horizon Theatre Company in Atlanta, Georgia, Pig Iron Theatre Company, InterAct Theater Company, Shakespeare in Clark Park, Lightning Rod Special, and Strange Attractor.

Danielle Cohen

Danielle Cohen is the current Program Manager, Arts & Culture at the Lawrence Family JCC, … where she curates and books the performing arts season and film festival. Danielle graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara with a BA in Film and Media Studies and Sociology and is an award winning filmmaker and director. With a passion for documentaries, you can find her working on her next film project during her off time. With a passion for short films, Danielle became the director of the Joyce Forum Jewish Short Film Festival and is the upcoming ArtsFest Co-Director of the JCC Maccabi Experience in 2020.

Sean Conlon

Sean Conlon is the Audience Services Manager at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Fine Arts Center. … He is a UMass Amherst alumni with a bachelor’s in History (‘01) and a Masters in Education (‘11). After a number of years as a high school teacher and technical theater advisor, he returned to the Fine Arts Center where he worked as an undergraduate in the same department. Working in the performing arts in a higher education setting intersects Sean’s passion for education and creating experiences for students, which help them to challenge themselves and develop their appreciation for the arts.

Andrea Cuevas

Andrea Cuevas is the Presented Series Marketing Manager at McCarter Theatre Center … on the campus of Princeton University in New Jersey. She holds an MBA in Arts & Cultural Management from Paris School of Business and Institut d'Études Supérieures des Arts in Paris, France and a BA in Communications & Media Studies from Fordham University. She spent a few years working at Serino/Coyne, the largest Broadway advertising agency in NYC, marketing for clients such as Beautiful, The Lion King, Aladdin, Newsies, Lincoln Center Theatre, The Metropolitan Opera, Boston Ballet, and working on Webby-award winning digital campaigns for The Tony Awards, The Phantom of the Opera, Peter and the Starcatcher, and many more.

Malakhi RL Eason II

Mr. Malakhi RL Eason II is a native of Boston, Massachusetts and a proud graduate of the University of Bridgeport … in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication and a minor in Music Business. Mr. Eason has his Master of Arts in Leadership from Grace University. In 2019 Mr. Eason began his Doctorate Program in Leadership at Creighton University. In addition to his position as Programming Manager for Omaha Performing Arts, he owns and operates Krucial Konflict Agency LLC. Mr. Eason is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated.

Tyler Gabbard

Tyler Gabbard is the Box Office and Patron Communications Manager at the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts … at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Previously, he was the Events and Publicity Manager for the School of the Arts at Northern Kentucky University and served as the Vice President of the League of Cincinnati Theatres. He began his career as the General Management Intern with Broadway producer Dodger Properties. Tyler holds a BFA in Theatre Production and Design from NYU/Tisch and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Northern Kentucky University. Tyler also freelances as a Scenic Designer and Graphic Designer.

Neha Gandhi

Neha Gandhi is an Associate Producer and Manager at MELA Arts Connect, … where she plays an integral role in the creation, curation, programming and administration of MELA Arts productions. She is focused on creating space to elevate South Asian arts and programming. Neha has also been a Founder and Director for the nonprofit organization the Association of South Asian A cappella. She has previously worked in a variety of roles including artist services, public relations and marketing for Lincoln Center for Performing Arts, the Madison Square Garden Company and Tony Award winning Crossroads Theatre Company.

Dillon Hupp

Dillon Hupp is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, where he graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 2008. … He attended Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont, where he graduated with a degree in American Studies and a focus in Race and Ethnicity in 2012. A lifelong lover of the arts in Central Arkansas, Dillon was hired as Executive Director of the ACANSA Arts Festival of the South in April 2017. From 2013-2017, Dillon served as the Finance Director and then Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Arkansas. In his spare time, Dillon serves as the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Pulaski County and the Commissioner of Little Rock RBI baseball.

Liz Ivkovich

Liz Ivkovich hails from rural Michigan. She is the Development Director for UtahPresents, … the multidisciplinary presenter at the University of Utah where she oversees major gifts, grants, corporate partnerships, and other fundraising initiatives. Liz holds a BS in Sustainable Business & International Studies (Aquinas ‘07) and an MFA in Modern Dance (Utah ’16). She has written about performance, power, and the environment for publications including Performance Research and the Journal of Environmental Studies & Sciences, and taught at the University of Utah and Salt Lake Community College. Liz still dances sometimes.

Jeffrey Kelly

Jeffrey Kelly serves as the Cultural and Special Events Manager and Theater Director at Misericordia University … located in Northeast Pennsylvania. From a very young age, Jeff was immersed in the entertainment and theater industry. He became a performer and a technician while he earned his Bachelors’ of Science degree in Professional Studies with a specialization in Fine Arts: Vocal Performance and his Masters’ of Science degree in Organizational Management from Misericordia. In addition to programming and teaching at MU Jeff is the Technical Director for Dallas Senior High School’s Drama Department as well as a freelance designer and technician for dance, theater, and other performing arts companies.

Eric Lapin

Eric Lapin is Director of Artistic Initiatives for the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts … and a Senior Lecturer of Music in the Department of Performing Arts at Clemson University. Dr. Lapin teaches courses in applied clarinet, arts administration, and jazz history while working on grant writing, higher education outreach, and programming for the Brooks Center. He holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Clarinet Performance and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership. Dr. Lapin regularly presents and publishes on arts administration, leadership, and music history, serves in the Faculty Senate, and is a featured speaker for SC Humanities.

Coralee Macias

Coralee Macías is the Manager of Touring Operations for Red Tail Entertainment, … an independent commercial producer/promoter based in Fort Worth, Texas where she’s responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a revolving slate of projects including Double Dare Live! and Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live at the Smithsonian National Zoo. Her passion for performing arts began in Dallas as a dancer at Booker T. Washington HSPVA where an early internship with TITAS/Dance Unbound taught her the value of thoughtful arts administration and led her to a position at the AT&T Performing Arts Center coordinating artist development and the presentation of new works.

Sarah McCaffery

Sarah McCaffery is the Executive and Program Associate at Asia Society Museum in New York City. … Her current projects include Creative Common Ground, an initiative which commissions artists to create interdisciplinary performance works. She has a background in dance in a diverse array of styles including ballet and bhangra. She is pursuing an MA in Art History at Hunter College with a focus on performance and new media studies. She graduated from Duke University with a BA in Political Science, a minor in Dance, and a certificate in Markets and Management.

Caitlin McKee

Caitlin McKee is the Presenting Manager at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts … at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Within her position she curates the Chan Centre Connects series, a broad reaching outreach series that illuminates the role of artists and the arts in our society. Within her role she is also responsible for contract management and show advancing for the Chan Centre’s various series. Formerly, she was the General Manager of the Firehall Arts Centre and Associate Producer for the Dancing on the Edge Festival of Contemporary Dance. As a classically trained cellist and jazz vocalist, Caitlin holds a BA from the University of Toronto in Arts Management and Music, and has worked for various theatre, dance and festival organizations within Canada.

Joice Milare

A native of São Paulo, Brazil, Joice Milare moved to Auburn, AL in 2005. … She brings a wealth of experience in business, hospitality, and event operations to her role as the Executive Assistant and Business Manager for the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University. She oversees the financial affairs, human resources activities and business operations of the Gogue Center, which include the development of office procedures, administrative processes and events. Joice is an accomplished classical ballet dancer, and when not working, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and two Boston Terriers, Paisley and Sarge.

Priya Narayan

Priya is the newest member of MELA Arts Connect. … A resident in the Bay Area, Priya works to integrate Indian arts with local communities. Priya holds a Master's degree from Columbia College in Chicago, in Interdisciplinary Arts and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Contemporary Indian Dance. A dancer and dance educator herself, Priya is devoted to the classical arts of India and furthering the reach of artists. She utilizes her education and experience as an advocate for Indian classical artists in serving the artist community.

Terri Park

Terri Park is the Education Manager for the University Musical Society, … overseeing all components of the UMS K-12 Program, including its School Day Performance series, pre-and post-show workshops in school classrooms, and professional development programming for the K-12 education community. Terri has over 25 years of experience working as a theatre professional and educator in a variety of capacities — as teacher, director, actor, and writer. Prior to working at UMS, she was a full time theatre instructor in a public elementary school in Brooklyn, New York. Terri also worked extensively with Shakespeare & Company (Lenox, MA) and the New Victory Theatre (New York, NY) in their education departments. She holds a Master’s Degree from New York University in Educational Theatre.

Imogen Pickles

Imogen Pickles is the Assistant Manager of Dance Programming at New York City Center. … Prior, she worked at Pentacle Dance Works, Rioult Dance Theater, and the Curet Performance Project, among others. She received her BA with Honors in English Literature at King’s College London.

Bo Plantz

Bo Plantz is the Executive Assistant at Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation where he serves as liaison to the board of directors. … In addition to providing broad logistical support to the board and Executive Director, he administers the Alan Cooper Leadership in the Arts Award recognizing outstanding arts leadership in the mid-Atlantic region. Prior to Mid Atlantic Arts, Bo worked in academia at the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston where he received a Master of Music in Composition. He aspires to one day run an artist colony to pursue his passion of supporting innovative artists. In his spare time, Bo enjoys making music, camping, and hiking with his wife, Courtney, and dog, Leo.

Chloe Powell

Chloe Powell is an artist, agent, educator and organizer, based in Barnard, VT. … She books a weekly music series for BarnArts Center for the Arts at Feast and Field, a unique venue located on a working farm. She works as an agent with ALIA Prod with a focus on New England routings for international artists, and is co-director of a new project, GlobaLocal, organizing residencies for international musicians for concerts and engagements with schools in smaller rural communities surrounding Barnard. She also teaches fiddle, and runs a summer camp with a focus on arts and environmental education.

Oscar Quesada

Oscar Quesada is Programming Manager at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, FL, … where he oversees bookings in music, comedy, theatre, and dance on a multi-venue campus. Oscar has served in various roles over his six seasons at the Arsht Center, ranging from customer service to event management and contract administration. As a graduate of Florida State University, Oscar holds a BA in Commercial Music – studying music production and business while gaining technical experience as a stagehand at the College of Music. In addition to programming, Oscar is a cellist, producer, recording engineer, and award-winning performer.

Randy Reyes

randy reyes is a queer-AfroGuatemalan brujx, choreographer, and performance artist born in NJ. … They currently make love and art in the San Francisco Bay Area. randy engages choreography as a process of excavation and uses task as meditation, psychosomatic state work, Chinese Energetics, grief/joy/the erotic. They get messy by conjuring contemporary rituals within quotidian + natural landscapes. randy is a 2019 Choreographers in Mentorship Exchange (CHIME) mentee, a danceWEB | Impulstanz scholarship programme recipient, and was awarded a National Association for Latino Arts & Cultures (NALAC) Artist Grant, a New Roots Foundation Artist Residency, and a Dancers’ Group CA$H Grant.

