Oklahoma Arts Institute Staff

 

Julie Cohen, President & CEO
jcohen@oaiquartz.org
405.605.7500, ext. 0
Julie Cohen is the first alumnus of the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute to serve as OAI’s president. Originally from Tulsa, she attended OSAI as a photography student, where she studied with French photographer Bernard Plossu. After receiving an undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado, she worked as a staff member for U.S. Senator David Boren, then earned a juris doctorate from the Tulane School of Law. Prior to coming to OAI, Cohen worked as a federal court law clerk, as an attorney for a Wall Street law firm, and as the director of landscaping at the University of Oklahoma. Cohen has served on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations. She has been the president of OAI since 2007.

Emily Claudé, Vice President & Director of Programs
eclaude@oaiquartz.org
405.605.7500, ext. 306
A native of Norman, Emily holds a degree from the University of Oklahoma, where she was initiated into Pe-Et, an honor given to the university’s top ten seniors. After graduation, she moved to Boston and worked at Brigham & Women’s Hospital. Emily served as president of the board for the Center for Children & Families in Norman upon return to Oklahoma, and currently serves on the advisory committee for the Oklahoma State Fair’s Visual Arts Scholarship Event. Her family’s ties to Norman include a longstanding involvement in the local arts community, which has given Emily a deep appreciation for the arts. Her personal artistic experience has been well-rounded, pursuing interests in dance, photography, and acting. But Emily found her true calling when she began working at the Oklahoma Arts Institute in 2005. She has been creating educational opportunities for others for over nine years and continually strives to feel half as interesting as the talented artists she meets every year.

Stephanie Currey, Director of Program Operations
scurrey@oaiquartz.org
405.605.7500, ext. 307
Stephanie Currey has a long history with the Oklahoma Arts Institute. She attended OSAI as a dance student for five years and eventually returned as a counselor. Since 2003, Currey has been a full-time staff member. Currey was accepted to the Joffrey School of Ballet in New York City and studied under such names as Winthrop Corey and John Mangus. She was a member of the Modern Repertory Dance Theatre Company at the University of Oklahoma and also performed with the Oklahoma Festival Ballet. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma, Currey traveled to Brooklyn, New York to pursue graduate work. In addition to working with OAI, Currey is the assistant artistic director for the Central Oklahoma Ballet Company. Her choreography has been featured in productions of Coppelia, Swan Lake, and Giselle, as well as the restaging of Romeo and Juliet.

Shana Gibelyou, Director of Development
sgibelyou@oaiquartz.org
405.605.7500, ext. 303
A native of Ponca City, Shana Gibelyou holds a bachelor’s degree in dance management from Oklahoma City University, where she graduated magna cum laude and received the “Outstanding Graduating Senior in Dance Management” award. As a dancer, Shana is an experienced performer, teacher, choreographer, and adjudicator. She has performed at the Jazz Dance World Congress in Wiesbaden, Germany and has performed and taught ballroom, Latin, swing, and country dance at the largest ballroom studio in Oklahoma City. Shana has choreographed solo and group dances for recitals, show choirs, and competitions. As an adjudicator, Shana has judged regional dance competitions for American Kids, as well as dance auditions at local studios. She has also worked extensively as a stage manager. Shana is the co-founder of a non-profit organization that provides food, clothing, and medical care to over 100 orphans in Sierra Leone, West Africa. She has visited the orphanage nine times over the past four years. Shana got married last November and enjoys spending time with her husband, Justin, and their dog, Rapunzel. Shana attended the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain for three years as a modern dancer in high school. This year marks Shana’s 10th anniversary as a staff member of the Oklahoma Arts Institute.

Anne Peters, Director of Public Relations
apeters@oaiquartz.org
405.605.7500, ext. 304
Anne Peters joined the Oklahoma Arts Institute staff in 2013 and is thrilled to be experiencing her first OSAI this year. She earned a bachelor’s degree in fine art from the University of Oklahoma in 2010, with an emphasis in printmaking and ceramics. Anne was born and raised in Enid. While she used to be eager to move away from Oklahoma (and very briefly managed to do so) she has become gradually, astonishingly attached to this state. She lives in Oklahoma City with her husband, Adam, and Clementine, the cat, where she makes the world’s best lemon meringue pie on a regular basis.

Jennifer Fletcher, Director of Outreach and Music Coordinator
jfletcher@oaiquartz.org
405.605.7500, ext. 308
Jennifer Fletcher graduated from Moore High School in 2002 and from Oklahoma City University in 2007. She was selected as “Outstanding Student in Music Education” for the class of 2007 at OCU. After graduation, she was hired as the co-director of bands for Purcell Public Schools. In 2012, Fletcher was voted Purcell Junior High Teacher of the Year and selected as the Purcell Public Schools District Teacher of the Year. Jennifer started working with the Oklahoma Arts Institute part-time in 2013 as the Music Coordinator. Beginning in May 2014, Jennifer joined OAI full-time as the Director of Outreach in addition to Music Coordinator. Outside of the arts, Jennifer is an avid runner. She has finished thirteen half marathons and six full marathons. Jennifer has two dachshunds, Leia and Padme.

Carson Misner, Development Specialist
cmisner@oaiquartz.org
405.605.7500, ext. 305
A lifelong resident of Oklahoma, Carson’s involvement with the arts has been long-lasting and diverse. By first grade, he was already an award-winning artist and sand art master. While attending Sapulpa High School, Carson was a percussionist for the honor band and a member of the drumline. Carson went on to graduate summa cum laude with honors from Oklahoma Baptist University, and performed in a number of stage productions while at OBU, ranging from opera to sketch comedy. For two years, he was head script writer for Campus Activities Board, where he helped produce up to four shows per year. Carson also studied private voice under the direction of Dr. Louima Lilite. Currently, he enjoys singing on the Civic Center stage with the Canterbury Choral Society and on the karaoke stage with his boisterous friends.

Dalton Funkhouser, Office Manager & Executive Assistant
dfunkhouser@oaiquartz.org
405.605.7500, ext. 301
Dalton Funkhouser grew up in Hobart, right outside of Quartz Mountain. He graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University, where he studied religion and philosophy. After graduating from college, he moved to Boston for a social justice fellowship. While there, he took swing dancing classes and immersed himself in the local music culture, eventually working with a local music website. In his free time, Dalton enjoys attending concerts, artist talks, and exhibition openings. At the age of seven, Dalton drew a cat and colored it with crayons, giving it a calico coat. That cat remains his most important work.