Adam Ercolani
Adam Ercolani (he/they) is an artist, teaching artist, and arts administrator based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He currently works as the Campus Engagement Manager for Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University, where he focuses on infusing the arts into the everyday lives of Lehigh’s campus community, managing projects like Traveling While Black, an immersive virtual reality experience about the restricted movement of Black Americans, and POP UP: An Artistic Adventure, a site-specific creative placemaking project. He teaches theatre-based afterschool programs with Touchstone Theatre, is an Adjunct Professor of Theatre at Lehigh University, and works as a Creative Teaching Strategies Coach for the Bethlehem Area School District as a part of the Kennedy Center’s Any Given Child initiative.

Alex Woody
Alex Woody (he/him) is a performing arts professional based in Midland, Michigan. His passion for the industry began at a young age, and he has been working professionally in theater marketing since his freshman year at Michigan State University. Alex has worked at theaters across the country, including in East Lansing, Hartford, Denver, and is currently with Midland Center for the Arts as the Public Relations & Communications Manager. He has promoted, presented, and produced events and is actively gaining additional experience in the museum industry through his current role.

Audrey Seraphin
Audrey Seraphin is a theatre artist, arts administrator, civil servant, and lifelong Massachusetts resident. She is the Program Manager for Regional Grants & Initiatives New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA). In her role, she helps manage collaborations with the nation’s other Regional Arts Organizations, including the ArtsHERE pilot program and Cultural Sustainability, an operating grant for small arts organizations of color. She brings to NEFA her love of all things local, instilled in her from her time at Boston City Hall and ArtsBoston. She lives in Allston with her stand-up comedian husband and senior dog Squirrel.

Calvin Johnson
Calvin Johnson, a third generation saxophonist and composer born and raised in New Orleans, first dabbled in the arts industry as a child, booking performances for him and his older sister, a pianist, at local churches. Calvin would call churches and ask if they could play a song or two at the next service. Come Sunday, he’d hand over what they’d earned from the collection plate to his mom — his first manager — for gas money.
Calvin has, since then, expanded his roster of clients. After attending the venerable New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, followed by the University of New Orleans’ School of Business, he moved to New York City.

Carrli C. Cooper
Carrli C. Cooper is a theatre administrator dedicated to facilitating smooth production processes. A recipient of the American Theatre Wing’s Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative Scholarship and their inaugural Stewart F. Lane Fellow for Career Advancement, she holds a Master of Science in Leadership for the Creative Enterprises from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Theatre Arts from the University of Michigan. Ms. Cooper is an Assistant General Manager at TT Partners, beginning as an inaugural fellow through Black Theatre Coalition's General Management Fellowship program. Selected Broadway Credits include The Hills of California, Patriots, The Shark is Broken, and Leopoldstadt.

Cheryl Edson
Cheryl Edson is the Artist Services Coordinator for Duke Arts in Durham, NC. She has worked as a theatre artist, stage manager, educator, and grant writer. Cheryl has been active in the local arts community for the past ten years, holding leadership roles with the National Women’s Theatre Festival, serving as resident stage manager with ShaLeigh Dance Works, being a teaching artist at the Durham Arts Council, and as a member of Bulldog Ensemble Theater. A native of Cornwall, NY, she is a proud graduate of Wesleyan University in Connecticut with a B.A. in philosophy.

Christina Alva
Christina Alva (she/her) is passionate about music and live performance. With a background in singing and working in the arts and education fields, she jumped at the opportunity to join the team at the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University where she is the Board Manager and Executive Assistant. Christina works closely with colleagues to assist in the day to day activities of the Green Music Center, sits on the programming team, and offers support to venue staff during performances. She loves being part of a team that creates meaningful events for those who create and those who participate.

Christopher Carvalho
Christopher Carvalho is the Deputy Director at White Bird in Portland, Oregon. He joined White Bird in 2021 as the Director of Patron Services and Communication after a career as a professional dancer in Los Angeles. While in LA, Christopher worked with freelance companies and Diavolo: Architecture in Motion, where he was a top 10 finalist on America's Got Talent and served as Rehearsal Director. He also contributed to the Diavolo Veterans Project. Now in arts administration, Christopher is passionate about making the arts accessible, equitable, and enjoyable for all.

