The Board of Directors appointed Katiina as President of The Young Americans College of the Performing Arts in October 2015.  In 2018, under Katiina’s leadership, YACPA completed its first comprehensive review in application for candidacy with ACCJC/WASC. The Commission ultimately made the decision to advance the institution and grant initial accreditation. Katiina’s leadership, planning, and focus ensured the College program development was consistent with good educational practice while simultaneously embracing the culture and values of the long-standing organization.

Katiina’s 20 years’ experience in arts-related business administration and program development has allowed her to carve out a career that combines her passion for the arts with her business acumen.  After meeting The Young Americans during a visit to the U.S. with her Australian dance company, Kat moved to the U.S. to join the organization as its first Australian member. Katiina has served as business manager on international music outreach tours with The Young Americans in addition to serving as the Business and Operations Manager for the company for eight years before becoming the VP Administration and Academics. As the VP Administration and Academics Katiina was charged with planning, developing and implementing the College program.

Outside The Young Americans, Katiina has executive produced the feature films Table at Luigi’s and Sympathy Pains, and served as a board member with the Children’s Advocacy Alliance, a non-profit organization advocating for abused and neglected children.

Travis has always enjoyed the performing arts. In his youth he excelled at musical theatre and instrumental music. He met The Young Americans when he took a National Music Outreach Tour Workshop as a senior in high school. The following fall Travis moved to Southern California to join The Young Americans. By the age of 23, Travis traveled on 12 International Outreach Tours, spent 4 summers performing in dinner theatres in Northern Michigan with The Young Americans, and stage managed the first Outreach Tours to go to Canada, England, Germany, and Ukraine. At the age of 22, Travis became the youngest Associate Director of The Young Americans for the International Outreach Tours. Over the last 12 years with The Young Americans he has toured 16 different countries including Japan, Germany, and the first International Outreach Tour to Russia.

Prior to becoming Dean of Students at YACPA Travis spent four years at Midland University (NE) as an integral part of a core team tasked to rescue and restore Midland’s performing arts program, turning it into one of the fasting-growing programs in the Midwest. 

Mike grew up in a small northern California town, participating in band, choir and theatre since the age of 10. After joining The Young Americans in college, Mike had the opportunity to travel on 11 International Music Outreach Tours as a performer, merchandise manager, and company manager. He was fortunate to travel on the first tours to England, Germany and Ukraine. While assisting with production operations in The Young Americans business offices, Mike graduated cum laude from California State University, Long Beach with his Bachelor’s degree in International Business and also received his Master’s degree in Higher Education from Walden University.

After The Young Americans, Mike moved to the Orange County Performing Arts Center for five years where he managed many of the Center’s education programs including the Family Series, the Center’s field trip opportunities, master classes, scholarship programs, and Summer at the Center. He is proud to have overseen events serving over 15,000 students and families annually. Mike is a founding board member of the Star Center for the Performing Arts and served as treasurer for The Young Americans Foundation.

Mike returned to The Young Americans as the Dean of Administrative Services for their College of the Performing Arts. He is happy to be back with such an extraordinary organization that has given him so many amazing opportunities, including meeting his wife, Dalisa.

As a higher-ed consultant, university administrator, and teacher educator, and through her work developing technology-based learning content, Dr. Stone’s career focuses on developing effective teaching materials and curriculum as well as instructor capacity to engage, energize and launch learners. LeeAnn brings her experience in college administration, faculty development, instructional and curriculum design, educational technology, and student success to her role as Dean of Instruction at YACPA. 

Jessica was born and raised in Southern California. She has had a love of singing since she was a very little girl, and her favorite gift she got growing up was a karaoke machine! She went on to perform in many choirs, musicals and plays throughout her life (and still does when has has time). When she went to college she discovered that counseling and helping others in a profound way was something she loved just as much as performing. Jessica studied Psychology and got her Bachelors Degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University. She went on to get 2 Masters Degrees, one in School Counseling from Chapman University and most recently her Masters in Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage Family therapy from Brandman University.

Jessica has worked in the education and social work fields throughout her career. She has worked as a Case Manager with foster youth, a Teachers Aide, as a School Counselor, and worked as the Director of Admissions for a private High School. She has been working in Higher Education for the last 9 years in various roles in Admissions/Recruitment, Career Services,Outreach, and most recently a Counselor at a local Community College. She is thrilled to be here at the Young Americans as the Recruitment Coordinator helping to bring more talented youth to make a change in the world through music and education. When not at work you will find Jessica volunteering at her church, attending various performances, going to museums, finding creative things to do, and spending time with her husband, 7 year old daughter, and her animals.

Andrew brings a breadth of experience in academic administration, deep appreciation for the performing arts and “student first” attitude to The Young Americans Corona campus. He grew up locally, participating in a range of activities including athletics, theatre and music. From leading ROTC in local parades to performances at the Grove with Empire Theatre and competitive martial arts, Andrew is deeply rooted in the performing arts culture of the Inland Empire. Turning toward service and duty, Andrew committed four years with the United States Navy and went on to complete his Bachelors of Psychology. After completing his degree, he has spent the better part of a decade committing to student achievement and empowerment by assisting with career placement, providing student counseling and championing student ambassadors in a variety of academic settings. Andrew prioritizes student welfare and is committed to ensure that students continue to learn in safe, well-balanced environments. He prioritizes equal access to higher education resources and encourages students to be proactive in their educational achievements. His passion for helping the underserved has translated to continued aid for veterans as he assisted in developing veteran advocacy programs on multiple campuses. For his service work with student veterans, he was awarded Congressional Recognition from Representative Norma J. Torres. Andrew continues to apply his service background, passion for the arts and administrative experience to the admissions sector of The Young Americans Campus. His hobbies include traveling, fitness and continued participation in community service events.

Kisha moved to California from a small town in Louisiana to continue her education and follow her passion and help others. After attaining her degree, she worked in a variety of settings, including mental health clinics and urgent cares, foster family agencies, and shelters using both therapeutic techniques and the arts to bring wholeness to others. The opportunity to work at with The Young Americans has given Kisha the opportunity to continue combining mental wholeness with her love for the creative arts.