Mission

She implements policies set by the Board of Directors and oversees the financial, programmatic, philanthropic and administrative management of the organization. Kimberly began playing the piano as a small child and remains an avid pianist with a particular interest in jazz. She found the arts to be a catalyst for change in her own life and is passionate about making the same opportunities available for all children.

Joined the CAP team in 2002

Expertise:

• Executive leadership
• Strategic growth
• Mission alignment
• Board engagement

He is responsible for executive office management, board of directors relations, and administration, including assisting with employee onboarding and coordinating third-party events in the CAP offices. David has been involved with the arts for most of his life. He grew up attending Broadway touring productions with his family, took AP Arts and Theatre in high school and attended a liberal arts college before beginning a career in the music industry.

Joined the CAP team in 2022

Expertise:

• Relationship building
• Communication
• Time management
• Reliability

She convenes the Any Given Child Jacksonville collaborative, builds relationships with CAP alumni and families, and fosters a network of stakeholders to maximize the impact of advocacy for equity and access to arts education. Lucy began playing piano at age 3 and has continued ever since, performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City, St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London, and the Spring of Shanghai Concert Series. Lucy is also recognized as one of the Jacksonville Business Journal’s 2024 Women of Influence.

Joined the CAP team in 2021 

Expertise: 

• Community building 
• Advocacy 
• Strategic partnerships 
• Student enrollment and retention 

He manages the organization’s finance strategies and activities, including leading efforts to plan, update, monitor and implement the annual budget. Lyndle grew to appreciate the arts when he played the clarinet throughout middle school and into high school. Growing up in the Washington, D.C. Area, he frequented art museums on the National Mall, admiring artwork from the U.S and around the world.

Joined the CAP team in 2022

Expertise:

• Asset management
• Strategic planning
• Financial management
• Human resources

Heather manages CAP’s bookkeeping functions, including maintenance of the accounting database, financial and vendor documentation, and other organizational records. She assists with employee onboarding, payroll, human resource matters and is the lead contact for the organization’s operations. Heather grew up with a love of the arts, taking dance classes since she was a toddler and ultimately earning a degree in art history with a minor in visual arts.

Joined the CAP team in 2018

Expertise:

• Bookkeeping
• Employee onboarding
• Vendor relations
• Office management

She helps steward relationships among programmatic and philanthropic constituencies by sharing meaningful and impactful stories and experiences that amplify advocacy for arts education. Elise grew up playing the guitar, flute and piccolo and has a lifelong appreciation for the visual and performing arts.

Joined the CAP team in 2015

Expertise:

• Digital media strategy & implementation
• Event & project management
• Relationship building
• Advocacy

She is responsible for leading CAP’s annual Golf Tournament and acquiring sponsors for the tournament at CAP’s signature fundraising event, Spring for the Arts. Jessie grew up with a deep appreciation for artistic expression, finding joy in the harmony of musicality and movement. She channels her creative energy into teaching barre and Pilates classes in St. Augustine.

Joined the CAP team in 2023 

Expertise: 

• Relationship building
• Communication
• Donor stewardship
• Event sponsorships

She helps steward relationships among programmatic and philanthropic constituencies by sharing meaningful and impactful stories and experiences that amplify advocacy for arts education. Elise grew up playing the guitar, flute and piccolo and has a lifelong appreciation for the visual and performing arts.

Joined the CAP team in 2015

Expertise:

• Digital media strategy & implementation
• Event & project management
• Relationship building
• Advocacy

He works collaboratively with CAP’s grant writer and other team members to provide project management for grants and program service contracts. He also plans and analyzes annual giving efforts to increase donor retention and acquisition. Colin began playing percussion in elementary school and performed in ensembles throughout middle and high school. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in music and a second master’s in arts leadership and cultural management.

Joined the CAP team in 2022

Expertise:

• Database management
• Analytics
• Prospect research
• Moves management

He leads the Philanthropy Team in retaining and increasing revenue through corporate, foundation and individual giving and grants, and manages all campaign efforts. Doug began an intense love of the arts as a child, playing piano from a young age and earning an undergraduate degree in music. He performed professionally as a young adult while also teaching choral music and art history. 

Joined the CAP team in 2023 

Expertise: 

• Values-centered leadership development
• Constituent and organizational philanthropy 
• Community engagement 
• Donor advocacy 

He also prepares major gift funding proposals, including budget development, and manages grant and stewardship reports, as well as grants and proposals tracking. Calder is an artist, writer and educator, having taught in high school, museum and college settings. He comes from a family of artists and is a visual artist himself. His artwork has been exhibited in galleries and museums throughout California.

