Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Board Member Bios
Video of President David Gershenson
David Gershenson
PCM Board Member President
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David has been President of Phoenix Conservatory of Music since July 2011; prior to that role he served as Vice President, and has been a director since 2009. He is passionate about music and the mission of PCM, which stem from his own love for all things music and his desire to see access to music education by all people. David is also a musician and has played percussion/drums and piano since his youth.
Professionally, David is a CPA and senior manager at BDO USA, LLP, a global accounting firm. He has over 8 years of experience providing services for both private and publicly-held companies in the real estate, specialty finance, manufacturing, technology, insurance, service, and distribution industries. David graduated from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelors of Science in Accounting.
Professionally, David is a CPA and senior manager at BDO USA, LLP, a global accounting firm. He has over 8 years of experience providing services for both private and publicly-held companies in the real estate, specialty finance, manufacturing, technology, insurance, service, and distribution industries. David graduated from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelors of Science in Accounting.
Bill Manson
PCM Board Member Vice President
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Bill has been involved with the Phoenix Conservatory of Music organization since August 2011 and currently serves as the board vice president. He is a proven leader in nonprofit management, board development, events management, marketing and business development with over 25 years of combined experience. Bill’s personal passion about music runs deep as he has been a musician since he was 8 years of age and was awarded performing arts scholarship to attend Grand Canyon College where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in music education.
In addition to his education, Bill has played drums and percussion as a professional artist in the genres of Jazz, Classical, Contemporary & Classic Rock, Top 40 dance and R & B since the late 70’s with various artists both locally and nationwide. Bill’s commitment to education and the arts is driven by his desire that all individuals who desire to learn and play music should have the opportunity. Drawing from his personal experience he believes it teaches youth character, discipline, an avenue of personal expression and how to work together. “The values lost by the ever challenging budget cuts and diminishing of the arts programs in schools is a travesty and we can not allow this to take place in our society as we will loose a key part of our culture should this happen.”
Professionally, Bill is a non-profit executive and works in the social services arena of the behavioral health industry, assisting people living with disabilities. . He has extensive experience providing services to both the private and public sectors in non-profit management, fundraising, marketing, management, strategic planning, staffing and training. His Track record of taking organizations to the next level through innovative strategies and implementation is an asset that PCM can utilize as we grow the organization to serve the community.
In addition to his education, Bill has played drums and percussion as a professional artist in the genres of Jazz, Classical, Contemporary & Classic Rock, Top 40 dance and R & B since the late 70’s with various artists both locally and nationwide. Bill’s commitment to education and the arts is driven by his desire that all individuals who desire to learn and play music should have the opportunity. Drawing from his personal experience he believes it teaches youth character, discipline, an avenue of personal expression and how to work together. “The values lost by the ever challenging budget cuts and diminishing of the arts programs in schools is a travesty and we can not allow this to take place in our society as we will loose a key part of our culture should this happen.”
Professionally, Bill is a non-profit executive and works in the social services arena of the behavioral health industry, assisting people living with disabilities. . He has extensive experience providing services to both the private and public sectors in non-profit management, fundraising, marketing, management, strategic planning, staffing and training. His Track record of taking organizations to the next level through innovative strategies and implementation is an asset that PCM can utilize as we grow the organization to serve the community.
Shehara Smallwood
PCM Board Member
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Shehara Smallwood is a native of Columbus, OH and a graduate of The Ohio State University earning a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. After working over 10 years with Eaton Electrical in manufacturing and sales engineering roles, she decided to pursue her passion in financial services. In 2004, she changed careers and began working at ING Annuities as an internal wholesaler, thus partnering with financial advisors in building their businesses. By 2009, she decided to pursue a career with Edward Jones as a financial advisor to help the long term serious investor.
As a financial advisor with Edward Jones, Shehara is an active member of her community. She enjoys educating investors through educational seminars for non-profit organizations, professional organizations, and she has done radio appearances discussing the rules of the road to investing. Shehara has been an instructor to promote financial literacy with the youth through Junior Achievement. She's a member of Faith Christian Center. She is also serving on the Board of the Phoenix Conservatory of Music. In addition, she is a member of the Black Board of Director's Project, American Business Women's Association and the Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce. She has earned the AZ's Finest award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Humanitarian Award from the Dale Carnegie Leadership Training Program. Shehara Smallwood immensely enjoys acting, dancing, music, hiking, and reading.
