Our Board of Directors
Board Chair
Sharon Hanifl-Lee
Sharon has been involved with CPA for 6 years. She has been on the board for 4 years. She has a MBA in Business Administration with an emphasis on marketing. She also volunteers for the Flips Gymnastics Club Booster Club, the Hanifl Foundation Board, Arts Garden Theater Group and the Mahtomedi Soccer Association. She actively supports research and education for kids with special needs.
Vice-Chair
Brooke Ihlenfeldt
Brooke has been involved with CPA for 5 years. She had been on the board for 3 years a Director of Communication and in an Advisory role. During that time, she developed & managed Marketing collateral, website updates, weekly communication and outside vendor services. Brooke has a BA International Business. In addition, she supports 4H and the High School Golf Booster club.
Secretary
Blaine Stephens
Blaine approached CPA to volunteer to become a board member, seeking an opportunity to give back to the community in support of theater arts education for young people. He earned a Master of Arts degree in theater from the University of Denver, taught high school Speech and Theater, and worked in a variety of roles in professional theaters throughout the Midwest. Since moving to the Twin Cities to be near family, Blaine has become a business and technology leader in the legal administration, software and consulting industries.
Treasurer
Kelly Dzurik
Kelly has wonderful memories growing up going to musical theatre performances. From seeing Pinocchio at a children's theatre in New Jersey to Annie on Broadway to Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cat's at Atlanta's Fox Theatre to West Side Story at the Ordway in St.Paul to Miss Saigon in Philadelphia and many performances in between, Kelly has developed an appreciation for musical theatre as she and her family relocated throughout the country. Now, as a mother, she makes sure her two boys have exposure to musical theatre. That exposure, sparked her youngest son's interest in performing and her involvement with Children's Performing Arts. In July 2016, after over twenty years in the corporate finance/accounting world, Kelly left the business sector to focus on family and volunteering in the community. Her volunteering lead her to Children’s Performing Arts, where she was named Treasurer in February 2017. Kelly spent over 16 years at Deluxe Corporation, most recently as a Finance Manager within Business Services. Her career began in public accounting with KPMG Peat Marwick LLP. She holds a BS in Accountancy from Villanova University and an inactive CPA license. Kelly is excited to draw on her finance/accounting background to help Children’s Performing Arts continue to grow its programming so kids and families can create memories of their own for years to come.
Member
Sandy Stout
Sandy has been involved in CPA for 3 years mostly helping with costume creation. After watching her daughter, Ella, create and perform her own songs at home after her first year with CPA, Sandy chose take her volunteering to a new level and join the Board. Here, she now has the opportunity to work with the other mom's that put their passion and dedication into these wonderful character-filled children. Sandy is responsible for the recruitment and retention of families participating in CPA. She also is involved with planning and coordinating CPA events and functions. She currently works as a Client Relationship Advisor, where her main role is the retention of a select client base for Securian's Group Life insurance business. She has a BA in Marketing with an Advertising emphasis and has been the Fundraising Chair for her son's Boy Scout Troop over the past 6 years. Sandy hopes to use her experience to further CPA's progress in encouraging and enriching kids to gain confidence and reach their full potential in the performing arts and beyond.
Member
Shari Melsa
After many years in the corporate world as a executive assistant, a lay-off made Shari realize what she had been missing with her family life and the time donated to the community. She decided to align herself with non-profits and to give back to her community. Since then she has been heavily active with many roles in the Girl Scouts. She also does work with a women's shelter, food shelf, back pack program, Mana market and is a leader of her small group religion class. She is passionate about helping organizations centered around children. She has helped individuals, businesses, and non-profits with fundraising such as golf tournaments, dances, dinners, crafts show, raffles, and direct solicitation.
Member
Jennifer Hallingstad
Jennifer discovered CPA three years ago when her daughter Lucy joined " rising stars" and was in the performance Mulan Jr. The moment the curtain went up, and she saw Lucy for the first time on stage; Jennifer knew that Lucy was in her element. Jennifer is passionate about her whole family being involved with CPA, an organization that has a role for everyone to help with. What Jennifer loves most about CPA; is helping children of all ages share thier talents and hardwork on stage! Jennifer has a BS degree in Hospitailty and Tourism Management from the University of Wisconsin Stout; and works full-time as a Senior Sales and Training Executive for a cosmetics company. Jennifer is also very involved with St. Peter's Catholic Church and School in Forest Lake; where she holds several volunteer opportunities such as: vacation bible school teacher, church lector, and serves on the Home and School Board. Jennifer resides in Forest Lake, MN and with her husband Michael, daughter Lucy, and puppy Cash( as in Johnny Cash) Lucy's favorite singer!
