Staff and Board

STAFF

Monique Courcy, Executive Director (she/her)
monique@teentix.org

Monique first became involved with TeenTix when she served as a program assistant for the Contemporary Performance Cool Kids Club where she was inspired by the depth of access, space for inquisition, and close community that the program nurtured with its teen participants. In October 2016, Monique joined TeenTix as its second Executive Director and has since led the organization through years of youth-driven programmatic growth including the re-launch of the Press Corps, as well as successful expansion efforts of the Pass Program into Pierce County, Washington and Los Angeles, California.

Prior to joining TeenTix, Monique spent six years working at TeenTix Arts Partner organization, On the Boards, where she managed Digital Media and OntheBoards.tv, a pioneering project that makes high-definition recordings of contemporary performances accessible to an international audience through streaming and downloads. In this role, Monique expanded the program’s national reach, producing films and developing a video-on-demand platform that now reaches thousands of students at over 100 universities across the globe.

Monique came to Seattle in 2005 from Central Washington, earning a BA in Dance from the University of Washington, followed by MFA in Arts Leadership at Seattle University. She currently serves on the Advisory Board of Seattle Arts & Culture for Anti-Racism, Seattle Music Commission's Youth + Community Committee, and is on the Board of Directors for the Uptown Arts & Culture Coalition. Monique grew up on Yakama lands.

Mariko Smithashima, Teen Programs Director (she/her)
mariko@teentix.org

Mariko joined the TeenTix team in February 2018 and is thrilled to be part of a program that provides such incredible arts opportunities for teens. Mariko’s role at TeenTix combines many of her passions into one bright sparkly amazing job: working with teens, promoting arts experiences, and critical arts journalism. Mariko is also a dancer, teacher, writer, and general enthusiast of all things dance related. She moved to Seattle in 2010, after earning a BFA in Ballet from the University of Utah, and immersed herself in the Seattle dance world. She has performed with numerous local companies including Coriolis Dance and AJnC Dance-Theater. She teaches ballet to children, teens, and adults at several Seattle studios. Mariko was the Editor of SeattleDances, a website focusing on critical dance coverage, from 2010 to 2016, and founded PAPR: Performing Arts PR, which helps local, independent artists promote their work. Mariko grew up on Spokane, Schitsu’umsh (Coeur d’Alene), and Kalispel lands.

Austin Sargent, Deputy Director (he/him)
austin@teentix.org

Austin is new to the TeenTix team but is excited to be joining such a passionate and dedicated organization! Coming originally from Columbus, Georgia, Austin is an Arts Administrator, Arts Advocate, and Teaching Artist who has built a career working with and for young people in the Arts.

Austin is a proud Seattle University Alumni, having earned his Master’s of Fine Arts in Arts Leadership and Certificate in Fundraising Leadership. As an Arts Leader, Austin has worked with the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA), Three Dollar Bill Cinema, Crux Consulting, Third Way Creative, and most recently as the Program Manager of Speak With Purpose. Before moving to Washington, Austin worked primarily with the Springer Opera House and Springer Theater Academy, as well as being an independent producer and director for the Muddy Water Theatre Project. Austin is committed to the vibrancy and diversity of Seattle’s Arts Ecosystem and spends lots of his free time at Art Galleries, Concerts, Theater Performances, Dance Showcases, and the like. Austin grew up on the Mvskoke and Hitchiti lands.

Gavin Bradler, Communications Specialist (they/them)
gavin@teentix.org

Gavin is overjoyed at the opportunity to serve other Teens and promote radical art by young people, for young people as the Communications Specialist! As a participant and board member for 14/48: H.S, they found out about TeenTix and immediately fell in love with the $5 pass program. Inspired by the access that TeenTix has given them, Gavin hopes that their work will extend this access for young people in all Seattle communities. Gavin is an artist, currently pursuing a BFA in Acting at DePaul University. Gavin is dedicated to using their knowledge and strengths as an artist and art-maker to contribute to the cause of justice and equity. Outside of work and school, Gavin loves to thrift, parent their plants, and play DnD. Gavin grew up on Duwamish lands.

