Who we are. What we do.
Our goal at the AME Institute is to strengthen the pipeline from public education to the creative industries, ensuring that all students, and particularly those furthest from opportunity, get access to the high-wage creative industry jobs of today and tomorrow.
We do this by empowering educators with the tools and training they need to prepare the next generation of our creative workforce through:
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In-person AME Institutes
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CAMEO Virtual Learning Series and Communities of Practice
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Curated programming for districts that help educators strengthen their pathway curriculum and industry outreach
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Communications that connect educators with industry news and opportunities
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Development of valuable resources that support AME educators and students
STAFF
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Ashley Adams | Executive Director
Ashley Adams began working in California arts education over 20 years ago and has spent her professional career supporting high-quality arts instruction for all students. As the Founding Executive Director of the AME Institute non-profit organization, Ashley is committed to supporting AME teachers and administrators through professional learning experiences that are relevant, engaging, meaningful, and transformative. Ashley's career began in the educational departments of the Old Globe Theatre and Pasadena Playhouse, and she later taught high school theatre in the San Dieguito Union High School District in San Diego. She was a founding staff member at Canyon Crest Academy and its first Envision Director. Ashley's consulting work has encompassed strategic planning and curriculum support for various schools and districts throughout California including Rancho Santa Fe, Vista Unified, and Oakland School for the Arts. Ashley holds a BA in English and Theatre from Middlebury College and an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Denver’s Morgridge College of Education. She and her husband Ryan have twins, a dog, and a fluctuating number of chickens.
Jessie Vacchiano | Event & Communications Coordinator
Jessie Vacchiano is a theatrical stage manager with a passion for education. Jessie graduated from Mason Gross School of the Arts with a degree in Theatrical Production with a focus in Stage Management in 2009. In 2010 Jessie joined Actors Equity as a Union Theatrical Stage Manager and has freelanced the country as a theatrical stage manager working on theatrical productions from Off-Broadway to large regional theaters to small intimate black box workshops. In 2020 Jessie began lecturing with University of California Los Angeles in their Department of Film and Television. In the summer of 2022 Jessie developed UCLA Summer Institutes first Stage Management Institute for high school and college students interested in pursuing careers in stage management. Jessie is very excited to join the AME team as the Event and Communications Coordinator after working on the June 2022 Shock of the Now Event.
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Merlynne Godwin | Programming Associate
Merlynne Godwin graduated from Cal State Long Beach in 2023 with a BA in COmmunication Studies and Mediation Certificate. She started as an AME intern in January 2022 and transitioned into her position as a Programming Associate later that year.
BOARD MEMBERS & OFFICERS
Shari Holly | Pipelines
Shari began her work in the diversity, equity, & inclusion space at PromaxBDA. She implemented several development and training programs to prepare emerging talent to transition into the entertainment marketing industry and the early stages of their creative careers. Other programs and events led include: Creative Coach program, HR Roundtable, Student Portfolio Night, Executive Mentorship Program, panels and workshops with TV network partners, and various programs through strong academic and industry partnerships nationwide. She was the Program Administrator for the first-ever Commercial Directors Diversity Program (CDDP); created and endorsed by both the Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP) and the Directors Guild of America (DGA). There, she made an immersive program that provides more access and opportunity to underrepresented directors in commercial production. Currently, she runs operations for Pipelines, a mobile app and web platform that connects underrepresented talent directly to jobs and training opportunities, and companies to a vast pool of historically-excluded talent. Pipelines also offer mentorship and scholarship opportunities, educational workshops, and events through the Pipelines Foundation. She is a Detroit native, board member of ArtworxLA and the BRIC Foundation and on the advisory councils for the CSU Entertainment Alliance and the CA Department of Education Arts, Media, and Entertainment sector.
Simone Price | Dolby
Simone Price is a Manager on the Social Impact and Sustainability Team at Dolby Laboratories. As an influential program designer with a focus on Dolby’s partnerships in K-12 STEAM Education, Simone creates programs and experiences that pair the next generation of innovators with Dolby talent, technology, and industry resources to help them explore careers and develop skills at the intersection of technology and entertainment.
Jack Mitchell | AME Consulting
Jack Mitchell is the former Arts, Media, and Entertainment industry sector lead at the California Department of Education. With over 35 years of experience in both the classroom and creative industry, Jack recently founded AME Consulting, LLC, to strengthen or build strong, industry-connected AME programs and pathways.
Gayle Nicholls-Ali | La Cañada High School
2018 La Cañada USD’s Teacher of the Year, Gayle Nicholls-Ali is a CTE AME teacher, fine arts photographer, and Girls Who Code advocate. Gayle has been teaching at La Cañada H.S. for 15 years and is also an adjunct professor at Pacific Oaks College. On California Educators Together, she is currently serving as this year’s CTE AME Ambassador.
