Jennifer Brown - President
Jennifer Brown graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology and a minor in Russian. She is a Cytogenetic Technologist, providing patients with chromosome analysis for both cancer and congenital studies. Jennifer's oldest son became involved in YAAL's summer programming starting in 2015, at the age of 5, and her youngest son started taking classes in summer 2019, at the age of 7. Jennifer loves to watch the students at YAAL, including her own two boys, grow and develop skills and confidence through the instruction provided in performing arts. She is honored to help YAAL continue its mission as an inclusive educational academy.
Amanda Stratman - Vice President
Amanda S. graduated from The University of Kansas with a Masters in Social Work. She has worked for Southeast Community College since 2017, and is currently The Director of Student Accommodations. In this role she is dedicated to providing students with equal access to education programs. Amanda's daughter has been involved with YAAL since Fall 2021, and has thrived in this environment. She has watched the growth & lifelong friendships her daughter has gained with this organization even as she has moved into the teen program. This prompted her desire to give back and support YAAL, and it's mission to provide inclusive educational opportunities for students interested in learning about performing arts.
Kelby Hansen - Treasurer
treasurer@yaal.org
Kelby was raised in Lincoln, NE and is an alumnus of Lincoln High school and Nebraska Wesleyan University, where he majored in Mathematics and minored in Theatre Arts. In 2019, he returned to Nebraska after working in Japan. He is currently self-employed, specializing in financial and insurance software and analytics. In January 2020, Kelby joined the YAAL Board as treasurer after both of his children began participating in the programming at YAAL. Kelby saw how much his children loved the Performing Arts and wanted the opportunity to become further involved in the educational mission of YAAL.
Diane Gabelhouse - Secretary
Diane graduated from Doane University with degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education, and later received a Master of Education in Curriculum and Education. Diane is currently a substitute teacher and Pack Leader with her local Cub Scout pack. She found a love for YAAL after both of her children began the educational classes offered here. Diane found that learning about acting was not the only thing that her children took from YAAL, but also the people they met. She was compelled to give back to YAAL after seeing fun, accepting, positive, and encouraging instructional environment that is promoted here. She wanted to be involved to spread YAAL's educational programming to more kids in the community.
Molly Andersen
Molly graduated from Concordia University with a Master of Education in Curriculum and Education. She has been an educator for the last 16 year. Molly's oldest daughter has been involved with YAAL for the past few years, which has sparked a love of musical theatre throughout their household. Due to this experience, Molly was inspired to give back to YAAL and it's educational mission to help bring this opportunity to other students.
Alicia Bacon
Bio coming soon.
Amanda Essink
Bio coming soon.