Joined the CAP team in 2024

Expertise:

• Storytelling
• Relationship building
• Institutional philanthropy
• Strategic planning

He holds a master’s in theatre for young audiences and has worked with organizations such as Orlando Family Stage and Central Florida Community Arts, teaching creative drama and directing productions for people of all ages. Christian is passionate about inclusive and collaborative theatre education, working with elementary-aged students and those with varying abilities. He spent many of his formative years in music and theatre classes and credits those educators for inspiring him to pursue a career in the arts. He has always believed in the power of theatre to bring communities together and its ability to teach empathy, teamwork, and compassion.   

Joined the CAP team in 2024

Expertise:

• Inclusive teaching practices
• Arts integration
• Creative facilitation
• Directing

She also provides strategic oversight of curriculum development, program execution and team management to ensure CAP’s programs enhance academic and personal growth among students. Kiersten holds a bachelor’s degree in art history and a master’s in art education. She also serves as Secretary of the Northeast Florida Art Education Association. Her passion for the arts began in elementary school where art teachers sparked her interest in the visual arts.

Joined the CAP team in 2024 

Expertise: 

• Teaching  

• Program development, 

• Arts integration  

• Strategic planning 

She provides strategic leadership and data-driven enhancements for programs involving students in nontraditional academic settings. She is a board-certified music therapist and has completed both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in music therapy. Her passion for the arts is evident through her time as a therapist in the clinical field, supporting individuals’ access to their sense of self via music. She believes in the arts’ impact in supporting student development and self-efficacy. Morgan has been singing since she was a small child, participating in choirs, theater, and band throughout her schooling. She is an avid attendee of local concerts and performs in the community.

Joined the CAP team in 2024

Expertise:

• Relationship Building 

• Strategic Planning 

• Program Development 

• Collaboration 

In addition to executing programs in diverse learning settings, she develops innovative and engaging art projects and coordinates community engagement and guest artist experiences for her students. She is a two-time University of North Florida graduate and remains active in creating works in textile art and art historical research. A lifelong creative, Lindsay visited her first museum at age 9 and has loved them ever since. 

Joined CAP as a part-time teaching artist in 2022 and became a full-time teaching artist fellow in 2024

Expertise:

• Writing 

• Art history research 

• Curriculum development 

• Arts advocacy

She also provides mentoring and support to other CAP teaching artists who may have moderate to little experience working with students with varying exceptionalities. LaRhonda earned a master’s degree in mental health counseling and works with children in the form of art and play to provide healing from various mental health symptoms. As a child she moved often, and art provided for her a sense of peace, connection to the world and freedom of expression. 

Joined the CAP team in 2023

Expertise:

• Relationship building 
• Mental health counseling 
• Identifying and understanding needs 
• Providing creative solutions 

She manages the student database, coordinates logistics for field trips and guest artists, and leads the planning of the annual Visual & Performing Arts Showcases. Peyton has a long-held passion for the arts, but after interning for a professional photographer in college she found a new passion for capturing life’s beautiful moments through a lens. 

Joined the CAP team in 2023 

Expertise: 

• Effective Communication 
• Organization 
• Attention to Detail 
• Project Management 

In addition to leading students in the classroom, she is also responsible for planning and supervising class field trips, guest artist visits and exhibition opportunities at CAP sites and throughout the Jacksonville community. Ashlee grew up participating in the performing arts, eventually finding her way to visual arts in high school and earning a college degree in arts education and visual arts. 

Joined the CAP team in 2023 

Expertise: 

• Relationship building 
• Primary/secondary education 
• Classroom management 
• Florida Standards for visual arts 

She supports recruitment, retention and evaluation for CAP’s part-time teaching artists and assistants and monitors programs to assess markers of quality. Shaneka spent eight years as a school counselor at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, where she developed a strong appreciation for the arts. She now regularly attends local exhibitions and performances throughout the community and is passionate about engaging in arts education research to promote access and equity. 

Joined the CAP team in 2023 

Expertise: 

• Data collection & analysis
• Student impact
• Program management 
• Arts education advocacy

In addition to leading students in the classroom, she is responsible for planning and supervising class field trips, guest artist visits and performance opportunities at CAP sites and throughout the Jacksonville community. Chelsye brings over a decade of experience in theatre education, with a rich background that includes developing an award-winning middle school theatre program, working as a teaching artist and delivering arts integration residencies to underserved students. She has been involved in theatre since she was four years old and fell in love with the magic of live theatre after attending a Broadway show. It has remained her biggest passion ever since.

