MEET THE YASD STAFF

John Highkin
Executive Director
john@yasandiego.org
619/282-7599 ext. 111

John Highkin has worked for over thirty years in art – as a musician, circus impresario, theater director and administrator.  Most recently he was an organizational arts consultant with the Zimmerman Highkin Group in Salina, KS.  From 2004 to 2008, he was Executive Director of Salina Arts and Humanities Commission, a department of the City of Salina. Mr. Highkin was the co-founder Artistic Director/CEO of San Diego’s Fern Street Circus from 1990 to 2003. He is active as a musician, playing mandolin, bass, tenor banjo and guitar.  Most recently he has been recording his first-ever CD, a selection of standards, swing tunes and vintage country songs. 

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

Sherrie 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
Associate Director/ Education Director
jennifer@yasandiego.org
619/282-7599 ext. 113

Jennifer Oliver graduated from UC, Irvine with a BA in Dance and received her MA in Expressive Arts Therapy & Education with a minor in Psychology from the European Graduate School. She served as the Program Director and Acting Executive Director for City Moves! prior to merging with Young Audiences in 2004. Outside of administration, Jennifer works as a Master Teaching Artist and a dancer/choreographer in the San Diego community.

Crystal Mercado
Assistant Education Director
crystal@yasandiego.org
619/282-7599 ext. 115

Crystal Mercado is a graduate from Arizona State University's Theatre for Youth MFA program. She has worked as a community-based artist, stage manager, director and teaching artist for organizations and individual projects in Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Diego County and Tijuana, B.C., MX. She received her BA in Theatre from San Diego State University.

Joyce Buxbaum
Office Administrator

Joyce brings much experience in office management to Young Audiences of San Diego. She is skilled in book keeping, database management, and overall office organization. Her experience includes 15 years as Office Manager at the Old Globe Theatre and work with Divan + Studio,  Dan Morrin Law, and Megan Bryan Design. She has been personal assistant to Jacquelyn Littlefield and Diane Sinor.