Member
Tim Maurer
I have the been the Director of Community Services and Recreation for White Bear Lake Area Schools since August of 2016. What I love most about my line of work is providing learning opportunities for students, families, and the surrounding community. My department offers programming experiences from early childhood to our senior citizens, and ages in between. We provide individuals an avenue to explore hobbies and interests, create relationships, and develop skills to enhance the quality of life for them and the community. As I looked for additional ways to serve the community in my role I felt that CPA would be a great fit both professionally and personally. I enjoy spending time with my family. I volunteer as a coach for my son's youth sports teams and when my daughter is old enough I am sure I will find myself dancing with her on stage with other fathers and daughters as dance is her new love. I also organize a Thanksgiving run in my home community with two friends to benefit our local food shelf. We're closing in on a decade of work and have raised over $35,000 for the Friends in Need Food Shelf. I look forward to serving on the board for CPA!
Member
Sonja Thorson
Sonja joined our board in July of 2018. She graduated with her Master of Fine Arts in Stage Management from the Yale School of Drama and worked both on and off-Broadway for a couple years before deciding that she really missed Minnesota. Since moving back, she has been fortunate to work with a few local theatres to supplement her full time job at Entira Family Clinics. Sonja continues to be a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and is excited to find new ways of being involved in theatre. She’s looking forward to using her skills to help expand CPA while sharing her love of theatre and stage management with children. Sonja lives in White Bear Lake with her dog, Hazel, and loves being back in the Twin Cities!
Executive Director
Kari Bullion
Kari has been involved with CPA for 7 years and has served on the board in the past for different capacities including Treasurer and President. Dance has been a passion of Kari's since she was 8 years old. From the age of 15, she started working in various dance studios as an instructor. She is trained in tap, jazz, ballet, modern dance, and clogging. She has performed with numerous dance companies including The Canepa School of Dance, Judy Peterson Dancers, Dance Unlimited and others. Currently, she teaches and performs with The Pleasant Valley Cloggers. Her theater experience has grown from performing with dance troupes in community theater in her home town Baraboo, WI. She has served as choreographer for CPA for 4 years. Kari also has a BA in marketing from UMD, and has worked in management for a large company. Currently, she runs her own business providing office support services for marketing and bookkeeping for various types of businesses. Kari is adept at organizing people and systems. She also volunteers and mentors families through the Food Allergy Support Group of MN. Typically, her work involves finding solutions that allow children to be integrated into classroom and extra-curricular activities while supporting their needs. Kari believes in the value of CPA for children. She believes that every child who participates in our programming walks away with a confidence that will be with them for years to come. That having the courage and ability to speak, sing, act, and dance in front of an audience of hundreds is a skill we can all admire.
Sharon Hanifl-Lee
Sharon has been involved with CPA for 6 years. She has been on the board for 4 years. She has a MBA in Business Administration with an emphasis on marketing. She also volunteers for the Flips Gymnastics Club Booster Club, the Hanifl Foundation Board, Arts Garden Theater Group and the Mahtomedi Soccer Association. She actively supports research and education for kids with special needs.
Vice-Chair
Brooke Ihlenfeldt
Brooke has been involved with CPA for 5 years. She had been on the board for 3 years a Director of Communication and in an Advisory role. During that time, she developed & managed Marketing collateral, website updates, weekly communication and outside vendor services. Brooke has a BA International Business. In addition, she supports 4H and the High School Golf Booster club.
Secretary
Blaine Stephens
Blaine approached CPA to volunteer to become a board member, seeking an opportunity to give back to the community in support of theater arts education for young people. He earned a Master of Arts degree in theater from the University of Denver, taught high school Speech and Theater, and worked in a variety of roles in professional theaters throughout the Midwest. Since moving to the Twin Cities to be near family, Blaine has become a business and technology leader in the legal administration, software and consulting industries.
Treasurer
Kelly Dzurik
Kelly has wonderful memories growing up going to musical theatre performances. From seeing Pinocchio at a children's theatre in New Jersey to Annie on Broadway to Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cat's at Atlanta's Fox Theatre to West Side Story at the Ordway in St.Paul to Miss Saigon in Philadelphia and many performances in between, Kelly has developed an appreciation for musical theatre as she and her family relocated throughout the country. Now, as a mother, she makes sure her two boys have exposure to musical theatre. That exposure, sparked her youngest son's interest in performing and her involvement with Children's Performing Arts. In July 2016, after over twenty years in the corporate finance/accounting world, Kelly left the business sector to focus on family and volunteering in the community. Her volunteering lead her to Children’s Performing Arts, where she was named Treasurer in February 2017. Kelly spent over 16 years at Deluxe Corporation, most recently as a Finance Manager within Business Services. Her career began in public accounting with KPMG Peat Marwick LLP. She holds a BS in Accountancy from Villanova University and an inactive CPA license. Kelly is excited to draw on her finance/accounting background to help Children’s Performing Arts continue to grow its programming so kids and families can create memories of their own for years to come.
