Administrative Leadership
SMARTS staff members are unique as they all are working artists, teachers, and students. SMARTS' leadership is small but mighty.
Becky Keck
SMARTS President
Becky Keck brings over 25 years of experience in arts education and is an original founder of SMARTS in 1997. With the support of our community she has been able to successfully transition SMARTS as a stand-alone 501 c3 community art school. She knows that students who learn in the arts become well-rounded grown-ups that enjoy life to its fullest. When asked about how SMARTS has been able to succeed, she is quick to give the credit to her staff, the SMARTS Circle, and those who have donated their time, talents and treasures to SMARTS. “You are only as good as the people you surround yourself with” is her statement that drives SMARTS future.
Kate Easterday
Assistant Director
Kate Easterday is the Assistant Director of SMARTS. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Intervention from Youngstown State University, and continued her education, earning a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Arizona State University. Kate has experience as a program coordinator for a local nonprofit after-school program, and has worked with children in the Mahoning Valley for the last 7 years. She grew up surrounded by art, and enjoys sewing, painting and baking. She also played piano for over 10 years, as well as took violin lessons and sang in choir. Kate is happy to be a part of a team that brings quality arts education to the children of the Mahoning Valley.
Barb Saylor
Bookkeeper
Barbara Saylor is the Bookkeeper at SMARTS. She received her B.S. in Education for K-8 with an Earth Science minor from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. She has worked as a bookkeeper for telecommunication organizations, banks, and non-profits. As an artist, she enjoys baking, sewing, knitting, and cross-stitching.
Taylor Parker
Education Director
Taylor Parker, originally from Akron, Ohio, earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance from Kent State University, where she was a member of the Kent Dance Ensemble. She has danced internationally in Canada and Thailand and participated in The International Association of Blacks in Dance in Philadelphia.
Taylor later developed a middle school dance program in Lorain City Schools and has continued to teach and choreograph for youth across Northeast Ohio. Currently pursuing her MBA at Jacksonville University, she serves as the Education Director at SMARTS, where she leads the design and coordination of arts education programs in schools and community settings. In this role, she oversees curriculum development, teacher support, and community partnerships, ensuring all SMARTS programming reflects creativity, inclusion, and educational excellence.
DeAudra Edgerson
Program Director
DeAudra is a visual artist from Warren, Ohio. She enjoys artistic expression in many forms. She enjoys; sewing, designing and home decor. Her original passions were in sketching and painting. Her work was previously on display at the McDonough Museum of Art and Trumbull Art Gallery. She holds a MBA, and a BS in Fashion Merchandising from Youngstown State University. She is currently the Public Program Director at SMARTS and oversees afterschool programming.
Sophia Menelle
Program Manager
Sophia Menelle is a results-driven professional with extensive experience in dance, leadership, and performance. Art has always been an integral part of her life. She is incredibly passionate about arts education and inclusivity and providing equitable resources to support and grow the next generation of future artists. Menelle is a dancer, choreographer, instructor, and mentor to upcoming generations of artists and dancers. Menelle holds a Masters of Business Administration in Arts and Entertainment Management and is excited to bridge both degrees together in this new position. Sophia is deeply passionate about supporting the next generation of artists, and is committed to guiding them as they discover their voices and prepare to make their mark on the world.
Leah Franke
Intern
Leah Franke is a visual artist working toward a degree in Interdisciplinary Studio Art with a minor in Psychology at Youngstown State University. While she explores various forms of art, her favorite fine art mediums include painting, screen printing, jewelry-making, and pottery. Growing up, her grandparents owned a small art gallery in Truchas, New Mexico. Surrounded by a supportive and creative environment, she was able to develop her artistic skills at a young age, inspiring her to become the artist she is today.
Leah has a strong interest in art education, philanthropy, and communication. She believes that all forms of art are essential for fostering critical, abstract, and creative thinking—and are imperative for shaping a well-rounded individual. Outside of SMARTS, Leah serves as Vice President of YSU’s Student Art Association and works as a Painting Studio Assistant under head art professor Dragana Crnjak. After earning her BFA, she hopes to pursue a career as an art therapist and educator.
CONTACT US
SMARTS at Ohio One
25 East Boardman Street, First Floor
Youngstown, OH 44503
330-574-2787 (ARTS)
info@smartsartschool.org