Danielle Collins | Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts
Danielle Collins is the Popular Music Chair at the Academy for the Performing Arts at Huntington Beach High School. She currently serves on the Board of Directors as the President of Pulse Percussion, Inc. Danielle is the Audio Production Lead for the CA State Department of Education CTE Arts, Media, and Entertainment Sector. She has served as the Innovations Chair for the California Music Educators Association and on the board of the California Band Directors Association for six years. She has a Master’s Degree in Music Education from CSU Long Beach, and a CTE Credential in Arts, Media, and Entertainment. She has taught in the music education departments at CSULB and CSU Los Angeles, and she worked as a contract consultant for the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Her non-profit organization, Pulse, is a force to be reckoned with in the competitive percussion community, as four-time world champions and in the top 5 of their class for the last 12 years. The experience has given Danielle opportunities to work with countless high schools, non-profits, and music industry partners. Danielle has written classes that integrate student compositions with student-designed and directed multimedia productions and she has helped develop Career Technical Education Programs in other schools. Danielle has presented nationally many times on subjects including blending work with traditional and commercial groups, personalized learning, and developing popular music ensembles, and was named as one of Yamaha’s 40 Under 40 nationally in 2022. Danielle is a friend of VicFirth, Zildjian, Remo Drumheads, Yamaha, and Soundtrap.
COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE LEADS
Danielle Collins | Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts | Music Co-Lead
Danielle Collins is the Popular Music Chair at the Academy for the Performing Arts at Huntington Beach High School. She currently serves on the Board of Directors as the President of Pulse Percussion, Inc. Danielle is the Audio Production Lead for the CA State Department of Education CTE Arts, Media, and Entertainment Sector. She has served as the Innovations Chair for the California Music Educators Association and on the board of the California Band Directors Association for six years. She has a Master’s Degree in Music Education from CSU Long Beach, and a CTE Credential in Arts, Media, and Entertainment. She has taught in the music education departments at CSULB and CSU Los Angeles, and she worked as a contract consultant for the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Her non-profit organization, Pulse, is a force to be reckoned with in the competitive percussion community, as four-time world champions and in the top 5 of their class for the last 12 years. The experience has given Danielle opportunities to work with countless high schools, non-profits, and music industry partners. Danielle has written classes that integrate student compositions with student-designed and directed multimedia productions and she has helped develop Career Technical Education Programs in other schools. Danielle has presented nationally many times on subjects including blending work with traditional and commercial groups, personalized learning, and developing popular music ensembles, and was named as one of Yamaha’s 40 Under 40 nationally in 2022. Danielle is a friend of VicFirth, Zildjian, Remo Drumheads, Yamaha, and Soundtrap.
Sue-Cherie Glisson | Apple Valley Unified School District |
Dance/Theater, Event Production Co-Lead
Cherie has been teaching theater for over 25 years. She is the coordinator of her schools AME Academy, and enjoys producing three shows a year with the Granite Hills High School and 2-4 shows a year with her community theater production company. Creative Arts Theater (CAT).
Holly Gable | Culver City High School | AME Co-Lead
Former Producer (8 years) and wardrobe stylist (2 years) of tv commercials, music videos, and an independent feature. Currently maintains a portrait photography business in addition to teaching film at both Culver City Middle School and Culver City High School.
Jack Mitchell | AME Consulting LLC | Administration Co-Lead
Jack is the former CDE Arts, Media, and Entertainment Consultant, a Credentialing Instructor at Cal State East Bay, and the principle Consultant for AME Consulting LLC. After a ten year career as a stage and television actor, he taught Theatre for 22 years in the Los Angeles Unified School District. While at CDE Jack was a member of the National Core Arts Standards writing team 2011-2013 and was the Theatre lead for the 2018 revision of the California Arts Standards.
Johanna Mauro | Arcata High School | Design Co-Lead
Johanna Mauro is the director of the Arcata Arts Institute @ Arcata High and has been an art and photography teacher for over 25 years. In 2020 she was recognized as the Humboldt County teacher of the year. She received her undergraduate degree from UC Santa Cruz and worked as a graphic designer, production manager, and freelance photographer for years before turning her attention to education. Johanna is the CAMEO Design co-lead.
