COMMITTEES
Dedicated to advancing WAA’s mission to serve the performing arts.
OVERVIEW
WAA recognizes the importance of leadership in anticipating the future needs of the field, and so committee work is vital to the governance and direction of Western Arts Alliance. Each committee member is dedicated to WAA’s mission and to the advancement of the performing arts field through innovative thinking and ground-breaking initiatives. WAA’s strategic plan helps inform the work that each committee undertakes every year, and includes both planning and implementing short- and long-range goals.
Committees are chaired or co-chaired by members of the WAA board, and all members of WAA are eligible to serve on committees (although WAA membership is not a requirement for committee members). Committee chairs work closely with the WAA president and staff to compose committees that represent the diverse membership of WAA and the performing arts field, balancing experience with fresh perspectives by taking each committee member’s specialty, type of employment, location, and diversity in both ethnicity and opinion into consideration.
It is WAA’s intention to involve as many members as possible in committee activities (without sacrificing continuity), and to continually promote the introduction of new members to the volunteer experience. All committee members are held to the same standard as the WAA Board of Directors regarding commitment, ethics, and accountability to Western Arts Alliance and its work.
Committee terms generally begin and end the week after the WAA Conference. If you are interested in serving on a committee, please submit a letter of interest and current resume to staff@westarts.org.
COMMITTEES
Advancing Indigenous Performance
The role of the AIP Committee is to provide oversight and direction to the program. They represent a variety of roles in the performing arts: production, performance, management, choreography, arts administration, and philanthropy
Stephen Qacung Blanchett, Chair (Yup'ik Inuit & African American)
Cultural Heritage & Education Manager
Tlingit & Haida Tribes of Alaska
Delbert Anderson
Delbert Anderson Trio / DDAT
Christopher K. Morgan
Malashock Dance
Quita Sullivan (Montaukett/Shinnecock)
Senior Program Director, Theater
New England Foundation for the Arts
Tanaya Winder (Duckwater Shoshone, Pyramid Lake Paiute and Southern Ute)
Artist/Founder
Dream Warriors Management
DeLesslin George-Warren (Catawba)
Eco-Cultural Weaver
Manu Wi Ila, Catawba Nation
Raven Chacon (Diné)
Composer
Albuquerque, NM
Conexiones: Latino Arts @ WAA
The Conexiones: Latino Arts @ WAA is WAA's new interest group dedicated to advancing Latino engagement, participation, and programming at Western Arts Alliance and in your communities.
Tony Gomez, Chair
Tacoma Arts Live
Leah Keith
Rhythm of the Arts
Executive
The executive committee is responsible for working in support of, or occasionally in place of, the full board.
Joseph Copley-Venturo Díaz, President
ODC/Dance
Rob Tocalino, Vice-President
UC Davis, Mondavi Center
Antonio Gómez, Immediate Past President
Tacoma Arts Live
Rafael Gonzalez, Secretary Treasurer
Grand Performances
Courtney Ozaki, Director
Director Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Governance
The governance committee is responsible for ongoing review and recommendations to enhance the quality and future viability of the board.
Antonio Gómez
Tacoma Arts Live
Robert Bailis
Broad Stage
Theresa Knudson
Ballet22
Mia J. Chong
Eight/Moves
Lindsay Kratz
Opus 3 Agency
Ally Haynes-Hamblen
Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts
Hyphen + Asian
WAA's affinity group for API identities.
Nadhi Thekkek, Co-chair
Nava Dance Theater
Courtney Ozaki, Co-chair
Japanese Arts Network
Karen Fischer
Pacifika Artists Network
Kathy Hsieh
City of Seattle, Office of Arts & Culture
Meena Malik
Magpie Cultural Strategies
Achinta McDaniel
Blue13 Dance
Christopher Morgan
Malashock Dance
Michael Sakamoto
UMass Amherst
Ova Saopeng
TeAda Productions
Marie-Reine Velez
USC Visions and Voices
Membership & Communications
The goal of the Membership Committee is to recruit and retain performing arts professionals as active members of Western Arts Alliance. Goal 1: To increase the association's membership and improve member retention. Goal 2: To identify the needs of the membership; ensure that the board is made aware of these needs; and implement, facilitate, and support initiatives to meet these needs.
The committee also organizes and reviews the nominations for the awards program and selects winners under the policies and procedures established by the board of directors.
Meghan Bush, Chair
UCSB Arts & Lectures
Nadhi Thekkek
Nava Dance Theatre
Graham Cole
White Bird
Anna Cross
City of Tracy, Grand Theatre
James Fredrick
Onstage Ogden
Lindsay Kratz
Opus 3 Artists
Dóri Bosnyák
Texas Tech
Lisa Conlon
Paul Taylor Dance Company
Professional Development
The professional development committee is charged with overseeing the scope, quality, and delivery of WAA's education and professional development activities. The committee shall ensure that WAA’s professional development programs meet the needs of the staff of presenting organizations, artists, producing companies, artist representatives, and other interested professionals.