Daniela Esteves
Daniela Esteves is an avid consumer of coffee, novels, and musicals, with a passion for leveraging the arts to create meaningful connections and inspire change. She holds a master’s degree in arts management from American University and currently serves as Executive Assistant, Artistic Operations at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Daniela also co-leads Adelante, the Center’s Hispanic/Latinx Employee Resource Group. A wearer of many hats, she brings experience in marketing, event management, patron services, and programming. Driven by social impact, Daniela believes in art's power to illuminate the beauty of diverse backgrounds and highlight human experiences.

Deanna Nagle
Deanna (she/they) is a Black queer Jamaican American dedicated to creating healing and engaging spaces for their community through the arts. With a background as a labor organizer, dementia caregiver, and dancer, Deanna has witnessed the transformative power of the arts to provoke change. Currently, they serve as the Student Arts Engagement Manager at The Pennsylvania State University, where she curates artistic spaces for students to relax, explore, and forge connections.

Emma McKenzie
Emma McKenzie is a service-oriented leader based in Dallas-Fort Worth. During her time at the University of North Texas, Emma became deeply interested in theatrical literature and was determined to find a profession in a related field. Now the Patron Services Manager at the Coppell Arts Center, her passion for the theatre has expanded into one of ensuring that the arts are accessible for all members of her community. From developing a robust adult volunteer program to creating inclusive programming, Emma is dedicated to cultivating a warm environment for all arts enthusiasts.

Gauri Mangala
Gauri Mangala is a producer and writer based in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Gauri is the Associate Producer for Broadway & Beyond Theatricals, a New York City based commercial producer and full-service booking agency. As Associate Producer, Gauri supports commercial projects in New York and across the country, while concurrently working closely with regional theatre partners as a booking agent and consultant. Through this work at BBT, Gauri gets to work with producers, artists, and managers to develop new models of touring and sharing content between the commercial and NFP regional markets. (Broadway: The Cottage; National Tours: The Kite Runner, Hasan Minhaj: The King’s Jester)

Grace Atkins
Grace Atkins is an arts administrator and advocate. She currently works as the Artistic Programming Manager for Opening Nights at Florida State University. She graduated from FSU with a BA in Music and BS in Anthropology, and went on to graduate from Savannah College of Art and Design with an MA in Creative Business Leadership. Outside of her work she volunteers her time as board member for LeMoyne Arts, and committee member at Thomasville Center for the Arts. Grace is a staunch advocate for supporting local artists to help build vibrant arts communities in the South East.

Grace Davidson-Thooft
Grace Davidson-Thooft serves as the Director of Performing Arts for the Historic Holmes Theatre, which is part of the Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center in Northern Minnesota. She is deeply passionate about providing arts opportunities in rural areas and creating unique experiences for the community. In her current role, she curates a diverse 20-performance season featuring local, regional, national, and international artists. Grace's interest in programming was sparked during her internship with the Woodbine Series at South Dakota State University. Prior to her current position, she spent four years to engaging students in the Fine Arts Series at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University.

Hannah Fueka
Hannah (she/they) is an advocate for cultivating safe and inspiring spaces for the community. As Event Director at the historical Michigan and State Theatres (Marquee Arts) in Ann Arbor, MI, they oversee programming and coordination of events, particularly musical and theatrical productions. They are a proud supporter of the IATSE Union and have a professional background in technical theater and acting. They enjoy serving as Camp Director for Young Filmmakers Camp, fostering a unique environment to educate young adults who are passionate about expression through cinema. She aims to amplify voices of the youth and underrepresented groups through theater.

Isaac Galliher
Isaac Galliher is a young professional currently based in Western Kentucky. His interests include politics, concerts and theatre, cooking, and digital design. He is an alum of the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts program and has also served as a volunteer Teaching Assistant, performer/crew member, and Student Advisor to the Board of Directors for his local community theater. In his professional capacity as the Community Engagement Coordinator at The Carson Center for the Performing Arts, he oversees grassroots branding; works to elevate patron experiences; and organizes special events for donors, students, and community members. Many thanks to mentor Mary!

Isabel Barone
Isabel Barone is the Artistic & Administrative Coordinator at Zoellner Arts Center in Bethlehem, PA. She began her career the first week of her freshman year working in the Zoellner Box Office, and her love for the arts expanded from there. Currently, her work consists of engaging directly with artists and management teams, while also being a connector between internal departments, community partners, and donors.

