Michele Vavonese
Executive Director
Michele considers it an honor to work with, support and introduce to the broader arts industry the highly underexposed and underrated works of HOPE artists. Made up of many truly gifted individuals, Michele comes into work each day invigorated with the possibilities of giving HOPE artists every opportunity their hard work deserves.
Kita Wright
Executive Assistant
In 2004, Kita began her career in Special Education as a Program Aide with the Garden Grove Unified School District. In this role, she provided hands-on program development to students whom had a wide range of intellectual disabilities.
Erica Melendez
Student Services Coordinator
Erica went to California State University, Dominguez Hills where she obtained her B.A. in Sociology in May 2016. She plans on continuing her education towards a Masters of Social Work.
Jorge Chavira
Student Services Coordinator
Jorge Chavira brings an energetic and enthusiastic passion to helping others at Hope Center for the Arts. This devotion also secured him a B.S. in Human Services from California State University of Fullerton.
Steve Enzweiler
Director of Performing Arts | Director of Hi Hopes | Performing Arts Instructor
Steve’s musical passion was inspired by his dad, a jazzstride pianist who introduced him to the American song book, gave him lessons, and showed him some rudiments on an inherited Spanish-American War drum.
Sandra Carter
Director of Visual Arts | Hope Handcrafted Coordinator
Sandra D. Carter is certified in both Horticultural Therapy and Social-Emotional arts therapies from UCLA and engaged as a therapeutic fiber arts facilitator. She has over 20 years of experience in the field of special education focusing on adults with intellectual disabilities.
Diana Garza
Director of Therapy Services | Director of Choir | Co-Director of Hand Bells | Music Therapist
Diana is a Board-Certified Music Therapist, HOPE Choir Director at Hope Center for the Arts and the Director of Therapy Services. She received her B.A. in Music Therapy from California State University Northridge and is currently…
Steven Noguera
Performing Arts Instructor | Co-Director of Hand Bells
A professional musician since the age of 12, Steven Noguera has performed all across the United States; and composed and recorded over 60 pieces of music. For a significant portion of his life he was a successful entrepreneur and business owner.
Danielle Tsujino
Performing Arts Instructor: Video Production & Acting
Danielle Tsujino has a range of experience and expertise in Theatre and Film. Danielle started acting at the age of 8, performing in a variety of plays until her first film at the age of 18.
Lauren Romphf
Dance Movement Therapist
Lauren Romphf is a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist and dance instructor. Lauren received her BFA in Dance from Wayne State University and her MA in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling from Drexel University.
Fatima Franks
Visual Arts Instructor
Fatima studied at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture Karachi where she obtained her BFA in painting, drawing and printmaking and was later invited to teach as assistant professor in the Foundation program.