MFA Students

Yulice Ariga received her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Central Washington University. She worked for a major commercial airline as a flight attendant and Marketing Liaison, allowing her to explore the world; taking her to Europe, Asia and the Middle East, heavily exposing her to the history of world art; influencing her passion of the arts and its impact around the world. Leading her to work for Walter Wickiser Gallery in New York City whose father was the late Ralph L. Wickiser, a painter and teacher who founded the fine arts graduate program at the Pratt Institute. Her interests include performance and visual art. She looks forward to being part of the dynamic art community bring joy and peace to the world through the arts.

Lori Bailey earned her BA from Sonoma State University in California, with a double major in Technical Theater and Anthropology. A perpetual student of ancient cultures, her interest has always been on the methods of traditional storytelling, teaching and lore, and how those elements impact and influence modern arts communities, especially in theater. In 2004 she co-wrote, directed and produced a play at Sonoma State, based on the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche. Prior to moving to the Seattle area, she worked in the California State University system for two IT Departments and volunteered her time with local theater groups in Stage, House and Box Office Management. Returning to the theater, she seeks more opportunities to leverage her interests and skills into the arts.

 David Bander was born and raised in Woodinville, WA. He was involved with Studio East in Kirkland through most of his youth and adolescence as an actor. He moved to Terre Haute, IN to pursue a degree in Applied Biology with the aim of becoming a dentist, thinking that he could always do theatre on the side. After graduation, he realized that dentistry was not a true passion and landed a job at his college’s theatre as the assistant technical director and later production manager.  He missed the Pacific Northwest and decided to move home and follow his real dream of obtaining an advanced degree and managing in a youth or educational theatre, to help little awkward kids like he was.

Kayti Barnett earned her Bachelors of Arts in Theater from Wllamette University with a minor in English. She completed a semester abroad at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts emphasizing in classical acting. Kayti is a founding member of two theater companies in Washington and has worked as an Associate Artistic Director and in a variety of arts management roles. She currently works in development and administration with a local education non-profit. Her artistic interest lies in theater; specifically in creating viable and sustainable models for performing arts companies that work with artists and artistic goals while maximizing patronage and community impact. Kayti is excited by what new opportunities and projects lie ahead.

Libbie Beaudet received her Bachelors of Art at the University of Washington, majoring in Interdisciplinary Visual Arts. Focusing mostly on large scale figural paintings she has shown her work in Minneapolis and Seattle. She has used her talents to work at Nova High School in Seattle with a mentorship through Reel Grrls and in South Minneapolis at the Urban Arts Academy. As a cellist she as worked with Rain City Rock Camp for Girls and believes music and art are a vital part to adolescence. She is determined to continue to paint and play the cello no matter where her career takes her and hopes to inspire others to pursue their passions.
Corey Blaustein received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Seattle University majoring in Fine Arts with an emphasis in music. His love and passion for music and the arts has driven him to pursue a life devoted to the promotion of creative expression. A composer and songwriter himself, Corey has been able to score short online films and has worked under Hans Zimmer as well as Nathan Barr where he assisted in scoring a few episodes of HBO’s TRUE BLOOD. His strive to help people has pushed him towards a career in the non-profit arts sector where he aims to create a supportive and collaborative environment for young artists to learn and grow both creatively and professionally.

Margo Beaver was born and spent her formative years in West Seattle. She ventured to LA to attend Loyola Marymount University. Dazzled by the palm trees and blue ocean, she excelled and soon found her niche in the art department, perusing her two passions – ceramics and education. She graduated with her LAUSD teaching credential, and was award Art Education scholar of distinction. Post graduation, she dabbled in advertising, working Time INC. Feeling unfilled, she left the advertising world and Los Angeles. Back in her hometown of Seattle, she got back to what mattered to her – art and education. Currently, Margo works for a non-profit studio (Seward Park Clay Studio). There she helps in whatever form imaginable and she enjoys being part of a creative organization.    

  Kellen Braddock studied English at the University of Michigan where she was the recipient of the Rapaport Prize, Cowden Fellowship, and the Hopwood Award for her poetry.  She is a founding member of APRIL, “Authors, Publishers, and Readers of Independent Literature,” Seattle’s week-long independent and small press lit fest (March 26-31, 2013).  Kellen also works for Shunpike, a local creative nonprofit which extends fiscal sponsorship, back-office services, and professional consultation to arts groups of all kinds.  She is a New York City rat who enjoys rogue kitchen efforts involving good fermentation and pickling salts in the rich company of others.   