Jane Schiermeyer Hansen
Jane Schiermeyer Hansen is the Education and Community Engagement Director at the Lied Center for Performing Arts on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a role she has been in since 2020. She completed her master’s in Educational Theatre in Colleges and Communities at New York University in 2018. Previously, she worked in non-profit community and educational theatre, public schools, and higher education. Jane has a passion for finding new ways to engage family and youth audiences through accessible programming such as theatre for the very young, and tours artists to rural communities in Nebraska throughout the year as part of the Lied’s Arts Across Nebraska program. Beyond her role at the Lied, Jane enjoys watching college football (Go Huskers!), directing local theatre productions, and going on adventures with her husband and daughter.

Jannet Galdamez
Jannet Galdamez is a dance artist born, raised, and based in Los Angeles, CA. Her love for dance and music began at a very young age through social, street, family settings. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance and minor in Education from the University of California Irvine June in 2012. Jannet is currently the rehearsal and programming director with CONTRA-TIEMPO Activist Dance Theater and continues to blossom in her versatility as a dance artist... always grounded with the beat of the drum and with deep gratitude for her teachers, mentors, and elders. She is passionate about her journey - a journey guided by love, balance, connection, gratitude and rooted in celebrating and uplifting cultural and ancestral roots, community-building, self-discovery and self-empowerment through dance.

Jasmine Hirt
Jasmine Hirt (she/her) is the Facility Manager for the Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC) and The Grove, a presenting arts organization that brings diverse international programming to the greater Memphis area, cultivates local talent, and serves as the performance home for multiple performing arts organizations. A creative at heart, she blends her passion for music and ability to manage complex logistics to lead an extensive team of staff, contractors, and volunteers in advancing and managing all performances while maintaining both the indoor and outdoor venues. She recently led the planning and production of the Acoustic Music Project, a unique project that brought together young musicians from around the country to hone their creative skills, culminating in a final concertshowcasing their original works created during the experience. She is a graduate of the University of Memphis with a degree in Music Business and over eight years of experience in the live event industry. Beyond her professional pursuits, she enjoys rock climbing, kayaking, drawing original artwork, and spending time with her dog and two cats.

Jimmy Cornn
Jimmy is in his 3rd year as director of both the Boyle County Performing Art Center and Arts Academy for Boyle County Schools in Danville, KY. His primary focus is to lead the K-12 district’s endeavor to reimagine arts education by leveraging a PAC as the plan’s centerpiece and catalyst for change. Originally from the Appalachian region of Kentucky, Jimmy has a passion for increasing arts exposure and access to rural students and families. Prior to his venture at the BCPAC, Jimmy worked in the classroom as a high school band director for 15 years.

Karina Zaidé Sainz
A Latina, born and raised in San Diego, California; Karina's passion for social change and artistic expression is perfectly blended in her current position as Managing Director for CONTRA-TIEMPO Activist Dance Theater. She has had a role in organizing the Bay Area’s top festivals alongside her mentor, Jose Reyes-Olivas. Most notably: Power to the Peaceful, Outside Lands, Green Apple Music & Arts Festival, Stern Grove Music Festival. Her career evolved to tour manager for LA legends, Ozomatli, then Nickelodeon’s Yo Gabba Gabba Live! followed by 4 yrs as Associate Producer at the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth.

Kristen Taylor
Bloom where you are planted is a guiding principle that shapes Kristen L. Taylor daily. Kristen is a compassionate, purpose driven, visionary leader. She is a Chicago native, residing in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. She is an alumna of Howard University with a Bachelor of History. As a Performing Arts Manager, she has supported organizations in Company Management and Marketing (Step Afrika!), Booking and Tour Management, Event Management, Programming, Strategic Communications, Radio Servicing, and Social Media Management. She is the Assistant Business Manager of the Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University (@howardgospelchoir), a trailblazing, performing arts ensemble. She is the General Manager of the captivating performing artist, emerging caterer and entrepreneur, Clifton Ross III (@cliftonrossiii). Kristen and her clients have traveled to over twenty six countries, performed and presented programming in many of the nation’s most celebrated venues, from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to the White House. She believes in people and the transformative power of community and this is the motivating force that guides and grounds her work. She is a member of the innovative, Washington Performing Arts Junior Board. Her newest endeavor, launching her consulting firm, is an extension of her passion work as a strategic thought partner. Her north star and anchor is her beautiful village – her family, (or as she affectionately calls them, her personal Board of Directors). Their wisdom, love and support fuels every endeavor. They remind her daily to live every day with intention and gratitude, serve wherever you are, make a difference and be kind.

