DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS
Rosalind: she/hers
Rosalind Fleury brings 10 years of experience in Operations work for nonprofits, and more than 20 years in associated roles in nonprofits and small businesses. She has earned a Certificate in Facilities and Operations from UC Berkeley and brings her teamwork philosophies and passion for live music to her new role at Whippoorwill.
TEAM CO-DIRECTOR and Program Director of Music aLIVE & Festival
Gabriel: he/his
“It all started at the age of seven when I received a guitar for Chanukkah. I couldn’t put that guitar down, learning all the blues and classic rock songs I knew, and I fell head-over-heels in love with music.” After studying Music Industry at USC, Gabriel brings years of industry experience and passion for live music to Whippoorwill Arts. He is an active performing musician and supporter of human connection and community building. To reach Gabriel, please email musicalive@whippoorwillarts.org.
TEAM CO-DIRECTOR and Program Director of Advocacy & Fellows
Tiara Amar is a Bengali organizer, writer, and filmmaker born & raised in the Bay Area. At Whippoorwill Arts, their work focuses on protecting the livelihoods of local Bay Area musicians. Tiara also works as a Mixed Media Studio Facilitator at NIAD Art Center in Richmond for adult artists with disabilities. Their creative work draws from Bay area earthscapes and archives, with reverence for worldbuilders of the past and the blueprints they left us.
WHIPPOORWILL FELLOW, FELLOWSHIP CONSULTING
Kamara Thomas is a singer, songspeller, mythology fanatic and multidisciplinary storyteller based in Durham, NC. Her storytelling is collaborative and multi-faceted– weaving together musical and theater performance, community art-making, ritual, and visual elements including film, masks, archival material and photography.
CO-FOUNDER · BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Hilary: she/hers
Jim and I created Whippoorwill Arts to integrate our activism and music, our life together, and passionate commitment to our artistic community. It’s getting harder for musicians to make a living. We are seeking novel ways to nurture financial support, love, and respect for roots musicians and the lifelong commitment they bring to their craft.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kin: They/them/Their/Kin
Is the co-founder of The East Bay’s very 1st LGBTQIA+ Healing Arts Center, Digital Archive + Gallery, Kin and their collaborative of Oakland, California based QTBIPOC + Ally interdisciplinary artists and health practitioners - offer the global community creative opportunities for holistic wellness through culturally competent, accessible workshops, interdisciplinary art programs, innovative community-building events, and human rights advocacy.
CO-FOUNDER · BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jim Nunally is a San Francisco Bay Area native. He has been performing music since 1975. Son of Dust Bowl migrants, he was taught by his Arkansas born father, who was taught by his sharecrop farming grandfather, Jim carries on the truly authentic folk music tradition.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jackie: she/hers
I’m Jackie Marushka, a creative entrepreneur with nearly 30 years’ experience in story development, public relations, brand building, and growing successful businesses. I serve as a board member for The Recording Academy, The Americana Music Association (and its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee), and TLACC (Tennessee Latin American Chamber of Commerce). I mentor women and college students in TLACC-affiliated organizations Ella and Futuro, and in May 2021, I was nominated by Nashville’s Mayor, John Cooper, for appointment to the city’s Auditorium Commission.
Meet our Team of Music aLIVE Community Bookers!
(From left to right) Aireene Espiritu, Ellen Angelico, Ariel Marin, Deborah Crooks (second row) Hanna Doreen Brown, DeWayne Oakley, Elise Engelberg, Destinie Lynn, and Matt Arons, Carlitos Medrano. David Gomez.
We are grateful to the experts who help us achieve our mission:
Special thanks for providing us a space to meet in in person every week: