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Leading arts infused learning.
Supporting every child.
Transforming educational culture.
National Medal of Arts Awardee
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staff
Martha Diaz, Scheduling Coordinator
Martha Diaz joined the Young Audiences of Houston family in March 2018. As Scheduling Coordinator for the organization, she works closely with schools, community partners, and artists to facilitate the delivery of performances, workshops, and residencies. Before joining Young Audiences, Martha was the Administrative Assistance for the Executive Director of Mission Centers of Houston, a faith-based nonprofit serving Houston’s inner city through a variety of community assistance programs. At Mission Centers, she oversaw their three locations and supported program delivery for the food pantry, clothing closet, and club programming. She particularly enjoyed leading clubs for children and youth. Martha also has a passion for visual arts and regularly leads projects for her church’s pre-school department.
Lilian Flores, Intern
Lilian Flores is an intern for Young Audiences of Houston and was born in Guatemala but raised here in the United States since she was five. She is an artist at heart and loves to learn new techniques and styles. Lilian is the oldest of three children. Her whole life has been dedicated to children with special needs and caring for her brother with Muscular Dystrophy. Lilian has been a camp counselor in two separate camps for children with special needs. At Texas Elks camp she was voted Best Camp Counselor Girl three years in a row by her peers. Lilian is the first to graduate from college in her family and hopes to become a classroom educator in the near future.
Mary Curry Mettenbrink, Executive Director
Mary Curry Mettenbrink has served Young Audiences of Houston as a staff member for the past 15 years in various roles including Education Director, Associate Director and moved into the role of Executive Director in February, 2012. Mary is a native Houstonian, grew up in Alief, and attended San Jacinto Community College and the University of Houston and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and recently completed a certification in Applied Business Analytics with MIT Sloan School of Management. At Young Audiences she has led several collective partnership efforts, expanding the reach, identification of needs across the region for youth, and increased the organizations capacity in providing direct services to at-risk youth. Prior to Young Audiences, Mary served the Art League of Houston as the Education Coordinator overseeing their adult outreach programs serving people with HIV and Cancer, expanding enrollment of the fine arts school and launching the organizations first youth arts camp. As a mother of two boys, who are 24 and 11, Mary understands the vital role of education as the foundation for our nation and the importance that creative learning and using arts-based strategies in schools provides for disengaged learners. Mary has served on Neighborhood Centers, Inc. committees, Harris County Department of Education, National YA, Houston A+, Region 4 ESC, the Houston Independent School District, and most recently, she served as the National Young Audiences Executive Director's Council President and was recognized one of twelve 2022 Nonprofit Faces of Impact for the national Gucci Changemakers Award.
Camden Terry, ExxonMobil Summer Intern
Camden Terry is a rising senior at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. He is majoring in Communication Studies with a minor in Philosophy and will graduate in May 2024. Upon graduation he plans to pursue a career in Public Relations and Marketing.
Dr. Christine Phares, Program Director
Dr. Christine Phares currently serves as the Program Director for Young Audiences of Houston, supporting programs across more than 200 site partnerships, overseeing 184 teaching artists, and leading the YAH Education Committee. Prior to joining Young Audiences, Christine has worked as an Educator in public and independent schools, an Education Consultant, and with the Metropolitan Opera Guild. Christine also holds experience as an opera singer and has performed with The Miami Music Festival, Rockwall Symphony, UNT Opera, Lamar Opera, and the Institute for Young Dramatic Voices. Christine holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in music and education and a doctorate in education. Published research includes a study on classroom management and gender with additional research on the impact of Music Education on Texas Standardized Test Scores. Christine is the recipient of the Harris County Department of Education Spirit of Excellence Award – Community Connection Champion, has recently served as a panelist on pathways for diversifying teaching artist networks at the Arts & Action Conference, serves as a Grant Panelist for Texas Commission on the Arts and Houston Arts Alliance, and volunteers on the Scholarship Review Committee with Greater Houston Community Foundation.
Elias Reyes, Intern
Elias Reyes is currently a senior at the University of Houston - Downtown pursuing his BA in Fine Arts. He was born and raised in Houston his whole life. He is Mexican American and the middle child of three siblings. He will also be the first generation of college graduates in his family. Elias plans to obtain a teacher certification and teach drawing or art classes for a school in the future. He wants to be able to inspire children and young adults to have a positive impact in their lives and inspire them to express themselves in creative ways.
His love for art inspired him pursue an art major and learn that there is more to art then just the visual and performance aspect. His goal is to obtain as much knowledge as possible within every aspect of the arts and stick to what he feels most passionate about.
His love for art inspired him pursue an art major and learn that there is more to art then just the visual and performance aspect. His goal is to obtain as much knowledge as possible within every aspect of the arts and stick to what he feels most passionate about.
Martha Diaz, Scheduling Coordinator
Martha Diaz joined the Young Audiences of Houston family in March 2018. As Scheduling Coordinator for the organization, she works closely with schools, community partners, and artists to facilitate the delivery of performances, workshops, and residencies. Before joining Young Audiences, Martha was the Administrative Assistance for the Executive Director of Mission Centers of Houston, a faith-based nonprofit serving Houston’s inner city through a variety of community assistance programs. At Mission Centers, she oversaw their three locations and supported program delivery for the food pantry, clothing closet, and club programming. She particularly enjoyed leading clubs for children and youth. Martha also has a passion for visual arts and regularly leads projects for her church’s pre-school department.
Lilian Flores, Intern
Lilian Flores is an intern for Young Audiences of Houston and was born in Guatemala but raised here in the United States since she was five. She is an artist at heart and loves to learn new techniques and styles. Lilian is the oldest of three children. Her whole life has been dedicated to children with special needs and caring for her brother with Muscular Dystrophy. Lilian has been a camp counselor in two separate camps for children with special needs. At Texas Elks camp she was voted Best Camp Counselor Girl three years in a row by her peers. Lilian is the first to graduate from college in her family and hopes to become a classroom educator in the near future.
Mary Curry Mettenbrink, Executive Director
Mary Curry Mettenbrink has served Young Audiences of Houston as a staff member for the past 15 years in various roles including Education Director, Associate Director and moved into the role of Executive Director in February, 2012. Mary is a native Houstonian, grew up in Alief, and attended San Jacinto Community College and the University of Houston and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and recently completed a certification in Applied Business Analytics with MIT Sloan School of Management. At Young Audiences she has led several collective partnership efforts, expanding the reach, identification of needs across the region for youth, and increased the organizations capacity in providing direct services to at-risk youth. Prior to Young Audiences, Mary served the Art League of Houston as the Education Coordinator overseeing their adult outreach programs serving people with HIV and Cancer, expanding enrollment of the fine arts school and launching the organizations first youth arts camp. As a mother of two boys, who are 24 and 11, Mary understands the vital role of education as the foundation for our nation and the importance that creative learning and using arts-based strategies in schools provides for disengaged learners. Mary has served on Neighborhood Centers, Inc. committees, Harris County Department of Education, National YA, Houston A+, Region 4 ESC, the Houston Independent School District, and most recently, she served as the National Young Audiences Executive Director's Council President and was recognized one of twelve 2022 Nonprofit Faces of Impact for the national Gucci Changemakers Award.
Camden Terry, ExxonMobil Summer Intern
Camden Terry is a rising senior at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. He is majoring in Communication Studies with a minor in Philosophy and will graduate in May 2024. Upon graduation he plans to pursue a career in Public Relations and Marketing.