Joined the CAP team in 2024  

Expertise: 

• Musical theatre 

• Arts integration 

• Directing 

• Ensemble building 

In addition to leading students in the classroom, she is also responsible for planning and supervising class field trips, guest artist visits and performance opportunities at CAP sites and throughout the Jacksonville community. She earned a bachelor’s degree in music studies at Samford University and has dedicated many years to teaching music, private lessons, and directing choirs, productions and music camps. She began her journey with music in elementary school and has experience playing violin, cello, piano, rhythm instruments and singing. She also has a lifelong love of drawing, painting, graphic art, sewing and stitching. 

Joined CAP as a part-time teaching artist in 2023 and became a full-time teaching artist fellow in 2024 

Expertise:

• FLDOE certified in K-12 music

• Choir direction 

• Large-scale field trips 

• All-age education techniques 

In addition to leading students in the classroom, she is also responsible for planning and supervising class field trips, guest artist visits and performance opportunities at CAP sites and throughout the Jacksonville community. Jacqueline has taught dance for more than 20 years and is the owner and director of C&J Performing Arts which offers instruction in ballet, hip hop, jazz, modern and tap for participants of all ages.

Joined the CAP team in 2022

Expertise:

• Production management
• In-school education
• Arts education advocacy
• Dance technique

Luisa holds a master’s degree in educational leadership for urban schools and has worked as a classroom assistant, teacher, administrator and principal. She grew up with an appreciation for the arts, surrounded by a family of visual and performing artists, and shares her love of theatre with her daughters.

Joined the CAP team in 2022

Expertise:

• Program development
• Culture leadership
• Strategic planning
• Policy and procedure creation

In addition to teaching string courses, he provides administrative support to the Program Team and leads the CAP String Orchestra. Joshua began playing violin in middle school and has performed and participated in masterclasses with many of today’s leading artists and ensembles. His goal is to offer all children equal opportunities to play string instruments, no matter their background or location.

Joined the CAP team in 2019

Expertise:

• Performance
• Classroom management
• Conducting
• Multi-instrumentalist

In addition to leading students in the classroom, she is also responsible for planning and supervising class field trips, guest artist visits and performance opportunities at CAP sites and throughout the Jacksonville community. Julia became engaged in the performing arts after a community theatre production of “Cinderella” as a child. She thanks the quality educators who recognized her passion for the arts which allowed her to foster her life-long love of theatre.   

 Joined the CAP team in 2024 

 Expertise: 

• Arts integration 
• Theatrical direction and design 
• Community building and outreach 
• Creative facilitation 

She founded Connecting Thru Music, a music therapy nonprofit acquired by CAP in 2023. Karen has had a love for plays and musicals since she was a young girl. Though she has no formal training in the arts, she is always willing to experiment and imagine and has focused on the art of living an inspired life.

Joined the CAP team in 2023 

Expertise: 

• Advocacy 
• Collaboration 
• Creating inspired initiatives 
• Music Therapy 

She drives the organization to build strategic partnerships that advance its mission and works with local and regional school leaders to explore innovative ways of strengthening partnerships. Melanie took dance lessons from age 3 through high school. Her entire 19+ year career in education has been in arts magnet schools, where she saw firsthand the impact of the arts on children. 

Joined the CAP team in 2021 

Expertise: 

• Strategic planning 
• Educational leadership 
• Goal development and execution 
• Organizational positioning

Jacqueline Cason is a former high school art teacher who has worked at nationally recognized colleges of art and design. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of North Florida and operates a private art studio in Jacksonville where she teaches drawing and painting to high school students seeking admission to Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. Jacqueline also teaches painting at retirement and assisted living communities and enjoys watching students explore their potential.

Joined CAP in 2022

Denise Clodfelter holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of North Florida, with a concentration was in painting, drawing and printmaking. She has also studied ceramics, papermaking and sculpture. Before attending UNF, she was a student at Florida State College at Jacksonville where she earned an Excellence in Printmaking award. Denise is a long–time Jacksonville resident and was a founding member of the Riverside Arts Market. She loves sharing her joy of art with her class and enjoys seeing the love of art bloom in her students!

Joined the CAP team in 2022

Stephanie Corley holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications from California State University. After earning her degree, she returned to Jacksonville to pursue a career as an educator, working as a visual arts teacher for Duval County Public Schools. Stephanie has a wide range of teaching experience, including everything from pre-kindergarten to high school. She is an active painting instructor and loves hosting paint night events for her community. 

Joined the CAP team in 2023

Moses Evans is a native of Columbus, GA and a first-generation high school and college graduate. In 2006, he graduated from Edward Waters University with a degree in music performance and taught middle and high school across the U.S. for the next 14 years. He returned to Jacksonville and in 2020, in addition to graduating from the University of North Florida with a master’s in music education, Moses won the inaugural Jacksonville Image Award for music. He obtained his second master’s degree in instrumental conducting and is working toward a Doctorate in Music Education from Liberty University. Moses finds great joy in teaching, helping students find their purpose with the discipline and structure band offers.

