Jarrod Bainter
Technical Operations Manager
Jarrod Bainter (he/him) is a veteran stage technician and designer with a career in live performance spanning over 20 years. In his role as the Technical Operations Manager at MYArts, he manages the Starlight and Sunrise theaters, maintains the stage technology equipment, and supports groups who use the theaters with the needs of their event.
Rachel Erickson
Operations Specialist
Rachel Erickson (she/her) has worked with nonprofits for over 15 years, focusing her efforts on social justice and education programming. She earned her B.A. in Anthropology at B.Y.U., where she developed a love of world cultures. She spent semesters abroad in China (teaching grade school children English through arts workshops) and India (learning about Ayurvedic medicine in south Indian culture). After finishing her degree she spent time career coaching veterans, refugees, and immigrants through Americorps in Ohio. In 2013 she moved to Wisconsin with her husband Dan. She has worked for Epic as a software trainer and at Boys & Girls’ Club of Dane County as a programming coordinator. Rachel loves to nerd out about event planning, social equity, and the brilliant creative energy of teenagers. She can often be found playing outdoors with her 2 kids (9yrs and 4yrs old) or reading books with historical themes.
Desia Xiong
Event Operations Manager
Desia Xiong (she/her) is a 1st generation Hmong American, graduating from Madison College with her 2nd Associate’s degree in Visual Communications (now Video/Audio Design). She started working at MYArts in the summer of 2021 as a Boys and Girls Club of Dane County summer intern, and then was brought on as the first MYArts staff & Administrative Coordinator. Desia now serves as the MYArts Event Operations Manager. Her responsibilities include being onsite for “Day-of” event support, planning table/chair/etc. needs and movement, managing the Administrative Coordinator team, and anticipating any other logistical needs for program providers.
Desia loves working on projects, whether it be a video, photo, graphic design, sewing, gardening, hosting the Hmong Madison Radio on WORT 89.9FM or print making at Madison College’s print lab. She is passionate about community building, spreading kindness, and advocating for mental health. Her biggest passion is running Okami Taiko, a Japanese Okinawan Taiko drumming group founded by Desia in 2017. A quote Desia wholeheartedly believes in is that “every opportunity is a FUNpportunity!”
Riz Goodwick
Administrative Coordinator
Riz (They/She) was raised in the Madison area, but left in 2014 to pursue their Bachelors from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. After graduating with a BA in Psychology they returned to Madison in 2020 and now are pursuing passion projects and following joy. Riz can be seen mostly at the front desk or around the building setting up for events. In their free time they love going to drag shows, attending LGBTQIA+ community events, pet sitting critters big and small, hosting queer movie nights with friends, thrifting, and getting crafty with various types of mediums. Come say hi!
Adrian Remnant
Administrative Coordinator
Adrian Remnant (he/him) originally hails from Columbus, OH. After living for nearly a decade in Rochester, NY, where he earned his BA in Art History from the University of Rochester, he decided to move to Madison. His interests in the arts include classical sculpture, 20th-century European cinema, and public art. Since moving to Madison, Adrian has explored the local arts and museum scene, and currently volunteers at both Arts+Literature Laboratory and Madison Children’s Museum. During his free time, Adrian enjoys cooking, hiking, and reading.
Amy Schiffler
Administrative Coordinator
Amy Schiffler (they/them) recently moved to Madison from Dayton, OH after receiving their BS in Computer Information Systems from the University of Dayton with minors in both Theatre Technology and Creative Writing. They enjoy working as a stage manager, designer, and theatre technician, having stage managed with Children’s Theater of Madison and Theatre LILA in Verona. After interning with Children’s Theater of Madison during their Summer Stage, Amy is excited to be joining MYArts to continue supporting youth arts programs. In their free time, Amy enjoys reading, biking, and picking up new hobbies and artistic mediums.
Sophia Diaz Gutierrez
Administrative Coordinator
Sophia Diaz Gutierrez (she/they) is a proud first-generation Mexican-American bilingual woman, with a strong passion for working with youth. She is a part-time CNA, having received her certification at age 17 through Madison College’s Nursing Assistant Program. Sophia is currently pursuing a degree in psychology, with the goal of earning a master’s in child life development and some day opening their own practice as a therapist.
Her connection to MYArts began a few summers ago, when she interned at MYArts as a high school Boys & Girls Club summer intern. She is both proud and honored to return in a professional capacity to support and inspire local youth! Outside of their academic and professional life, Sophia finds joy in writing—whether that be poems or short fictional stories— listening to music, going to the gym, spending time with loved ones, and working in their community. Their efforts and commitment to community health were recognized in 2022 by their district alder, following an internship during which they surveyed neighborhood health conditions and created a presentation for their alder outlining key findings and solutions, all of which were later implemented into the community! Sophia is very excited to be back at MYArts and to connect with everyone who comes through the building—feel free to stop by the front desk and ask what they’ve been listening to!
Reece Dowd
Administrative Coordinator
Reece (he/him) was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, and is excited to be a part of the team at MYArts. Along with his role as an administrative coordinator, Reece works as a barista at Indie Coffee and plays many gigs around Madison as a guitarist. With a passionate goal to be an accomplished musician, Reece spends his time outside of MYArts practicing on his own or rehearsing with fellow musicians. You may also find Reece frequently at concerts around Wisconsin, as well as at the public library.
Alejandra Juarez
Administrative Coordinator
Alejandra’s (she/her) first experiences around art in Madison began in spaces of activism, culture and community. She grew up on Madison’s south side, later going on to graduate from UW-Madison as an art major. Specializing in relief printmaking, she focuses her prints on combining her experiences of activism and identity. As a person of indigenous Nahuatl, Mexican background, she understands the importance of accessibility and empowerment in the arts. She’s eager to learn about the sustainable practices already in place at MYArts, and other youth organizations that foster creativity for youth and their families around Madison.
Pictured is Alejandra’s linocut print, titled Lalra Del Nopalcut
