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

She 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. A proud Navy veteran, Stephanie brings strong experience and a deep commitment to teamwork and excellence. Her appreciation for the arts has expanded through her middle son’s high-level practice of various artistic mediums. She’s been inspired by him to engage with different forms of art, and she celebrates the creative process and the impact it can have on individuals and communities. 

Joined the CAP team in 2025 

 Expertise: 

• Strategic executive support 

• High-impact communication 

• Cross-functional collaboration 

• Expert research and technical documentation 

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 

She also engages with diverse stakeholders, manages impactful communications and coordinates events that highlight CAP’s programs and advocacy initiatives. Jennifer holds a bachelor’s in digital communications and spent several years providing the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Band program with videos and digital promotion for their programs and events. Jennifer has been enthralled with the arts since first singing in front of an audience at the age of five. She studied theater performance at the University of Florida and has performed professionally ever since. She is passionate about shining a light on the transformative power of a quality arts education. 

Joined the CAP team in 2024 

Expertise: 

• Arts Education Advocacy 

• Relationship Building 

• Digital Content 

• Communication 

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 a professional writer with a master’s degree in English, Rhetoric and Composition and has worked with small local publications, national nonprofits and Fortune 500 companies. She’s also passionate about the arts and expresses that through her creative outlets like singing, playing the guitar, creating visual art pieces with various media and enjoying literature and films.  

Joined the CAP team in 2024 

Expertise: 

• Creative development 

• Integrated marketing strategies 

• Content management 

• Attention to detail 

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 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

She is a professional writer with a master’s degree in English, Rhetoric and Composition and has worked with small local publications, national nonprofits and Fortune 500 companies. She’s also passionate about the arts and expresses that through her creative outlets like singing, playing the guitar, creating visual art pieces with various media and enjoying literature and films.  

Joined the CAP team in 2024 

Expertise: 

• Creative development 

• Integrated marketing strategies 

• Content management 

• Attention to detail 

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

She works closely with our partner sites to integrate evidence-based music therapy interventions that support student growth and development. Sammi brings extensive experience working with individuals of all ages and backgrounds across a variety of clinical and community settings. Her passion lies in fostering meaningful connections through music and empowering individuals to recognize and reach their full potential. Sammi began her musical journey in the sixth grade by learning to play the trumpet. She continued to play it through high school, where she also participated in musical theater and chorus.

Joined the CAP team in 2025

Expertise:

• Music & psychology
• Advocacy
• Relationship building
• Therapeutic services for all ages

Her unique background as an educator, artist, and a U.S. Marine/Army National Guard veteran has shaped her approach to teaching, allowing her to connect with and inspire students from all backgrounds to discover their creative potential. Priscilla was creating from the time she could use her hands. Her visual arts experience is vast with a formal education from Armstrong Atlantic State University. From subject turned student and then collector, photography holds a special place in her heart.  

Joined CAP as a part-time teaching artist in 2021 and became a full-time teaching artist fellow in 2025 

Expertise: 

• Student engagement 

• Relationship building 

• Innovative thinking 

• Culture building 

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 

She also provides mentoring and support to other CAP teaching artists who may have moderate to little experience working with students with varying exceptionalities. Gracie’s background includes clinical work with various populations, from children to adults in all walks of life. Her creativity is expressed through paint, collage and drawing, as well as through writing. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, birding, crafting, reading and thrifting.

Joined the CAP team in 2026

Expertise:

• Project planning
• Building rapport
• Group session curriculum
• Identifying and understanding unique needs

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 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 is responsible for supervising fellows, music therapists and classroom assistants, and serves as a main point of contact for program site administrators. Shaneka holds a doctorate in educational leadership where her research is grounded arts education and inclusivity. Shaneka spent eight years as a school counselor at a performing and visual arts school, 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. She earned her bachelor’s in theatre from Florida State University and studied abroad at FSU’s Theatre Academy London under British theatre professionals. 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 

She works closely with our partner sites to integrate evidence-based music therapy interventions that support student growth and development. With more than a decade of experience as a board-certified music therapist, Brittany brings deep expertise in serving all ages and uses music’s transformative power to promote holistic well-being. Her journey into music began with playing the piano at six years old, later adding the flute and her voice to the mix. She’s also a lover of dance and theatre.

Joined the CAP team in 2025 

Expertise: 

• Creative session planning

• Therapeutic services for all ages

• Music and psychology

• Multi-instrumentalist

She works closely with our partner sites to integrate evidence-based music therapy interventions that support student growth and development. As a Neurologic Music Therapist, Jessica brings specialized expertise in using music to support brain function and neurological rehabilitation. Jessica started playing the flute in sixth grade, which sparked a lifelong passion. That joy led her to earn her B.S. in Music Education from Florida A&M University in 2013, and she is currently completing her master’s degree in music therapy from Loyola University New Orleans.

Joined the CAP team in 2026

Expertise:

• Neurologic music therapy
• Relationship building & rapport development
• Creative & individualized session design
• Observation & assessment

She provides leadership, support and evaluation for CAP’s programs and part-time teaching artists. Tiffany is a longtime arts educator with a specialty in the literary arts. She has a bachelor’s in education and a master’s in literature with a concentration in poetry. In addition to her work as an educator and her background in marketing and program development, she has been named a National Endowment for the Arts Individual Artist grantee for her poetry. Since childhood, Tiffany has been a storyteller – filling books with her own stories and drawings. Since then, she has become a published poet in national publications and displayed and performed her work in many settings. 

