MEET THE ACE TEAM

  • EMILY VIELMA

    ACE Program Manager / Skyrocket Education

    Emily is an artist, musician, educator and arts program developer. She has a Master’s in Education, a credential in Art, and has taught high school visual arts and private music lessons for over 10 years. She has designed, developed and launched the Art & Creative Engagement (ACE) program with Skyrocket Education. She also has a Master’s in Ethics & International Affairs, and incorporates themes of social justice and community development into her work with students & the programs she creates. She has created & implemented numerous workshops, classes, experiences, retreats and trips for students and adults, in topics such as art, music, design, photography, fashion, mindfulness, social engagement and more. She believes that the arts have the power to change people, and through people, the world.

  • MIA FLEMING

    ACE Project Coordinator / Skyrocket Education

    Mia is dedicated to creating arts experiences that inspire students and foster connection. With a degree in Dance from California State University, Long Beach, and a background in nonprofit advocacy, she approaches her work with creativity and purpose. At Skyrocket Education, Mia contributes to the Arts and Creative Engagement team by supporting programs like the American Music Journey and hands-on workshops, helping students explore and expand their creative potential. She values working on projects that unite people and leave a lasting impact. Driven by her belief in the transformative power of the arts, Mia is committed to helping others express themselves and grow through creative opportunities.

  • ALISSA KHALILI

    Director of Student Programs / Skyrocket Education

    Alissa has worked in education for almost 15 years, as a teacher, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, Principal and now as the Director of Student Programs at Skyrocket. In addition to overseeing the ACE program, she also oversees Skyrocket’s Career Technical Education and Workforce Education programs. She loves working alongside of schools and community partners to provide resources and systems to support schools and their students. She believes that every student needs people to advocate for them, no matter the path they choose or the goals they are pursuing.

  • HEATHER CLARK

    Chief Student Experience Officer / Skyrocket Education

    As the Chief Student Experience Officer, Heather oversees all Skyrocket Student Programs. Her role in Skyrocket is to continually grow, manage and develop each program to ensure that they are of the highest quality for our students and schools. Coming from the school side, Heather understands the importance of hands-on learning for students and takes pride in creating these experiences for both students and staff. In her spare time, Heather enjoys reading, traveling, being outdoors and trying new things! Heather loves being a part of the Student Programs Team and finds it extremely rewarding to be able to provide these life changing opportunities to students.

ACE TEACHERS & FACILITATORS

  • Portrait of a smiling person with long dark hair wearing a black top and necklace, white background.

    DIANE "BIRDY" HARRISON

    ACE Visual Arts Instructor

  • Woman with long hair in desert landscape at sunset

    SERENE BLUMENTHAL

    ACE Visual Arts Instructor

  • Black and white photo of a person with long braided hair seated in a vehicle.

    INDIA ANDREWS

    ACE Trip Facilitator & Wellness Instructor

  • Man wearing glasses and a sweater, looking off to the side.

    CALEB MILCETICH

    ACE Trip Facilitator

  • Musician playing drums on stage

    SHAWN BALTAZOR

    ACE Trip Music Facilitator & Music Instructor

  • Person smiling with glasses and curly hair

    MELODY WILSON

    ACE Trip Facilitator

ACE PARTNERS

    • Andres Cortes / Visual Artist & Activist

    • Ashley Hankla / Graphic Artist

    • Hely Gonzalez / Visual Artist

    • Melinda Moen / Visual Artist

    • Sofi Vargas / Graphic Designer

    • Aaron Lee Tasjan / Professional Musician & Songwriter / Nashville, TN

    • Antony Jeffares / Musician, Singer & Songwriter / Brooklyn, NY

    • Arya Gaston / Singer, Songwriter & Producer / Brooklyn, NY

    • Bailey George / Professional Musician / Bristol, TN

    • Carlos Mendoza / Professional Musician & Recording Engineer / Brooklyn, New York

    • Cequita Monique / Professional Singer / Memphis, TN

    • Chris Fletcher / Professional Musician / New Orleans, LA

    • David Collins / Professional Musician / Memphis, TN

    • Deak Harp / Professional Musician / Clarksdale, MS

    • Diana Wallace / Professional Drum Circle Facilitator / Thousand Oaks, CA

    • Dustin Lovelis / Professional Musician, Composer & Recording Engineer / Soft Jaw & The Fling