Andy Sheperd

Andy Shepherd is the Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications for the Green Music Center … at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, California. In this role, Andy develops and implements all marketing and communication strategies for a diverse range of performances within the Green Music Center’s presenting season. Originally from Salinas California, Andy graduated with a BS in Business Administration with a marketing concentration and a Jazz Studies Minor from Sonoma State University. He began his career following graduation as the Marketing Coordinator for Yoshi’s Jazz Club in Oakland, CA.

Diana Tan

Diana Tan entered the arts unconventionally. After graduating with a degree in Marketing … from East Carolina University, she kicked-off adulthood in the sales and CPG industries before a Second City documentary switched-up her career trajectory. Post-Netflix binge, she answered a job-listing asking to pitch the famed comedy theater, a move that evolved into a temp-position with ECE Touring. Since joining, her assistance with elevating marketing efforts & intern programs blossomed into a full-time agent career. Tan merges her passions and professional background to grow arts audiences by curating diverse programming projects including The Hiplet Ballerinas and Rockin' Road to Dublin.

Danielle Vauters

Danielle started her career as an Entertainment Journalist at The Source Magazine and AllHipHop.com. … As a music business consultant, Danielle has curated effective music business workshops for emerging artists through the years. Danielle is also passionate about working at New Jersey Performing Arts Center as a Manager of School and Summer Programs since 2017. Each school year, Danielle implements over 150 in-school performing arts residencies in New Jersey as well as manages program logistics, events and promotes programming by assisting with marketing, open houses and training. Danielle also oversees on-site summer programs at NJPAC during July and August each year.

Carina Woodward

Carina Woodward is a Marketing Manager with Des Moines Performing Arts, … where she creates and executes advertising campaigns for touring Broadway, comedy, and dance productions as well as a variety of additional events and concerts appearing at any of DMPA’s four venues. Carina has ten years of marketing experience with a background in tourism, customer event planning and social media strategy. She is a 2009 graduate of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota with a BA in Literature. In her free time Carina enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Otis and Rufus, training for her next half-marathon, and attending Broadway performances.

Katerina Wong

Katerina Wong is a Co-Artistic Director of RAWdance, a San Francisco-based contemporary dance company. … Since graduating from Princeton University and moving west, she’s collaborated and performed with over 15 Bay Area choreographers. Katie’s work has been commissioned by PUSH Dance Company, FACT/SF, Cutting Ball Theater, California Academy of Sciences, ACLU, and more. In 2017, she was the first dance artist to tour nationally with Pop-Up Magazine, and performed at Lincoln Center. Katie also served as Alonzo King LINES Ballet’s Digital Strategist and re-envisioned their social media presence. She is a 2019 mentee with Dance/USA’s Institute for Leadership Training program.

2020 ISPA Fellows

Ratri Anindyajati

Ratri Anindyajati is a producer from Jakarta, Indonesia. … A graduate of the MFA Creative Producing and Management at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), her passion lies in bringing South East Asian performance to the globe as well as storytelling and producing works which explores humanity and identity through the lens of diversity and multiplicity of cultures. Her producing credits include Producer for Edgar Arceneaux’s touring work titled Until, Until, Until…; Associate Producer for Shelter (a site-specific play written by Marissa Chibas, directed by Martin Acosta, a project of CalArts’ Center for New Performance); Producer/Manager for Didik Nini Thowok (Indonesia’s renown cross-gender artist). Before relocating to Los Angeles, Ratri was producer at the Indonesian Dance Festival, an international contemporary dance festival in Jakarta, with international experiences at Impulstanz (Vienna, Austria) and Kunstenfestivaldesarts (Brussels, Belgium).

Ireri Mugica

Born chilanga, Ireri Mugica continuously finds her passion by striving to find ways for 'impossible projects' to happen. … After graduating in Contemporary Dance at Nellie and Gloria Campobello National School of Dance, she performed as a dancer in several projects and companies in Mexico City. In the last three years, Ireri has served as International Manager at Centro de Producción de Danza Contemporánea (CEPRODAC), developing more than 45 international collaborations and coproductions with institutions and artists from over 17 countries, including artistic residencies, workshops and laboratories, exchanges, fundraising, coproduction of 6 contemporary big format dance programs, national and international touring, among others. She was awarded with a Santander scholarship for high-impact entrepreneurs in New York City, after graduating from the postgraduate studies in Cultural Policies and Cultural Management in 2018.

Nina Patel

Nina is an experienced and committed arts professional dedicated to revealing, … highlighting and elevating the role of Arts for a healthy society. Nina is experienced in innovation and development of ideas at the intersection of Arts and Technology and was recently awarded seed funding to develop the software, DAYA. As the Director of www.dayacreatives.com she has led a team of creatives developing a technology solution for measuring the social impact of cultural organisations and arts participation.

Nina has a wide range of experience within organisations across Canada and the UK, including Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Seeta Patel Dance (the UK’s only Bharatnatayam ensemble dance company), Ballet BC, Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers, Mascall Dance, Gear Shifting Dance, Dancer Transition Resource Centre and Canada’s Dancing on the Edge Festival as well as numerous independent dance artists. As a natural problem solver and strategic thinker, Nina is particularly experienced in organisational development, outreach/participation impact strategy, and fundraising. In addition, Nina is currently advising Canada’s Prairie dance artists keen to identify sustainable development strategies for international creative exchange. Nina is committed to innovation and revolution of the Arts sector for the benefit of all.

Nina is a recent recipient of a Digital Arts Strategy Grant, inaugural cohort member of Cultural Leadership Program by the Banff Centre for Arts + Creativity, an ISPA Canadian Fellow 2019-2022, and most recently identified as an Emerging Leader with Association of Performing Arts Professionals

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Participants: Class of 2019

Emily Andrews

Emily Andrews is the Contracts and Artist Services Coordinator at Selby Artists Mgmt. … She brings her keen eye and attention to details to the contractual needs and touring logistics for both artists and presenters. Emily contributes to Selby Artists’ digital branding and curating of social media platforms. Emily graduated cum laude from State University of New York at Geneseo with a BA in English Literature and a minor in Dance Studies. Throughout her education she has taught, choreographed, and assistant directed various university and community dance productions and programs. Prior to her work in artists management, Emily worked as a paralegal at Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason and Anello PC.

Amanda Arboleda

Amanda Arboleda is the Program Manager of Campus and Community Engagement at ASU Gammage, … a world-class arts presenting organization located on the main Tempe Campus of Arizona State University, which brings the best of Broadway and the contemporary performing arts to Arizona. In this role, her main responsibility is coordinating events and curating residencies for artists to engage with ASU students and community partners. A passionate lifelong Sun Devil and two-time alumna of Arizona State University, Amanda holds a master’s degree in Higher and Postsecondary Education, as well as a bachelor’s degree concentrating in Recreation Management and Mass Communications.

Katie Backus

Katie Backus moved to Vermont in 2013 when she joined MKI Artists. … A New England native, she studied violin and viola at the University of Rhode Island, graduating with a degree in music education, and taught strings in public schools and privately for fifteen years. In her free time, Katie coaches a running group and enjoys travelling, skiing and is attempting to climb all 4,000’+ mountains in New England.

Alana Barraj

Alana Barraj has been working at NYU Abu Dhabi since its administrative inception in 2008, … building several offices from the ground up before joining The Arts Center for its inaugural season in 2015 as its first Senior Producer. A classically trained singer, Alana has served as Chairperson and Producer of Abu Dhabi Choral Group, the longest-running music group in the UAE, producing many of its most successful productions to date. She is a Lebanese-American who has lived around the world, and an NYU graduate, having earned her degree in Communication Studies with two sets of honors.

Rebecca Black

Rebecca Black currently serves as the Audience Services Manager at Carolina Performing Arts (CPA). … She earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Kansas and began her career working for U.S. Representative Dennis Moore (ret.), ultimately serving as Communications Director, before returning to academia to earn a master’s in Arts Management from the University of Oregon. She is passionate about organizational leadership and the intersections between performing arts, higher education and public service (especially when it comes to working with and mentoring college students), which is why she has focused her work on university-based performing arts organizations.

Zach Blackwood

Zach Blackwood is currently Artistic Producer at FringeArts in Philadelphia, … overseeing the curatorial and producing practice for mainstage events. Prior to FringeArts, he served in the Programming department at Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, managing events for mainstage performances, including Broadway Philadelphia and the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts. Zach is also a poet and nonfiction writer with work published in Maudlin House, Tenderness Lit, Trop Mag, and Voicemail Poems. Zach received his undergraduate degree in Entertainment and Arts Management from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA.

Sara Brookner

Sara Brookner is the Foundation Relations Manager at ArtsEmerson in Boston, … where she began her career as a fellow. Between these roles, she led donor engagement and outreach efforts at the Jewish Arts Collaborative. Passionate about community engagement, Sara serves on the board of theater service organization StageSource, and on the leadership council for the arts advocacy group MASSCreative. She also works as a freelance dramaturg in the Boston area. Sara received her MFA in dramaturgy from the A.R.T./Moscow Art Theatre School Institute at Harvard University, her BA from Dickinson College, and a certificate in community-based theatre from Cornerstone Theater’s summer institute.

Isaac Bunch

Isaac Bunch currently serves as Artist Manager with Sciolino Artist Management (SAM), … which he joined in 2015. In this role, he works closely with SAM’s roster of distinguished artists and acts as their primary managerial contact for over 100 engagements each year. Isaac is a dedicated performing arts professional with a strong background in several music genres. He moved to New York from his native Davis, California in 2010 to attend Columbia University (majoring in Music and American Studies).

Bahareh Ebrahimzadeh

Bahareh Ebrahimzadeh is currently the assistant to the director and company manager at Keith Johnson/Dancers, … where she originally joined as a performer in 2007. She is originally from Tehran and a dance graduate from CSULB. Bahareh recently held a position at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) where she had a chance to promote the work of world-renowned artists and is currently working with UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance doing the same. Supporting artists and being a part of the performing arts community is her passion.

Sarah Edison

Sarah Edison serves as the Director of Outreach and Operations at the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts at Clemson University. … She is a member of the Clemson University STEAM Network and has served on the Dean’s Staff Advisory Council. Sarah earned a B.A. in Production Studies in Performing Arts-Theatre and a M.S. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management both from Clemson University. She previously worked at Productions Unlimited, Inc. and The Children’s Museum of the Upstate in Greenville, SC. Sarah enjoys hiking whenever she has the opportunity and hopes to visit all of the U.S. national parks.

