Diane Michalowski Freedland is the newly appointed Executive Director of Young Audiences of Massachusetts.  Diane is a seasoned arts education, community and nonprofit leader, most recently serving as Director of Education at the Sarasota County Arts Council where she had extensive experience in developing and leading K-20 arts education programs in schools, community organizations, museums and universities.

Diane’s is committed to fostering artistic activity that encourages arts literacy and dialogue in our schools and community. She has been a state and national advocate for arts education and firmly believes that teaching artists are crucial to the future of arts education, arts in general and life long learning.

She is former Assistant Curator at the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, FL.  Prior to that, Freedland was Assistant for Curatorial Affairs at Harvard University Art Museums and Associate Director of Mimi Ferzt Gallery, New York.  She received her Ed.M. in Arts Education from Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

Originally from Cleveland, OH, Jackie graduated from Boston College in 2005, earning a BA in Theatre Arts with an acting focus and a minor in General Education. At BC she gained experience in various aspects of the theatrical process, primarily costume construction, costume design, and make-up design and application. Before joining the YA team, she worked in a customer service role at Sun Life Financial, a global financial company based out of Canada. In addition to working at YA, Jackie continues to act in the Boston area.

Adrienne joined the staff of Young Audiences of Massachusetts in December of 2008. Originally from Vermont, she moved to Boston in 2002 where she graduated from Emmanuel College with a degree in Business. Prior to her employment at Young Audiences she spent several years working with youth through the Departments of Mental Health and Social Services. As a classically trained vocalist she studied as a Young Artist at Boston University's Tanglewood Institute and spent three seasons as a cast member of Opera North in Lebanon, NH. Adrienne serves on the Board of Directors for the Cambridge Arts Association.

Cheryl has extensive experience in the financial management and business administration of entrepreneurial ventures and non-profit organizations. Prior to consulting for non-profits, she served as Associate Vice President of Finance & Accounting at Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications. Cheryl majored in literature at Goddard College, completed her BA in Finance & Business Administration at Boston University, and is currently an MFA candidate at Lesley University. Her debut documentary, All Kindsa Girls (2006) screened at film festivals in London, Toronto, and throughout the US. She serves on the Board of Directors of Women in Film & Video/New England as President and Chair of the Annual Screenwriting Competition. She has written several screenplays and published poetry and nonfiction.

Gail brings 25 years of experience in providing arts enrichment programs to schools, hospitals and communities. She designed and directs YA's Healing Arts for Kids hospital initiative, presents Arts Enrichment Orientation workshops for arts coordinators, and is a member of YA's Program Committee, assisting in the selection and evaluation of roster artists. Gail is a past president of the West Suburban Creative Arts Council, is a member of the board for the Three Apples Storytelling Festival, and has produced numerous community arts events. Gail's lifelong passion for the arts extends outside of YA. She sings with Revels Repertory Company, and administrates the international voice project, The Tuscany Project, in Italy each summer.