Dr. Christine Phares, Program Director
Dr. Christine Phares currently serves as the Program Director for Young Audiences of Houston, supporting programs across more than 200 site partnerships, overseeing 184 teaching artists, and leading the YAH Education Committee. Prior to joining Young Audiences, Christine has worked as an Educator in public and independent schools, an Education Consultant, and with the Metropolitan Opera Guild. Christine also holds experience as an opera singer and has performed with The Miami Music Festival, Rockwall Symphony, UNT Opera, Lamar Opera, and the Institute for Young Dramatic Voices. Christine holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in music and education and a doctorate in education. Published research includes a study on classroom management and gender with additional research on the impact of Music Education on Texas Standardized Test Scores. Christine is the recipient of the Harris County Department of Education Spirit of Excellence Award – Community Connection Champion, has recently served as a panelist on pathways for diversifying teaching artist networks at the Arts & Action Conference, serves as a Grant Panelist for Texas Commission on the Arts and Houston Arts Alliance, and volunteers on the Scholarship Review Committee with Greater Houston Community Foundation.
Elias Reyes, Intern
Elias Reyes is currently a senior at the University of Houston - Downtown pursuing his BA in Fine Arts. He was born and raised in Houston his whole life. He is Mexican American and the middle child of three siblings. He will also be the first generation of college graduates in his family. Elias plans to obtain a teacher certification and teach drawing or art classes for a school in the future. He wants to be able to inspire children and young adults to have a positive impact in their lives and inspire them to express themselves in creative ways.
His love for art inspired him pursue an art major and learn that there is more to art then just the visual and performance aspect. His goal is to obtain as much knowledge as possible within every aspect of the arts and stick to what he feels most passionate about.
His love for art inspired him pursue an art major and learn that there is more to art then just the visual and performance aspect. His goal is to obtain as much knowledge as possible within every aspect of the arts and stick to what he feels most passionate about.
Martha Diaz, Scheduling Coordinator
Martha Diaz joined the Young Audiences of Houston family in March 2018. As Scheduling Coordinator for the organization, she works closely with schools, community partners, and artists to facilitate the delivery of performances, workshops, and residencies. Before joining Young Audiences, Martha was the Administrative Assistance for the Executive Director of Mission Centers of Houston, a faith-based nonprofit serving Houston’s inner city through a variety of community assistance programs. At Mission Centers, she oversaw their three locations and supported program delivery for the food pantry, clothing closet, and club programming. She particularly enjoyed leading clubs for children and youth. Martha also has a passion for visual arts and regularly leads projects for her church’s pre-school department.
Lilian Flores, Intern
Lilian Flores is an intern for Young Audiences of Houston and was born in Guatemala but raised here in the United States since she was five. She is an artist at heart and loves to learn new techniques and styles. Lilian is the oldest of three children. Her whole life has been dedicated to children with special needs and caring for her brother with Muscular Dystrophy. Lilian has been a camp counselor in two separate camps for children with special needs. At Texas Elks camp she was voted Best Camp Counselor Girl three years in a row by her peers. Lilian is the first to graduate from college in her family and hopes to become a classroom educator in the near future.
Mary Curry Mettenbrink, Executive Director
Mary Curry Mettenbrink has served Young Audiences of Houston as a staff member for the past 15 years in various roles including Education Director, Associate Director and moved into the role of Executive Director in February, 2012. Mary is a native Houstonian, grew up in Alief, and attended San Jacinto Community College and the University of Houston and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and recently completed a certification in Applied Business Analytics with MIT Sloan School of Management. At Young Audiences she has led several collective partnership efforts, expanding the reach, identification of needs across the region for youth, and increased the organizations capacity in providing direct services to at-risk youth. Prior to Young Audiences, Mary served the Art League of Houston as the Education Coordinator overseeing their adult outreach programs serving people with HIV and Cancer, expanding enrollment of the fine arts school and launching the organizations first youth arts camp. As a mother of two boys, who are 24 and 11, Mary understands the vital role of education as the foundation for our nation and the importance that creative learning and using arts-based strategies in schools provides for disengaged learners. Mary has served on Neighborhood Centers, Inc. committees, Harris County Department of Education, National YA, Houston A+, Region 4 ESC, the Houston Independent School District, and most recently, she served as the National Young Audiences Executive Director's Council President and was recognized one of twelve 2022 Nonprofit Faces of Impact for the national Gucci Changemakers Award.
