FINE ARTS - Key Persons
Alice D'Andrea first joined The Fine Arts Association as a student, playing clarinet for seven years. She graduated from Thomas W. Harvey High School in 2017, graduated from Cleveland State University with her bachelor's in liberal arts and social sciences in 2021, and graduated from CSU with her master's degree in social work in 2023. Along with her MSW, Alice is also a licensed social worker (License # S.2309751). At FAA, Alice can be found at the Customer Service Center, eager to help with registrations, questions, and much more.
In her free time, Alice loves to spend time with her many animals and plants, as well as hike. She also enjoys crocheting and looks forward to picking up the clarinet again one day!
Ann has been involved with The Fine Arts Association's theatre productions since 1982. She joined the office staff full time in 1994 and currently is the Programming Coordinator working with both the Theatre and Education Departments and handling the Fine Arts IT system. In addition, Ann has performed, directed and stage managed over 80 productions at the Fine Arts and other area theatres over the past 25 years. Ann created the FAA Annual One Act Festival and has been involved as an actor or director since its inception in 1997. She has directed productions at many area theatres including Rabbit Run Theater, Lake Erie College, Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, River Street Playhouse and Geauga Lyric Theater Guild.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Performing Arts
Austin Reese is a very friendly and smiling addition to the FAAmily. He helps ensure the FAA building is clean, organized, and accessible. One of Austin's favorite parts about working at FAA is seeing student art projects. His favorite food is pasta/salad. In his spare time, Austin likes to watch his favorite TV shows and go golfing. Austin loves music and would like to be able to learn to sing country-western songs.
Job Titles:
- Costume Designer
- Customer Experience Representative
Caitlin Van Niel is a Costume Designer with more than 20 years professional experience, as well as having performed in many area theatres on stage as well. Now as a mom to four creative kids, her focus has shifted to helping them learn to see beauty everywhere and to find new ways to create. The delight in their eyes every time she makes something new has propelled her work towards unique educational designs and items for the home that are both practical and beautiful, and inspired her to become the owner/operator of The Threaded Needle: a custom fiber arts studio. You may see her at area art shows. After graduating from Grove City College with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Theater, Caitlin worked for the Cleveland Play House as a Soft Goods Artisan during their performance season, and Cain Park as their Costume Shop Manager in the summers before finally putting her English degree to good use as the Administrative Director for The Academy for the Performing Arts. She was also their resident Costume Designer for many seasons. It was there that she discovered a love for teaching and saw first hand the transformative power the arts can have in a student's life. Caitlin loves helping people find their passion and is grateful for the opportunity to do just that on the Customer Experience Team here at FAA. She lives in Mentor with her husband Dale, their four kids, a couple cats, and a lot of sewing machines.
Job Titles:
- Roger and Anne Clapp Chair of Performing Arts
David began his relationship with The Fine Arts Association in 1983 as a violin student of Dr. Carol Linsenmeier. His interest and fondness of theatre began and developed while a member of…
Dr. Bryan DePoy, our instructor of trumpet and french horn, is also currently the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Lake Erie College before which he was the dean of the College of Creative Arts and Communication at Youngstown State University. Previously, he held music faculty positions in music at Delta State University and Southeastern Louisiana University. DePoy holds a doctor of music degree from Florida State University, a master of music degree from the University of New Mexico, and a bachelor of music degree from the famed Indiana University School of Music. As a performing artist, Dr. DePoy has recorded with the vocal group, Five By Design, the New Mexico Brass Quintet, the Calvary Choir (Memphis, TN), and is a featured soloist on a Towson University Symphonic Band CD of a live performance at the Music Educators National Conference. He has performed with several orchestras and ensembles such as the Memphis Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic, New Mexico Symphony, Arkansas Symphony, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, and performed in ensembles backing up artists such as Barry Manilow, Mel Torme, Placido Domingo, and Yanni. Dr. DePoy was one of the leading free-lance musicians in New Orleans and performed at the Saenger Theater, La Petit Theater, and with the Tulane Lyric Summer Opera. As a soloist, he has performed concerti and solo works with several ensembles, including the New Orleans Civic Orchestra, the Mississippi Wind Band, and as a guest soloist with the Towson University. Dr. DePoy's former students are well represented in various parts of the United States in college and university positions, military ensembles, and in music education.