Lauren Brazell is a multifaceted performance artist, with a BFA in Theater from Cornish College of the Arts. She believes in arts' power to foster self expression, create social change, and vastly impact anyone it touches. Her focus has ranged across the spectrum: from helping female inmates produce a full length production, to booking music talent for a local venue, to teaching art classes for children with disabilities. She has been a coordinator, teacher, and collaborator with Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, Seattle International Film Festival, The Power of Hope, and the Freehold Engaged Theater Program. Her aim is to encourage artful activism through her own expression, and to catalyze the work of other engaged artists. 

 
Valerie Brunetto received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a minor in Education from Whitman College. She is a Teaching Artist with the Seattle Children’s Theatre after completing their internship and apprenticeship program and strives to create an environment where it is safe for students to explore and share ideas using movement, voice, and imagination as forms of expression. As an actor, Valerie was the title role of Caryl Churchill’s The Skriker, Cunningham in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, and is excited to participate in the Seattle Fringe Festival. She is the Marketing Director for Ghost Light Theatricals and manages advertising, communications, and development of audience relations including participating in Theatre Puget Sound’s Arts Crush and fostering a relationship with the Ballard community. 

Jill Carnine received two Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Washington; one in Dance and one in Romance Linguistics. In her final undergraduate years, she discovered a passion for stage management and, after graduating, stage managed for several arts organizations around the Seattle area before joining the Pacific Northwest Ballet. After six years with that company, she joined Oregon Ballet Theater as their Production Manager. She then decided that she wanted to move away from production and into development with a long-term goal of becoming an Executive Director. While dance has been the focus of her career thus far, she is extremely interested in branching out to other performing arts disciplines. She is very excited to be a part of the MFA program.

Monique Courcy is a lifelong arts participant, who joined Seattle’s dance community while at the University of Washington in 2005.  Her role in the community expanded in 2009 when she began an internship at On the Boards during her senior year while simultaneously co-founding Quark Contemporary Dance Theater.  Monique’s dedication led to paid positions at OtB in 2010 as House Manager and then OntheBoards.tv Manager.  She currently manages all media and web projects at OtB, in addition to the online platform OntheBoards.tv.  Though she has focused much time in arts management the past two years, she is excited to find a balance between performance and strong arts leadership within the Seattle community with the tools gained from the SU program. 

Lauren Davis has been manager of ArtXchange Gallery in Pioneer Square since 2006, an intercultural gallery that promotes cultural exchange through art. ArtXchange was named Outstanding Organization of 2011 by the International Examiner Community Voice Awards. She has interned and volunteered in the non-profit sector for groups including National Organization for Women, NARAL, Namaste Children's Fund, literacy services, food banks and international artist residencies. Recent and current projects include exhibitions and events with Seattle City Hall, La Sala Latino/a Artist Network, Bellevue Arts Museum and Columbia City Gallery. During her time in the MFA program, she has interned at SEEDArts and the Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Liz Dawson graduated from the University of Maryland earning Bachelor of Arts degrees in Dance and English Language and Literature. She was a Creative and Performing Arts Scholar as well as a dual recipient of the Dorothy Madden Citizenship Award for Outstanding Artistry and Choreography. Elizabeth believes an education and participation in the arts promotes eccentricity, directness, and sense of purpose. She has had the privilege of working in private studios providing instruction in various dance disciplines for all ages. Her teaching background has beautifully revealed how the arts serve as creative catalyst, initiating dialogues and shifting perspectives. Elizabeth’s interests extend beyond dance into writing, music, food, and travel. Moving to Seattle in July 2012, she looks forward to exploring the city’s vibrant arts community.

Samantha DeLuna joins the Seattle University MFA Arts Leadership program after receiving a BM in Performance from the University of Montana where she was the recipient of the Missoula Symphony Guild scholarship.  Samantha was a cellist with both the Missoula and Helena Symphony Orchestras, and the principal cellist of the University of Montana Symphony Orchestra.   As the vice-president, and then president of the UM Symphony Orchestra, she was active in the strategic planning of the orchestra’s annual tour, festivals, and concerts.  Samantha has completed internships with the Minnesota Orchestra and Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra, and is currently the Special Events and Development intern at the Seattle Symphony.