Dominic Green

Dominic Green is the Community Engagement Manager for Omaha Performing Arts … where he creates and administers engagement programs at the Holland Center, Orpheum Theater and throughout greater Omaha. During his tenure, Green has started and implemented the WeBop program, and is expanding other programs focused within the Omaha community to be more inclusive. Green is a board member of Ignite! Arts Omaha, a founding member and board chair of vocal group Madrigali et al., and the Music Director at Maplewood United Methodist Church. Green holds a bachelor of General Studies with a concentration in vocal music from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Lauren Hood

Lauren Hood is the Artistic Programming Manager at The New Victory Theater in New York City. … She is a member of the International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY) Showcase Selection Committee. Prior to joining The New Victory in 2015, she worked for Manhattan Theatre Club, New York Musical Festival, New York Stage and Film, Young Vic Theatre, New York City Opera and Epic Systems as a technical project manager. Lauren holds a MA in Performing Arts Administration from NYU, as well as a BM in Vocal Performance and a BSE in Industrial and Operations Engineering from University of Michigan.

Grace Kelmer

Grace Kelmer is the Director of The Mendel Center Mainstage at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor, Michigan, … where she has risen through the ranks over the past four years. Prior to her time at The Mendel Center, she served as Cultural Programs Coordinator for the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College’s Rhythm ‘n’ Blue Ash and ARTrageous series, and spent three summers working in the programming department at Lakeside Chautauqua. She holds a Master of Arts in Arts Administration and an MBA from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and a BA in Music and German from Illinois Wesleyan University.

Alexandra Kotis

Alexandra Kotis is the Associate Producer of Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing and Out of Doors Festivals. … In 2016 and 2017, Alexandra worked at IMG Artists and toured an international roster of over fifteen companies including Pilobolus, The National Ballet of Canada and Ballet Hispánico. Alexandra served as the Global Tour Manager for Argentine dance company, Che Malambo, and has lectured on artist management, opera and dance in performing arts centers and schools all over the nation. Alexandra holds a Bachelors in Music from the University of Denver, and has also performed leading operatic roles in the U.S. and Italy.

Amie Lugo

Amie Lugo is the Senior Programming Coordinator at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford, CT. … Now entering her third season, Amie manages the bookings for theater rentals, as well as The Bushnell Children’s Theater. She is responsible for contract management, show advancing and artist settlement for the Bushnell Presents and Broadway Series. Originally hailing from Miami, Florida, Amie received her BFA in Theater from University of Central Florida and MFA in Arts Administration from Southern Utah University.

Erika Moore

Erika Moore, originally from Los Angeles transitioned to Arizona in pursuit of a B.S in Nonprofit Leadership and … Management and MFA in Dance from Arizona State University. Upon completion of her MFA she managed residencies and educational/community programing at ASU Gammage and developed fellowships for emerging and established artists with ASU Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts Projecting All Voices Initiative. Moore has recently accepted an appointment at New York University Tisch School of the Arts where she will be managing Tisch Initiative for Creative Research students, staff, faculty, alumni artists as the Program Administrator. A long way from home, Moore continues to work with AZ Black Theater Troupe as their resident choreographer and advises Rysing Youth Theatre company.

Sarah Nicholas

Sarah Nicholas is the Manager of Programming & Production at the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts in Vienna, VA. … After graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration from The College of William & Mary, Sarah returned to Wolf Trap where she had interned during college. In her current role, she is a Promoter Representative for the venue, facilitating artist relations, logistics, ticketing and settlement. She also assists with talent buying and contracting for both of Wolf Trap’s venues.

Katie Ortman

Katie Ortman is the Program & Outreach Director for the Des Moines Social Club, … a nonprofit organization that uses the arts as a catalyst to create unprecedented community engagement. Katie oversees the film, visual arts, music, and education programs, manages volunteer and intern teams, and develops partnerships with artists and organizations in the community. Katie is also the Des Moines Producer for the 48 Hour Film Project, a weekend-long filmmaking competition and film festival. She received her BA in English from Drake University.

Tiffany Richardson

Tiffany Richardson is a co-founder of Sound Impact — a collective of musicians dedicated to igniting positive change through music. … As a violist, Tiffany enjoys a multi-faceted career as a performer, educator, and entrepreneur. She appears regularly in venues such as the Kennedy Center and Wolf Trap, along with juvenile detention centers throughout the U.S. and diverse communities in Costa Rica. Tiffany advises musicians through the Kennedy Center’s Citizen Artist Initiative and other organizations to forge connections between their art form and community engagement, activism, technology, and wellness.

Victoria Shamas

Victoria Shamas is an Assistant Manager of Programming at the Kennedy Center … where she manages logistics for large-scale events and festivals for the Hip Hop, Contemporary Music, Comedy, and Kennedy Center Honors programs. Victoria fell in love with arts administration while earning her Bachelor of Arts in Music at Florida State University and while serving as Programming Assistant at the University’s performing arts series, Opening Nights. Since moving to DC, Victoria has worked at the Fillmore Silver Spring and was the Senior Operations Manager of the Warner Theatre. In her spare time Victoria enjoys seeing live music and exploring DC.

Kristen Taylor

Kristen L. Taylor has over a decade of performing arts management experience that includes over a dozen international tours, … appearances at the Kennedy Center Honors, the White House and two billboard charting albums. Kristen is a Chicago native and she lives in Hyattsville, MD. She is an alumna of Howard University with a Bachelor of History. She is the Assistant Manager of one of the first college gospel choirs, the Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University. She manages an inspirational artist, widely known as a contestant on the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Sunday Best singing competition, Clifton Ross III. She is the Company Manager of Step Afrika!, the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping. She is a member of the Washington Performing Arts Junior Board and she is the Vice Chair of the Washington DC Gospel Music Heritage Committee. Kristen leans to the wisdom of her parents when approaching each chapter of her journey: live every day with a grateful heart, serve wherever you are, be kind and make a difference.

Joseph Thomas

Joseph Thomas is the Manager of Communications Technology at Alternate ROOTS, … a southern organization at the intersection of art and social justice. A graduate of the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), Joseph is both an administrator and an artist. He has presented his performing and visual artwork in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Newark, Atlanta, and Fort Lauderdale. Joseph lives in Atlanta, GA where he is in the midst of a home renovation project.

Thuy Tran

Thuy Tran is the current Associate Producer of Public Programs at the JCCSF, … a Bay Area-based artist and experience curator, and is committed to integrating equity throughout her programming. When she’s not producing events, she’s writing and acting with Granny Cart Gangstas, an Asian American female comedy sketch group. She co-founded The Rooted Recipes Project in 2018 to reflect the ways that food plays a role in AAPI identity and resistance. She graduated from Georgetown University and has worked at the NCTA, CAAM, and Frameline.

Matthew Travis

Matthew Travis is currently Director of Choral and Orchestral Programs at Midland Center for the Arts. … Matt completed a bachelor’s degree in Voice Performance at the University of Michigan, a master’s degree in Choral Conducting at Penn State University and a Doctorate in Choral Conducting at The University of Connecticut. Matt is founder and Artistic Director of The Mid-Michigan Singers and Mid-Michigan Voice Academy. An active conductor and student of music, Matt has participated in numerous summer programs, including the prestigious Oregon Bach Festival, and Essentials of Orchestra Management through the League of American Orchestras. Matt lives in Bay City, MI with his wife Amanda, and daughter, Beatrice.

Michelle VanHuss

Michelle VanHuss is Director of Touring and University Initiatives with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC). … Celebrating its 50th anniversary, DCDC is a nationally recognized, touring repertory contemporary dance company rooted in the African-American experience. She holds a BFA in Dance from New World School of the Arts/University of Florida and Master of Public Administration from Wright State University. She was a 2016 Dance/USA Institute for Leadership Training Mentee and a 2017 Arts Midwest David A. Fraher Future Leader Award recipient. Michelle also serves as a member of the Centerville Arts Commission in Centerville, Ohio, Ohio Arts Council grant panelist, and Miami Valley High School Theatre Awards adjudicator.

Kyla Waldron

Kyla Waldron is the Rentals and Front of House Manager at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts … in Burlington, Vermont where she manages patron services, oversees 400+ volunteers and is committed to creating a warm and welcoming environment for all community members. Kyla received her B.A in Theatre from Saint Michael’s College where she fell in love with stage management. Kyla owns, produces, and stage-manages the Green Mountain Cabaret, a local burlesque company, as well as assistant produces and stage-manages the annual Vermont Burlesque Festival, which celebrates its sixth year in 2019.

Ramsey Walker

Ramsey Walker currently serves as program coordinator for Newman Center for the Performing Arts at University of Denver. … In this role he collaborates on season planning and booking for the Newman Center Presents series, manages artist services and administrates contracts for all presented and co-presented shows at the Newman Center. Prior to this role, Ramsey has worked with a variety of performing arts and non-profit organizations including: Copper Street Brass Quintet, Inside NGO, Vintage Band Festival and St. Olaf College Music. Ramsey holds a B.A. in Music from St. Olaf College and is currently pursuing an MBA at University of Denver.

Cassandra Wilson

Cassandra Wilson is an Adviser at Creative New Zealand (CNZ), Arts Council of New Zealand. … Working within the international team, which supports artists and organizations develop international markets and networks, and pursue cultural and artistic exchange opportunities. Cassandra is involved in the major international projects delivered by CNZ, including New Zealand’s official presentation at the Venice Biennale, and Edinburgh Festivals. Engaging in CNZ’s international visitor program, Cassandra supports the team to foster relationships and networks for offshore presentations of NZ dancers and choreographers. Prior to joining CNZ, Cassandra was a dancer with the Royal New Zealand Ballet for nine years.

2019 ISPA Fellows

Vincent De Repentigny

Vincent De Repentigny is a graduate from the National Theatre School of Canada. … Vincent has been the co-director of the OFFTA, a live art festival in Montreal, since December 2013. In August 2015, with Jasmine Catudal, he redefined the festival’s mandate which broadened its activities and became LA SERRE – arts vivants. LA SERRE’s mission is to provide emerging artists with an environment that is conducive to the creatiion and dissemination of meaningful work. Vincent is also the recipient of the 2019-2021 Quebec Fellowship by the International Society for Performing Arts (ISPA).