Laura Stellwagon
Laura Stellwagon has been a team member of Chicago’s Harris Theater for Music and Dance for seven years. In her current role as Director of Programming, she oversees the Harris Theater Presents series. Prior to Harris, Stellwagon held several positions at Lyric Opera of Chicago, including Associate of the Ryan Opera Center.

Ms. Stellwagon began her life in the arts with the flute and is a founding member of the West Suburban Flute Orchestra. She also serves on the board of Cadence Music NFP, a female-founded organization dedicated to making music accessible to all. Ms. Stellwagon lives in Lombard, Illinois with her husband and their dog.

Lexis Hamilton
Lexis Hamilton serves as the Director of Fine Arts Outreach and Fine Arts Program Manager for the University of Wyoming located in Laramie, Wyoming, where she originated the Buchanan Center Special Events presenting series in 2022. Lexis also manages the Buchanan Center Box Office and its staff as well as multiple student marketing internships. Before transitioning to presenting and programing, Lexis was a musical theatre choreographer for various arts organizations in and around California’s Central Valley. She is passionate about providing meaningful and accessible arts experiences to patrons in the Rocky Mountain region.

Lydia Jialu Li
Lydia (they/them, she/her) is a theatre creator, storyteller, choreographer, performer, actor and teaching artist. Their original works focus on the Chinese diaspora’s experience expressed through physical theatre. As a performer, they have played with/at Ming Contemporary Art Museum in AoAoIng Ensemble, Double Edge Theatre, Los Angeles Performance Practice, JACK, REDCAT, Park Avenue Armory, with GungHo Project and Yangtze Repertory Theatre, with Theatre Roscius in residency at Getty Villa Theater Lab and Baryshnikov Art Center, etc. Lydia was in the Resident Artist Program 2023 at Mabou Mines, and currently in the inaugural Paris Hotel Fellowship at a todo dar productions. BFA Major in Sociology and Minor in Theatre from Fordham College at Lincoln Center, and a MFA in (Zoom) Acting from CalArts.

Mac Gittinger
Mac Gittinger is an Events Coordinator and Junior Music Coordinator with a passion for curating exceptional music experiences. With a keen eye for emerging talent and a deep understanding of music trends, Mac has scouted and pitched music to Music Supervisors at prominent streaming platforms, including Netflix.
Mac holds a Music Industry Degree from the University of Memphis, equipping her with a solid foundation in event coordination, touring, and artist management. Mac has successfully coordinated numerous events, ensuring seamless execution and creating unforgettable experiences for attendees.
Known for her strong interpersonal skills and ability to build meaningful relationships with artists, Mac has developed a reputation for discovering hidden gems in the music world. Her ability to identify unique sounds and match them with the right projects has resulted in successful music placements across various media platforms.
Moving forward, Mac aspires to continue growing in her role as a music coordinator, expanding her network, and collaborating with talented artists and industry professionals. With a relentless pursuit of excellence, she strives to elevate the music landscape, connecting audiences with the perfect sounds to enhance their viewing experiences.
Outside of work, Mac enjoys immersing herself in diverse musical genres, attending live concerts, and exploring new creative outlets. Her passion for music extends beyond the professional realm, making it an integral part of her personal life as well."

Manon Manavit
Manon Manavit (she/her) is a creative producer, "nonprofit leader, and cultural influencer transforming New York" (2024 City & State NY Above & Beyond Power List) known for engineering innovative festivals and performance events across multiple sectors. Her work merging contemporary arts and sciences promotes critical thinking, social justice action, and sustainability. She currently leads Goddard Riverside's Community Arts Program (@ArtsAtGoddard) based on NYC's Upper West Side, a welcoming environment and resource hub guaranteeing accessibility to all, regardless of income. Manon is also a contributing member of Farm Arts Collective, an Agri-Cultural Center for Performance & Ecology. See More: www.manonmanavit.com

Mari Takeda
Mari Takeda (she/her) is currently the Director of Development at Boulanger Initiative, which advocates for women and all gender-marginalized composers. In her role, she strategizes and implements all fundraising campaigns for its programs to advance gender equity in classical music. She holds a Master’s in Arts Administration from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Bachelor's in Percussion from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. With a strong passion for equity and community-based work, Mari has previously held development positions at Baltimore Center Stage and Baltimore Tree Trust, an environmental justice tree-planting organization.

