Current Harford County Cultural Arts Advisory Board Members
Chuck Bowden, Chair, is the head of the drama program at Bel Air High School and is also the Director of the Bel Air Drama Company. A graduate of West Virginia University with a BFA in Theatre and the College of Notre Dame on Maryland with a Masters in Education, Chuck has been working with the theatre program at Bel Air for over 25 years. Chuck also serves as the Technical Director and Scenic Designer at the school. As a musician, he has participated in the pit bands for the musicals since 1994. For the past nine years, he has organized the North East Theatre Festival, a regional gathering of drama students, colleges and professionals from the Baltimore area. Chuck is an adjunct faculty member of the Theatre Department at Harford Community College and has worked as a Technical Director and Designer for several community theatres around the region.
Angie Sokolov, Vice Chair has been singing, acting, and dancing in Harford County since before she could write her name. She is a graduate of William S. James Elementary, Bel Air Middle School, and Bel Air High School. Her love for the Arts led her to Elon University in North Carolina, where she received her B.F.A. in Music Theatre. She moved to New York City and was a professional actress for a number of years. She has been on National Tours, performed Off-Broadway, and been a member of the Actor's Equity Association. She went back to school to receive a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education, got married, had 2 little girls, and moved back home, to Bel Air, MD. She now shares her love of performing, visual, and literary arts, with her students at Fallston Community Pre-k, and Garrison Forest School, where she teaches art based preschool. When not teaching, Angie still loves being on stage and can be seen around the county performing whenever possible!
Pete McCallum, Secretary
Pete McCallum is the current president of the Deer Creek Chorale. He and his wife, Carol, reside in Street, MD. Pete retired in June, 2011 from the Cecil County Public Schools after a 41-year career in public education the last 17 of which were as an Executive Director of Instruction. He serves on the Session at Highland Presbyterian Church, volunteers in the conservatory at Longwood Gardens, coordinates the McDaniel College graduate programs in Cecil County, gardens, travels, exercises, and studies guitar. Pete has 5 young grandchildren and loves being an important part of their lives. As a retiree, one of his primary goals is to make a positive impact on the community in which he lives.
Pete McCallum is the current president of the Deer Creek Chorale. He and his wife, Carol, reside in Street, MD. Pete retired in June, 2011 from the Cecil County Public Schools after a 41-year career in public education the last 17 of which were as an Executive Director of Instruction. He serves on the Session at Highland Presbyterian Church, volunteers in the conservatory at Longwood Gardens, coordinates the McDaniel College graduate programs in Cecil County, gardens, travels, exercises, and studies guitar. Pete has 5 young grandchildren and loves being an important part of their lives. As a retiree, one of his primary goals is to make a positive impact on the community in which he lives.
Marcia Bailey
Pam Burton I am a retiree from the Army Research Laboratory where I worked as an Engineering Psychologist studying combat stress and performance. Being employed full-time for 39 years, raising a family, and completing a doctorate degree left little time (or money) to pursue my interest in Art. It wasn’t until about 10 years ago I signed up for a non-credit painting class taught by Rita Cooper and instantly became obsessed with creating art. For the past five years I have been studying under local artist Lee Alban. I am currently serving in my 4th term (8th year) as President of the Harford Artists’ Association (HAA). While the HAA has grown significantly during the past 8 years, the two things I find most gratifying is the opening of the HAA Gallery and the HAA scholarship for second-year Harford Community College art students. I believe the Arts are essential to the vitality of a community. The Arts bring people together as they cut across educational, racial, cultural, and social differences. In my personal life outside of the Arts, I am heavily involved in the Lions Club, currently serving on the Lions Low Vision Foundation, Club Program Chair, and LEO advisor. I am also Lay Leader and Financial Secretary of Darlington United Methodist Church. When the load seems too heavy, a painting session is more therapeutic than a psychological session (but unfortunately, probably just as expensive!).