Vincent is especially interested in new artistic forms that question boundaries between disciplines. From 2011 to 2013, he codirected with Julien Brun the Swiss/Quebec company insanë. Together, they created several projects such as Dieu est un DJ by Falk Richter, in telepresence between Geneva (Mapping festival) and Montreal (Society for Arts and Technology). In 2013, with Félix-Antoine Boutin, he conceived the ambulatory Archipel (150 haïkus avant de mourir encore) at the Festival de théâtre de rue de Lachine. He also collaborated with Mellissa Larivière and Rébecca Déraspe for the creation of the show Ceci est un meutre, presented in 2015 at Théâtre Aux Écuries. In parallel, Vincent works as stage design assistant, light and video designer.

Mohamed Elghawy

Mohamed Elghawy is the founder and the artistic director of AFCA for Arts and Culture and Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children in Cairo, Egypt. … Recently, he has also taken up the role of artistic programmer for the International Stilte Festival in Breda in the Netherlands. Mohamed is a fellow of the International Society for the Performing Arts - ISPA. A Chevening Scholar, Mohamed studied cultural leadership with the Clore Leadership Programme in the UK and he previously studied Arts Management at the DeVos Institute of Arts Management in Washington DC, USA. Mohamed is an alumnus of the European Festivals Association (EFA) and a MENA ‘cultural innovator’ through the British Council. He also sits on the board of trustees of East-Cairo public schools.

Born in Egypt, Mohamed’s background is as a theater director. His focus is on theater for children and young people and he is driven to ensure that the art work for the younger audience must be of equal quality as that which is made for adults. His goal is to make high quality performing arts accessible to every child and believes strongly that it is their right to enjoy, discover, participate and live such experiences with their families, schools, NGOs or friends without discrimination for any reason. Mohamed therefore produces shows with professional artists for children and young people and tours them locally, nationally and internationally.

Mohamed also has experience in teaching theater and has worked with many schools and institutions to design and implement their own arts education programs, long-term strategies and monitoring and evaluation systems.

He has participated in many international festivals and conferences and as a consultant has delivered training in theater, arts education and arts management.

Meera Krishnan

Meera Krishnan is a Senior Programme Manager with the Prakriti Foundation. … Here she works on conceptualizing and managing end-end, all aspects of the eight major festivals and several other events conducted by the Foundation.

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Participants: Class of 2018

Bethany Atwell

Bethany Atwell is the Interim Director of Opening Nights at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL. … This is her fourth season with Opening Nights, and she manages operations, artist services, ticketing, and the internship program. Originally from Minnesota, Bethany has a BM: Performance from Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL and a MA: Arts Administration from FSU. She continues to play an active role in her local arts community, regularly performing on flute and piccolo with area music ensembles. She is also the President of the Tallahassee Flute Club.

Sarah Bannon

Sarah Bannon is the Community Programs Coordinator for Des Moines Performing Arts (DMPA). … In this role, she manages the day-to-day operations of the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards – a state-wide program that celebrates the achievements of high school musical theater programs – and curates community engagement initiatives connected to various performing arts productions presented by DMPA. Previously, Sarah served as the Youth Orchestras Manager for the Des Moines Symphony Youth Orchestras. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Music with Emphasis in Business Studies from Drake University (Des Moines, IA).

Kevin Becerra

Kevin Becerra currently works as the Artistic Engagement Manager at ArtsEmerson … where he produces events and residencies as well as facilitates conversations between artists and audiences. Previous positions include National New Play Network Producer in Residence at Actor’s Express in Atlanta and Allen Lee Hughes New Play Producing Fellow at Arena Stage in Washington, DC. Kevin trained as a Dramaturg in the BFA program at University of Arizona.

Mark Bradley

Mark Bradley began his performing arts career in 2008 and is an alumnus of McGill University. … He was a clarinetist with several Montreal area ensembles focusing on new music creation, while also working as an agent with Latitude 45 Arts Promotion. In 2013 he enrolled at York University in Toronto, where he completed an internship at Orchestras Canada and received an M.B.A. with a Graduate Diploma in Arts and Media Administration. In 2016, Mark moved back home to the U.S. to become the Assistant Director at Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon, New Hampshire. He continues to play clarinet with the local community band.

Gregory Brown

Gregory Brown is an arts administrator, composer, songwriter, and amateur baker born in Baltimore and based in Brooklyn. … As Booking Representative for boutique artist management agency Kirshbaum Associates he works directly with artists and publishers as well as orchestra, opera, chamber music and recital presenters in North America and Europe. Earning a Bachelor's in Composition from Shenandoah University, his music has been performed at Carnegie Hall, ATLAS Performing Arts Center, and featured on ICareIfYouListen.com. Prior to KAI he worked on the promotion team at Boosey & Hawkes and as a freelance music engraver. He loves the Mountain Goats, Kendrick Lamar, Aphex Twin, Fugazi, hiking, traveling, pie and cookies.

Stephanie Clark

Stephanie Clark is the Program Coordinator for the NC State LIVE performing arts series … where she manages school matinees, oversees the volunteer usher program, serves as the artist services manager, and coordinates campus and community engagement for artist residencies. Going into her 4th season, she continues to emphasize the importance of the arts at a STEM institution. She received her bachelor’s degree in Music Industry Studies from Appalachian State University and has been working in the non-profit field for over 10 years. Prior to NC State, she worked for the Steans Music Institute at Ravinia Music Festival.

Olivia Fortunato

Olivia Fortunato graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston majoring in Harp Performance and Music Business. … She has won numerous performance competitions and has been a featured artist at festivals and conferences around the country and internationally including the festival Internationale de harpe in France. Since 2014, Olivia has been on the Programming Team at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts producing Midsummer Night Swing and Lincoln Center Out of Doors. Additionally, she is the production coordinator for Young Music Makers and ticket coordinator for Great Performers, White Light Festival, and American Songbook festivals at Lincoln Center.

Samantha Giustiniani

Samantha Giustiniani began her work as a teaching artist after receiving a BFA in Theatre Performance and her MA in Shakespeare and Theatre. … Through this work, she moved into arts administration, now working as the Director of Education & Outreach at Count Basie Theatre. In this role she helps curate and book their school show series, as well as develops companion materials and workshops to accompany the performances. She is involved in their arts education outreach efforts and works with multiple programs the Basie currently has with local schools, including their partnership with the Kennedy Center and their sensory friendly programming.

Kristin Gregory

Kristin Gregory is Program Coordinator for the National Dance Project at the New England Foundation for the Arts,… has helped implement changes to NDP in response to field-wide research on the creation and touring of new dance work, as well as the implementation of new grants for regional dancemakers and the advancement of community engagement practices related to the creation and touring of new dance works. Prior to joining NEFA, Kristin served as the Institutional Development Coordinator at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, liaising with Foundation and Corporate supporters, assisting in Grant Writing, and leading the charge for Government Advocacy for the Arts and Arts Education efforts.

Katye Heim

Katye Heim is the Programming Assistant at The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts. … Katye works to fulfill the organization’s mission of enriching the artistic vitality of the region by playing a key role in coordinating pre- and post-show business while also planning community events. Katye is from Louisville, KY and received her Bachelors in Arts Administration from the University of Kentucky. Before the Kentucky Center, Katye worked for the Spoleto Festival USA as an Artist Services Apprentice and Walt Disney World as a part of the Disney College Program.

Cristina Ibarra

Cristina Ibarra is Events Manager at the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival in San Francisco. … She specializes in bringing art experiences to diverse populations and sparking human connection through culture. In her short career, Cristina has worked with various community arts organizations, including ArtSpan, the Red Poppy Art House, MAPP (Mission Arts Performance Project), and Oakland-based LATE NITE ART. Cristina is an advisory board member for Emerging Arts Professionals SF/Bay Area, and and is committed to manifesting equity in arts leadership. In her spare time (yeah right!), she enjoys dancing, performing with local musicians, and exploring the East Bay.

Micah Ariel James

Micah Ariel James is the Education Manager at Hancher Auditorium,… where much of her work focuses on writing and managing grants, developing programming in collaboration with the public engagement team, and collaborating with artists, educators, and community partners to design and implement 75-100 residency events annually. Micah currently serves on the board of Any Given Child-Iowa City, a Kennedy Center-sponsored initiative that seeks to ensure access and equity in arts education. Micah is also a playwright, poet, performer, and teaching artist. She holds a BA in Playwriting from Columbia College Chicago and an MFA in Theatre Arts (Playwriting) from the University of Iowa.

Alexis Kellogg

Alexis Kellogg is the Marketing Manager at the International Festival of Arts & Ideas in New Haven, Connecticut. … After graduating with a BA in Graphic Design from the University of New Haven, Alexis returned to Arts & Ideas where she was in intern during her college years and has since worked her way up the ranks. She enjoys the challenge of marketing a multi-disciplinary Festival to the diverse and ever changing community in her favorite small city of New Haven. In her free time, Alexis enjoys watching the Great British Bake-Off, talking in a British accent while attempting to bake, and pineapples.

Kaeline Kine

Kaeline Kine is the Artist Engagement Coordinator at the University of Washington’s Meany Center for the Performing Arts. … Originally hailing from Southern California, Kaeline has made the Pacific Northwest her home for the last 9 years, spending most of her career in the producing realm of the Seattle theatre scene. Now at Meany Center, Kaeline is expanding her knowledge of the presenting field, working closely with touring agents and artists from all over the world. Kaeline graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a BA in Theatre Arts, a BA in Business Management, and a minor in Music.

Katherine Ludington

Katherine Ludington is the Associate Manager of Performance Operations at the Celebrity Series of Boston, … a non-profit organization that presents world-class classical, jazz and folk musicians, spoken word artists and dance companies across Boston and Cambridge. Her core responsibilities include advancing a third of the performances each season and executing artistic contracts. Prior to her time with the Celebrity Series, she worked in the artistic department at the Minnesota Orchestra and freelanced in production throughout Boston. She holds a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration from Boston University and a Bachelor of Music from Wheaton College, IL.

Meena Malik

Meena Malik is the program coordinator of the National Theater Project at the New England Foundation for the Arts. … Before joining NEFA, Meena managed all aspects of the 35-member Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Boston. She is a founding member of the Voci Angelica Trio, which performs international folk music with the mission of spreading cultural understanding. The trio has toured to the United States' East Coast, Midwest and Southern regions; Canada; Japan; and South Korea. Meena received a BM in Vocal Performance from the University of Redlands, a MM in Vocal Performance from the New England Conservatory, and a MS in Arts Administration from Boston University.

Aaron L. McKinney

Aaron L. McKinney has been involved in performing arts for over two decades and working professionally for over 5 years. … He earned his BA in Theatre Performance from Florida A & M University and MFA in Theatre Management and Producing from California Institute of the Arts. Aaron has worked in various management positions throughout his career in theaters ranging from small community theaters in Florida to large regional theaters in Los Angeles. Currently, Aaron is the General Manager at Hi-ARTS and has also held positions in the following New York organizations: Stella Adler Studio of Acting, Sankofa.org and 651 ARTS.

