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Our Team
Danielle
Rakhshanifar
“CSPAA is my personal dream realized of providing all kids with the feeling of community, joy, and freedom that the arts provide.”
Kira
Dixon
“Music education changes lives. I am thrilled to be part of the CSPAA team as we strive to provide all students with the integral components of music, art, and creativity to their education.”
Princess
Franks
“Being a part of CSPAA gives me joy because I believe all kids should have the opportunity to learn something in performing arts.”
Danielle Rakhshanifar
Kira Dixon
Princess Franks
Executive Board Member
President, CEO
Contact Info: danielle@cspaa.org
Executive Board Member
Vice President, VP of Education
Contact Info: kira@cspaa.org
Executive Board Member
Vice President of Fundraising
Contact Info: princess@cspaa.org
Michael
Kuo
“I believe that music education is essential for kids. I became a part of CSPAA to help make music education accessible for all students.”
Michael Kuo
Sophia Gonzalez
Board Member
Music Director
Contact Info: michael@cspaa.org
Founding Member
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Founding Members
Danielle Rakhshanifar, Kira Dixon, Sophia Gonzalez
Outreach Coordinator
Lori Abrahams
Board Member, VP of Marketing, Communications
Iman Seale
Fundraising Events Coordinator
Neerali Shah
Social Media Manager
Liora Naor
Interns:
Marketing and Communications: Nathan Z., Ailyn V.
Music Education: Alyssa K., Emma H.
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More About Our Team
Danielle Rakhshanifar
Executive Board, Member President, CEO
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With her passion for making learning music fun, Danielle Rakhshanifar strives to make sure that music lessons are affordable for all students who wish to learn. Danielle received a Bachelor's degree in Music Education with a concentration in choral conducting and earned a Masters degree in Voice Performance. For her ardor for sharing music with her students in her studies and after, Danielle received the prestigious teaching award, "Emerging Teacher of the Year," which recognized Danielle for her "dedication to constructing an environment where students enjoy exploring and expressing themselves musically and developing their artistic talents." Currently Danielle is the Executive Director and teaches both private and group classes at Class Act Music Academy in Gilroy, CA. Danielle looks forward to working with your students, and growing their musical interests and talents!
Kira Dixon
Executive Board Member, Vice President, VP of Education
Kira Dixon has been the Director of Choirs at Christopher High School and South Valley Middle School in Gilroy, California since 2016 while earning her M.A. in Music from Kansas State University in 2013, and receiving her B.A. in Music Education. Prior to that, she taught music at Silver Creek High School in San Jose, California from 2006-2016. In addition to teaching, Miss Dixon currently serves on the Board of Directors for the South Valley Symphony and the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation while simultaneously being one of the Executive Directors of the Christopher Summer Performing Arts Academy. She has also served on the Bay Section Board of California Music Educators Association as an Area Representative, and served as a District Director for Mu Phi Epsilon, an International Professional Music Fraternity. Kira is an active member of the California Choral Directors Association, and the National Association for Music Educators.
Princess Franks
Executive Board Member, Vice President of Fundraising
Princess Franks comes from a background of 5 years experience in both volunteering for and being a staff member at various nonprofit organizations which spans from grassroots fundraising, to sitting as a board chair, to event planning, to canvassing, to phone banking and more. Princess’ currently holds the position as the Administrative Coordinator at non-profit Rogue Climate and supports fundraising efforts. In addition to Princess’ professional commitments she also currently serves as the Treasurer for Rogue Action Center Board. Princess holds a Bachelor’s degree from Southern Oregon University and while music is an important aspect to Princess’ parenting, she advocates for student music education, encouraging her sons to learn music. Princess’ belief in music being a fundamentally essential component of a well-rounded children’s education led her to volunteering her time as the Fundraising Director at CSPAA.
Michael Kuo
Board Member, Music Director
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Michael Kuo received his bachelors of science in music at Pacific Union College in 2015 and his Masters degree in vocal performance at San Jose State University in 2017, studying under Sandra Bengochea. He has been studying piano since he was 10 and singing since he was 16. He first started teaching music his senior year in college in 2014. Since then he has taught piano and voice at several music schools including Pacific Music Academy and Willow Glen Music School. Michael Kuo also has his own studio where he teaches at students’ homes around the South Bay Area. When he’s not teaching he is often seen playing piano for Choirs and musicals or performing with local opera houses.
Sophia Gonzalez
Founding Member
Sophia Gonzalez, is a B.M. in Vocal Performance at San Diego State University and has been teaching voice privately for three years in the San Diego and South Bay Area. She has taught at St. Martin of Tours Academy, and has also served as a Vocal Director in 2017. Sophia has experience in organizing conferences due to her major role in SDSU conferences. She has been a coordinator for SDSU’s outreach program Nuovi Voce (previously BRAVE) for four years. Sophia is a mezzo-soprano soloist, most recently having sung with the SDSU Berio Ensemble and played Anna I/II in SDSU Opera Theatre’s performance of Kurt Weil’s “Seven Deadly Sins” in Spring 2021.
Liora Naor
Social Media Manager
Liora Naor is a graduate of San Diego State University with a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance. She is currently pursuing a career in opera stage management. While at SDSU, Liora was the Social Media Coordinator for the schools SNATS (Student National Association of Teachers of Singing) chapter and SDSU’s Concert Choir and Chamber Choir. During her time at SDSU, she was Stage Manager for SDSU’s Opera Theatre productions. Liora interned as a stage manager in the summer of 2021 for Opera Neo, a summer opera festival and workshop in San Diego. She currently works with the San Diego Opera Scenic Studio.
CSPAA is a 501- c(3) arts education organization, 509(a)(2). EID 85-3125921.
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