Max Gustafson
Max Gustafson is the Senior Communications & Program Manager at the Presidio Theatre in San Francisco, where he has worked since the theatre was re-established as a performing arts venue in 2019. In this role he oversees marketing, sales, and artist presentation budgets for a wide variety of programming including dance, music, and theater. As a lifelong San Francisco Bay Area resident with diverse experience as a performer and business professional, Max is highly invested in seeing his local arts community flourish. He looks forward to participating, learning, and meeting new peers in the APAP Emerging Leadership Institute.

Melanie Katz
Melanie Katz is the current Public Programs Assistant at the Skirball Cultural Center, a Jewish cultural center and museum in Los Angeles. Along with administrative support, she also curates music, literary, and exhibition-related programming. Before Skirball, Melanie worked in the Development department at the LA Opera and served as a DJ and radio host at KZSC 88.1 FM in Santa Cruz. Melanie spends her days exploring LA’s vibrant film and live music scene; on a never-ending search for the city’s strongest matcha. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of California Santa Cruz.

Mikaela Boone
Mikaela Boone is the Programming Director & Artistic Producer at FringeArts in Philadelphia. A practicing theater maker and director, steers the artistic and curatorial mission and vision for FringeArts and The Philadelphia Fringe Festival. In addition to her work for FringeArts, she has directed, assistant directed, and produced for the following companies: 1812 Productions, The Work, The Pennsylvania Players, and The Arden Theatre Company, Delaware Shakespeare Festival, The Yale Dramatic Association, 50Y150 Festival, and the RI Theater Festival. She graduated from Yale University with a BS in Cognitive Science and Theater and Performance Studies.

Purna Venugopalan
Purna Venugopalan is a dedicated arts administrator focused on cultivating a diverse, inclusive, and thriving arts ecosystem that supports artists while fostering community engagement with arts and culture. With a background in producing and programming for major arts organizations and dance companies in India, Purna bridges tradition, culture, and contemporary perspectives in the South Asian diasporic performing arts world. As Programs Manager of Nava Dance Theatre, she has shaped the live showcase portion of the Unrehearsed Artist Residency, a virtual dance residency program that supports underrepresented South Asian dance artists by emphasizing the creative process over the final product. Purna is also the communications director of Brooklyn Raga Massive and a New York City-based photographer.

Ricky A. Moats
Ricky A. Moats is the Production Manager at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago, IL, overseeing production logistics for diverse events, including performances, corporate meetings, and special events. He is also the owner and founder of Moats Entertainment and Consulting, an event planning and management company. Previously, Ricky was the Assistant Production Manager at Emerson Colonial Theatre, an ATG Entertainment Venue, and Head of Technical Stage Staff for Royal Caribbean Cruises. He holds a B.F.A. from West Virginia University and an M.F.A. and M.S. from Boston University. Ricky serves on the board of Chicago Dance CRASH and is a member of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Chicago. Ricky is passionate about advancing strong leadership within the arts in Chicago.

Roshni Lavelle
Roshni Lavelle is a producer, curator, and avid reader, currently working as a Line Producer for Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. A proud Chicago native, she is most excited by work that reveals new perspectives to audiences by asking them to consider how they are breathing, feeling, or interfacing with the world around them. She holds a BFA in Drama and English from New York University, and an MFA in Performing Arts Management from Brooklyn College. She is currently based in Brooklyn.

Samantha Whipple
Samantha Whipple is the Associate Director of Community Relations and Development at the historic Sheldon Theatre of Performing Arts in Red Wing, Minnesota. A background in fundraising and a passion for building strong rural communities brought her to the Sheldon where she spearheads development initiatives and community outreach for the municipally-owned theatre. Her authentic, relationship-driven approach has grown the organization’s grant revenue, built-out a stronger than ever individual donor program and expanded community partnerships. Samantha believes that geography shouldn’t be a barrier to high-quality performing arts experiences and is grateful to play a role in enhancing the small river town’s cultural and economic landscape through the presentation of music, theater and dance.

Shayna Super
Shayna began as an intern with the ArtsQuest music team in 2014. She worked as summer seasonal staff to coordinate the Levitt SteelStacks concerts for several years as well as work Musikfest before jobs at CID Entertainment, a live events VIP coordination company, and the Mayo Performing Arts Center in New Jersey. Shayna returned to ArtsQuest in 2019 as Programming Manager booking hundreds of shows a year alongside working on many other events here. Currently, she oversees all things music programming for ArtsQuest and works across departments to coordinate artistic vision and strategy for music at our events, in addition to being the lead talent buyer for the organization.

