Hilliard Harper

Executive Director
hilliard@yasandiego.org
619/282-7599 ext. 111

Bio

Hilliard Harper has been executive director of Young Audiences of San Diego (YA) since 1989. He has 30+ years of experience as an arts journalist and executive. His most vivid memories of elementary school in Mississippi are the weekly music classes and the theater, music and dance assemblies. With the widespread loss of elementary school arts classes as an unintended consequence of California's Prop 13 tax reform, Hilliard sees Young Audiences as an essential force in restoring arts education for all. When not working to reinstate the arts as a basic part of education, Hilliard likes to bicycle, swim, play racquetball and bridge (separately) and run with Tahoe the Wonderdog.

Sherrie Brown

Program Manager
sherrie@yasandiego.org
619/282-7599 ext. 114

Bio

Sharon Brown has a Bachelors degree in Communications from Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA.  Prior to coming to Young Audiences, she was Promotions Coordinator at Seaport Village, a specialty shopping center in San Diego.

Jennifer Oliver

Program Manager
jennifer@yasandiego.org
619/282-7599 ext. 113

Bio

Jennifer Oliver: Graduated from UC, Irvine with a BA in Dance and is currently earning her MA in Expressive Arts Therapy. She served as the Program Director and Acting Executive Director for City Moves! prior to merging with Young Audiences. For Young Audiences, Jennifer is the Education Director and a Master Teaching Artist. In the San Diego community Jennifer also works as a Professional Dancer and Choreographer, Board President for BOUND: contemporary dance and is an active member of the Emerging Leaders for the Commission for Arts and Culture.

Natasha Nace

Outreach Coordinator/ Office Manager
natasha@yasandiego.org
619/282-7599 ext. 112

Bio

Natasha's duties at YASD include coordinating five fieldtrip programs and assisting with public relations and special outreach events. Natasha has a BS degree in Applied Arts and Sciences: Television, Film and New Media, and is enrolled in a masters degree program in Media. She has worked as a Foster Youth Mentor, Youth Leader with YMCA, Office Manager with American Home Network, and was Athlete Services Coordinator with the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

LEO WILLETS

Accountant

Bio

Leo Willets Bio (all names should link to bio page, right now, only first three do) Following graduation from the US Naval Academy, Leo became a navy pilot and served 20 years in the Navy before retiring to San Diego with his wife, Kathryn, and their three children.  He was a Logistic Engineer at Sundstrand Power Systems prior to becoming a bookkeeper for several nonprofit organizations.  He enjoys dancing, watching soccer, and volunteering at his church.

Carol Smith

Resident Office Volunteer

Bio

Carol Smith became a native San Diegan at the age of three months, when her family moved from Los Angeles. Since retiring in 1990 as a real estate broker in North Park, she keeps busy by volunteering. Besides helping in the office and wherever else she is needed at Young Audiences, Carol serves on the Board of Directors at the San Diego High School Foundation. She also helps out at the School of Arts and Music at the San Diego High School campus. Carol enjoys local art galleries and going to plays with friends as well as spending time with her children and grandchildren and regular visits to Mazatlan, Mexico with husband, Dick.