Catherine leads with a unique combination of analytical drive and creative vision in the role of Executive Director of Musicopia and Dancing Classrooms Philly. Dedicated in service since 2017, and ED since 2020, Catherine has led the organizations through transformational programmatic and budgetary growth, established formal processes and streamlined business operations, expanded partnerships, and deepened community engagement. As President of the Board, Catherine inaugurated and steered the development of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Charter leading to Board DEI Champions, and DEI culture throughout strategic goals, policies, and board/staff education.    

Catherine has a passion for healing through the arts, expressing our interconnectedness with the world and each other through her art as a pianist, composer, nature photographer, and speaker on creativity and spirituality.    

Charlton received her B.S. in Engineering with Distinction and Executive Certificate in Financial Success for Nonprofits from Cornell University. Career highlights include serving as an Assistant Vice President in Market Research at a multi-billion-dollar credit card company, creative entrepreneurship, teaching piano to hundreds of students, and numerous honors as a recording artist. Catherine was named an Education Power Player by Metro Philadelphia and, in 2023, was elected by her peers as President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy.   

Andrew joined Dancing Classrooms Philly in 2012 and coordinates the curriculum for all DCP programs and supports instructors and school partners throughout the school year. 

Andrew has been a trained professional ballroom dancer since childhood. He initially joined DCP as a Teaching Artist, where he experienced dance’s impact on social development, character building, and physical health. Throughout his years with DCP, he has imparted his knowledge and wisdom to thousands of children. 

 Andrew received his BA from Temple University. 

Alecia has been with affiliates Musicopia and Dancing Classrooms Philly (DCP) since 2018 and leads grant writing and reporting, in addition to cultivating institutional donor relationships.  

Alecia first experienced the power of Musicopia as a Musicopia String Orchestra parent, which has forever shaped her family’s extracurricular focus and her professional passion. Alecia previously covered the action of the U.S. Congress as a Washington, D.C.-based journalist. She uses her professional writing expertise, investigative and database research, and her deadline management skills to engage supporters of arts education. 

Alecia received her BA from Randolph-Macon College with a minor in writing and has taken professional courses at the Center for Publishing and Applied Liberal Arts at New York University and the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting, a collaboration between Investigative Reporters and Editors and the Missouri School of Journalism. 

Christina joined affiliates Musicopia and Dancing Classrooms Philly (DCP) in 2022, contributing to the Programming teams’ efforts and being a DCP Ballroom and K-Pop Teaching Artist.  

Christina came to the organizations hoping to provide support and guidance for students, allowing them a safe space to step outside their comfort zones. She believes that music and dance are positive, alternative avenues for improving mental and physical health as well as social relationships.  

Christina received her BA in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a certificate in Asian Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to joining DCP and Musicopia, she worked with various Philadelphia dance and arts organizations such as Asian Arts Initiative, The Rock School for Dance Education, and Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers. 

Caitlyn has been with affiliates Musicopia and Dancing Classrooms Philly (DCP) since 2016. She leads public relations efforts, guides marketing and outside fundraising initiatives, manages interns, and handles website updates and in-house videography and graphic design.  

Caitlyn is thrilled to be part of the Musicopia/DCP team, as the organizations encompass many of the Lasallian values that she holds true to her heart: concern for people experiencing poverty, social justice, respect for all, quality education, and inclusive community. 

Caitlyn earned an MA in Professional and Business Communication from La Salle University. She also completed her undergraduate studies at La Salle, focusing her education on both communication and the study of music.  During this time, she successfully completed an internship with 93.3 WMMR and later accepted a part-time position with their Promotions Department.  

Alexa joined affiliates Musicopia and Dancing Classrooms Philly in 2022, developing and publishing content for both organizations, including press releases, e-newsletters, and student stories, to connect supporters to the organization’s impact.  

 Alexa is eternally grateful for the confidence and artistic expression she developed through her performing arts education, which she also credits for helping her find herself and her voice. From experiencing the transformative power of the arts first-hand, she strongly advocates for all young people to have an arts-inclusive education. 

  Prior to joining Musicopia/DCP, Alexa completed a BA in Theatre Studies and a Certificate in Entrepreneurship at Montclair State University, and went on to work with a few Philadelphia-based arts/ cultural organizations. She started her arts administration career in fundraising before expanding her talents into communications and marketing. 

Rasaq joined affiliates Musicopia and Dancing Classrooms Philly (DCP) in 2021, leading Student Development and Family Engagement and contributing to DEI initiatives. He supports events and programs and uses his experience as an educator, facilitator, and community leader to further the overall missions and shared vision of Musicopia and DCP. 

Rasaq has been involved in youth education and the arts spaces for seven years. A community dance champion, Rasaq believes in the power of the arts as a catalyst for a better life. Rasaq has seen first-hand the power of dance and music as a tool to build community, improve mental health, create financial opportunities, and so much more. Rasaq is passionate about giving these gifts of the arts to young people and communities.   

Rasaq received his BA from Washington and Lee University with a major in Economics and minor in Dance composition and technique. He has also completed a DEI certificate program through Delaware County Community College. 

Kate has been with affiliates Musicopia and Dancing Classrooms Philly (DCP) since 2008. She leads the Philanthropy, Community Engagement, and Marketing/Communications teams, with a special focus on cultivating individual donor relationships.   

A professional modern dancer, Kate spent many years teaching in DCP classrooms and was also DCP’s former Managing and Artistic Director. Her unique skillset rooted in programming, a passion for student and staff development, and her gift for bringing diverse groups together guides her work.    

Kate received her BFA from The University of the Arts and Certificates from Bryn Mawr College’s Nonprofit Executive Leadership Institute and Boston University’s Professional Fundraising program. She also completed the Arts + Business Council for Greater Philadelphia’s Designing Leadership program. 

Dionne joined affiliates Musicopia and Dancing Classrooms Philly in 2022, leading the daily financial operations, working alongside management for financial planning and analysis, and assisting in strategic planning.  

Over the past ten years, Dionne has worked as an accounting professional in both Pennsylvania and California. She has provided services to small businesses and tax-exempt organizations, including Charter Schools and Universities in service as auditor, Virtual CFO, and business strategist. Dionne has a strong affinity and commitment to education and not-for-profit organizations. She is an engaged part of her community, having served on several volunteer Boards of Directors.  

 Dionne is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Drexel University. She specializes in accounting, federal tax-exempt compliance, and organizational financial strategy for not-for-profit organizations. Prior to joining Musicopia and Dancing Classrooms Philly, Dionne was the Managing Director of an accounting firm serving not-for-profit organizations. 

Niamh joined the Musicopia and Dancing Classrooms Philly team in 2023 to moderate and create content for both organizations’ social media channels. 

She has always been inspired by the power of digital media to bring important causes to a wider audience. She was deeply engaged with arts education programs in her youth and is honored to combine her passions in this position. 

 Niamh graduated from Muhlenberg College with a BA in Theatre and Music, having served as Publicity Manager for the Muhlenberg Theatre Association during her time in school, as well as receiving a Digital Scholars Research Grant and completing multiple internships.