Huma Ali, Programs Coordinator (Newsroom) (she/her)
news_programcoord@teentix.org

Huma Ali is a current student at the University of Washington studying Comparative History of Ideas (CHID). In high school, she was a part of TeenTix programs; involved as a TED, Newsroom writer, and Podcaster. She looks forward to working with the Newsroom this year, as Programs Coordinator, watching as teens build bridges with the local arts!

Rhiannon Rasaretnam, Programs Coordinator (TAP) (she/her)
tap_programcoord@teentix.org

Rhiannon is a recent graduate from the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington. Over the last four years, she worked as an intern with the UW Dream Project, supporting high schoolers in their post-secondary planning. Rhiannon is excited to continue working with teens by supporting the development of the Teen Arts Podcast (TAP) program. Rhiannon grew up on Duwamish lands.

Vida Behar, Digital Marketing Coordinator (she/her)
marketingcoord@teentix.org

Vida Behar is a recent graduate of Wesleyan University, where she earned her Bachelors of Arts as a double major in Studio Art and Philosophy. An alumni of the TeenTix Press Corp program, she is excited to be returning to the team as TeenTix’s current Digital Marketing Coordinator Intern. Vida is thrilled to be continuing her work with the organization that has had such a powerful influence on her life as a young person and on the youth of Seattle. Outside of work, she enjoys reading comic books, working on her own graphic novel, going to concerts, and hiking. Vida grew up on Duwamish lands.

Erin Cotton, Interim Teen Programs Manager (she/her)
erin@teentix.org

Erin is excited to be a part of TeenTix! She has been an arts educator and administrator working in art museums over the past 6 years. Erin is an arts educator, youth mentor, visual artist, and museum enthusiast! As a proud University of Washington alumna with a Master of Art in Museology, she is passionate about building youth-led programs and increasing access to arts experiences for teens. In her spare time, she loves to try new restaurants and go thrifting. During the summertime, Erin is often camping and hiking with her two dogs, Willow and River. Erin grew up on škwáxčənəxʷ (Moses-Columbia), Colville, and Nez Perez lands.

Stephanie Tsukiko Nomura-Henley, Bookkeeper (she/her)
bookkeeper@teentix.org

Stephanie Tsukiko Nomura-Henley (she/her) is a Mixed Race activist, mother and bachan (grandmother). She is passionate about the arts and intergenerational community organizing, having served as a Board leader with the Japanese American Citizens League for the past 7 years. She works as a bookkeeper for nonprofits and small businesses and loves to help them thrive. Stephanie enjoys walking in the woods with her dogs, traveling to new and familiar places and tap dancing! She is delighted to be a part of TeenTix! Stephanie grew up on Tongva (Gabrieleno), Ɂívil̃uwenetem Meytémak (Cahuilla) and Duwamish Lands. She currently resides on Suquamish Lands.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ariel Glassman, President
Founder, Common Great

Thomas Van Doren, Vice President
Director of Systems Engineering, 98point6 Inc.

Cyrus Despres, Treasurer
Director of Planning & Business Intelligence at KEXP

Erica Hudson Gomez, Secretary
Software Development Manager, Google

Holly Arsenault
Admissions & Outreach Adviser in Integrated Social Sciences, University of Washington

Karen Bystrom
Director of Marketing, Seattle University College of Arts and Sciences, Seattle University

Andre Gougisha
Paralegal, Folio Law Group PLLC

Katy Hannigan
Program Manager, Inclusive Leadership Strategy, Greatheart Consulting

Victoria North
Learning Specialist

Jeffery Osborn
Owner, work/ethic

Robert A. Pearlman, MD, MPH
Professor Emeritus, UW Department of Medicine

Jon Staenberg
Venture Capitalist, Vintner Capitalist, El Jefe