The 2019/20 Board of Directors

Will Hammelrath

President

Will Hammelrath currently serves as President for the SCPA Alumni Association. Almost a “survivor” with attending eight years SCPA Will graduated in 1986 as a Drama and Choir Major. Will got his BA at Hanover College (’90). After college he had a couple of jobs then landed with Office Depot as National Account Manager. He has worked for them for 25 years both in Boston and here in Cincinnati where he currently resides. Will stays active in the community, his church, and also is on the Charter Committee of Cincinnati Board. Will wants to work in providing a safe productive environment where the students will be able to focus on their craft and their dreams.

Joshua Trotter

Vice President

Joshua Kent Trotter currently serves as Vice President of the National Alumni Association of the Cincinnati School for Creative & Performing Arts. He also has been the Marketing and Communications Co-chair for two years now. Joshua graduated from SCPA in 2014 as a drama and technical theater major. After his graduation, Joshua enrolled in Cincinnati State College for early childhood education. Joshua is employed as a 2nd grade teaching assistant at SCPA. In addition he helps runs the before and after school program (YMCA) for K-6 and the MORE (Men, Organized, Respectful, and Educated) program for 7th/8th grade boys at SCPA. Joshua believes in the power of education and uses what he learned at SCPA to help current students and fellow alumni to find their voices everyday. It is his goal to bring the generations of alumni together and create an active alumni presence at SCPA.

Karen Winkler

Treasurer

Karen Winkler serves as Treasurer for NAAcSCPA for the second year in a row. She is a member of the inaugural 1979 graduating class of SCPA, where she majored in musical theater and instrumental music. Karen holds a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance & International Business from New York University. She worked on Wall Street and in London for a number of years in areas including capital markets and fixed income derivatives. She then moved to Denver where she held corporate financial planning roles with several S&P 500 firms. Karen presently serves as Director of Investor Relations for Golden Minerals Company, a Denver-based precious metals mining exploration company. She was attracted to serving NAAcSCPA because the school was a very meaningful part of her teenage years, and she hopes to “give back” by helping NAAcSCPA become a thriving organization that not only rekindles old SCPA friendships but actively helps the school and its current students.

Allison McElfresh

Secretary

Allison McElfresh serves as Secretary for NAAcSCPA. She graduated from SCPA in 1996 majoring in dance and music theater. She then studied liberal arts from University of Cincinnati and BS in Secondary Education at Grand Canyon University. Over the last 20 years she has directed, taught, created, performed, and developed dance education programs in AZ, CA, MI, SD, NV,IL,IN, and currently in Cincinnati becoming a Master Dance Teacher. She is accredited and certified through the Ohio Board of Education as an NFHS Dance Coach, National Dance Risk Mgt, National Dance Council of America, ACE, and DEA. Allison is a new member of the American College Association and has been invited to share her educational programs with the National Dance Educators Organization. In 2016, she became a business owner inventing Cincinnati’s first academic dance studio, The Dance Coalition.

Michèle L. Battle

Michèle L. Battle is a member of the Board of Directors for the SCPA Alumni Association and serves on the Governance Committee. Michèle attended SCPA for 8 years and graduated in 1982 as a Fine Arts Major. Since graduation, she attended The Ohio State University where she received her B.A. in Political Science in 1986, and Harvard Law School, where she received her J.D. in 1986. Michèle currently resides in the Metro Atlanta, Georgia area and is the founding owner of Battle Law, P.C. which is a Commercial Real Estate, Land Use and Zoning law firm. Being a mentor to young adults is Michèle’s passion and purpose in life. As a member of the Board of Directors it is Michèle desire to create an alumni scholarship fund for recent graduates, as well as other support programs in order to give them the opportunity to realize their goals and dreams.

Vicka Bell-Robinson

Vicka is the Development Committee Co-Chair. As a member of the class of 1996, Vicka Bell-Robinson began attending SCPA in seventh grade and fondly remembers all of the good times she had in 1310 Sycamore. Vicka was a vocal music major, but also dabbled in instrumental music and drama. In addition to her artistic endeavors, Vicka served as a member of the LSDMC and a number of other organizations throughout her time in school. Vicka has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Illinois, a Master of Education in College Student Personnel from Grand Valley State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from Miami University. Vicka lives in Fairfield, Ohio with her three children and husband and currently serves as the Director of Residence Life at Miami University. Vicka is excited about using her knowledge and passion for educational leadership along with her care for SCPA to support the continued growth, development, and success of the school.

Dennis Andrew Betz

Dennis Andrew Betz, a 1985 graduate majored in Art, Vocal Music, and Music Composition during his six years at SCPA. This is his first year on the board and will be focusing on Alumni Programing. After graduating from SCPA he attended The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA on full scholarship majoring in music composition. For the last twenty years, Mr. Betz has taught music privately, both vocal and orchestral, is an award winning Music/Vocal Director for regional theater productions, is a published music arranger, serves as Artistic Director/Music Director at Mt. Washington UMC and is married to Diana Betz nee Riemenschneider, SCPA Class of 1985. Mr. Betz goals while serving on the board is to increase funding for the school through the NAAcSCPA and to reconnect alumni through the sharing of the arts.