Caroline Neyman

Caroline Neyman is the Director of Artistic Administration at the Green Music Center (GMC) at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA. … In this role she oversees contracts, scheduling, and concert and event operations. Having been with the GMC since it began in 2012, she is now entering her 6th season with the organization and looks forward to the exciting new programming and collaboration with the University that is to come. Originally from Los Angeles, California, Caroline is a graduate of Sonoma State University, and has her Bachelor’s degree in French Language and Literature.

Christopher Nicholas

Christopher Nicholas received a dual B.M. in Songwriting and Vocal Performance from Berklee College of Music. … Subsequently, he received the Patsy C. & Fred W. Patterson College of Music Scholarship to the University of North Texas, completing an M.M. in Jazz Studies. In 2010, along with his long time friend JooWan Kim, Christopher co-founded Ensemble Mik Nawooj. Since then, they have run the organization overseeing many successful campaigns in PR, fundraising, and tours resulting in national recognition from Upworthy, NowThis, NPR, Huffington Post, Pitchfork, and the NFL Super Bowl 50 to name a few.

Jennie Nicholls-Smith

Jennie Nicholls-Smith joined UtahPresents in 2015 as the Associate Director of Development … to lead the fundraising efforts of the University of Utah’s multidisciplinary arts presenter. Jennie’s connection to the arts community began as an A&E reporter for a daily newspaper in Salt Lake City. With a knack for grant writing, Jennie took a role as Director of Development for Salt Lake Acting Company, where she developed a passion for non-profit arts administration. Jennie graduated with a Bachelor’s in Communication and Journalism from Utah Valley University and attended the University of Utah for her graduate studies in Communication and Social Justice.

Eric Oberstein

Eric Oberstein is a GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY-winning producer, arts administrator, musician, … educator, and consultant. He currently serves as Associate Director of Duke Performances, the professional performing arts presenting organization at his alma mater, Duke University. Oberstein previously served as Executive Director of the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance, the New York-based non-profit supporting the GRAMMY-winning Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, directed by Arturo O’Farrill. Oberstein is currently producing the debut album of the Dafnis Prieto Big Band, to be released spring 2018. He holds Master’s degrees in Arts Administration and Arts in Education from Columbia University and Harvard University, respectively.

Jane Rabinovitz

Jane Rabinovitz is the Assistant Manager of Dance Programming and The Suzanne Farrell Ballet at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. … In this role, she manages logistics for many of the visiting contemporary dance and ballet companies and curates the local dance offerings on the Kennedy Center’s free Millennium Stage series. A dancer herself, Jane performed for three years with DC local Gin Dance Company and is currently working with Leah Glenn Dance Theatre, based in Williamsburg, Virginia. She holds a BA in Hispanic Studies and Dance from The College of William & Mary.

Winnifred Orchid Robinson

Winnifred Orchid Robinson is Convenings and National Programs Associate for National Performance Network … /Visual Artists Network (NPN/VAN), and serves as Production Coordinator for Live & On Stage, an annual showcase of local and national performing artists. Prior to NPN/VAN, a desire to broaden her worldview brought her from northern India to South America before returning home to work as a children’s librarian. Never missing an opportunity to create and show out, Orchid spends her free time constructing elaborate headpieces and costumes. She holds a MA in Arts Administration from University of New Orleans and a BA in Psychology from Loyola University.

Mallory Shea

Mallory Shea is the Marketing and Media Relations Coordinator for University Musical Society (UMS),… the performing arts presenter at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Mallory started her career at Palace Sports and Entertainment, where she worked in ticketing, marketing, and artist booking for live entertainment and sporting events at arenas and amphitheaters in the metro Detroit area. She went on to serve as Marketing Coordinator for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, which is where her desire for a mission-focused career in the arts came alive. Mallory graduated from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she studied Sports Arts and Entertainment Management and Dance.

Jenny Tibbels

Jenny Tibbels is a theatre artist, educator, and producer dedicated to facilitating intercultural exchange through the arts. … She served as Associate Producer for ArKtype and holds an MFA in Theatre from Columbia University. Producing credits include Ursula Rucker’s My Father's Daughter (La MaMa), Dance with the Sun (The Wild Project), On the Faultlines (Galapagos Arts Space), and a South African Play Festival (Baltimore's Theatre Project). Jenny is a member of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab and the Academy for Teachers; she ran the theatre program at Bard High School Early College for 5 years and is currently on faculty at St. John’s University.

Katie Trzaska-Miller

Katie Trzaska-Miller is the Artist Relations and Administrative Manager for Interlochen Presents … at Interlochen Center for the Arts (ICA), and is also currently serving as President for the Michigan Non Profit Presenters Network. Katie graduated from St. Norbert College with a B.A. in Political Science, Communications, and Theater Studies, and has been engaged in the West Michigan/Northwestern Lower Michigan performing arts communities for over fifteen years. Before moving to ICA, Katie was the Executive Director of the Howmet Playhouse in Whitehall, MI for three years and served as the co-chair of the Muskegon Area Arts and Humanities Festival for four years. She is an active theater performer, director, choreographer, producer and teacher and a passionate advocate for arts education.

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Participants: Class of 2017

Sara Bailey

Sara Bailey graduated with a BA in Theatre Arts from Virginia Tech in 2011.… Following graduation, Sara began working as an Event Coordinator, however, her passion for the arts led her to the Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech- a brand new state of the art facility located in Blacksburg, VA. Sara currently serves the Moss Arts Center as the Program Manager, managing contracts, coordinating logistics for visiting artists and performances, handling payments, and serving on the programming committee. In Sara’s free time she likes to explore and enjoy all the amazing experiences the New River Valley has to offer.

Rachel Behring

Rachel Behring is the Programming Specialist at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas.… She began her career in the presenting field in 2013 after working for Live Nation for 7 years. While there, she had roles from artist hospitality server to music hall supervisor. After this time Rachel realized she wanted to work in Programming directly with artists & agents. Rachel’s passions are music and visual art. She maintains a role as music coordinator on the executive team for a local arts non-profit called Art Conspiracy. Rachel received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology at the University of North Texas.

Rachael Walters Brightwell

Rachael Walters Brightwell is the Associate Director for Programming and Outreach at Emory… University’s Schwartz Center for Performing Arts in Atlanta, Ga. In this role, she oversees the rich slate of diverse programming offered as part of an educational institution, while also directing marketing and outreach efforts. Her arts administration career began when she worked to open the Forbes Center for Performing Arts in Virginia and brought her to Atlanta through her public relations role with Atlanta Contemporary Art Center.

Robyn Busch

Robyn Busch manages international flagship programs USArtists International and Southern Exposure:… Performing Arts of Latin America for Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, through which she has overseen the award of more than $1.3 million to support performing artists and presenters nationwide. She has worked and interned at numerous cultural organizations, including Maryland Humanities Council, Arena Stage (DC), The Shaw Festival (Canada), Starlight Theatre (MO), and Slee Concert Hall (NY). Previously, she lived in Spain teaching English for the Spanish Ministry of Education where she became fluent in Spanish. Robyn holds an MA in Arts Management from SUNY Buffalo and a degree in Theatre and Spanish from the University of Evansville.

Mickey Davis

Mickey Davis is the Program Manager for American Voices, where he helps administer… the American Music Abroad program on behalf of the United States Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The American Music Abroad program is designed to communicate America's rich musical contributions to the global music scene as it fosters cross-cultural communication and people-to-people connection to global audiences. Previously, Mickey was one of the founding members and Program Director at the Des Moines Social Club, a multidisciplinary arts space in Des Moines, Iowa.

Meera Dugal

Meera Dugal is the Programming Manager for the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center.… The Atrium is home to over 100 free, extremely eclectic performances a year that are curated with the aim to reflect the diversity present in New York City. Originally from Charleston, Meera has a Bachelor of Arts from New York University’s Gallatin School where she studied ethnomusicology. Before coming to Lincoln Center, Meera worked with globalFEST, The National Jazz Museum in Harlem, The Jazz Gallery, and Iraqi-American musician Amir ElSaffar. She is the manager for the New York-based traditional Moroccan Gnawa sextet Innov Gnawa and a member of Women of Color in the Arts.

Grace Eubank

Grace Eubank is a Special Events Manager at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM),… coordinating development fundraising events ranging from intimate dinners to large scale galas. Now entering her 5th season, Grace previously managed the President’s Office under Karen Brooks Hopkins. Prior to BAM, Grace held positions at Signature Theatre, Roundabout Theatre, Blue Man Productions, Pitt Rep, and The Redeye Theatre Project. Originally from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Grace is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh’s Theatre Arts and History of Art & Architecture programs.

Ariadna Reyes Gonzalez

Ariadna Reyes Gonzalez started her professional career at the record label, discos Corasón, … but she acquired a lot of her experience in Music Frontiers, an independent company that produced and promoted world class artists’ tours in the main venues and festivals of Mexico, and where she started as Press Coordinator, did tour management, production, website editing and writing, to become in the General Coordinator. Among her experience in over 10 years of career, it stands out her collaboration with the National Fund for Culture and the Arts, as Coordinator of International Delegates at the Mexico: Performing Arts Encounter 2013, and as a Coordinator of Professionals and Keynote Speakers at the Mexico International Music Market. She is currently the Concert/Tour Manager in Lado Business Entertainment, a company that produces, books and gives consultancy in artistic programming to different festivals in Mexico. Adriana completed studies in classical music and a degree in Communication and Public Relations. (ISPA Fellow)

Kevin Hasser

Kevin Hasser has been General Manager of National Players since 2012.… The touring company of Olney Theatre Center, National Players is America’s longest-running touring theatre. During his tenure, he has expanded venue residencies and community outreach, devised a prison outreach program across three states, won two NEA/Arts Midwest grants, expanded routing to 42 states, and significantly grown the number of performances and audiences. Prior to that, Kevin was a professional actor and technician, working on stages around the DC metro area. He earned a BA in Theatre and English from James Madison University and lives in Washington, DC.

Ariana Hellerman

Ariana Hellerman has a goal to make the arts more accessible to all people.… Ariana's List (arianaslist.com), a well-respected blog on free cultural events in NYC has evolved into an agency focused on designing and producing free cultural events in public spaces and creating engagement programs for artists and arts institutions. Ariana consults with the Hostos Center in the Bronx. She also produces live music events, including the Accordions Around the World series in Bryant Park. Past work includes: Pilobolus Dance Theater, SummerStage, the River to River Festival, The Wallace Foundation. Ariana received a Masters in Public Administration from NYU-Wagner School of Public Service and graduated from Wellesley College. She is a proud, born-and-raised New Yorker. Arts for all people!