Job Titles:
- Creative Director of Dance
Howard is a graduate from Lake Erie College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree specializing in choreography and minoring in Entrepreneurial Studies. Within his 12 years of being in the Cleveland area, he has been a special guest teacher/choreographer at Cleveland State University, Hathaway Brown, Padua High School, Brush High School, and Lake Erie College. In 2014, Howard started ELEVĀTED Dance Company for dancers who wanted to pursue hip hop as a career and didn't feel the hip hop scene was well represented in Cleveland, Ohio.
In that ELEVĀTED's first four years, they performed at: Playhouse Square, Akron Peacemakers, Best of the Best Fashion Show, House of Blues, Collaborated with Alex Angelo at The Grog Shop, and The Takeover: Cleveland. Additionally, they have performed at Metro Health's groundbreaking ceremonies and numerous home days. Under his leadership, ELEVĀTED placed 2nd at the World of Dance Competition (held in November 2017 in Chicago, Illinois). That 2nd place spot earned them automatic entry into the World of Dance Championship, which took take place in Pasadena, California (July 2018) where they were crowned USA Team Champions.
Howard is excited to be a part of the future of the Fine Arts Association. He believes that dance should serve as a creative and expressive platform that unites all people that shares the love and passion for it.
Job Titles:
- Director of Extended Campus Programs
Jennifer has a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with an emphasis on choreography and a minor in Drawing from the University of Akron in 1996. After college she moved to Lakewood and began choreographing for local community theatre programs (Beck Center for the Arts, Rocky River Community Theatre, Cassidy Theatre, Lake Performing Arts Theatre, Mount Carmel Players Theatre). During this time, she also taught a tap dance class at the University of Akron and taught children's dance classes at Brad French Studios. Jen returned to school and received her Masters degree in Education from John Carroll University in 2003. She is licensed to teach pre-k through third grade. She taught Kindergarten at Our Lady of Mount Carmel for three years before it was merged and became Mater Dei Academy. She continued in Kindergarten for another six years. Jen then joined the team at Ss Robert and William school as an Art teacher for k-8 students. When the pandemic occurred, she transferred back to Kindergarten. Her youngest daughter began taking theatre and dance classes at the Fine Arts two years ago. It was then that Jen wanted to start surrounding herself in the visual and fine arts again. She is elated to begin working this summer as the Director of Extended Campus Programs. Teaching early childhood and seniors art and movement, along with Art Club to school age students at the new Euclid and Painesville locations.
Job Titles:
- Development Assistant
- Finance
Jen assists in the Finance and Development departments. She has a degree in Philosophy from Case Western Reserve University, where she also minored in Art History. Her previous work has been in legal, working at both Jones Day and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. She then spent many years as a stay-at-home parent to her five children. While she is new to working at the organization in 2023, The Fine Arts Association is not new to her: "In one of my very young childhood memories, I am sitting in a dark theater watching a puppet show in the Fine Arts Auditorium, probably around 1980. I also have memories of playing in a Suzuki violin demonstration for a Women's Committee luncheon, riding on a hay wagon in a Willoughby parade in a fiddling group, playing in a youth orchestra….I have been in and out of Fine Arts over the span of my lifetime, first as a student, then as a parent." Two of her children not only studied music at Fine Arts, but have continued their music and arts studies into college. She is pleased to have the opportunity to be involved in The Fine Arts Association.
Judith has been serving twelve years in the Customer Service Department providing excellent support to our patrons, faculty and staff. Now, Judith is in a different role at FAA where she serves on the executive leadership team with administration. She absolutely loves her position at FAA and thrives personally experiencing the students grow and enjoy the arts!
