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. 

Joined the CAP team in 2021 

Expertise: 

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

She expands CAP’s reach by engaging the online community through social media and shares meaningful programmatic experiences to effectively advocate 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 leads the Development Team in retaining and increasing revenue through corporate, foundation and individual giving and grants, and manages all campaign efforts. DeAnn has been involved in the visual and performing arts since high school, including painting, sketching and textile arts; saxophone, piano and vocals; and stage management and set design.  

Joined the CAP team in 2023 

Expertise: 

• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) 
• Strategic planning 
• Relationship building 
• Connections with Northeast Florida community 

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 ultimately earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in music, as well as a second master’s degree in arts leadership and cultural management.

Joined the CAP team in 2022

Expertise:

• Database management
• Analytics
• Prospect research
• Moves management

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

Jennifer’s love for the arts began early in life, taking piano lessons from age 5, dancing throughout elementary and middle school, and singing since she could talk. She was a member of the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus and has performed with the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus, as well as in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Joined the CAP team in 2013

Expertise:

• Content creation
• Brand management
• Writing & copy editing
• Production & timeline management

She expands CAP’s reach by engaging the online community through social media and shares meaningful programmatic experiences to effectively advocate 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 manages the student database, coordinates logistics for field trips and guest artists, and leads the planning of the annual Visual & Performing Arts Showcases. Victoria attended LaVilla and Douglas Anderson Schools of the Arts where she played trumpet, sang in chorale groups and won the Grady-Rayam Prize for vocal performance. She is a musician that performs in a band as well as mixes, masters and writes for up-and-coming artists.

Joined the CAP team in 2022

Expertise:

• Relationship building
• Family communication
• Logistics coordination
• Professional performance knowledge

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, he is responsible for planning and supervising class field trips, guest artist visits and exhibition opportunities at CAP sites and throughout the Jacksonville community. Cobus was introduced to the arts through a program similar to CAP, which opened a whole new world of possibilities and opportunities. He graduated from Oxford University and has traveled the world for the last 20 years directing, producing and performing.  

Joined the CAP team in 2023 

Expertise: 

• Advocacy 
• Relationship building 
• Theatre acting, directing and choreography 
• Film and television production 

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. Meredith majored in painting in college and has worked at regional art galleries and museums. She has also painted on commission for over a decade and her paintings are in residential, corporate and academic collections throughout Jacksonville.

Joined the CAP team in 2022

Expertise:

• Relationship building
• Painting
• Design
• Art museum educator

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

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

Priscilla Allen has spent more than 10 years as a language arts teacher and substitute teacher for Duval County Public Schools. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Georgia Southern University and is ESOL/ELA certified. Priscilla was a member of the United States Marine Corps for more than 10 years and volunteers extensively in the community. She is honored to combine her two passions – service and creating – as a CAP teaching artist and is committed to ensuring every student gains and maintains confidence, self-discipline and a love for creating.

Joined CAP in 2021

Lindsay Bowyer is a long-time resident of Jacksonville with a bachelor’s degree in Art and Art History from the University of North Florida. She is pursuing a post-baccalaureate degree with the ultimate goal of attaining a master’s degree. Art has been Lindsay’s passion since childhood. She has visited over 20 art museums around the country and internationally and worked at MOCA Jacksonville for five years. When she’s not making or learning about art, she enjoys working in her garden and spending time with family. 

Joined CAP in 2022

Kris Campbell earned a bachelor’s degree in art education from the University of North Florida and worked as an educator at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens for several years. She began teaching visual art for elementary school students in Duval County, developing film and animation programs for fifth graders which she ran for 14 years. Kris then moved to a middle school where she taught film production. She currently teaches digital art and animation at LaVilla School of the Arts and continues to grow the school’s cinematic arts program.

Joined the CAP team in 2019

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

Marielle Erskine is a Jacksonville local who is proud to continue her work with CAP. She holds a BFA in performance, studying many techniques ranging from musical theatre to film to improvisation. Recently she has performed in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and Aristophanes’ Lysistrata. Marielle strives to empower young people with creative processes that enhance their perspective and quality of life. The arts can strengthen a community and she has made it her mission to contribute to that by working with many other nonprofits including the Art League of Jacksonville, Figment Project and the Boys and Girls Club of America.

Joined CAP in 2021

Sommer Farhat 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

Allie Lytle is a graduate of James Madison University where she majored in musical theatre and minored in music. She loves composing and performing and focuses on cultivating a welcoming and warm environment where students can express themselves freely and learn with open hearts and minds. Allie joined CAP as a part-time teaching artist in 2022.

Joined the CAP team in 2022

Hayden Palmer is a Jacksonville-based sculptor and artist. He holds a master’s degree in Asian Studies, with a focus on Chinese History and Mandarin, from Florida State University. Hayden is the co–founder of the alternative theater troupe Glitterbomb, which has performed throughout Jacksonville, including at MOCA Jacksonville and the Museum of Science and History. He was named Best Visual Artist in 2021 by Folio Weekly Magazine.

Joined CAP in 2021

Jacqareon Peterson-Thomas started dancing at a young age and began her formal training at age 12 as a student at LaVilla School of the Arts. She earned an associate in arts degree in dance and has trained in ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, African, contemporary and lyrical dance. Jacqareon taught at Little Dancing Stars for several year and currently teaches ballet and hip hop at C&J Performing Arts Institute and Learning Center.

Joined CAP in 2021

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

Aquila Tamaseu began playing the piano at the age of 4 and has performed as a soloist and accompanist for schools, churches and organizations. She has worked as an organist, pianist, choir director and administrative director and serves as a piano adjudicator for the Florida Federation of Music Clubs. Aquila earned a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Southern California and received her Orff Instructor Certification for levels I, II and III. She has taught elementary school music in Jacksonville since 2007.

Joined CAP in 2013

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