Camden Terry, ExxonMobil Summer Intern
Camden Terry is a rising senior at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. He is majoring in Communication Studies with a minor in Philosophy and will graduate in May 2024. Upon graduation he plans to pursue a career in Public Relations and Marketing.
Dr. Christine Phares, Program Director
Dr. Christine Phares currently serves as the Program Director for Young Audiences of Houston, supporting programs across more than 200 site partnerships, overseeing 184 teaching artists, and leading the YAH Education Committee. Prior to joining Young Audiences, Christine has worked as an Educator in public and independent schools, an Education Consultant, and with the Metropolitan Opera Guild. Christine also holds experience as an opera singer and has performed with The Miami Music Festival, Rockwall Symphony, UNT Opera, Lamar Opera, and the Institute for Young Dramatic Voices. Christine holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in music and education and a doctorate in education. Published research includes a study on classroom management and gender with additional research on the impact of Music Education on Texas Standardized Test Scores. Christine is the recipient of the Harris County Department of Education Spirit of Excellence Award – Community Connection Champion, has recently served as a panelist on pathways for diversifying teaching artist networks at the Arts & Action Conference, serves as a Grant Panelist for Texas Commission on the Arts and Houston Arts Alliance, and volunteers on the Scholarship Review Committee with Greater Houston Community Foundation.
Elias Reyes, Intern
Elias Reyes is currently a senior at the University of Houston - Downtown pursuing his BA in Fine Arts. He was born and raised in Houston his whole life. He is Mexican American and the middle child of three siblings. He will also be the first generation of college graduates in his family. Elias plans to obtain a teacher certification and teach drawing or art classes for a school in the future. He wants to be able to inspire children and young adults to have a positive impact in their lives and inspire them to express themselves in creative ways.
His love for art inspired him pursue an art major and learn that there is more to art then just the visual and performance aspect. His goal is to obtain as much knowledge as possible within every aspect of the arts and stick to what he feels most passionate about.
His love for art inspired him pursue an art major and learn that there is more to art then just the visual and performance aspect. His goal is to obtain as much knowledge as possible within every aspect of the arts and stick to what he feels most passionate about.
Martha Diaz, Scheduling Coordinator
Martha Diaz joined the Young Audiences of Houston family in March 2018. As Scheduling Coordinator for the organization, she works closely with schools, community partners, and artists to facilitate the delivery of performances, workshops, and residencies. Before joining Young Audiences, Martha was the Administrative Assistance for the Executive Director of Mission Centers of Houston, a faith-based nonprofit serving Houston’s inner city through a variety of community assistance programs. At Mission Centers, she oversaw their three locations and supported program delivery for the food pantry, clothing closet, and club programming. She particularly enjoyed leading clubs for children and youth. Martha also has a passion for visual arts and regularly leads projects for her church’s pre-school department.
Lilian Flores, Intern
Lilian Flores is an intern for Young Audiences of Houston and was born in Guatemala but raised here in the United States since she was five. She is an artist at heart and loves to learn new techniques and styles. Lilian is the oldest of three children. Her whole life has been dedicated to children with special needs and caring for her brother with Muscular Dystrophy. Lilian has been a camp counselor in two separate camps for children with special needs. At Texas Elks camp she was voted Best Camp Counselor Girl three years in a row by her peers. Lilian is the first to graduate from college in her family and hopes to become a classroom educator in the near future.
Mary Curry Mettenbrink, Executive Director
Mary Curry Mettenbrink has served Young Audiences of Houston as a staff member for the past 15 years in various roles including Education Director, Associate Director and moved into the role of Executive Director in February, 2012. Mary is a native Houstonian, grew up in Alief, and attended San Jacinto Community College and the University of Houston and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and recently completed a certification in Applied Business Analytics with MIT Sloan School of Management. At Young Audiences she has led several collective partnership efforts, expanding the reach, identification of needs across the region for youth, and increased the organizations capacity in providing direct services to at-risk youth. Prior to Young Audiences, Mary served the Art League of Houston as the Education Coordinator overseeing their adult outreach programs serving people with HIV and Cancer, expanding enrollment of the fine arts school and launching the organizations first youth arts camp. As a mother of two boys, who are 24 and 11, Mary understands the vital role of education as the foundation for our nation and the importance that creative learning and using arts-based strategies in schools provides for disengaged learners. Mary has served on Neighborhood Centers, Inc. committees, Harris County Department of Education, National YA, Houston A+, Region 4 ESC, the Houston Independent School District, and most recently, she served as the National Young Audiences Executive Director's Council President and was recognized one of twelve 2022 Nonprofit Faces of Impact for the national Gucci Changemakers Award.