Isabella Hreljanovic

Isabella Hreljanovic is a producer and performer based in Manhattan, New York.… She is the Senior Producer at New York Live Arts: an internationally recognized destination for innovative movement-based artistry, located in the heart of Chelsea in Manhattan. Isabella has been working in programming at New York Live Arts since 2011. Outside of her work at Live Arts Isabella performs with the choreographer Kirsten Schnittker, most recently in the presentation of Yours and Our Devices in March 2016. Additionally, Isabella is one-fourth of the presenting collective ROVE, which produces site-specific experimental performance installations for emerging choreographers in New York City

Daniela Jacobson

Daniela Jacobson joined the New England Foundation for the Arts as the … Executive & Development Associate in 2012. She currently serves as the Program Coordinator for NEFA’s regional Presenting & Touring programs and as an Accessibility Coordinator. She enjoys building networks and expanding opportunities for arts organizations and artists in New England. Previously, she was an account manager at Arnold Worldwide and developed advertising campaigns. She was also a box office coordinator at Club Passim. Daniela received a B.A. in Film Studies at Smith College. She made her debut as a music presenter at the 2016 JP Porch Fest.

Allison Kadin

Allison Kadin is currently a Marketing Manager at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music),… overseeing the marketing strategy for mainstage events since 2012. Prior to BAM, she served as the Marketing and Sponsorship Coordinator at City Parks Foundation, developing partnerships for the citywide SummerStage festival. Allison also serves as a private consultant for emerging theater and cultural institutions in New York City, including AENY (Spanish Artists in NY), Ariel Rivka Dance, La Nacional (Spanish Cultural Center in NY), New Saloon Theater Co, and others. Allison received her undergraduate degree in English from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT.

Caroline Leipf

Caroline Leipf is the Development and Administration Associate at the Annenberg Center… for the Performing Arts at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to her current role in the executive and artistic director’s office, her journey has included roles in programming, education, events and communications at a few wonderful nonprofit and arts organizations such as Walnut Street Theatre, 3Arts, the New Jersey Renaissance Faire and a stint outside of arts administration for the Brain Injury Association. This July she completed her Master of Arts in Arts Administration from Goucher College. Caroline’s home is just outside Philly, in New Jersey, with husband Phil, two-year-old son Aaron and three crazy pets, Dublin, Cassidy and Sundance.

Mari Levasheff

Mari Levasheff serves as Marketing Business Analyst for UC Santa Barbara Arts & Lectures,… where she is responsible for the analysis and development of web and electronic media campaigns in support of 100-plus events per season, as well as the automation of business processes and the effective integration and use of Tessitura software for Marketing, Ticket Office and Development functions. Prior to Arts & Lectures, she worked for the Contemporary Arts Forum (now Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara).

Ethan Messere

Ethan Messere is the Assistant Director of Presenting and Touring at South Arts,… a non-profit regional arts organization. In this role, he is responsible for the registration and showcasing programs for the Performing Arts Exchange, an annual performing arts conference and trade show. He also works on South Arts’ grants, providing assistance for participants in the Dance Touring Initiative and Regional Touring programs. Ethan holds a Master of Music in Orchestral Performance from Georgia State University and a Bachelor in Music from Syracuse University. Prior to his work in arts administration, he worked as a freelance trumpet player.

Abby Messmer

Abbey Messmer is Programming Manager for Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts… and has worked for the non-profit arts organization for nearly 14 years. Her background is in visual arts so in addition to her position at the Center, she maintains her fine arts career as a painter. In her current position at the Center, she is most proud of her work serving the community through cultural awareness programs and programming outdoor music festivals that champion local music. Abbey serves as Director on the Arizona Presenters Alliance Board and was a recipient of the prestigious 2015 Contemporary Forum Artist Grant from Phoenix Art Museum. Abbey moved to Arizona in 2002 after earning a BFA from University of North Texas.

Lauren Metts

Lauren Metts is the Senior Manager of Patron Relations at The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts,… where she oversees front of house operations, including volunteer services, house management and rental client coordination. Lauren works to fulfill the organization’s mission of building lifelong relationships with the arts by providing a world-class hospitality experience for every patron. As a native of Louisville, Kentucky, Lauren received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Louisville and spends her free time volunteering in the community with The Louisville Free Public Library, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana and Best Buddies Kentucky.

Joe O'Neill

Joe O’Neill is currently a Theatre Programmer for the City of Las Vegas Office of Cultural Affairs.… He began his career as a dancer at Walt Disney World Entertainment. From there, he learned arts administration as a Cultural Leader at Reed Whipple Cultural Center and Teaching Artist with The Smith Center of Performing Arts before finding his niche programming festivals and performing arts events for the city’s Arts Connection program. As a member of the Nevada Arts Council Board, Joe’s passion is to promote arts advocacy and provide leadership that supports, strengthens and provides quality arts experiences that are accessible to everyone.

Hanna Oravec

Hanna Oravec started out life as a stage manager, earning a BFA in Stage Management… from Penn State University, and working at regional theaters. In 2011, she joined the staff of Wesleyan University’s Center for the Arts as the Assistant Director for Programs, where she is about to embark on her sixth year. Her work at Wesleyan involves students, faculty, and visiting artists in every aspect of performance. She will also serve as the Treasurer of the New England Presenters Consortium in 2016-2017.

Heena Patel

Heena Patel, a South Asian programming consultant, booking agent, artist manager,… producer and advocate for diversity in the performing arts on and off stage, is the CEO of MELA Agency (a world music and dance booking agency) and MELA Arts Connect - a cultural resource and artistic matchmaker for South Asian performing arts. A sanitation engineer turned tabla player and performing arts entrepreneur, she started off in the arts as a dancer and choreographer of Indian folk and Bollywood dance. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Heena now splits her time between North America and India. Through MELA, Heena seeks to foster partnerships to create meaningful cross-cultural experiences and help artists build sustainable careers.

Jonathan Serret

Jonathan Serret is committed to engaging the community and cultivating future generations of arts participants;… he actively advocates for diversity and inclusion within the arts community. He is an alumni of the University of La Verne and currently serves as the Technical Director of the Janet and Ray Scherr Forum Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza in southern California. When he isn’t working, Jonathan enjoys traveling with his family, playing golf, and participating in extreme obstacle course races.

Hakan Silahsizoglu

Hakan Silahsizoglu is Founder and Director of Atta Festival, an international arts festival for children… and young people, based in Istanbul. He is also a producer, actor and play translator. As a producer he has worked extensively for Talimhane Theatre and produced Pippa as part of Europe Now project supported by EU, Dolapdere Youth Theatre supported by Open Society, Tweetakt Children's and Youth Theatre Festival supported by Dutch Government. Since 2014 he works for Kucuk Salon in Istanbul. He is a member of The Fence, an international network for playwriting. He is the coordinator of Turkish committee in Eurodram, Europe`s largest theatre translation network. Hakan gives talks about Turkish Theatre at various institutes and theatre schools. (ISPA Fellow)

Katie Spohr

Katie Spohr is the Special Events and Booking Manager at Indiana University Auditorium in Bloomington, Indiana. … In her four years with IU, she has been involved with the Auditorium’s performing arts series, concerts, lectures, and private events. Prior to IU, Katie worked for Broadway producer Ken Davenport and a local nonprofit theatre. Her passion focuses on musical theatre programming and producing. She received her MA in Arts Administration from Indiana University and BS in Economics and Marketing from The University of Alabama.

Phinn Sriployrung

Phinn Sriployrung is the Integrated Marketing Specialist at Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA,… where he overseas digital, social and traditional marketing and communications promoting CAP UCLA’s 30+ season events. When he isn’t absorbed in all things performing arts and marketing, he enjoys shooting video and film photography, plays the Thai hammered dulcimer, and maintains a nano reef. Phinn holds a B.A. in Art with minors in Dance and Southeast Asian Studies from UC Riverside.

Willie Sullivan

Willie Sullivan is the Front of House Coordinator for UMS in Ann Arbor, Michigan.… Willie attended Arkansas State University (Jonesboro, Arkansas) for his bachelor’s in music performance. He then received his MM in voice from the University of Michigan. Willie hopes to attend the Ross School of Business (University of Michigan) to receive his MBA in 2019. Willie’s long term goal is to be the director of marketing/communications for a major American opera company with the hope of helping to diversify the audience of classical music in the United States.

Kim Szeto

Kim Szeto is the program manager for Creative City at the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA).… Creative City is a pilot program providing grants and technical assistance to Boston area artists of all artistic disciplines to create works that take place in the public realm. In 2014, Kim was selected to be a part of the Next City Vanguard, made up of 40 urban leaders under the age of 40 making positive impacts in cities across the U.S. Kim is originally from, and currently still lives in Boston, MA.

Chelsea Walsh

Chelsea Walsh coordinates artist logistics for orchestra, presentation, and educational… programming as Artist Liaison at Artis -Naples. She also prepares and processes contracts for performances, lectures, and rentals. Chelsea graduated with honors from Florida Southern College with a bachelor’s degree in Music Management and a minor in theatre. While at FSC, she served as President of Delta Omicron and the Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association, Vice President of the Association for Campus Entertainment, and Events Coordinator for Omicron Delta Kappa. Chelsea spent her final semester as production intern for the Washington National Opera at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Megan Pagado Wells

Megan Pagado Wells is building community through art as the Associate Director, Artist Partner Program… at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, College Park. She leads the curation and management of The Clarice’s NextNOW Fest, performing arts experiences at Maryland Day and Satellite Arts Partnerships. She came to The Clarice from the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, MD, where she served the county’s cultural community through marketing services, capacity-building opportunities and advocacy work. Megan serves on the board of directors of Forum Theatre and holds a B.A. in Public Communications from Washington Adventist University and an M.S. in Nonprofit and Association Management from the University of Maryland University College.

Amanda Wu

Amanda Wu is the Individual Giving and Special events Manager at Cal Performances in Berkeley, California. … In this role, she is responsible for the mid-level annual fund program and supporting the annual gala. She has been at Cal Performances since March 2016. Prior to this position, she worked at the San Francisco Symphony for 4 years. Amanda’s background is in music, playing piano and violin at a young age and transitioning to the double bass, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in music at UC Davis. Outside of Cal Performances, Amanda continues to perform with the Bay Area orchestras and ensembles.