Joined the CAP team in 2024

Expertise:

• Storytelling 

• Relationship building 

• Mentorship 

• Project and event management 

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

He partners with schools and fellow teaching artists to ensure students experience the arts as a joyful, empowering and consistent part of their education. With nearly 20 years of experience teaching students from kindergarten through high school, Milton brings a welcoming, steady presence to the classroom and a deep respect for each student’s voice. His teaching journey began in math and science before leading him fully into music education, where he has guided choral, band and instrumental programs across public, private and charter schools. Milton is a board member of Players by the Sea and holds a master’s degree in project management from the University of Maryland Global Campus, which supports his ability to collaborate effectively and plan thoughtfully, ensuring arts programs thrive long-term.

Joined CAP as a part-time teaching artist in 2023 and a full-time teaching artist fellow in 2025

Expertise:

• Multi-instrumentalist

• Actor and vocal recording artist

• Project management

• Cross-departmental collaboration

In addition to leading afterschool programs, Julia works with students during the day through arts integration practices that spark curiosity and deepen understanding. She partners with educators to bridge learning gaps through theatrical strategies, blending curriculum with creativity in ways that empower young minds. Julia holds an MFA in Theatre for Young Audiences from the University of Central Florida, where her research explored the impact of early childhood theatrical experiences. A firm believer that theatre belongs everywhere, she has brought imaginative programming to hospitals, public parks and libraries—transforming unconventional spaces into places of imagination. Her own journey into the arts began with a childhood role in a community theatre production of Cinderella. Thanks to inspiring educators who nurtured her spark, she’s cultivated a lifelong love of theatre. Today, her work invites students to do the same—honoring their imaginations, encouraging their voices, and creating space to play, explore and shine.

 Joined the CAP team in 2024 

 Expertise: 

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

Here is my edited bio:

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

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

A dancer and instructor for more than 18 years, Jocelyn specializes in Afrobeat, traditional West African, contemporary, tap, hip hop, jazz, dance theater and step dance styles. She has been active in numerous community theater performances locally and throughout Florida as a writer, choreographer, dancer, singer, actress and producer. Additionally, she has choreographed, performed, styled and video directed for dance groups, studios and musicians locally and nationally, and works with organizations near and far as a performing arts mentor and trainer. Jocelyn has a true passion for sharing the love of dance artistry with students of all ages. She believes that the art of movement brings happiness to the heart, no matter the age.

Jocelyn worked as a part-time teaching artist at CAP from 2015 to 2018 and returned in 2024.

Chris is a multifaceted, self-taught artist whose work is deeply rooted in portraiture and figurative expressions, with a strong emphasis on the portrayal of subjects often underrepresented in high art institutions. His significant accomplishments include exhibitions in various galleries and museums, both nationally and internationally. Most recently, he had a solo show at the Historic Ali Cultural Arts Center in Pompano Beach, FL, and participated in the Inaugural Jax Contemporary Triennial at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Jacksonville, Florida. He has received multiple art awards and grants for his work, as well as the DEAR (Digital Evolution Artist Retention) fellowship through the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute in New York, New York. In his professional work and through teaching arts programs, he aims to empower young viewers to see themselves as worthy of being celebrated.

Chris joined the CAP team in 2025.

Heidi Dinius is a multidisciplinary artist whose passion comes from celebrating life’s little joys and sharing that pleasure with others, primarily through acrylic painting and mini hand-sewn felt objects and animals. She was recognized as a Gold Key Portfolio winner by the Northeast Florida Scholastic Art Awards and won many other awards in high school. She then graduated from Flagler College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a minor in illustration.  When she isn’t pursuing all things artistic, Heidi is out scouring the beach for fossils, walking or biking the neighborhood and spending time with family.

Joined CAP in 2024

Sommer Farhat-Valent has been teaching for 20years and is currently teaching theatre at Mandarin High 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 taught at Mandarin Oaks Elementary for 18 years. She has performed extensively at Jacksonville’s community theatres and acted in many films for local film festivals, winning several awards for her acting and costuming skills. Sommer loves instilling her passion for performing with children of all ages.

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

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

She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of North Florida, with a concentration in photography and a strong foundation in painting and drawing. A passionate visual artist, she has self-published a book showcasing her photographic work. Named Teacher of the Year by Timucuan Elementary in 2025, Delena is dedicated to inspiring creativity in her students through diverse artistic mediums and styles, and is committed to fostering a lifelong love of the arts in every classroom she leads.

Delena joined the CAP team in 2024.

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

Jereme brings nearly two decades of experience in theatrical production, arts education and community engagement, serving students throughout Jacksonville and internationally. A Douglas Anderson School of the Arts alumnus with extensive experience at Alhambra Theatre and Players by the Sea, Jereme specializes in music theatre instruction. He has collaborated with Don’t Miss A Beat, Sanctuary on 8th, Jacksonville Arts and Music School, North Florida School of Special Education and NAACP ACT-SO. He also curates community programming at James Weldon Johnson Park. Jereme serves on the American Association for Community Theatre and Jacksonville Sister Cities boards, believing the arts are essential tools for building confidence and creating pathways to opportunity.

Jereme 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

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