Joseph Copley-Venturo Díaz, Chair
ODC Dance
Gustavo "Tavo" Alcoser
Jarabe Mexicano
Dori Bosnyak
Texas Tech University
Lynn Fisher
Frontera Arts Management
Rafael Gonzalez
Grand Performances
Jason Hodges
Anchorage Concert Association
Spring Karlo
Holden Arts & Associates
Eileen May
Joe McNalley
Hutchins Consort
Christopher Nicholas
Ensemble Mik Nawooj
Claudia Norman
Mexico Now Festival
Charlie Robin
Capitol Theatre
Jack Rogers
The Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, CO
Tamica Washington-Miller
Lula Washington Dance Theatre
Marie-Reine Velez
USC Visions and Voices
Strategic Planning
The Strategic Planning Committee gathers every two years to plan and prioritize WAA's goals for the future of the organization. Next meeting: 2023.
Robin Pomerance, Chair
Manchester Music Festival
Courtney Ozaki
Japanese Arts Network
Joseph Copley-Venturo Díaz
ODC/Dance
Rob Tocalino
UC Davis, Mondavi Center
Black Arts @ WAA Committee
Stephen Qacung Blanchett, Co-chair
Tlingit & Haida Tribes of Alaska
Pamela Green, Co-chair
PMG Arts Management
Tamica Washington-Miller, Co Chair
Lula Washington Dance Theatre
Conference
The conference committee oversees the planning and program design of the WAA Annual Conference and ensures that conference goals and strategies, as established by the board, are met. The committee is responsible for leadership, program and resource development, community building, and ensuring WAA's success as a marketplace.
Rob Tocalino, Chair
UC Davis Mondavi Center
Marcelo Aviles
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
Tara Bailey
Bailiwick Booking Agency
Gail Boyd
Gail Boyd Artist Management
Samantha Bryant
ASYMM Digital
Joseph Copley-Ventura Diaz
ODC/Dance
Genevieve DeMerchant
AIM Booking
Wendi Hassan
Cache Valley Arts
Brian Kendall
City of Henderson
Marian Liebowitz
Marian Liebowitz Artist Management
Christopher K. Morgan
Malashock Dance
Charlie Robin
Capitol Theatre
Leah Rosenthal
La Jolla Music Society
Derrick McBride
Dance Theatre of Harlem
Pablo Solis
Music Works International
Finance
The finance committee is responsible for assisting the board in ensuring the organization is in good fiscal health.
Rob Tocalino, Chair
UC Davis, Mondavi Center
Tony Gomez, Honorary
Tacoma Arts Live
Anna Cross
City of Tracy, Grand Theatre
Pamela Green
PMG Arts Management
Jason Hodges
Anchorage Concert Association
Randall Vogel
Mesa Arts Center
Host Subcommittee, Los Angeles
The host subcommittee is an adjunct of the conference committee. The subcommittee is responsible for enhancing local connections with the annual conference especially local and regional outreach, development, and resource expertise.
Rafael González, Co-Chair
Grand Performances
Tamica Washington-Miller, Co-Chair
Lula Washington Dance Theatre
Michael Alexander
Caltech
Rebecca Carson
Pepperdine University
Rick Farrell
Gersh Agency
Dan Froot
Dan Froot & Co
Gaby Hernandez
Los Angeles Philharmonic Association
Nicole Mauricio
Grand Performances
Ilaan Mazzini
BroadStage
Tiina Mittler
Haugh Perf Arts Center
Maurice Montoya
MM Music Agency
Allen Moon
David Lieberman Artists
Cameron O’Hanlon
The Soraya
Camille Schenkkan
Center Theatre Group
Jeff Thielke
Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Renae Williams-Niles
Renae WN Consulting
Bryan Yamami
TAIKOPROJECT
Daria Yudacufski
USC Visions & Voices
QWAA
QWAA, formed in 2021, is WAA's affinity group for queer identities.
Joseph Copley-Venturo Díaz, Co-Chair
ODC/Dance
San Francisco, CA
David Mack, Co-Chair
The African American Art & Culture Complex
San Francisco, CA
Showcase
The Showcase Subcommittee is an adjunct of the Conference Committee. The primary responsibility of the subcommittee is to adjudicate the juried showcase that takes place at the annual conference. The committee is also responsible for informing WAA's long-term showcase strategy.
Rafael Gonzalez, Chair
Grand Performances
Marcelo Aviles
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
Lisa Conlon
Paul Taylor Dance Company
Anna Cross
City of Tracy, Grand Theatre
Ron DeStefano
Epic Arts Management
Greg Garcia
Independent Talent Buyer
Ally Haynes-Hamblen
Eisenmann Center for the Performing Arts
Michelle Mac Lennan
Chandler Center for the Arts
Claudia Norman
Mexico Now Festival
Cristina Vazquez
Contenidos Artisticos
CODA
CODA has been established by the WAA Board as the advisory council of Western Arts Alliance, in accordance with WAA’s most recent strategic plan. CODA’s purpose is to further WAA’s interests by helping provide for the organization’s financial stability, providing advice and service to the Executive Director and the Board, and establishing a forum within which former directors and officers may continue to serve WAA and its members. The experience, institutional memory, and commitment of ‘retired’ directors and officers constitute a powerful resource for WAA; CODA will provide the framework within which these forces can be leveraged.