Snow Dowd founded [theMAKERS], a multimedia design and consulting company with husband and creative partner, Robert Reinhardt, in Los Angeles in 1999. In addition to working on projects for education, art and entertainment clients, Snow and Robert co-wrote the Flash Bible series (Wiley Publishing). [theMAKERS] moved to Portland in 2005, where they continued to work with clients near and far. Snow collaborated with Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker, Irene Taylor Brodsky, on rebranding her studio and on title treatments and design materials for several of her award-winning films. Snow earned her undergraduate degree in New Media from Ryerson University’s School of Image Arts in Toronto, Canada. She looks forward to living on Bainbridge Island with her family and taking the ferry to school in a world-class city.

Déous Gennari received his Bachelor of Arts from Evergreen State College, with an emphasis in film and media, directing, editing and script writing. Joshua is very diverse in his talent and experience ranging from the theatrical arts, dance and choreography, technical theater, script and novel writing, business ownership as well as being a military veteran. He attributes much of his success thus far to his variety of experience and military leadership training. In 2009 Joshua founded a film production company with the goal of being a place for students to gain on the job training within the film community. He is looking forward to completing the arts leadership program and becoming a positive influence to help build other leaders in the Northwest.

Sabrina Gomez received her Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Washington University, majoring in Social Work, and a Masters of Social Work from Walla Walla University. She strongly believes that the arts can teach, transform, empower, heal and most definitely play a major role in creating equity in our society. At a young age, Sabrina began studying various forms of dance and music. She has over 18 years of teaching experience with the Walla Walla Dance Company, Cheney Parks and Recreation and most recently she has been the Artistic Director of Day-to-Day Movement and Music Productions. Her Day-to-Day Dance program presents regular story dance productions starring her students, with proceeds benefiting local fine arts non-profits. She also manages the Latin fusion band Sabrina y Los Reyes. She is very enthusiastic about expanding her work in the arts.

Emily Guillen hails from the great Southwest, graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno receiving a Bachelors of Arts in Art history with an emphasis in Feminist art and a minor in Business Administration. Emily has been highly involved in the arts community throughout her native state of Nevada, and before relocating to Seattle for the MFA Arts Leadership program; Emily had the opportunity to co-create a highly reviewed docent program for one of the last remaining fine arts galleries in Las Vegas.  She is currently working with the Seattle Art Museum in asset retention and customer relations.  Today, Emily continues to focus her interests in institutional critique, including analyses of curatorial practices, work conditions in arts institutions, and larger socio-economic problems facing arts involvement. April Heding received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. As a visual artist, educator and arts advocate, April entered the nonprofit sector through AmeriCorps, where she served as an Arts Advocate to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. From here, April continued her work in underserved communities with Artists Working in Education, Milwaukee Public Schools, Lissy’s Place, a shelter for homeless women, and Guildess, a Contemporary Female Artist Guild. Through her partnerships with Lissy’s Place and Guildess, April established a passion for empowering women through art and aims to pursue this interest during her studies at Seattle University.

April Heding received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. As a visual artist, educator and arts advocate, April entered the nonprofit sector through AmeriCorps, where she served as an Arts Advocate to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. From here, April continued her work in underserved communities with Artists Working in Education, Milwaukee Public Schools, Lissy’s Place, a shelter for homeless women, and Guildess, a Contemporary Female Artist Guild. Through her partnerships with Lissy’s Place and Guildess, April established a passion for empowering women through art and aims to pursue this interest during her studies at Seattle University. 

Stacy Hicks graduated from Western Washington University with concentrations in American History and Criminal Justice. Since high school she has developed her passion for photography and writing, recently displaying her work at her first show and publishing a short story. For 8 years she has volunteered at a Jr. High Girls Camp where she shared her love for the arts by teaching a photography class. She has served as the head of a Downtown Revitalization Committee, working to improve historic recognition and also with a local camera club, developing her photographic skills and collaborating with other artists. She is looking forward to combining her business experience and love of the arts into one singular expression.

Joohee Hong majored in piano and became a qualified pianist after graduating the Sunwha art high school and the Sookymyung University in Korea, and achieving a summer music program certification in Mozarteum of Salzburg, Austria. She volunteered at a Catholic church to accompany for their choir and to play organ for their masses. Joohee also taught piano to students and worked at a private music institution. These experiences strengthened her passion in music and led her to be more willing to share the profound power of music with others. Thus, she
wanted to study the nonprofit management related to music, based on her experiences as a player, audience member, and educator. Recently, she achieved a Fundamentals of Project Management certification at UW for broadening her knowledge in business.