Member
Sandy Stout
Sandy has been involved in CPA for 3 years mostly helping with costume creation. After watching her daughter, Ella, create and perform her own songs at home after her first year with CPA, Sandy chose take her volunteering to a new level and join the Board. Here, she now has the opportunity to work with the other mom's that put their passion and dedication into these wonderful character-filled children. Sandy is responsible for the recruitment and retention of families participating in CPA. She also is involved with planning and coordinating CPA events and functions. She currently works as a Client Relationship Advisor, where her main role is the retention of a select client base for Securian's Group Life insurance business. She has a BA in Marketing with an Advertising emphasis and has been the Fundraising Chair for her son's Boy Scout Troop over the past 6 years. Sandy hopes to use her experience to further CPA's progress in encouraging and enriching kids to gain confidence and reach their full potential in the performing arts and beyond.
Member
Shari Melsa
After many years in the corporate world as a executive assistant, a lay-off made Shari realize what she had been missing with her family life and the time donated to the community. She decided to align herself with non-profits and to give back to her community. Since then she has been heavily active with many roles in the Girl Scouts. She also does work with a women's shelter, food shelf, back pack program, Mana market and is a leader of her small group religion class. She is passionate about helping organizations centered around children. She has helped individuals, businesses, and non-profits with fundraising such as golf tournaments, dances, dinners, crafts show, raffles, and direct solicitation.
Member
Jennifer Hallingstad
Jennifer discovered CPA three years ago when her daughter Lucy joined " rising stars" and was in the performance Mulan Jr. The moment the curtain went up, and she saw Lucy for the first time on stage; Jennifer knew that Lucy was in her element. Jennifer is passionate about her whole family being involved with CPA, an organization that has a role for everyone to help with. What Jennifer loves most about CPA; is helping children of all ages share thier talents and hardwork on stage! Jennifer has a BS degree in Hospitailty and Tourism Management from the University of Wisconsin Stout; and works full-time as a Senior Sales and Training Executive for a cosmetics company. Jennifer is also very involved with St. Peter's Catholic Church and School in Forest Lake; where she holds several volunteer opportunities such as: vacation bible school teacher, church lector, and serves on the Home and School Board. Jennifer resides in Forest Lake, MN and with her husband Michael, daughter Lucy, and puppy Cash( as in Johnny Cash) Lucy's favorite singer!
Member
Tim Maurer
I have the been the Director of Community Services and Recreation for White Bear Lake Area Schools since August of 2016. What I love most about my line of work is providing learning opportunities for students, families, and the surrounding community. My department offers programming experiences from early childhood to our senior citizens, and ages in between. We provide individuals an avenue to explore hobbies and interests, create relationships, and develop skills to enhance the quality of life for them and the community. As I looked for additional ways to serve the community in my role I felt that CPA would be a great fit both professionally and personally. I enjoy spending time with my family. I volunteer as a coach for my son's youth sports teams and when my daughter is old enough I am sure I will find myself dancing with her on stage with other fathers and daughters as dance is her new love. I also organize a Thanksgiving run in my home community with two friends to benefit our local food shelf. We're closing in on a decade of work and have raised over $35,000 for the Friends in Need Food Shelf. I look forward to serving on the board for CPA!
Member
Sonja Thorson
Sonja joined our board in July of 2018. She graduated with her Master of Fine Arts in Stage Management from the Yale School of Drama and worked both on and off-Broadway for a couple years before deciding that she really missed Minnesota. Since moving back, she has been fortunate to work with a few local theatres to supplement her full time job at Entira Family Clinics. Sonja continues to be a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and is excited to find new ways of being involved in theatre. She’s looking forward to using her skills to help expand CPA while sharing her love of theatre and stage management with children. Sonja lives in White Bear Lake with her dog, Hazel, and loves being back in the Twin Cities!
Executive Director
Kari Bullion
Kari has been involved with CPA for 7 years and has served on the board in the past for different capacities including Treasurer and President. Dance has been a passion of Kari's since she was 8 years old. From the age of 15, she started working in various dance studios as an instructor. She is trained in tap, jazz, ballet, modern dance, and clogging. She has performed with numerous dance companies including The Canepa School of Dance, Judy Peterson Dancers, Dance Unlimited and others. Currently, she teaches and performs with The Pleasant Valley Cloggers. Her theater experience has grown from performing with dance troupes in community theater in her home town Baraboo, WI. She has served as choreographer for CPA for 4 years. Kari also has a BA in marketing from UMD, and has worked in management for a large company. Currently, she runs her own business providing office support services for marketing and bookkeeping for various types of businesses. Kari is adept at organizing people and systems. She also volunteers and mentors families through the Food Allergy Support Group of MN. Typically, her work involves finding solutions that allow children to be integrated into classroom and extra-curricular activities while supporting their needs. Kari believes in the value of CPA for children. She believes that every child who participates in our programming walks away with a confidence that will be with them for years to come. That having the courage and ability to speak, sing, act, and dance in front of an audience of hundreds is a skill we can all admire.
Agendas & meeting minutes are furnished by request. CPA board meetings are open to the public. To find meeting dates and locations, please see our Calendar.