2021 Council
CODA’s purpose is to further WAA’s interests by helping provide for the organization’s financial stability, providing advice and service to the Executive Director and the Board, and establishing a forum within which former directors and officers may continue to serve WAA and its members. CODA members will also serve as mentors to early and mid-career members of WAA. For information on CODA membership, please contact staff@westarts.org.
Joe McIalwain, Board Liaison
Julia Glawe, Chair
Milwaukee Ballet
Michael Blachly
University of Florida, Performing Arts
David Fischer
Broadway Center for the Arts
John Haynes
Bard Arts Consulting
Irene Namkung
Traditional Arts Services
Stephen Seifert
Rena Shagan
Rena Shagan Associates
Martin Wollesen
Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
Relationship to the Board of Directors
The Board is the governing body of WAA. CODA is a volunteer group, accountable to the Board and committed to helping realize the Board’s goals. The Immediate Past President will serve as the liaison between CODA and the Board.
CODA Member Eligibility
All former members of the Board of Directors who have completed their terms in good standing are eligible. Members of WAA who have not served on the Board, but who have distinguished themselves through extraordinary commitment and committee service may invited to participate upon recommendation of the WAA Executive Committee and Executive Director.
To Join
Eligible individuals may join CODA with a minimum gift of $100 a year. Please download the CODA Donation Form, make your gift, and submit to WAA.
Term Limits
There are no term limits attached to membership in CODA. Members are expected to make an annual financial commitment (see below) and to assist as needed in the realization of CODA’s programs and projects. Members may resign at any time if they choose to become inactive. Members in good standing may serve indefinitely. There are no minimum or maximum number of members allowed to serve CODA.
Leadership and Governance
A small and nimble leadership team has been established: the CODA Council, consisting initially of Aaron Egigian, David Fischer, Julia Glawe, and John Haynes. Additional eligible members will be encouraged to join the Council by consensus of the current Council, WAA’s Executive Committee, and Executive Director. The Council will select one of its members to act informally as chair, with the responsibility to convene meetings, coordinate activities, and ensure communication among its members as needed. The Immediate Past President, however, shall not serve as chair of the Coda Council. The Council will always work in collaboration and maintain clear communications with the WAA Board. Council terms of service will run concurrently with the planning & execution of WAA’s biennial The WAA Institute. Every two years, the CODA Council will ask the WAA Board for endorsement of its leadership team.
Annual Financial Commitment
Members are expected to make an annual financial commitment to WAA, through CODA, that meets two criteria: (1) is a thoughtful donation that is meaningful in the context of the member’s financial capacity, and (2) compares favorably with the upper range of the member’s other charitable donations. There is no minimum expectation; CODA’s members will represent a wide range of ability. Many of CODA’s members may be retired or nearing retirement. No hierarchy of influence or reputation will be established according to the size of member donations, all of which will be received and recorded discreetly by WAA staff. Member’s gifts are tax deductible to the extent of the law. Members are encouraged to either give or pledge during the first quarter of WAA’s fiscal year (July 1 – September 30.)
Allocation of CODA donations
Initially, 50% of the total of annual CODA donations will be designated as general operations funding for WAA. CODA donations will not be budgeted as projected income by the Board, however; they are intended to create an operating cash reserve and a cushion against deficit. Over time, it is hoped that CODA donations and CODA fundraising initiatives will grow to make a significant impact on WAA’s finances and, consequently, on WAA’s ability to serve its members. The remaining 50% of the total of annual contributed income will be placed in a designated fund, to be allocated to Board-approved initiatives by mutual agreement of the Coda Council and the Executive Committee of WAA’s Board of Directors.
Principle Activities of CODA
CODA will take the lead in establishing a new manifestation of the dormant WAA Institute. The WAA INSTITUTE is a joint program of CODA and WAA’s NextGen, and is planned as a biennial leadership retreat organized around the principles of intergenerational mentoring and collaborative learning toward ensuring that the Performing Arts stays relevant to the communities we serve. The WAA Institute’s goal is to explore and embrace emergent realities, to provide the resources necessary for understanding their challenges and opportunities, and to create a space where trust, insight, openness, and change can thrive. CODA’s members will have the opportunity to participate in the planning of WAA Institute’s biennial retreats.
CODA will also leverage its member’s skills and relationships to support the creation of a successful, ongoing development program for WAA. The lack of an organized effort to raise funds from “outside the family” has limited WAA’s ability to add and improve services and programs for its members without also increasing their transactional costs. Like any nonprofit, WAA can only add value by increasing revenue, which means either adding cost or increasing fundraising.
Other Member Commitments: CODA members should be willing to commit to service on a periodic basis, including, for example:
Attendance at the Annual Members Meeting, if attending the conference
Offering advice and counsel to the Board and staff, when asked
Assisting staff with special projects
Acting as an advocate for WAA, especially to lapsed members
Acting as a mentor to early and mid-career members
Participating in CODA initiatives