Lily Hu earned her BFA in 2000 in sculpture from the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts. Lei worked as both manager and lead character sculptor in the modeling department of the Institute of Digital Media Technology. While there, she was instrumental in creating the sculptures for the movie, “Thru the Moebius Strip”. Lei worked as a business partner with JHW Architectural Design Studio, during which she worked on several major indoor and outdoor sculpting projects for Nanchang University and others. Recently, Lei studied three terms of CG from the Gnomon School of Visual Effects. Lei's passion for fine arts is rooted in her belief that visual communication can be a profound source of positive change for our society. Her greatest joy is in sharing art works with others.

Melody Kadlub-Barr holds a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising and Management from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. Though she comes from an artistic family, Melody thrives on the business of art. While receiving her undergraduate degree, she worked as a curator’s assistant and gift-shop buyer for the Kent State University Museum. Upon relocating to Seattle, she served as a museum educator at the Museum of History and Industry. Currently Melody is the textbook buyer at the Seattle University Bookstore and manages her husband’s photography and writing career. She was instrumental in coordinating volunteers during the inception of the 826 Writing Center in Seattle and has handled logistics for various campus author events. In addition to art, her passions include enology, travel and organization.

Rose Kaser graduated with a degree in Communications and a specialization in Mass Media
from UIA Puebla preparing her for her previous work in radio both in New York City and abroad. After years in front of the microphone and in the production room she left the media and
moved to Seattle permanently to focus on family. Currently, Rose works for the Center for Study of Sport and Exercise (CSSP) at Seattle University, is an avid music fan, and a true believer in the power of early education in the arts.

Riley Kimsey received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, emphasis in Stage Management, from Ball State University. She has spent the last few years traveling the country working with such companies as Texas Shakespeare Festival, Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, Dallas Theater Center, and The Fabulous Palm Spring Follies, either as part of the Stage Management Team or the Front of House Team. She is elated to be continuing her studies in Arts Leadership at Seattle University. She firmly believes that the arts are a wonderful way to express oneself, and that it can also be a great platform to express change through out society. She hopes that her studies will allow her greater opportunities to further bring artistic expressions to the general public.

Minnie Li received her Bachelor of Arts from the Foreign Language Department of Changchun University, majoring in English Language and Literature. She is fond of Western culture. She has devoted her time in diverse art and music activities. She volunteered as a Public Relationship Assistant in Midi Music Festival making arrangements for interviewing the journalists and musicians. She makes her contributions in various art and music activities such as live shows and some exhibitions in Changchun, China. She believes art is important for having a pleasant life experience. Her career path is mostly focused on music and fine art. She is also good at traditional Chinese painting. She looks forward to working with the things she loves and serving those who love art.

Cassandra Lea graduated from Central Washington University with a BFA in Graphic Design. After graduation she spent her time working at small branding and communications firm that specialized in non-profits and foundations. It was here she had the pleasure of working on the Zero campaign for UNICEF and the rebranding of St. Martin’s University and Berea College. Currently, she is working as the Design and Marketing Assistant at Theo Chocolate, the only organic and fair trade chocolate maker in the US, where she handles donation requests and social media, among other things. With a background in design, Cassandra is looking forward to combining that experience with a degree in Arts Leadership and having the opportunity to work with arts non-profits in the future.

Ana Lester began her career in the arts at the University District Museum without Walls where she served as the Exhibitions and Public Programs Assistant and has since developed a passion for pop-up exhibits that are community driven. She currently manages Teen Programs at Bellevue Arts Museum; this includes Teen Workshops, the Teen Arts Council, the Summer Bash, and the upcoming youth exhibit 20/20. Ana has aspirations of opening her own non-profit art organization that focuses on experimental community art. Ana received a Bachelors of Science in History and Anthropology from the State University of New York College at Brockport and a certification in Museum Studies from the University of Washington. She has volunteered at the Seattle Art Museum as a Gallery Attendant and for Arts Crush as their Visual Arts Launch Party Co-Coordinator.

