Company you work for and your position title
Mississippi Presenters Network – Program Coordinator
Educational background
Miami University (of Ohio) Class of 2019. Bachelors of Science in Chemistry and Minors in Dance and Arts Management
What inspired you to take your career path?
After college I worked in both the chemical field as well as the medical software engineer field. When we moved to Mississippi I wanted to explore a career path that I was more emotionally connected to: one that included the arts. The arts have always been a passion of mine, specifically dance and theatre. I had previously viewed my career as separate from what I at the time considered a hobby in the arts. Through my work at the Mississippi Presenters Network I have been able to assist arts presenters increase their capacity and professional development skills, therefore increasing and preserving the artistic opportunities and culture that exist across the state. I have expanded my nonprofit work to include a variety of community organizations including Theatre Oxford and Special Olympics. I also choreograph musicals in the Oxford community as well as teach dance at Oxford Academy of Dance Arts to continue my love for dance and theatre.
What is the favorite part of your work day?
My favorite part of the work day is hearing back from granting organizations that a presenter we have assisted has been awarded a grant to increase their capacity. I also have the best coworkers and enjoy assisting members of the Oxford community with their unique needs throughout the day.
Volunteer/community/civic engagement
Outside of the Mississippi Presenters Network, I am also involved with the Area 4 Special Olympics as Sponsorship and Public Relations Coordinator. This season, Oxford will host Area 4 bowling, basketball, and track and field games. I am also the Production Manager for Theatre Oxford’s production season. TO puts on 4 main stage productions per year. I also cheorgraph the Oxford Middle School Musical. As a former 8th grade math teacher at OMS, I enjoy continuing to work with the students. I also teach ballet, tap, and musical theatre at Oxford Academy of Dance Arts to both children and adults. I also have participated in the last two Community Productions at the Ford Center: The Music Man and Oklahoma.
Anything else you would like people to know about you?
After college I moved to Saint Thomas in the USVI for two years where I met my husband Barry White. We moved to Oxford from Saint Thomas during the pandemic. We were blessed with our first baby boy, Reed, this July.
