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.
Abbie Twyford Wilson
Assistant Director
Abbie is a double graduate of Youngstown State University, with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Education – Student Affairs Leadership and Practice. She has a strong background in events management and brings eleven years of experience in higher education, with a focus in college student leadership development. This will support her work with our college-aged student assistants in their own professional development and future youth arts workforce development programming.
In her new leadership role as Assistant Director, Abbie supports programming and organizational development with the program managers and by working with community partners. She helps coordinate the planning and execution of fundraising events as well as tracking, preparing, and writing grants while serving as the front-line person in absence of the SMARTS President, Becky Keck.
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.
Alaina Cornfield
Education Director
Alaina has a Bachelor of Music in Education from Youngstown State University Dana School of Music, and a Professional P-12 Teaching License with 12+ years of music teaching experience. She enjoys all things music, with saxophone as her primary instrument, she also plays piano and enjoys singing. Alaina has directed and performed in local theater. She shares SMARTS’ passion for arts education and brings us a wealth of knowledge and expertise as we continue the development of new programs.
DeAudra Edgerson
Program Manager
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 Manager at SMARTS and oversees afterschool programming.
Sarah Rhodes
Program Manager
Sarah Rhodes grew up in Youngstown with a family of artists, musicians, writers and educators. She is classically trained in ballet, modern, jazz, ballroom, and Ukrainian dance. She has a wide range of musical theater experience both on and off-stage as a performer and choreographer, having collaborated with musicians, filmmakers, poets, & musical theater professionals. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Theater and Dance from YSU, is a 200 hour Registered Yoga Teacher, and has a Pilates Reformer Certification from Balanced Body. She has over two decades of teaching dance, including 8 years at SMARTS, Pilates, and Yoga. Her field of work has led to jobs with artistic hubs, professional theaters, art galleries, studios, schools, nonprofit organizations, and doctors' offices. She has lived in Minneapolis, NYC, Cleveland, California, Pittsburgh, and recently in Manchester, England with her husband and children. Sarah is happy to be a Community Program Manager encouraging the arts for youth in partner schools like her alma mater and working with Any Given Child.
Liberty Long
Program Manager
Liberty Long, an artist and educator from Navarre, Ohio, holds a Bachelor's degree in Visual Art and a Master's in Education from Mount Vernon Nazarene University. With a strong background in visual arts, educational resources, and arts integration, she has engaged in a variety of creative pursuits. Before joining SMARTS, Liberty taught a range of subjects to students of all ages. She is passionate about fostering creativity and artistic expression in all people, believing that the arts play an essential role in life. Liberty is thrilled to become part of the SMARTS family, and looks forward to both utilizing and expanding her professional skills in this exciting new role.
Becky Keck, SMARTS President.
SMARTS Circle Members: Diane Palmer, President; Jonathon Fauvie, Vice President; John A. McNally, IV, Secretary; Chris Gabrick, Treasurer; Misty Hazy, Secretary; Paul Garchar, Denise Holt, Bergen Giordani, John Orsini, Megan Jones, Stacia Erdos, Nick Chretien
CONTACT US
SMARTS at Ohio One
25 East Boardman Street, First Floor
Youngstown, OH 44503
330-574-2787 (ARTS)
info@smartsartschool.org