Pollyanna Manning grew up in rural The Dalles, Oregon on a cherry farm. In 2008, she graduated from the University of Portland, receiving a BBA in Marketing and Management along with minors in Entrepreneurship and Music Performance. Her acceptance into the E-Scholars program at UP provided her the opportunity to develop her business idea for a nonprofit program supplementing arts education in underserved communities.  E-Scholars afforded her the chance to visit New York and Vietnam where she researched and met with established arts programs. After three years of working in the agricultural export industry, she is focusing on her passions in arts programming and services. She is seeking a future that allows her to cultivate opportunities for arts involvement for youth as she begins her two-year Master of Fine Arts in Arts Leadership program at Seattle University in August 2011.

Jaimy McCarthy received her BFA in Fine Arts, focused on painting and video art, from Cornish College of the arts in Seattle, Washington. She is also a certified project manager (PMP) through the Project Management Institute. After Cornish, Jaimy entered the commercial art world of video games, rising to the level of Art Director. During this period, as a director, she lived in India for two years, teaching Indian artists fine art practices applicable to games. At the start of 2012, Jaimy retired from the game industry to return to the fine art community and began volunteering at The Henry Art Gallery and the Seattle Art Museum. She is a patron of the visual arts and has also returned to creating her own work on canvas.

Ashley Miller attended Pacific Lutheran University where she received her Bachelors in Fine Arts with emphasis in painting and drawing. During her education she spent time in Paris as part of the Urban Sketching School here she worked on a body of drawings and painting inspired by the vibrant French culture. Ashley’s most recent endeavors include volunteering at the Tacoma Art Place, a non-profit organization where she has taken on the role of Curator and organized multiple gallery shows. She has also been working at the Bellevue Arts Museum as a Guest Services Representative. She has received valuable training of how a museum functions inside and out. Ashley looks forward to a career where she will be a successful supporter and promoter of the arts.

Geri Morris received her BA in Music with a minor in Administrative Science from Colby College in Waterville, Maine. As a Seattle native, her love of the arts began at a young age and grew during her ten years of involvement with the Northwest Girlchoir. Her experiences with the choir ultimately helped her realize that working with performing arts nonprofits was her desired career path. Her time as an undergraduate afforded her many opportunities, such as successfully fundraising for the Waterville Opera House through a grant writing course, managing the Colby College Chorale, and traveling to India where she taught music classes to children. Currently, Geri works with the Pacific Northwest Ballet, as their Annual Fund Manager.

Kangwon Park has a long history in the recording and live music industry. He founded ONE MUSIC Entertainment in Seoul, Korea and has worked with many renowned or indie local, international artists. He has been also involved in various rock festivals and music business events as a booking agent and a program coordinator. He once worked for MIDEM, one of the biggest international music business trade shows held in France, as the Korean representative. He is a board member of the Korean Live Music Development Association and a research fellow of the Korean Association of Phonogram Producers, both are non-profit organizations based in Seoul. He has been studying in the Seattle area since 2008 and graduated from Pierce College in Puyallup in 2012.

Elisa Pelaia received her Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto in her hometown of Toronto, Canada. Here, she specialized in Fine Art History. Elisa has worked at many artistic institutions in both Canada and the United States, including The Royal Ontario Museum, The City of Toronto’s Nuit Blanche, and Bellevue Arts Museum. Her career focus has always been on education; however, she is also interested in large-scale cultural events. Through this Master’s program, she hopes to achieve the ability to organize artistic festivals. Her ambition is to work in a museum, focusing on either development or marketing. When Elisa is not bringing culture to the masses, she enjoys fishing and playing vintage board games. 

Rebecca Pirwitz is a recent graduate of the University of Washington where she majored in Sociology and Ethnomusicology with a minor in Global Health. Her two biggest artistic passions include music and photography. Rebecca is a former tenor saxophonist, current drummer, and has also participated in both Caribbean Steelband and Javanese Gamelan ensembles. It would be an absolute dream of hers to own and operate her own theater/performance venue, meant for both music and live theater, open to both professionals and amateurs alike. She firmly believes in the power of the arts in bringing peace and healing to sociological issues and conflicts. While Rebecca is just beginning her arts leadership endeavors (which began with an internship at the EMP Museum), she is extremely excited about this this program.