Her support and belief in the arts developed from early creative inspiration and education. Judith graduated with an degree in Interior Design and continued to business school.
A career spanning over twenty-five years began in facility space planning and design; however, Judith's desire was in hospitality design. Opportunity arrived, and Judith was fortunate to retain hospitality Interior Design management positions interacting with department heads in providing excellent service that included meeting budgets over $10,000,000 and stringent timelines. Interaction to complete projects with a team consisting of the Director of Architecture, Construction Director and a team of construction entities.
Judith's responsibility included the East coast region from New York to Florida and the West coast which also included part of the mid-West.
She has been privileged to work for corporations such as AT&T, The American Automobile Association, Crown Hotels, Holiday Inn, Westin, Hilton, LaQuinta Inns & Suites and six other multi-million flag hotels.
In her spare time, Judith enjoys interacting with her close friends along with going to movies, reading and travel. She also enjoys visiting her daughter Jennifer, whom owns her own Paleo restaurant in Denver, Colorado.
Marcia has been involved with FAA for a number of years as a volunteer, dance parent, and now on the FAA leadership team! Marcia has an extensive background in Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Graphic Design and Print Media.
Job Titles:
- Manager of Customer Experience and Retention
Margaret "Maggie" Gatzke graduated from Mentor High in 2003 and has two degrees with theatre concentration. An Associate of Arts from Lakeland Community College and a Bachelor of Arts from Lake Erie College where she graduated Magna Cum Laude, was Vice President of Alpha Psi Omega and assistant taught a couple of theatre courses. She also received community service awards from all three of her schools. Maggie has both performed and worked for arts programs all over northeastern Ohio; including here at The Fine Arts Association.
For the last eighteen years, she has been working in retail management and feels lucky to have worked for amazing companies: Build-A-Bear Workshop, Target, Party City and most recently a general manager for Justice.
In her free time, Maggie enjoys seamstress work and organizing her hair accessories. She is usually thinking about cats, Muppets, Disney, Christmas or her husband Paul. "I'm so excited to become a part of the Fine Arts team! I can't wait to get started and I know I'm going to help add value to an already amazing group of people.
Job Titles:
- Director of Visual Arts Education
Melissa is a certified visual art teacher licensed to teach Pre-K through 12 th grade. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Art Education, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Kent State University in 2003. She earned a Master of Science in Education, with a focus on curriculum and instruction, from Walden University in 2005. Previous to her employment at The Fine Arts Association, Melissa was an art teacher with Painesville City Local Schools. She has been a member of the Visual Arts Faculty at FAA since 2013 and teaches visual art classes to all ages ranging from two-year-olds to adults. Melissa also acts as the Associate Director of Visual Arts Education at FAA. She has developed interdisciplinary state standards aligned programming for local school systems and other groups to enjoy at The FAA. Curriculum for numerous teaching assignments in a wide variety of off-site locations has been written and facilitated by Melissa as well. The Salvation Army Learning Zone, Willoughby-Eastlake, Painesville City, and Riverside Local Schools are a few examples that have participated in her literacy and social studies-themed grant-related visual arts programs. She has continued her professional development, taking courses in both art and education, while creating a diverse portfolio of her own artwork. Her own art has been on display at various public venues, along with a high school mural, designed and painted under her direction. Melissa's favorite art media are painting/collage and upcycled art, along with watercolor cartoon illustrations in the children's book series she has been writing and illustrating in her free time. Melissa attended classes at The FAA as a child and is honored to be teaching there. Art is something she believes should always be meaningful, and she strives to empower her students to develop the confidence to utilize their own originality. You can view her website to see examples of her portfolio pieces, pictures of her classes, and the special ways that art inspires her everyday life.
Job Titles:
- Designer
- Technical Director
Job Titles:
- Development Director
- Lake Erie College As Senior Director of Development
Pam holds a B.S. in Marketing from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio. Pam began her career in Columbus where she lived for 25 years and served in several different capacities with her longest tenure at the Ohio State Medical Association in Hilliard, OH for 15 years. There, Pam began her endeavors in fundraising, serving as Director of Development for the Ohio Medical Educational Research Foundation.