PDF Biography
As a financial advisor with Edward Jones, Shehara is an active member of her community. She enjoys educating investors through educational seminars for non-profit organizations, professional organizations, and she has done radio appearances discussing the rules of the road to investing. Shehara has been an instructor to promote financial literacy with the youth through Junior Achievement. She's a member of Faith Christian Center. She is also serving on the Board of the Phoenix Conservatory of Music. In addition, she is a member of the Black Board of Director's Project, American Business Women's Association and the Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce. She has earned the AZ's Finest award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Humanitarian Award from the Dale Carnegie Leadership Training Program. Shehara Smallwood immensely enjoys acting, dancing, music, hiking, and reading.
PDF Biography
Cynde Cerf
PCM Board Member
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Cynde Cerf has a career that revolves around serving her community in her capacity as a public relations practitioner. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Public Relations, a minor in Political Science, from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. With experience in public relations and journalism, she started her nonprofit focus at St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance in 2000, which led to eight years at the organization and extensive experience doing community relations, crisis communications, media relations, and corporate partnerships at the organization. As Director of Community Relations at the food bank, she brought new branding recognition to the organization with an integrated marketing approach.
While at the food bank, she was recognized as the highest ranking woman in the organization and she earned her Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Arizona State University. In 2008, she joined Planned Parenthood Arizona as Director of Communications and Marketing and loves being part of the PPAZ family. Outside of the Board of Directors for Phoenix Conservatory of Music, she also volunteers for various nonprofits across the Valley, including Free Arts of Arizona, The New Foundation, and Phoenix Rescue Mission. Committed to her profession, she has also served on the Board and committees for Public Relations Society of America, Phoenix Chapter. She was recognized for her professional and community work in The Phoenix Business Journal’s class of 2010 Forty Under 40. She loves to travel with her husband and experience new cultures. Writing and photography are her hobbies.
Cynde became engaged as a Board member at Phoenix Conservatory of Music in order to share the joy and sense of well-being music can bring into one’s life. Singing from the age of six, learning to play instruments and becoming a live-music junkie, she has experienced first-hand the powerful role music can play in a person’s life.
While at the food bank, she was recognized as the highest ranking woman in the organization and she earned her Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Arizona State University. In 2008, she joined Planned Parenthood Arizona as Director of Communications and Marketing and loves being part of the PPAZ family. Outside of the Board of Directors for Phoenix Conservatory of Music, she also volunteers for various nonprofits across the Valley, including Free Arts of Arizona, The New Foundation, and Phoenix Rescue Mission. Committed to her profession, she has also served on the Board and committees for Public Relations Society of America, Phoenix Chapter. She was recognized for her professional and community work in The Phoenix Business Journal’s class of 2010 Forty Under 40. She loves to travel with her husband and experience new cultures. Writing and photography are her hobbies.
Cynde became engaged as a Board member at Phoenix Conservatory of Music in order to share the joy and sense of well-being music can bring into one’s life. Singing from the age of six, learning to play instruments and becoming a live-music junkie, she has experienced first-hand the powerful role music can play in a person’s life.
Nai Wang
PCM Board Member
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Nai Wang has been serving on the board of directors since 2006 spending three of those years as president. He has a passion for education and technology and loves connecting those two worlds. Nai was drawn to PCM’s unique mission to provide music education opportunities to everyone in the valley. Having not had those opportunities while he was a child, he wishes that it won’t happen to anyone else.
Nai has his own business in education. KP Education Systems develops technology solutions for learning online. Starting in culinary arts, he created the world’s first completely comprehensive digital curriculum in 1999. Since then he has pioneered new methods of learning through online and mobile platforms to promote student achievement and mastery of knowledge. His mission is to make learning accessible through the cloud on mobile devices and fun by incorporating game theory into the platform.
At PCM, he takes his expertise in technology, computers and filmogrophy and applies it to PCM’s mission to reach as many kids and adults in Phoenix. He loves snowboarding and playing video games in his spare time.