 Chelsea Sadler received her BA in Theatre from Albion College in Albion, Michigan. Upon graduation, Chelsea began working at Performance Network, a professional Equity theatre in Ann Arbor. What started as a temporary apprenticeship eventually led to the position of Marketing Director, during which time the theatre saw record sales in single tickets and subscriptions. In addition to her administrative duties, Chelsea held a seat on the Program Committee, was an Associate Artist, and could be found acting. Other theatres with which she worked include Trinity House Theatre, Breathe Art Theatre Project, Michigan Theatre Festival, Blackbird Theatre, The New Theatre, and the Once Festival. Chelsea is a big fan of the transformative powers of art, and hopes that they continue to inspire her throughout her career.

Rachel R. Sorrels has received a Bachelor of Arts in both Theater and Political Science from the University of Kansas. She feels theater is a necessary part of the growth and development of all communities. She has spent the last eight years volunteering for a small non-for-profit grassroots theater company doing everything from taking tickets, hanging lights, and preforming to sitting on the board of directors. She has been a strong advocate for community outreach for the theater. Rachel’s goals as an arts leader are to help promote local theater, and improve arts advocacy on local, national, and international levels. She feels that now more than every theater is an important part of bring people and ideas together.

Elise Sunde is a recent graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Art History with a minor in French. A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Elise had dreamed of moving and living in Seattle for quite awhile. She was honored to present her undergraduate thesis at the University of Nebraska’s No Limits Women and Gender Studies Conference and at Baker University’s annual Art History Conference. Making art accessible to the community has been a passion of hers. Elise has cultivated this passion through interning at the Nebraska Arts Council and volunteering at Omaha’s Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts. Elise looks forward to learning the non-profit management skills to continue to make the arts accessible in the community. 

Sarah Tackett received her Bachelor of Arts from Transylvania University in Kentucky, majoring in English Literature, with a minor in Drama. Since graduation, she has played a vital role in reviving one of central Kentucky’s most treasured theatre companies: Actors Guild of Lexington. Sarah has been involved with the theatre as an actor, technician, volunteer, and administrative assistant. Much to her surprise, the latter job title has proved to be the most challenging and most rewarding. Acceptance into Seattle University is the first step in Sarah’s future as an art leader. She is excited to get back in the classroom and focus her passion for art into a career that builds upon the mission to challenge, educate, and engage through visual and performing arts. 

Kimberly Tepe completed her BA in theatre at University of Washington. After graduation she held the position of Costume Shop Assistant at the Seattle Opera, working with award winning artists and dedicated individuals. She spent 6 years costuming at Youth Theatre NW on Mercer Island, where she saw, first hand, how theatre can have a positive effect on a child’s self-image. She also spent a spring teaching at Path with Art, working with marginalized adults to build community and create self-confidence through art classes. She is an artist herself working in the medium of fiber and mix media. She wants to continue exploring both visual and performing arts and their impact on individuals and community. 

Tamiko Terada is an emerging arts leader in the Seattle area. She was born in Kobe, Japan, and raised in Colorado and Florida. She earned her two undergraduate degrees in Music and Psychology from Lawrence University in Appleton, WI, where she played violin in a variety of ensembles and served as the Head Music Librarian. Her musical training includes participation in many music festivals including Summer Suzuki Institutes in Japan, Festiv Neuvic in France, and Brevard Music Festival in North Carolina. In the summer of 2008, Ms. Terada taught violin at the Dessaix-Baptiste Music School in Jacmel, Haiti. Her professional focus combines her passion for classical music with her interests in business administration. Currently, Tamiko is a development professional working as the Annual Fund Associate at Seattle Opera.

Justine Thayer, a Washington native, completed her Bachelors education at the University of Washington where she double majored in Art History and English Language and Literature. Her experience in the arts includes past internships at the University of Washington’s Jacob Lawrence Gallery, the Frye Art Museum in Special Events and Ticketing, and at the Seattle Art Museum in Adult Public Programs. She has had experience aiding with exhibit openings, special events, programming, ticketing, created an events marketing database, and has provided administrative aid. Justine’s passion is to assist cultural organizations succeed. Additional time was spent at the Frye as a Front Desk Concierge and volunteering at the Burke Museum and Henry Art Gallery. Her career ambitions include working in administration or programming in arts nonprofits.

