COMPTON PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY - Key Persons


Carla Carter

Job Titles:
  • Song Writer / Digital Recording

Dr. Carl Fredrick Martin - Founder

Job Titles:
  • Founder

Dr. Evelyn Mahmud-Jones

Job Titles:
  • Executive Director
  • Writer
Evelyn Mahmud-Jones, Ph.D., is Executive Director of the Compton Performing Arts Academy. Dr. Jones possesses a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on the Integration of Instruction with Technology from the University of Southern California (USC). She is an instructional designer with strong knowledge of curriculum development, instructional design, and Assessment. Dr. Jones is a veteran of secondary education with over forty years of experience with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) as a teacher, Mentor teacher, Principal, Human Resources Administrator, and Director of Secondary Instruction for one of the local districts serving over 12,000 students. She has worked in every region of the Los Angeles Unified School District that included, North (valley), East (South-East cities), South (South Central), and West (West side). She understands the learning process, cultural influences, and the challenges facing our youth. She is highly known as a prolific educator and outstanding administrator. Currently, she serves as a mentor to many new administrators, entrepreneurs, and teachers across the educational landscape. Also, Dr. Jones is a grant writer for many school districts across the Los Angeles area. She is a competent speechwriter and has led professional development workshops for educators nationally and internationally over the past twenty-five years. Dr. Jones is a strong proponent of school literacy. Assignments should be interesting and engaging in promoting student literacy across their education. She interacts with students and educators to ensure that students experience success and not failure. Throughout her educational experience, she has lived by a quote by one of her favorite authors and poets, Dr. Maya Angelou which states, "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." Dr. Jones has made this quote a staple in her interaction with youth and educators. Under her tutelage, others have not only survived but thrived and moved on to fruitful lives. Our school will benefit from her passion and compassion for students.

Dr. Fred Martin - Founder

Job Titles:
  • Founder

Dr. Walter Millsap III

Job Titles:
  • Director of Music Production
  • Music Production

Gil Smith II

Job Titles:
  • Director of Music Production / Digital Recording
  • Director of Music Prodution / Digital Recording

Kiara Marzella

Job Titles:
  • Department Head / Modeling & Fashion
  • Fashion Department Head
Multi-faceted creative Kiara Marzella began styling and making pieces at just 15-years-old, putting together outfits with her mother for the members of a girl band she managed and was also part of. Her first love was always music and dance growing up, but the fashion world was always close by, going hand in hand with her two actual passions. Her love for fashion would really kick in after noticing the style of her favourite musicians, actors and cultural figures, who would always have a unique style tied to their primary talents. Certain names like ……. And ..… had a particular influence on her style. Growing up in Glasgow, Scotland, there was nothing around for Kiara to be creatively stimulated by, whether that was creating herself or just seeing people embrace their own aesthetic. Therefore, she would find true fantasy in things she would see on the television, particularly in music videos, ultimately birthing her interest and love for fashion.

Princess Fortier

Job Titles:
  • Director of Education