Network Leaders

The National Guild for Community Arts Education fosters supportive communities for arts leaders through initiatives focused on network-building and peer-learning. Two initiatives that lead our networks are the GuildCollectives, regional hubs for local connection, and Guild Unity Networks, virtual communities for peers in similar roles within the community arts education ecosystem.

 

Lead Facilitators are at the heart of our networks. Our leaders: 

  • Facilitate meetings and spark collaboration within their groups.

  • Act as essential connectors between the Guild and its community.

  • Bring diverse perspectives from across the community arts education field.

  • Ensure the Guild remains accountable and responsive to its members' needs.

 

Learn more about our leaders and their work below. 

Click here to read their bios

Interested in applying? Click here

GuildCollectives Leaders

Mid-Atlantic Collective: 

 

Robert Battle, Manager, Music & Performing Arts, District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS),

Washington, DC

 

Kristina Friedgen, Director of Creative Career Programs, Sitar Arts Center, Washington, DC

 

Ashlee McKinnon​, Director of Education Development and Partnerships,

DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative, Washington, DC

Midwest Collective: 

 

Dr. Roque Diaz, Founder, Progressing Forward, LLC; Minneapolis, MN  

 

Aurora Toshiko King, Executive Director, Free Spirit Media; Chicago, IL 

South Collective: 

​Dr. Moira Pirsch, Co-founder, Archive of Health, Arts & Spirit (AHAS); Charlotte, NC

 

Joan Rossini, Executive Director, The City of Clemson Arts Center; Clemson, SC

West Collective: 

​Shayla James, Musician, Teaching Artist, Creative Entrepreneur, Director of the San Diego Creative Youth Development Network; San Diego, CA

Kathryn Kucsan is Co-Founder and Education Director, Center for Musical Arts; Founder and Principal, Integrity Arts; Boulder, CO

Guild Unity Network Leaders

Click here to read their bios

Creative Aging:

(If you are interested in supporting Angela and become a co-facilitator, apply here!)

​

Angela Allyn, Community Arts Program Coordinator, Noyes Cultural Arts Center​; 

Evanston, IL

Creative Youth Development:

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Ada Shido, Artist, Arts Administrator, and Advocate; New York, NY

​

Giselle Rocha, Artist, Educator, and Organizer; San Diego, CA

Community Art Schools & Centers:

​

Andrew Lee, Executive Director, Washington Conservatory of Music; Glen Echo, MD

​

Dr. Karin Orenstein, Dean, Settlement Music School; Philadelphia, PA 

Higher Education:

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Mark F. Huxsoll, Director, Temple University Music Preparatory Division; Philadelphia, PA

​

Gamin Kang, Director of Music of Korea Ensemble, UCLA; Los Angeles, CA

Teaching Artists:

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Alex Chadwell, Artist-researcher, Teaching artist, Administrator; Lexington, KY

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Jackie Collins, Artist, Educator, Media Producer; Los Angeles, CA