Krina Turner is a recent graduate from the University of Wyoming Theatre and Dance Department where she studied Dance Performance. She first became interested in promoting and directing live arts in high school and has since learned how to bridge the gap between her passion for performing arts and her knack for business and communication. Krina lives a vegan lifestyle and is constantly considering impact. Her goal is to demystify dance as an art form while staying true to her values. Krina has interned for several professional companies including Bill T Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Jump Rhythm Jazz Project, Oregon Ballet Theatre and Repertory Dance Theatre. In April, Krina married her husband Josh and in July they headed Northwest. Krina is incredibly excited to participate in art and study Arts Leadership in the artistically and culturally rich city of Seattle.

Calley Vandegrift was raised in both Washington and Minnesota.  She went to college at Washington State University and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts, emphasis in Sculpture, in 2000 and a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology in 2002.  Calley worked as a student at the Washington State University CUB Gallery as an assistant and guard; working closely with other artists as well as the public.  She was also a board member for Moscow Idaho’s Festival Dance as a student.  Ms. Vandegrift has been working for the Washington State Department of Health Public Health Laboratory since 2002 as a Microbiologist.  Calley enjoys all forms of expression, especially sculpture.  Her preferred medium is bronze.  She says “there is nothing like melting metal”.

Vanessa Villalobos is a performing artist and experienced teaching artist from Lima, Peru. She has two degrees from the University of Washington in Theater and Dance. Her Peruvian heritage has always been her inspiration for promoting the arts through distinct perspectives. Her passion for dance has involved work in concert and competitive dance, as well as theater and film. Some highlights include “MadHot Ballroom” and Walt Disney’s “Enchanted.” She has worked in the NYC Public School system as a teaching artist for the Brooklyn Arts Council and Dancing Classrooms for 8 years, while simultaneously working in marketing and management roles for diverse New York city dance studios. After moving to Seattle, she formed BALORICO LLC, an arts & entertainment company that provides Ballroom, Latin and Afro-Peruvian dance, education, choreography and consulting services. Currently she serves on the board of the Dance Educator's Association of Washington State and is grateful for the opportunity to share her expertise with local Seattle arts groups and organizations.

Lauren Waldstein graduated from Augusta College in Rock Island, IL, receiving her B.A. with majors in Studio Art and Sociology.  After graduation, Lauren moved to San Diego and got her first taste of the nonprofit arts world as she interned for A Reason to Survive (A.R.T.S.), an organization that provides art programs to children facing adversities. After her internship she worked as Program Director for the Boys and Girls Club.  She most recently worked as Children's Program Coordinator for Becky's House Domestic Violence Shelter. Now, Lauren is ready and eager to take the next step and learn all that Seattle University has to offer in the MFA in Arts and Leadership program. 

Cheri Walters received her BA in Journalism and Theater from Ohio State University where she reported for WOSU 820 AM and completed an acting internship at The Cleveland Play House. After graduation she studied under Marcel Marceau at his school in Paris, France- a pivotal year in her artistic development. She has performed with Cleveland Sign Stage on Tour, worked in public relations at The Seattle Art Museum and studied to be a sommelier with Canada’s first female Master of Wine. She has since run wine programs at Teatro Zinzanni and The Purple Café, and has interviewed winemakers internationally for her blog Indigo Wine Press. Walters brings to her work the belief that the arts have the power to heal and to connect across cultural boundaries.

Tian Wang received her Bachelor of Management from the Capital University of Business and Economics in Beijing China. She has always had great passion for fine art. During college, her internships were mostly related to museums despite her undergraduate major in Management Information System (MIS). Tian had an internship in the Beijing World Art Museum of China Millennium Monument and the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City. Through internships, she was involved in the exhibition organization, museum publicity, art salon planning and some charity events. For the last three months she has worked for poly auction and participated in The Spring Auction as Administrative Assistant. She has found that the main problem in either the museum area or the auction area is the close link between the arts and money. What is the balance between arts and business? Now she is here to seek the answer.

Debra Webb was born on a commune in Oregon January 25, 1973. She spent her childhood in Colorado and graduated from the University of Colorado in 2000 with a degree in Art History.  Debra studied Mayan Architecture in Mexico, Renaissance Art in Italy and Moorish Architecture in Spain. For several years she was the Education Coordinator for Museo de las Americas, a museum dedicated to exhibiting Latino Americano art.  Debra moved to Seattle in 2000 and was the Business Manager for renowned glass sculptor Martin Blank. She was also Senior Project Manager for Fluent Steps a monumental installation at Museum of Glass. Debra recently completed a certificate in Project Management from the University of Washington and enjoys a fulfilling career in Public Art Project Management.