Making a Difference through the Arts

Through the arts, people can be seen, heard, and understood. 

Jessica is dedicated to improving communities through her work on the Board of Directors for NATS Boston, and as a member of the performing arts community. In her role as Community Relations Director for NATS Boston, she is actively working with community partners to create new pathways to careers in the classical vocal arts.  At the University of Massachusetts Boston, Jessica includes socially progressive programming in her course instruction, including the advancement of repertoire from “non-traditional” sources, including folk, cultural, and music from the African diaspora in addition to the “classical” body of works.

Jessica’s personal goals for affirming identities through the arts in all her various positions can be defined as: 

• To build community by bringing awareness to difficult issues of social identity and belonging, using musical, theatrical, and literary contexts;

• To expose students to the performing arts and their expressive power;

• To prepare students to be challenged and inspired in creative spaces of social inclusion and courageous sharing.