Kelley Dilworth A longtime advocate of the arts, Kelley has over 30 years of business management, community service, event planning and fundraising experience under her belt. In addition to raising three children, building her own home on 6 wooded acres in Jarrettsville, and managing a construction-based business with her husband for over 30 years, Kelley has also been a constant presence in both the local and regional arts community. Kelley is currently enjoying her ‘location independence’ as a freelance social media marketing consultant, working mostly with artists, small businesses and nonprofits. Kelley’s Nonprofit Arts Management education, training, and experience has found her working alongside numerous arts and community organizations, including the Baltimore Museum of Art, The Creative Alliance, The BOOM Theatre Company, Center for the Arts, her local PTSA, and alma mater the Institute of Notre Dame in Baltimore, in the areas of Development/Fundraising, Grant Writing/Reviewing/Developing, Marketing, Executive Board Management, Outreach, Event Planning, Program Planning, Volunteer Management, as well as Website and Social Media Management. Kelley grew up amongst the marble steps and form-stone facades of East Baltimore. She moved to Harford County in 1988 as a newlywed. She is a self-proclaimed travel addict, having been to 25+ countries and half the US states...so far! In her spare time you might find Kelley shopping at local farm, flea, or arts market, enjoying an outdoor film or festival, hiking, biking, kayaking, practicing yoga, snow skiing in winter, or hanging out with friends and family around her backyard fire-pit with a glass of red wine in one hand and a s'more in the other.
Emily Fagden
Karen Heppen majored in classical civilization at Boston University and took additional courses in accounting. As the Director of Finance and Operations of the Center for Food Action, which operates seven food pantries in northern New Jersey, she especially enjoyed working on appeals and being the staff support for fundraising events. When she and her husband decided they wanted to move closer to their children and their families, they were delighted to find Harford County and Havre de Grace. They have found much pleasure in new friends and in this beautiful area. Karen is a weaver and is the newsletter editor of the Warped Weavers Guild, a local group of talented fiber artists. She is also involved with the creation of temari (Japanese thread balls) and, as one of the Temari Twins, exhibits their work and teaches this folk art to others. She has volunteered at the Center for the Arts and has served on the board of the League of Women Voters of Maryland and of Harford County. Karen has served on the Harford County Cultural Arts Board for six years and feels that it is a privilege and a pleasure to have a part in supporting and encouraging the arts in Harford County.
Renee Johnson resides in Bel Air, Maryland, with her son, currently a senior at St. Mary’s College and a daughter, who is a senior at C. Milton Wright H.S. A graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law, Renee currently serves as Regional Vice-President at a major insurance carrier, providing management and oversight over litigated matters in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest areas of the country. Renee’s musical background began as a child at the age of six, singing gospel music with her sisters. In her early teens and adulthood, she was one of the founding members of the gospel group, Sisters in Harmony, singing at churches and events in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan area. She has two musical projects to her credit with Sisters in Harmony and also as a solo artist. In 2012, she served as the Chairperson of the sold out concert, ‘An Afternoon of Musical Praise’ in partnership with Aberdeen Proving Ground, featuring 5-time Grammy award winning gospel artist, Yolanda Adams. Renee is an active member of Ames United Methodist Church. She devotes much of her spare time in support of her daughter’s development as a classical pianist, attending her many competitions and recitals.
Christina McLoughlin has nurtured a lifelong passion for the arts, beginning in childhood and extending throughout her studies, travels, and decades of volunteer service and advocacy. She holds a master’s degree in art history and museum studies, and has dedicated her career to supporting the arts and cultural sector through philanthropy. A seasoned development professional, she is currently Grants Director at Port Discovery Children’s Museum in Baltimore. She is also a grants consultant for both Maryland Symphony Orchestra and McAllister & Quinn, which leads clients across the nation in winning funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and other federal agencies. Throughout her fundraising career, she has driven critical support for museums, arts and cultural organizations, and arts and humanities initiatives at institutes of higher learning. She has also worked in museum collections management, as an arts writer for various publications, and as an adjunct instructor of art history at universities. While her greatest loves are visual art, music, and folk art/traditions, she believes that all art forms make valuable contributions to society and the human experience. Having lived in New York, Nevada, California, and Virginia, she is pleased to have made Darlington, Maryland, her permanent home and to have chosen a resident County that invests in its citizens by supporting the arts.
Heidi Neff Chuffo
Jared Noe (Director / Director of Photography / Production Manager): A graduate of North Harford High School and Towson University, dove quickly into the production and post production sides of music, film and video production both domestically and abroad. Though he has worn many hats the ones that stand out the most are Director of Photography, producing, and directing multiple film and television series. In addition Jared is the owner of Suited Four Productions (production services firm), which is now based in Joppa, MD.
Other Activities and accomplishments include multiple awards for film and television programs, Member of the Aberdeen Parks and Rec Council, Eagle Scout from Troop 811 (Pylesville), IASTE 487 Union Member and active member of the arts community throughout the County.