Jamie Wu

Jamie Wu is the Company Manager and Producer of Theatre du Pif,… one of the Hong Kong’s most innovative performing arts companies. Often using a workshop and devising process as well as collaborations with dramaturges and artists from other disciplines, the company orchestrates movement, text and visual images to create new productions acclaimed for their power and their poetry. She is also an Independent Producer to foster the creative relationships and international collaborations across multi art forms. Recently, she had received grants to conduct a 3-week arts research study in west coast of the United States and a 12-week work placement at OzAsia Festival 2016 at Adelaide Festival Centre in Australia. (ISPA Fellow)

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Participants: Class of 2016

Viviana Benitez

Viviana Benitez realized her passion for the arts and community and switched careers… (after 7 years in the field of education) to become the agent and manager for the 8-piece band M.A.K.U SoundSystem. Recently in February 2015 Viviana became the Associate Producer at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center. Viviana holds a bachelor’s and Master’s degree both from the University of Rochester and is a member of WOCA (Women of Color in the Arts).

Haley Bradstreet

Haley Bradstreet is a classically trained ballet and modern dancer.… A native of New Jersey, she took her training from the River Ballet School and Premiere Dance to continue her skills at Mercyhurst University where she graduated cum laude with a BA in dance and a minor in Arts Administration. While at Mercyhurst, she had the opportunity to teach open ballet classes to intermediate/advanced students and perform with the Lake Erie Ballet Company. She most recently worked as the programing manager at the Koresh Dance Company in Philadelphia and is currently working as program assistant to the Trisha Brown: In the New Body Festival and teaching at the Philadelphia Dance Academy and UPenn.

Annick Busch

Annick Busch is the Events Coordinator at the Detroit Jazz Festival.… She first began with the festival as an intern in the Artist Relations department. She worked in Artist Relations for 5 additional festivals before being promoted to her current position in Events. She now oversees the planning and execution of all community outreach events and fundraisers, as well as all VIP activities during the festival weekend. Annick also serves as The Parade Company's Talent Manager for America's Thanksgiving Parade. She has volunteered for various events in the Midwest, including the Tri-C Jazz Festival in Cleveland; the Grammy Telecast Viewing Party in Chicago; and the Detroit Music Awards, where she has served for the past 7 years as Volunteer Coordinator. Annick graduated in 2015 from Oakland University with a Bachelor of Integrative Studies with a concentration in Music Business.

Eveline Chang

Eveline Chang serves as Program Manager for BAM Education and Humanities,… overseeing programs for youth, schools, and arts organizations. Formerly, she served as Education Director at Pentacle and Program/Marketing Manager at the Center for Architecture. Previous to moving to NYC, she was the Graduate Advisor for UCLA World Arts and Cultures and held positions at Harvard University, The Kennedy Center, and British Council. Eveline holds degrees in Dance and Art History from UC- Irvine and a Masters in Cultural and Creative Industries from King’s College London. In 2012, Eveline was a speaker at the Dance/USA Annual Conference and selected to its Institute for Leadership Training.

Katie Diamond

Katie Diamond is currently an Artist Representative/Contracts Manager with Elsie Management.… Diamond began her arts administrator work in 2010 with José Limón Dance Foundation after performing with the company for seven years. She has since worked in the areas of artist representation, contracts, visas/taxation, marketing, company management, special events/fundraising, and education. Joining the Elsie Management team in 2012, Diamond was a recipient of BAM/Kennedy Center’s inaugural Performer in Transition Arts Management Fellowship (2012), a mentee in Dance/USA’s Institute for Leadership Training (2013) and featured in Dance Magazine’s 2013 “Beyond Performance” supplement about dancers’ lives after the stage. She holds a BFA from California Institute of the Arts.

Laura Smith Ettabbakh

Laura Smith Ettabbakh is the Artistic Administrator of the Artist Partner Program at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center,… University of Maryland. Originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, she has a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the College of William and Mary and a Master of Arts in Arts Management from American University. Before coming to The Clarice, Laura worked as a Tour Manager for high-level international orchestral and choral tours. She has worked for the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage as well as GALA Hispanic Theatre in Washington, DC. Laura is also a Fulbright scholar.

Shannon Fitzsimons

Shannon Fitzsimons is the Campus Engagement Specialist at UMS (University Musical Society),… where she oversees a diverse slate of programming to integrate UMS performances across the curriculum at the University of Michigan. In addition, she coordinates several UMS performances each season and delivers pre-show talks on theatre and dance. Shannon is also a professional dramaturg; she has worked with producing theatres around the country including the Public Theater/Under the Radar, the Goodman, Steppenwolf, Lookingglass, California Shakespeare Theatre, and the African American Shakespeare Company. She completed her education at Hamilton College and Northwestern University.

Brian Halaas

Brian Halaas is a Program Manager at Arts Midwest where he manages professional development… and communications for the Arts Midwest Conference, the preeminent booking and education conference for the Midwest performing arts industry. Previously Brian worked in the development departments at American Ballet Theatre and the Film Society of Lincoln Center in New York City. With a background in classical music and opera, he has also held positions at IMG Artists, Minnesota Opera, and Chautauqua Opera. Brian has a bachelor’s degree in music from Augsburg College and a master’s degree in performing arts administration from New York University.

Courtney Harge

Courtney Harge is a producer, director, and arts administrator originally from Saginaw, MI.… She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Colloquy Collective, a Brooklyn, NY-based theater company. She has worked for the Elaine Kaufman Cultural Center, Theater for the New City, The Public Theater, Gibney Dance, the New York Foundation for the Arts and, currently, Fractured Atlas. She holds a Masters of Professional Studies, with Distinction, in Arts and Cultural Management from Pratt Institute and a Bachelors of Fine Arts with Honors from the University of Michigan in Theater Performance.

Emily Hefley

Emily Hefley is the Programming Manager at The Germantown Performing Arts Center… (GPAC) in Germantown, TN. She holds a BFA in Theater and Dance from The University of Memphis. For the past 10 years, Emily has worn many hats at GPAC from hospitality assistant, to business coordinator, to ballet teacher, and education coordinator. Emily handles programming for the Dance and Family Series for the 824 seat theater while overseeing all the center’s education and outreach programs including the Youth Symphony programs. In her "free" time, Emily is a choreographer and performer with Project: Motion Dance Collective in Memphis, TN.

Thomas Hudgins

Thomas Hudgins is the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Brooks Center … for the Performing Arts at Clemson University in South Carolina. He graduated from Clemson in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in history with a minor theatre before receiving a Master of Public Administration in 2011. As communications director, he manages social media accounts, writes articles, creates videos, and supervises an annual calendar to promote the Brooks Center. In his free time, he enjoys exercising, travelling, and playing guitar.

Stefanie Karlin

Stefanie Karlin is the founder of SQUID MGMT, working as a manager to… leading West-Coast Performance and Dance Artists zoe | juniper, Amy O'Neal, Kate Wallich + The YC, KT Niehoff and Jody Kuehner among others. She has been Managing Director of zoe | juniper since July 2012 and has been instrumental in the formation of zoe | juniper's Development Committee and Board of Directors, the organization's incorporation as a 501(c)3, and the company's ongoing organizational success. She has had the honor of working at Velocity Dance Center since 2011, previously serving as Producing Director, assisting Tonya Lockyer and the rest of the team in the revitalization of the Northwest's leading contemporary Dance Center.

Noël Largess

Noël Largess is the west coast Agent in the Adult Contemporary department at APA,… where she has been since 2011. Although she books artists in venues ranging from small clubs to amphitheaters, her heart lies with theaters and the performing arts. Before joining APA, Largess was an assistant at The Agency Group in New York working with artists such as Straight No Chaser, Celtic Thunder, and David Garrett, all of whom had a large connection with PBS. When she’s not booking or attending concerts Largess also plays cello with the Santa Monica Symphony, a volunteer community orchestra. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music from Syracuse University.

Neal Ludevig

Neal Ludevig is a Founder and Executive Director of the Harlem Arts Festival… (HAF), a multi-disciplinary arts institution that focuses on supporting Harlem artists and continuing Harlem's artistic legacy. HAF has presented more than 150 Harlem based artists, and has garnered press from the New York Times, ABC, Time Out New York, the NY Daily News, Untapped Cities, and more. In only a few short years, HAF has formed partnerships with Jazz at Lincoln Center, Revive Music, Flavorpill, and La Maison d'Art (to name a few), as its programming continues to reach more than 8,000 individuals annually. Prior to HAF, Neal was also a tour manager and agent for a number of Grammy-award winning musicians.

Mike Michelon

Mike Michelon is the General Manager of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival.… A University of Michigan graduate, Mike served as the Production Coordinator at the University Musical Society for three years prior to joining the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. Now entering his third season, Mike oversees the daily business and operations of the Festival, which produces an annual three and half week live arts celebration (140+ events, 90% free) in the heart of campus and downtown Ann Arbor. Mike’s interests include mentorship and leadership development amongst student organization leaders, especially those interested in the arts and live event production.

Hilary Northcraft

Hilary Northcraft is a member of the Seattle Theatre Group marketing team… where all marketing, public relations, digital communications and social media programs are managed for approximately 500 annual events, including education and community programs, across three historic theatres. Hilary holds a Master of Fine Arts/Arts Leadership from Seattle University. Her voluntarism has taken her to the International Human Rights Film Festival in Cape Town, SA, and landed her with Seattle-based programs The Vera Project, and 826 Writing Center. Hilary is a trained dancer and budding photographer whose future focus is on connecting international visual artists with independent musicians.

Aengus Ortiz

Aengus Ortiz is Booking Manager and Senior Development Associate for New York City’s Ballets with a Twist.… In his four years with the growing company, he has secured engagements nationwide and overseen each acquisition through the design and implementation of his own production flow management system. Other successful projects undertaken with the organization include the establishment of a performance-based residency model for universities, the piloting of community outreach initiatives aimed at broadening the audience for dance, and the regular co-production of multimedia marketing campaigns.

Matt Parker

Matt Parker, Senior Manager of Concert Services at The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts,… is responsible for Kentucky Center Presents event logistics, hospitality services, contract management, show advancing and artist settlements. Matt received his undergraduate degree in Entertainment and Music Business from Belmont University and his MBA from Murray State University. While in school, he interned with Epitaph/Anti- Records in Los Angeles, CA and Great Big Shows in Nashville, TN. Matt has served as the House Manager and Talent Buyer for Exit/In and Zydeco Birmingham, and was most recently the Assistant Facility Manager at CFSB Center/Lovett Auditorium in Murray, KY where he managed all aspects of booking and show promotions.