Pamela Regina Bradshaw

Pamela Regina Bradshaw currently serves on the Development Committee for the SCPA Alumni Association. Pamela graduated from SCPA as an Instrumental Music major in 1982 and received her BBA in Finance and Management from the University of Cincinnati in 1987; she also earned a Certificate in Executive Leadership for Women at Hollins University in 2016. Pamela has over 30 years of experience in the Risk Management & Insurance industry having worked for Aetna, Travelers Insurance and corporate risk departments for Macy’s, Quantum Chemical in Cincinnati; Chuck E. Cheese’s, Mary Kay Inc. in Dallas, TX and Advance Auto Parts, Inc. in Roanoke, VA. Pamela is currently the Director of Risk Management for ClubCorp, Inc. based in Dallas, TX. Pamela has two daughters (Leah, a 2nd grade teacher in Atlanta & Lydia, a freshman engineering major at Virginia Tech); their Mom has a passion for guiding, advising & preparing youngsters for college to ensure their futures remain bright as they transition into adulthood!

John Calhoun

John Calhoun transferred from Walnut Hills High School, and began attending SCPA in 1973, majoring in art and media and was a member of the first graduating class from the school, the Class of 1979. Since graduation from SCPA, John Calhoun was a member of the US Air Force Reserves from 1982-1988. John began working in media beginning in 1980, but since 1990 has worked in television and film and has also taught television and film. John has acted in a couple feature films and is now eligible to join the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). John now lives in Cincinnati,OH and is the Owner of OPERATOR Film & Design, freelance editor, designer, director, actor, instructors. John serves on the Alumni Board of Directors on the Marketing and Communications Committee.

Tomica Chitterson

Tomica Chitterson serves the alumni board as Marketing and Communications Co-Chair. Tomica is a 1997 graduate of SCPA. While at SCPA, Tomica majored in Creative Writing, Drama, and Instrumental Music. Tomica received both her B.A. in English and M.A. in Counseling from Xavier University (Cincinnati). Tomica is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor currently working in private practice in the Cincinnati and West Chester Area. She has worked in the fields of Social Service, Mental Health Counseling, and Higher Education for nearly two decades. Tomica believes that who she is, both personally and professionally, was fostered in part by her experience at SCPA. Tomica joined the Alumni Board to provide support to current students as they further develop their craft, explore academic pursuits, and find their voice. Additionally, she wants to help bridge the gap between alumni and the SCPA community.

Lesley Carroll Folan

Lesley Folan currently serves on the Development Committee for the SCPA Alumni Association. Lesley graduated from The School for the Creative and Performing Arts in 1988 as a vocal music major. After graduation, Lesley attended Hanover College and The University of Cincinnati earning a BA in Psychology and completing Master’s coursework in Psychology. Lesley is a Senior Account Manager for a performance headwear and apparel company. Lesley also helps run a small real estate business with her husband of 21 years, and employees her three teen boys when renovating property. Lesley has a passion for promoting a creative environment where young people can explore their interests and develop skills and talents.

Kenneth Gibson

Kenneth Gibson served as President of the NAAcSCPA in 2018. Kenneth graduated from SCPA in 1987 majoring in Musical Theater, Vocal Music, and Technical Theater. Kenneth is now a U.S. Marine Corps Desert Storm Veteran and Realtor with Ownerland Realty, in Cincinnati, OH. Kenneth’s wife (Traci) and son are also SCPA alumni and his daughter is a current student at SCPA.

Steve Hammelrath

Steve Hammelrath is on the Finance committee for the Alumni Association. Steve graduated from SCPA in 1986 with two majors; Drama and Vocal Music. After SCPA he received a BA of Political Science from Hanover College. Steve is currently a Senior Manager of Sales Operations, Formica North America at the corporate headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. Steve attributes many of his successes in life are due to the ways SCPA nurtured him to work authentically with people. Very similar to business, to recognize the success of ‘the lead’ is based on the talent of all the roles everyone else plays to support them.

Catreéce Tatum

Catreéce Tatum is proud to be an Alumni Board Member and Alumni Engagement Committee Chair. Catreece graduated from SCPA in 2014, majoring in Instrumental Music. Catreéce then went off to study Social Work at Wilmington College where she received her BSW. Ms. Tatum will be continuing her education at Case Western Reserve University where she will obtain her MSW. Ms. Tatum currently works at Hamilton County Job and Family Services, in the Children Services department. Catreéce became involved with the Alumni Board due to her family’s deeply rooted connections grown at SCPA. Ms. Tatum wants to give back to the school that gave her so much, in the short time she was a student there.

Robert Young

Rob Young graduated from SCPA in 1983 while majoring in Music Theater and Vocal Music. After SCPA Rob earned a degree in philosophy from Wheaton College. After spending several years as a senior executive in the enterprise software space, Rob left the corporate world to do independent real estate investing. He currently lives in Cincinnati and serves as a general member of the board.