    • Guelel Demba / Professional Musician / Afrissippi / Clarksdale, MS

    • Hector Ortiz / Professional Musician / Cello Azul / Long Beach, CA

    • Jessica Dobson / Professional Musician / Deep Sea Diver / Seattle, WA

    • Jimmy “Duck” Holmes / Professional Musician & Last of the Bentonia Bluesmen / Bentonia, MS

    • John Holmes / Professional Musician / Clarksdale, MS

    • Jordan Busa / Professional Violinist / Long Beach, CA

    • Julia Kugel / Professional Musician / Soft Palms, Julia Julia & The Coathangers / Long Beach, CA

    • Kelvin Anderson / Music Producer & CEO of VIP Records / Long Beach, CA

    • Kelvin Harrison / Professional Musician / Wild Belle / Los Angeles, CA

    • Lethal ”Funky Drummer” / Multi Platinum Recording Producer & Songwriter / Worked with Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg & more / Long Beach, CA

    • Marv Stavchansky / DJ / Brooklyn, NY

    • Natalie Closner / Professional Musician / The Band Joseph / Los Angeles, CA

    • Nina Vicious / DJ / Brooklyn, NY

    • Pedro Amaro / Musician / Los Angeles, CA

    • Rachel Watson-Jih / Dancer & Choreographer / Brooklyn, NY

    • Ramiro Zapata / Musician & Electronic Engineer / Cybercrush & Moisture Boys / Los Angeles, CA

    • Raul Munoz / DJ / Brooklyn, NY

    • RayZA / Rapper, Songwriter & Producer / Queens, NY

    • Ruthie Collins / Professional Musician & Songwriter / Nashville, TN

    • Sam Outlaw / Professional Musician / Nashville, TN

    • Scott Montoya / Professional Musician & Recording Engineer / Soft Palms & The Growlers / Long Beach, CA

    • Shawn Baltazor / Professional Drummer & Recording Engineer / Long Beach, CA

    • SIRMA / Singer & Songwriter / Brooklyn, NY

    • Steven Carmona / Filmmaker & Producer / Brooklyn, NY

    • Ted Hefko / Professional Musician / New Orleans, LA

    • Tiffany Wilson / Professional Singer / Brooklyn, New York

    • Ty Fleming / Professional Musician / Corona, CA

    • Tyler Sjostrum / Professional Musician / Lynchburg, VA

    • Vivian Love / Professional Singer / Corona, CA

    • Zaire Black / Professional Musical Artist / Long Beach, CA

    • Brian Fernandez / Adventure Photographer

    • Martin Franco Vielma / Documentary Photographer & Filmmaker

    • Michelle Mosqueda / Event Photographer

    • Rebecca Walker / Wedding & Family Photographer

    • Robiee Ziegler / Commercial Photographer

    • Beba Greer / Fashion Sustainability Officer for Reformation

    • Cecile Fayen / Interior Designer & FIDM Representative

    • Desiree Buchanan / Fashion Designer & Founder of Poplinen

    • Dushyant Asthana / Fashion Designer & Founder of Dushyant

    • Katy Hall / Fashion & Textile Designer & Founder of Salted Ocean Dyes

    • Isaac Kinsey / Fashion Designer @ SUAY LA

    • Samantha Santana / Home & Textile Designer & Founder of Samantha Santana Studio

    • Scott Lee / Industrial Designer

    • Shobha Philips / Fashion Designer & Founder of Proclaim

    • Trent Williams / Shoe Designer & Founder of Pochi Goods

    • Barak Bomani / Spoken Word Artist / Compton, CA

    • Caroline Cotter / Professional Actor / Los Angeles, CA

    • Kama Lightfoot / Dancer & Educator

    • Lauren Conlin Adams / Professional Actor / Los Angeles, CA

    • Raja Michelle / Dancer & Activist

    • Abe Daniels / Native Drum Circle Facilitator / Joshua Tree, CA

    • Diana Wallace / Drum Circle Practitioner / Los Angeles, CA

    • Jamie Bechtold / Sound Bath Practitioner / Los Angeles, CA

    • Lisa Gianini / Wellness Practitioner / Los Angeles, CA

    • India Andrews / Yoga, Meditation & Wellness Instructor / Periphery Wellness Group / Los Angeles, CA

    • Zaire Black / Breath Work & Sound Bath Practitioner / Long Beach, CA