Gayle Nicholis-Ali | La Canada High School | Design Co-Lead
Gayle Nicholls-Ali is an award-winning fine arts photographer, creative writer, teacher leader, arts educator and advocate. Since 2007, Gayle has taught various CTE AME classes at La Cañada High School, in addition to serving as an adjunct professor at Pacific Oaks College School of Human Development and Education until 2022. Gayle has received a variety of awards, including La Cañada USD Teacher of the Year, LACOE Technology Integration Award, the 11th Annual Crystal Apple Award Honoree, and multiple LACOE Digital Voice Awards, as well as the Scholastic Art & Writing Distinguished Teacher Award. Gayle has served as the CTE AME Ambassador and co-facilitator of the CA-AME-EO Graphic Design/Visual/Commercial Arts Community of Practice. In 2022, Gayle was selected as a PLC teacher leader for the NAEA Arts Educator in the Connected Arts Network, a professional learning community focused on incorporating social-emotional learning as well as equity, diversity and inclusion. Gayle comes from an AME house, her husband of forty years is a professional musician, and her sons credit their CTE high school experiences at LA County HS for the Arts for careers in photography and the music business. She is a proud member of DKG Sorority, Alpha Upsilon Chapter.
Candice Narlock | San Diego Unified School District | Dandce and Administration Co-Lead
Candice Narlock is the Dance Resource Teacher for San Diego Unified School District, dance teacher mentor for the National Dance Organization, arts advocacy chair for Arts Empower, and CDE dance community of practice leader. She holds a Bachelor in Fine Arts degree in Dance from San Diego State University, California teaching credentials in Physical Education and Multiple Subjects with an authorization in Dance, and a Master of Arts in Education degree in Teaching and Learning. Her experience includes 14 years teaching dance in San Diego Unified School District.
Luis Alfredo Rodriguez | Lawndale High School | Music Co-Lead
Luis Rodriguez is the Commercial Music Pathway Director at Lawndale High School in the Centinela Valley Union High School District (CVUHSD). He has a background in Music Performance and Production of over 20 years as a drummer, guitarist, and producer, and eleven years of Career Technical Education (CTE) - Arts, Media, and Entertainment (AME) teaching experience and curriculum development. Before working in the classroom, besides being a musician, Luis worked in IT as a network technician, Microsoft systems engineer, and A/V Consultant. He was the Technical Director for the Centinela Valley Center for the Arts (CVCA) of 4 theatrical productions: "You're a good boy, Charlie Brown," "Lawndale Night Live," "Chicago," and the A/V Supervisor for "CheckTheTechShow" on YouTube. Upon earning his teaching credential, Luis assisted in developing and coordinating the Technical Theater Pathway for three years, the Marching Percussion and Colorguard programs for five years, and directing the Commercial Music Pathway for the past four years. In his spare time, he is the drummer, recording engineer, and producer for his instrumental project Imthedrummist and his band, Frank Jung. As an AME Community of Practice lead for Music, his goal is to continue growing as an educator, collaborating and supporting fellow teachers in developing curriculum, lessons, and opportunities for students interested in the Music Industry.
Jonelle Pickett | Burbank High School | Animation, Game Design, VFX Lead
As a passionate Arts Educator for 20+ years, Jonelle has developed educational programs that merge the traditional arts with digital and tech tools to provide students with foundational skills they can utilize in work and life experiences. Currently an Animation and Sculpture Instructor at Burbank High School, she has created a studio environment that mirrors career opportunities, fosters innovation and design skills, and values the artistic journey. She holds a BA in Arts Education from CSULB, a MA Ed from Concordia University, and CTE credentials in Arts, Media & Entertainment and Information Technology. She was awarded the 2012 BHS Kiwanis Teacher of the Year, 2015 LA County/BUSD Teacher of the Year, and the 2015 Burbank Arts for All Educator Award.
Matthew Waynee | USC Media Arts & Engineering Magnet | Video Production Co-Lead
A produced screenwriter & teacher with 20 years experience, Matthew Waynee works in Los Angeles USD at a Title-1 school, where he built its Film and Animation pathways from the ground up. He has written over $2M in grants and set up partnerships many industry leaders, including DreamWorks and Nickelodeon. He has presented at dozens of conferences and authored the first California and federally approved Animation, Game Design & VFX Apprenticeship Program that will launch in 2023. In 2016, he was selected as the National Magnet Teacher of the Year.
Irene Silbert | Simi Valley
Unified School District | Theatre, Live Events Co-Lead
Irene Silbert is an Emmy Award winning DGA (Directors Guild of America) director, Equity performer (AEA), Music Director and Television Lighting Designer (first female lighting director at ABC-TV Hollywood). Currently, Ms. Silbert is the AME Coordinator and Shakespeare Director at Santa Susana Magnet High School in Simi Valley, California. She will be performing as Feste in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night as a guest artist for ESP Theatre’s 2023 Summer Shakespeare Festival in Frederick, Maryland.