Our Staff
Aubrey Martinson, Executive Director
As executive director for the Chelsea Center for the Arts, Aubrey finds enormous satisfaction in providing a conduit through which people connect to one another through classes, lessons, performances, community projects and other arts programming. She strives to ensure that the arts are an essential part of the lives of the citizens in our area, as well as critical to the community as a whole.
Aubrey has found fulfillment in successfully developing partnerships and relationships with the Chelsea District Library, the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce, and other community organizations.
Prior to becoming executive director at the CCA, Aubrey worked as the Managing Director of the Dance Gallery Foundation, served as Program Coordinator for the Visual Arts program at the Chelsea Center for the Arts, and held various positions at Selo/Shevel Gallery, Motawi Tileworks, and the Ann Arbor Art Center. Aubrey attended Albion College and received her BFA in Visual Arts & English in 2001.
She currently serves on the following groups or committees in Chelsea: Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights, Culturality (The Arts & Culture Network of Chelsea),
Gateway Communities Initiative (Bridging Chelsea and the Waterloo Recreation Area),
SRSLY Steering Committee,
Chelsea Reads Together,
Art Committee at the Chelsea District Library,
and the National Day on Writing Committee.
Click here to learn more about Aubrey.
Lisa Hinz-Johnson, Director of Music
lisahinzjohnson@gmail.com
Lisa Hinz-Johnson is the Co-founder of CCA, as well as its Director of Music. She received her BM degree from Viterbo University and a MM degree in voice from the University of Michigan. Lisa has taught voice in private and college settings for over 25 years and her voice students are consistently placed in the country's top colleges and universities. She was a multiple award winner at the Metropolitan Opera Auditions, as well as a 6-time first-place winner of the National Association of Teachers of Singing auditions. She specializes in addressing the diverse needs of all singers in her private voice studio, with students ranging from true beginners to professionals.
Click here to learn more about Lisa.
Aprylle Sloggett, Visual Arts Program Director
Aprylle@chelseacenterforthearts.org
Aprylle Sloggett received her Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts Education from Eastern Michigan University. A transplant from Midland, MI, Aprylle now considers Ann Arbor and surrounding areas to be her hometown. Aprylle recently moved to charming downtown Plymouth with her husband and dog.
Aprylle has taught art classes in the Midland Center for the Arts, Chelsea Center for the Arts and is a full time teacher at Central Academy in Ann Arbor, MI. “I’m really excited about this new position as Visual Arts Director at Chelsea Center for the Arts. It’s a dream job to promote and develop the arts in a thriving community like Chelsea.”
April is a certified K-12 art instructor and was brought on board to develop curriculum-based programming in the visual arts. Please contact her if you have questions or suggestions about visual arts at the Chelsea Center for the Arts.
Karen K Smith, Billing & Registration Manager
karen@chelseacenterforthearts.org
Karen K Smith began her professional career in the early 1970s in the computer industry. She started as a computer operator and evolved with the industry as a software tester, technical writer and editor, project manager, and then a computer graphics designer. After retiring from IT in 1995, Karen found her creative medium in glass. In 2003, she was asked to fuse the center of the “Pathway to Renewal,” a community art project of the CCA. Karen was one of the artists involved in the CCA sponsored community art projects “In Our Image” and “Quilt: The Hands of Time.” She also has been teaching fused glass classes at the CCA since 2004. In 2006, Karen was offered a position here at the Chelsea Center for the Arts. She has now returned to her knowledge of computers and runs the Billing & Registration department.
Karen primarily handles the billing process for the arts programs at the Chelsea Center for the Arts, but she is also a vital part of the "Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights" committee and is well integrated into the local arts community.
Amythyst Romero, Program Manager
amythyst@chelseacenterforthearts.org
Amythyst Romero has been a supporter of the CCA ever since she moved to Michigan in 2005. She and her husband set out to find a home in the Midwest for their young family after finding big-city life in the San Francisco area unfulfilling. She quickly became a familiar face to the locals during her work at the River Gallery of Fine Art, and her involvement with numerous community groups and events. Amythyst is happy to have finally found at home here in Chelsea and at the CCA.
Currently earning her degree in Human Services and Management, she has always thrived when working with the public. Amythyst brings years of administrative and customer service experience, a shared vision for promoting the arts, and dedication that will prove her to be a great addition to the Chelsea Center for the Arts team. "The arts serve an important role in communities. Without it, we are just trying to survive. There has to be more to life than that."
Amythyst staffs the front desk and will be the friendly face that greets you on most days when you walk in the front doors. She is available to help with registration and any questions you may have.
Charlotte Prenevost, Office Assistant
http://charlotteprenevost.com/charlotte.prenevost/PHOTOS.html#7
Charlotte is a student at Chelsea High School and a vocal music student of Lisa Hinz-Johnson. Charlotte is recognized by many locals for her performances downtown as part of Chelsea’s “Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights” as well as numerous school-related performances. She has been taking voice lessons at the CCA for two years. “I am thrilled that I now get to work directly with the people who’ve helped get me to where I am now.” .
Charlotte carries out vital functions to assist with Programs and executive staff in their day-to-day tasks. You may have the opportunity to chat with Charlotte, as she will be answering the phones as well.
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