Nai has his own business in education. KP Education Systems develops technology solutions for learning online. Starting in culinary arts, he created the world’s first completely comprehensive digital curriculum in 1999. Since then he has pioneered new methods of learning through online and mobile platforms to promote student achievement and mastery of knowledge. His mission is to make learning accessible through the cloud on mobile devices and fun by incorporating game theory into the platform.
At PCM, he takes his expertise in technology, computers and filmogrophy and applies it to PCM’s mission to reach as many kids and adults in Phoenix. He loves snowboarding and playing video games in his spare time.
Ed Fischer
PCM Board Member
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Ed joined the Phoenix Conservatory of Music as a Board member in October 2010. Ed had the opportunity to take classical and modern guitar lessons privately while in grade school and junior high, and competed nationally through a music school. Ed attended a semester course at the University of San Diego by master classical guitarists, Pepe and Angel Romero, and has an ongoing passion for music, especially guitar. Ed is also a PCM parent; his daughter has attended 3 years of violin instruction at PCM and his son has attended 1 year of percussion. He has seen firsthand the power of music instruction to build confidence, enhance skills, and improve cognitive focus.
Ed has a strong belief in the enormous potential of communities to transform themselves through the recognition and engagement of their collective assets. Music is both an intimate and a social art form, and can have a very positive impact on our collective communities. Ed has found it to be enormously fulfilling to know that students participating in PCM programs transform themselves, their families, and their communities by learning a new way of expressing themselves and celebrating humanity through music.
Ed is a Principal at Mercer Health & Benefits LLC, overseeing account relationships with, primarily, State Medicaid agencies. He is very active in his parish and his neighborhood, and almost always has music on hand.
Ed has a strong belief in the enormous potential of communities to transform themselves through the recognition and engagement of their collective assets. Music is both an intimate and a social art form, and can have a very positive impact on our collective communities. Ed has found it to be enormously fulfilling to know that students participating in PCM programs transform themselves, their families, and their communities by learning a new way of expressing themselves and celebrating humanity through music.
Ed is a Principal at Mercer Health & Benefits LLC, overseeing account relationships with, primarily, State Medicaid agencies. He is very active in his parish and his neighborhood, and almost always has music on hand.
Ms. Nathalie Potvin
Potvin Financial Advisor
Wells Fargo
Ms. Megan K. Evans
People of Color Program
Collaboration Coordinator
Ms. Jewel West
Retired Air Force
Ms. Lateasa Dent
Capital Group Companies
Bravo For Broadway!
CLICK HERE: To sign up for Bravo for Broadway through our secure PCM website shopping cart.
CLICK HERE: For the Bravo for Broadway PDF.
CLICK HERE for Summer 2013 PDF!
OPEN DANCE AZ & PCM PRESENTS!
Bravo For Broadway!
June 10th-14th, 2013
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
$120.00 for the week.
Bring your own lunch or purchase for $35.00 for the week.
Minimum enrollment of 7 students per group.
After camp care available from 4:00 to 6:00 pm @ $12/HR.
Three Groups working on dance and music from well loved musicals!
Ages 6-10: From shows like Annie, Pinnochio and Oliver!
Ages 15-18: From shows like Phantom, Les Miserables and American Idiot!
Students will have stretch, tone, condition, jazz dance, choreography, piano, voice, music theory and ensemble.
Call 602.353.9900 to register or email: info@pcmrocks.org
Held at Phoenix Conservatory of Music
and at the Sano Fitness Studio.
Project Directors: Michele Ceballos and Regina Nixon.
PCM eMail Sign Up.
PCM Email Sign Up — We do NOT resell email addresses.
PCM on Channel 12!
PCM in the Social Media
9617 North Metro Parkway Suite 2000
Phoenix, Arizona 85051 | 602.353.9900
info@pcmrocks.org
Inside Metrocenter Mall, 2nd Floor, South West side of the mall.
Park by Harkins Theater on the west side of the mall, enter in through the mall entrance at the food court.
Proceed forward to the main corridor, turn right. We are the last suite on the right hand side.
Monday through Friday
1:00 PM — 8:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM — 6:00 PM
Sundays
Closed
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