Pam returned to northeast Ohio in 2004 to pursue an entrepreneurial venture when she acquired an established retail floral business in North Kingsville, Ohio and launched The Wooden Apple as owner and principal designer, where she nurtured her creative ability and honed her self-taught floral design and event business.
In 2009, Pam returned to the professional fundraising arena and joined Kent State University Ashtabula as Associate Director of Development and Major Gifts where she worked with individuals and businesses throughout Ashtabula County to advance philanthropy for a variety of campus initiatives.
In 2013, Pam joined Lake Erie College as Senior Director of Development, building relationships with alumni, faculty, staff, board members and constituents of the College, spearheaded numerous College advancement initiatives and provided leadership for many individuals and areas of advancement.
2020 took Pam across the country when she relocated to Phoenix, AZ to serve as Executive Director of two non-profit foundations; OdySea Aquarium Foundation and Butterfly Wonderland Foundation in Scottsdale, AZ, both of which sought to educate, engage, enrich, and inspire all ages to conserve and protect our planet.
After a short time in Arizona, Pam once again returned to northeast Ohio where she served as Director of Development for Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity, advancing philanthropy and advocating for affordable housing across the dual-county area.
Pam is delighted to be part of The Fine Arts Association where she can marry her creative flare and experience in fundraising to foster a community empowered by the arts. In her spare time, Pam continues to cultivate her love of floral design and enjoys spending time at home with her husband in their ‘little slice of paradise' on the shores of Lake Erie.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- BOARD of DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT STORIES
Paul holds a B.A. in Music and Secondary Education from Anderson University. Paul began his career in 1993 serving two churches in Indiana and West Virginia as associate pastor leading each congregation in worship, education, and growth. Paul later joined Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana (1998-2004) where he most recently served as Vice President of Programs. There, his responsibilities included new and existing program development, volunteer recruitment, educational and corporate sales, leading education and operational teams, managing organizational technology, and supporting major fundraisers.
In 2004, Paul returned to northeast Ohio where he joined Rebuilding Together Summit County as Executive Director. Through his leadership, the housing organization grew into a 13-county service area, meeting critical needs of more than 1,200 elderly and/or disabled homeowners each year through a combination of corporate, civic, faith-based, and local government partnerships.
Paul served as President of the Home Repair Network of Summit County, as a leader in Rebuilding Together's recent national service delivery re-envisioning effort, and as chair of various regional program and fundraising committees. He has continued to lead worship in congregations he has attended and performs when possible.
Throughout his career, Paul has maintained his love for the arts and its importance in his life. Building on his childhood experiences, Paul has directed community concert bands, college musicals, church choirs, and orchestras, sang in vocal ensembles, played in jazz bands, brass ensembles, wind ensembles; and acted in plays. His greatest joy comes from developing and empowering people to be their best and building each organization for success. He is excited to lead The Fine Arts Association as the role brings together all the things he loves and is passionate about.
In his spare time, Paul enjoys travelling, reading, spending time with family and friends, and catching the performances of his favorite artists.
William is excited to return to The Fine Arts Association, where he took trombone and voice lessons throughout middle and high school. William is a Certified Public Accountant and received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree from Case Western Reserve University. He is a member of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) and Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA), has earned two certificates in not-for-profit accounting from the AICPA, and is a member of the OSCPA not-for-profit section.
William began working for nonprofit organizations after his junior year of college and has worked almost exclusively for nonprofits ever since. His prior experience includes over 18 years as Accountant and Controller at Cleveland Play House and Cleveland Play House Club, Director of Finance at Opera Cleveland, and Accounting Manager at Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland.
During his spare time William plays trombone with Swing Time Big Band, is a cantor and choir member at his church, and tries to keep up with his 24 nieces and nephews.