Camden Terry, ExxonMobil Summer Intern
Camden Terry is a rising senior at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. He is majoring in Communication Studies with a minor in Philosophy and will graduate in May 2024. Upon graduation he plans to pursue a career in Public Relations and Marketing.
Dr. Christine Phares, Program Director
Dr. Christine Phares currently serves as the Program Director for Young Audiences of Houston, supporting programs across more than 200 site partnerships, overseeing 184 teaching artists, and leading the YAH Education Committee. Prior to joining Young Audiences, Christine has worked as an Educator in public and independent schools, an Education Consultant, and with the Metropolitan Opera Guild. Christine also holds experience as an opera singer and has performed with The Miami Music Festival, Rockwall Symphony, UNT Opera, Lamar Opera, and the Institute for Young Dramatic Voices. Christine holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in music and education and a doctorate in education. Published research includes a study on classroom management and gender with additional research on the impact of Music Education on Texas Standardized Test Scores. Christine is the recipient of the Harris County Department of Education Spirit of Excellence Award – Community Connection Champion, has recently served as a panelist on pathways for diversifying teaching artist networks at the Arts & Action Conference, serves as a Grant Panelist for Texas Commission on the Arts and Houston Arts Alliance, and volunteers on the Scholarship Review Committee with Greater Houston Community Foundation.
Elias Reyes, Intern
Elias Reyes is currently a senior at the University of Houston - Downtown pursuing his BA in Fine Arts. He was born and raised in Houston his whole life. He is Mexican American and the middle child of three siblings. He will also be the first generation of college graduates in his family. Elias plans to obtain a teacher certification and teach drawing or art classes for a school in the future. He wants to be able to inspire children and young adults to have a positive impact in their lives and inspire them to express themselves in creative ways.
His love for art inspired him pursue an art major and learn that there is more to art then just the visual and performance aspect. His goal is to obtain as much knowledge as possible within every aspect of the arts and stick to what he feels most passionate about.
His love for art inspired him pursue an art major and learn that there is more to art then just the visual and performance aspect. His goal is to obtain as much knowledge as possible within every aspect of the arts and stick to what he feels most passionate about.
Martha Diaz, Scheduling Coordinator
Martha Diaz joined the Young Audiences of Houston family in March 2018. As Scheduling Coordinator for the organization, she works closely with schools, community partners, and artists to facilitate the delivery of performances, workshops, and residencies. Before joining Young Audiences, Martha was the Administrative Assistance for the Executive Director of Mission Centers of Houston, a faith-based nonprofit serving Houston’s inner city through a variety of community assistance programs. At Mission Centers, she oversaw their three locations and supported program delivery for the food pantry, clothing closet, and club programming. She particularly enjoyed leading clubs for children and youth. Martha also has a passion for visual arts and regularly leads projects for her church’s pre-school department.
Lilian Flores, Intern
Lilian Flores is an intern for Young Audiences of Houston and was born in Guatemala but raised here in the United States since she was five. She is an artist at heart and loves to learn new techniques and styles. Lilian is the oldest of three children. Her whole life has been dedicated to children with special needs and caring for her brother with Muscular Dystrophy. Lilian has been a camp counselor in two separate camps for children with special needs. At Texas Elks camp she was voted Best Camp Counselor Girl three years in a row by her peers. Lilian is the first to graduate from college in her family and hopes to become a classroom educator in the near future.
Mary Curry Mettenbrink, Executive Director