Young Audiences/Arts for Learning Maryland, the non-profit bringing high quality, low-cost art experiences to Maryland schoolchildren, has elected three new members to its board of directors: Catherine Pierre, Julie Medalis, and Colleen Cashill.

Catherine Pierre is the Interim Vice President for Communications at Johns Hopkins University, where she has also served as Director of Communications and Editor of Johns Hopkins Magazine. She previously held positions at The Walters Art Museum and Baltimore Magazine. She will be joining Young Audience’s 50K Kids Committee.

“I’ve seen my own children transformed by the arts – both as creators and spectators,” said Pierre. “Not only do they enjoy it, but participating in the arts teaches them creativity, focus, problem-solving, and empathy. I believe deeply that all kids deserve the opportunity to engage in the arts, and I am very excited to support an organization that shares that belief and makes it happen.”

Julie Medalis, the President of Brain Pot Pie, a marketing research consultancy, will be joining Young Audiences’ 50K Kids Committee and the Financial Sustainability Committee. Julie’s past experience includes time as a professional musician and an advertising and research professional.

“I know the arts have the power to make kids smarter, less stressed, and more self-aware and self-confident,” said Medalis. “YA is doing yeoman’s work. We have enormous potential to become even more known, used, and valued across the state. I’m eager to help.”

Colleen Cashill is the Executive Director of Human Resources at Cecil College. She will join Young Audiences’ 50K Kids Committee. Her previous experience includes leadership positions in human resources at T. Rowe Price.

“I’ve always been passionate about the education of young people but didn’t realize until recently how art could transform the learning potential of students,” said Cashill. When I went on my first Young Audiences informational “On the Bright Side” tour, one of the artists demonstrated how she could teach math through art. I was amazed and hooked.

About Young Audiences/Arts for Learning Maryland

Young Audiences is the nation’s largest arts-in-education provider and started in Baltimore in 1950. As a Young Audiences affiliate, Young Audiences/Arts for Learning (YA) is a nonprofit organization devoted to enriching the lives and education of Maryland’s youth through educational and culturally diverse arts programs for more than 65 years. Each year, YA reaches more than 180,000 students through over 5,000 arts learning experiences by partnering professional artists from all disciplines with schools throughout Maryland for hands-on arts learning experiences. We envision a Maryland where the arts are valued for their capacity to transform lives, and where every student is immersed in opportunities to imagine, to create, and to realize their full potential through the arts. For more information, contact YA at 410-837-7577 or visit yamd.org.