Joined CAP in 2022

Sommer Farhat-Valent has been teaching for 17 years and is currently teaching third grade at Mandarin Oaks Elementary School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of North Florida and is certified to teach theatre for grades K-12. Sommer created and has run an afterschool drama club at Mandarin Oaks for the past 10 years. She has performed extensively at Jacksonville’s community theatres and acted in many films for local film festivals. Sommer is excited to share her love of acting with children.

Joined CAP in 2021

Leanne Gullo is a veteran elementary music teacher and performer. A graduate of Jacksonville University, Leanne has worked for Duval County Public Schools for 10 years and was awarded Teacher of the Year at Venetia Elementary School during the 2017-2018 school year. She is the co-director of Camp Theatre Jacksonville and has performed on many community theatre stages around the Jacksonville area. She is excited to share her love of musical theatre with her students.

Joined CAP in 2023

Christie Holechek is a third-generation resident of Jacksonville, a visual artist and an elementary art teacher for two local schools. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of North Florida and a Master of Fine Arts from the Maine College of Art. In addition to being a former director of Jacksonville’s Art in Public Places with the Cultural Council, she held a visiting instructor position at UNF. In the summer of 2021, Christie lived in Alaska while working on a large-scale public art installation. Upon her return, she produced a series of site-specific paintings and drawings for two solo exhibitions at JIA Haskel Gallery and Florida State College. Christie is a recipient of the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida’s 2022 Art Ventures grant.

Joined the CAP team in 2024

Callie Honeysuckle is an experienced art teacher with nearly 20 years of experience in Duval County and 12 years as a part-time teaching artist with the Cathedral Arts Project. After being a stay-at-home mom for a few years, her journey has come full circle as she returns to her passion of teaching young artists. Callie’s commitment to nurturing young artists has impacted many students throughout her career and she is grateful to continue sharing her creative spirit to help guide and inspire the next generation of artists. 

Re-joined CAP in 2023

Jenna Horan is a passionate music teacher specializing in strings. She studied music education and violin performance at the University of North Florida and is currently pursuing a Master of Music Education. Jenna’s teaching experience spans elementary, middle and high school, as well as her private studio, and she remains an active violin performer at UNF and within the local music community. Her teaching philosophy aims to inspire creativity, compassion, motivation, perseverance and a lifelong love for music in her students.

Joined the CAP team in 2023

Derek, a native of Jacksonville, FL, obtained his music degree from Edward Waters College and has been teaching music in the Duval County school district for over ten years. He has also served as the minister of music at Victory Tabernacle Church for over 20 years. In 2020, Derek founded D. Nicholas Music Academy, which specializes in providing piano and vocal lessons to students. Derek is highly passionate about music and is dedicated to enriching students’ understanding of music, regardless of their backgrounds. His objective is to foster comprehensive growth, not only in their musical abilities but also in their overall grasp of music.

Joined the CAP team in 2024

Tony Rodrigues is a North Florida-based artist working in a variety of mediums. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Atlanta College of Art, where he studied painting, printmaking and photography. Tony has exhibited widely for over 20 years in many galleries and institutions, including the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville and the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. He joined CAP as a part-time teaching artist in 2014 and leads CAP’s Arts for Justice Involved Youth program at the John E. Goode Pre-Trial Detention Facility.

Joined CAP in 2014

Crystal is a Jacksonville native and received a master’s degree in elementary education from the University of North Florida. She is currently in her 12th year in the education field and has a passion for developing and nurturing young minds. Her love for visual arts and literacy is at the core of her heart and it drives her to spread as much knowledge and creativity as possible. In addition to teaching with CAP, she partners with local programs as the lead art teacher such as City Kids Art Factory, YMCA Team Up, and Wright Way to Higher Learning.

Re-joined the CAP team in 2024

Skyler is an experienced music teacher and received his bachelor’s in music performance from Edward Waters University. He is the music director of Highlands Estates Academy, specializing in general music with a focus on instrumental education. Skyler believes music is a universal language and the bridge between discipline and excellence. He aspires to be a leader and set an example for his students and peers. 

Joined the CAP team in 2024

Michelle Taylor has been teaching music for more than 20 years. She is a certified Orff instructor with a Master of Education degree and is certified in both elementary education and music education. Michelle has been a music teacher at Hyde Park Elementary School since 2009. She previously taught music at a private school in Gainesville, as well as voice lessons at her music studio. Michelle has taught choir, ukulele, world drums and general music classes for summer and school year programs.

Joined CAP in 2011