Other Activities and accomplishments include multiple awards for film and television programs, Member of the Aberdeen Parks and Rec Council, Eagle Scout from Troop 811 (Pylesville), IASTE 487 Union Member and active member of the arts community throughout the County.
Wendy Roberts A Harford County resident for 32 years and graduate of The Maryland Institute, College of Art, Wendy’s professional background includes marketing, graphic design, account and project management. Wendy has worked with non-profit annual campaigns and membership initiatives with associations, community services, health care and higher education. Currently Wendy is an Account Manager with Incite Creative. When not working, Wendy volunteers as the Director of Communications for The Textile Society of America, Social Media Admin and Exhibition Chair for the Mid-Atlantic Fiber Arts Association, Ambassador for the Baltimore Museum of Art and serves on the Board of Directors for the Weavers Guild of Greater Baltimore. Her art interests include art history, contemporary art, cultural history and the creation of textiles / fiber art. Her textile art practice includes weaving, tapestry and natural dyeing.
Laura Ward-Moran is the owner of Harford Premier Pilates, LLC and the director of the John Carroll School College Preparatory Dance Program. A dancer, choreographer, Pilates Instructor, and educator, she earned her BA in Dance Education with Secondary Maryland State Certification from Goucher College in 1999. At Goucher, she received superb training from Elizabeth Ahearn, Chrystelle Bond, Laura Dolid, Ken Skrzesz, Andrea Woods, and Amanda Thom Woodson. While a student at Goucher, she was the recipient of several scholarships and awards including: The Friends of Goucher Dance, The Amy Goldstein Dance Scholarship, The Bond Dance Award, The Summer Studies in Dance Scholarship; her choreography earned her a Phi Beta Kappa award her senior year. She’s performed with Howard County Ballet, Choregraphie Antique, and Nancy Wanich-Romita and the Moving Company. With 20+ years teaching experience, she has taught for The St. Paul's School for Girls, The Saint Paul’s Lower School, The Carver after school program, The Goucher Summer Arts Institute, Harford Dance Theatre, Harford Day, and The Sudbrook Magnet School Summer Program. Her involvement with dance education goes beyond the classroom, as she was invited as a consultant to write the dance portion of an integrated arts curriculum for the Harford County Public Schools in 1998, she implemented a dance program for Parkville High School in 1999, and in 2016 she implemented the College Preparatory Dance Program at the John Carroll School. Mrs. Ward-Moran received her certification as an Authentic Pilates Instructor in NY, NY in 2001, and is a level V+ certified authentic Pilates instructor through Romana’s Pilates, NY, NY. For six years she had the pleasure of teaching Pilates in the Dance Department at Goucher College, and she became the Assistant Director of the Pilates Center, prior to opening her own Pilates studio in Harford County in 2005. In addition, she also spent a valuable summer in Dallas, Texas at Southern Methodist University where she obtained her Fundamentals Certificate in the Language of Dance (Motif), as developed by Ann Hutchinson Guest, and she enjoyed studying closely with LOD instructor, Tina Curran. Her work in Harford County has been extensive. In July 2001, she opened The Maryland School of Ballet and Modern Dance, Inc. where for 15 years she successfully built and grew a dance program for children and adults producing 29 original ballets and modern dance concerts through her school and company, The Maryland Dance Project. In 2016 she successfully executed the sale of her school. Now, as a guest instructor, she continues to teach dance and Pilates, as well as choreograph throughout the region. Mrs. Ward-Moran has contributed to her community as a panelist, guest speaker, volunteer and columnist with regard to dance, education, and business. Most recently, she was appointed to serve as a board member for the Harford County Cultural Arts Advisory Board. She was interviewed by Lisa Okuhn, for an article in Dance Studio Life Magazine about the importance of Mission Statements. She has participated as faculty in the Maryland State Dance Festival and has served as guest instructor for Open Marley Night at EMC, and as an adjudicator for the Susquehanna Youth Ballet. In the fall 2018, she has been invited by Amanda Thom Woodson to speak in the Goucher College dance department as part of their senior capstone project about the experiences and career paths she has had as a dancer and educator. She is a member of the NDEO, the Maryland Dance Council, and the sponsor for the JCS NHSDA Chapter. This summer Mrs. Ward-Moran will be pursuing her certification in Progressing Ballet Technique; a fitness program to help dancers achieve their technical goals.
Erin Whipple
Harford County Cultural Arts Advisory Board is currently accepting applications from Harford residents with a passion for the arts.
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