Rachel Rosado

Rachel Rosado joined Asia Society in 2011. Since then, she has worked on… presenting dozens of artists, and on many major initiatives including Creative Voices of Muslim Asia and Season of Cambodia. She has worked extensively with artists from Pakistan, India, Iran, Indonesia, and Afghanistan. A seasoned arts educator, she is also the coordinator of Asia Society’s popular series of family programs. Prior to her arrival at Asia Society, she worked in the public program department at the Rubin Museum of Art. A native New Yorker, she has traveled and worked extensively in India, Nepal and Turkey. She holds a BA in Religious Studies from McGill University, and an MA in Religious Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

Eva Rosenberg

Eva Rosenberg is an arts administrator and cultural producer.… From her first job in the box office at Cambridge’s legendary folk venue Club Passim to her current role as external-facing Arts Program Manager at Harvard University, her passion for live performance has led her to a career supporting and facilitating the creative work of artists. She maintains a freelance practice as a theatrical producer and artist relations manager for festivals while working full-time to oversee Harvard’s community-oriented visual and performing arts programming and creative economic development in the Allston-Brighton neighborhood of Boston. Eva lives in Somerville, MA with her partner and their cat.

Greg Seamon

Greg Seamon is currently the Programming Coordinator at the Mayo Performing Arts Center.… He began his career at Paradigm Agency, in the Commercial Voiceover Department. From there, he learned the agency side of performing arts booking in the Comedy Touring Department at Creative Artists Agency before finding his niche in the venue world at the Mayo Performing Arts Center. Greg hails from New Jersey, where his proximity to New York City fashioned his passion for all things entertainment. He is also a patient New York Knicks fan, amateur photographer, intermediate golfer, and unapologetic video gamer.

Melissa Seltzer

Melissa Seltzer is the Director of Arts and Culture Education and Adult Programming… at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore and the Gordon Center for Performing Arts overseeing visual and performing arts opportunities for the community for toddlers to seniors. Melissa founded and manages the J’s Performing Arts Camp, Children’s Theater Production Company, Teen Artist Leadership Program, Afterschool Culture Club, and various partnerships with Baltimore’s leading arts organizations. For the Gordon Center, Melissa assists in curating the season and provides performance opportunities for community groups and budding talent. Melissa has extensive program planning and curriculum development experience and received her undergraduate degree from Muhlenberg College and masters in Jewish Communal Service (Non-Profit Management and Jewish Studies) from Baltimore Hebrew Institute.

Erin Jenkins Smith

Erin Jenkins Smith is an Outreach & Arts Education Coordinator at the Hopkins Center for the Arts,… Dartmouth College. Since 2011 she has worked with faculty, students, K-12 schools, community organizations, and artists to develop partnerships and implement educational programming on campus and in the Upper Valley community. Before joining the Hop, Erin worked with educational nonprofits, managing grants and youth after school programs. Erin has a BA in Psychology from Clemson University and an EdM in Arts in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Chelsea Sutton

Chelsea Sutton is a marketing professional, playwright, fiction writer and director.… A graduate of UC Santa Barbara's College of Creative Studies, she has worked as a marketing director at the Falcon Theatre, Rogue Artists Ensemble, and is currently the Marketing Manager at the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts at Pepperdine University. She has worked with many other companies in production and communications, or as an artist, including Speaking of Stories in Santa Barbara, LA Female Playwrights Initiative, Skylight Theatre Company, The Blank Theatre, and others. As a playwright, she was recently a finalist for the O'Neill National Playwrights Conference and the Woodward/Newman Drama Award.

Allyson Taubenheim

Allyson Taubenheim is an advocate for creativity, art and adventure.… Graduating with a BA in Strategic Communication from the University of Minnesota, Allyson has gone back to her college stomping grounds for a career as the Student Engagement Coordinator for Northrop on the U of M campus. Also serving as the Program Director for Camp Discovery, Allyson is a passionate leader for special needs communities. When Ally isn’t working, you can find her teaching dance in the suburbs of Minneapolis or indulging at any local Chipotle.

Daniel Vesey

Daniel Vesey is the Midwestern Booking Representative at Alliance Artist Management … – an artist management company with a roster comprised of vocal ensembles, chamber music ensembles, orchestras, and attractions. Daniel holds a B.M. in clarinet performance with an outside concentration in Communications from Ithaca College. Following graduation, Mr. Vesey followed his passion to work in the music industry and has contributed his talents as such in various capacities including subscription sales at Carnegie Hall, publicity with the Artist to Watch Program at 21C Media Group and with the Booking Department at Opus 3 Artists.

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Alumni Perspectives

We caught up with 6 prominent alumni to discover the lasting value of their Emerging Leadership Institute experience. Hear from the participants themselves who shared their reasons for applying, what they learned, how they've benefitted personally and professionally, and more!

Christopher Kaelin - Class of 2015

How has your ELI experience impacted your organization/professional network?
I now have a massive network of colleagues and friends from all around the country and the world. We stay connected. I can shoot ideas off them, ask for feedback and collaborate on a variety of topics.

What is unique about ELI compared to other leadership development programs?
It’s not easy, because ELI is a collaborative process. You’re already a promising leader in the field, otherwise you wouldn’t even consider attending. ELI is a safe environment to share ideas, frustrations and struggles about your leadership, the leadership of others and your organization. It’s a unique opportunity to gain invaluable, honest feedback. If you love PowerPoint presentations… this program is NOT for you!

What would you tell someone that was interested in applying to ELI?
Sit down and have a conversation with your Supervisor. Express your future goals and ambitions within your organization to gain his/her support. Then ask yourself, “Can I be honest with myself, share constructive feedback and be receptive to the thoughts and opinions of other leaders in my field?”. ELI is an amazing opportunity, because you as a participant make it so. Be ready to contribute.

Tim Prestridge - Class of 2014

What prompted you to apply to ELI?
It was at the urging of a colleague at the Kennedy Center (where I worked at the time) that I looked into the ELI program. I had a master's degree in Arts Administration and had a great job, but felt the need to connect to other young professionals who were charting a career path in the non-profit arts space.

What was the most meaningful aspect of the program?
Having a cohort on speed dial is the bread and butter of this program. You get a great seminar on leadership, but then you get to know some great people who are in the same stage of their career and working across the country. You gain the ability to pick up the phone and pick someone's brain on a issue or problem you may be facing in your organization and have someone give you real world feedback on their experiences.

How has your ELI experience impacted you personally?
One of the best outcomes for me personally was a renewed sense of confidence in my career path and my abilities to take what I was learning in ELI and in my career and continue in my path to management.

What is unique about ELI compared to other leadership development programs?
Many times leadership development programs put you with professionals across many sectors. I think the ability for young professionals to connect and learn with others in the arts field are invaluable at that stage of career development. There is an element of safety and trust when you are all coming from the same place.

Aaron Shackelford - Class of 2014

What prompted you to apply to ELI?
When I attended a conference at Dartmouth College on student engagement with classical music, several of my colleagues at other university presenters mentioned this amazing program. They said it provided an opportunity to meet other professionals across the field and get a greater insight into the whirlwind of APAP.

How has your ELI experience impacted you personally?
Like everyone, there are moments of doubt about one’s career path. I came to the performing arts via a rather circuitous route, and part of me was wondering if I should go back to pursuing an academic career. For me, attending ELI will always be the time when I set aside those doubts. ELI provided the perspective that I have important contributions to make in the field, and codified that I will be a leader who makes a real impact working for a performing arts presenter. A colleague joked afterwards that I came back as though I’d had a vision, and while it was not a metaphysical experience in that sense, it was a clarifying and inspiring milestone in my life.

What would you tell someone that was interested in applying to ELI?
Embrace your doubts. ELI is not about showing off what you have done thus far. The experience focuses instead on what it means to create positive change, to recognize that your passion and insight can be a dynamic force within an organization and the performing arts as a whole, and to embrace that possibility. Uncertainty, in this formula, becomes an asset because it encourages you to find answers.

Chelsea Lafayette - Class of 2011

What did you hope to learn by participating in ELI? Were you successful?
I really didn't know what I would learn, I just wanted to meet people in the arts presenting field. I thought I might learn skills for when I became a leader in the future. What I did learn is that it is possible to be a leader in an entry-level position.

What was the most meaningful aspect of the program?
Solidarity! It's an incredible network of people who are passionate about what they do. Watching each other grow and progress in our careers is encouraging and inspiring.

What would you tell someone that was interested in applying to ELI?
You should absolutely apply. This program changed the way I think about leadership and the leaders in my field. It is important to devote time to getting perspective on the field outside of your current position or organization and ELI provides the space and tools to do that.

Jordana Phokompe - Class of 2005

What prompted you to apply to ELI?
I had a strong instinct that attending ELI would be a wonderful opportunity for me to grow professionally, expand my network, and learn from my peers. My instinct was right!

What was the most memorable/meaning aspect of the program?
Learning about my strengths and weaknesses as a leader helped me create a sharper and more effective approach in the work place. This enhanced my ability to build teams complementary to my skill set.

How has your ELI experience impacted your organization/professional network?
Being part of ELI is being part of a community. I participated in ELI ten years ago and met wonderful people who are now leaders in our field. We have remained in contact and I can call on them for advice as well as for organizational partnerships. Additionally, through the alumni community I’ve seen my network continue to grow.

Thomas O. Kriegsmann - Class of 2002

What did you hope to learn by participating in ELI? Were you successful?
ELI answered to an urgent need to change the conditions of the playing field around me. I was fiery with ideas about how the field should be contributing more to the evolution of new work and why seemingly inextricable divisions existed between presenters, producers, promoters and regional theaters that prevented new work from being realized, and what role a fledgling, non-profit producer could play to align those strategies. I hoped ELI would be a forum to discuss those strategies with representatives from disparate corners of the field. While there was much, much growth to come, ELI certainly helped in laying the groundwork for the years that followed.

How has your ELI experience impacted your organization/professional network?
My colleagues in that first edition of ELI remain dear friends and trusted colleagues with whom I work regularly, sharing a fundamental vision and passion for what we have dedicated our lives to, and to whom I turn constantly for guidance and support. I keep track of and gain inspiration from their accomplishments and am very proud to be on this journey with them, watching them all grow and accomplish amazing things – Cory Baker, Jeremy Ganter, Anna Glass, Michael Reed, Jenny Thomas, Laura Sweet, Toby Tumarkin, and many more members of that class all remain huge forces in arts advocacy nationwide. It is a great point of pride to have grown up in this business with them.

What would you tell someone that was interested in applying to ELI?
I have recommended the program to all of my associate producers at ArKtype and they gained equally strong footing in industry relationships, so I always recommend it highly to anyone interested in taking a step toward a larger vision of their role and potential in shaping the future of the industry and the public imagination.

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