Socks Whitmore
Socks Whitmore is a nonbinary performer, composer, & storyteller rooted in voice and text. Their creative work as a musician and wordsmith spans from live performance to digital media to print, including music theater, choral music, audio dramas, games, poetry, short fiction, op-eds, and more. Socks has been produced by New Musicals Inc., Overtone Industries, & Feminist Fairytales, and published by Stage Raw, American Composers Forum, Sappho Small Talk, Translash Media, & Queer Quarterly magazine, among others. They are a co-founder & facilitator of the TGE vocal group 8TPS, a producing partner at the trans-led events production company, Prismatic.one, and the creative director at the gender-expansive Bolero Game Studio.

Steven Palacio
Steven Palacio (he/him) is the West Coast Agent at MKI Artists. Prior to joining the team at MKI, Steven served as the Midwest agent at Columbia Artists Management and later at Rhythm of the Arts overseeing client relationships in the Midwest and Southeast territories. Steven has a deep understanding of the performing arts industry as an agent, producer, and performer. He is a former board member of the Ohio Arts Professional Network and has previously served as the interim manager of communications at the League of American Orchestras.
In addition to booking, Steven enjoys an active performance career and has been a substitute musician of the Seattle Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, Las Vegas Philharmonic, The Knights, and is frequently performs with the Albany Symphony and the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra. He holds degrees from the Florida State University, the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music, and The Juilliard School.

Tess Reinhold
Tess Reinhold serves as the Programming and Artist Relations Manager at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek, Colorado. In her role, she focuses on curating and expanding the theater’s Arts Education initiatives, benefiting both school students and the broader community. Tess also plays a key role in artist programming, bringing fresh and exciting talent to the venue. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Studies from Franklin & Marshall College. Originally from Philadelphia, Tess now enjoys skiing and hiking in Colorado’s high country.”

Tiffany Schmidt
Tiffany Schmidt (she/her) is a freelance grant writer and manager for KAMBARA+, a multidisciplinary dance company based in San Francisco, CA. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a Business Cognate in 2020 from The University of Akron, she interned with the National Center for Choreography in Akron, Ohio. She has also worked for Verb Ballet and University of Akron Dance Institute and danced in productions by Neos Dance Theater, trideaDANCE, and Terpsichore Dance Club. Tiffany resides in Dayton, Ohio and is passionate about advocating for the arts and the intersections of technology and movement.

Tyra Jackson Ike-Asogwa
Tyra Jackson Ike-Asogwa is an MFA graduate of NYU Tisch Dance and an undergraduate of the University of Alabama’s Department of Theatre and Dance. She is the 2023 Alabama State Council of the Arts Fellow, the 2023 Klingenstein Teacher Finalist and a 2023 Finalist for the Dance/USA Fellowship program. She is a fearless leader for Alabama’s premiere Black dance company INNERGY Inc; a professional dance company where she curates dance productions and master dance workshops around the world, exposing underserved communities to the arts. Since 2021, she has secured over $100,000 in funding and has expanded programming from Mobile to Huntsville Alabama.

Walter Yee
Walter is the Manager of Performance Operations at Celebrity Series of Boston, a non-profit performing arts presenting organization based in Boston, MA. At the Celebrity Series of Boston he oversees a portfolio of 60 performances, working with Boston area venues to enrich and inspire the community through exceptional live performances. As a freelance clarinetist, Walter performs with Boston area ensembles such as the Horizon Ensemble, Der Gestanke, and the Improbable Beasts (Boston’s premiere bass clarinet ensemble.)

Yura Sapi
Yura Sapi (they/them) is a visionary leader, creative activist, and interdisciplinary artist dedicated to co-creating joyful and abundant futures in harmony with each other and Mother Earth. As the Founder and Executive Director of LiberArte Inc., Yura leads initiatives that empower marginalized communities through art, activism, and ecological stewardship. With Indigenous Kichwa roots and a deep connection to their Ecuadorian and Colombian heritage, Yura envisions positioning LiberArte as a global hub for artistic innovation and cultural exchange. Yura is a 2024-25 Echoing Green Fellow, 2023-24 Braiding Seeds Fellow, 2024-26 Global Lab Fellow, and 2024 NALAC NLI graduate.