President
Elise Brancheau is a professional vocalist with an eclectic career spanning opera, art song, choral music, musical theatre, and film scores. In 2013 she cofounded a boutique opera company that produced seventeen operatic and art song pieces by living composers in three years. Since then, she has been dedicated to working with composers and supporting the creation of new art, as well as supporting other nonprofits in a wide variety of roles. She has over nine years’ experience in development, event planning, communications, and project management with both arts and advocacy organizations. After first getting involved with coLAB Arts for the 2016 A Watershed Moment immersive project, she joined the organization as a Collaborator and later, in 2018, as a board member. Apart from her work with coLAB Arts, Elise regularly volunteers as a patient escort at a local abortion clinic and as a confidential sexual violence advocate. She graduated summa cum laude with her bachelor of music degree from Westminster Choir College and her master of music degree from Mannes College of Music.
Read MoreVice President
Nicole Brownstein spent 43 years working for IBM prior to her retirement. Upon retiring, Nicole began her transition and assumed leadership of the TrueSelves Support Group at The Pride Center of New Jersey. This eventually led to her becoming President of The Pride Center of New Jersey. At this time, Nicole met John Keller and together they began working on a project of oral histories revolving around the transgender community. Nicole continued working with John and over the years collaborated on a total of 3 shows which highlighted the challenges and struggles of the transgender community. After becoming a member of coLAB Arts Fund Raising Committee, Nicole was elected to their Board of Directors which led to her being chosen as coLAB Arts Vice president.
Read MoreBoard Member
Inclusive education has guided my career/volunteer choices for decades. coLAB Arts provides an inspiring opportunity to combine prior experiences in research, instruction, project design, and administration into cultural, community respecting planning. Partnerships across disciplines and learning strategies are viable ways to value transformative education. It is a meld of programming which is insightful and worthwhile. It is collaboration which deserves replication.
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