Meet the Education Department
Julia Lopez, Director of EducationJulia joined the Kimmel Center on March 1, 2010. Julia is a mother, an artist and a seasoned arts and education professional. As a former teacher, Julia believes in the value of the arts when educating children and understands first hand the challenges teachers face in integrating arts into a curriculum. For six years, Julia was the Visual Arts Program Director for Taller Puertorriqueño, was with the Asian Arts Initiative for 7 years developing the curriculum and implementing their Artists In Communities Training program, has worked with and served as Board President of the Leeway Foundation for five years, and was the Executive Director of Centro Pedro Claver, a non-profit community empowerment organization. Lastly, in the fall of 2009, Julia was a Cultural Envoy for the US Consulate in Juarez, Mexico, invited to facilitate an Arts and Community Development project.
Julia Lopez is a graduate of Wesleyan University with a BA in Theatre Arts, has completed additional Masters course work in Community Economic Development, and studied abroad in Madrid Spain. She has received numerous awards and recognitions and traveled extensively throughout Europe, Central America, the Caribbean and the United States.
Carol M. Frazier, Education Programs Manager
Carol is a graduate of the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, (Bachelor of Piano Performance, Master of Music Teaching) and Southern Methodist University (Master of Sacred Music with an emphasis in Choral Conducting. A former twenty-four year veteran teacher of the School District of Philadelphia, Carol taught piano and vocal music at the Philadelphia High School for Girls and was the 1996 recipient of the Rose Lindenbaum Award for excellence in teaching. A writer and developer of arts education curriculum, Carol has developed and implemented courses from pre-school through high school and serves as administrator for the Kimmel Center Teen Summer Arts Camp. In addition to her work at the Kimmel Center, Carol is the Minister of Music at the New Covenant Church of Philadelphia, and performs as an artist here and in Europe on jazz festivals with her gospel group Agape/New Spirit which earned the 2005 "Grand Prix du Jazz/Gospel Disque" from the Hot Club of France.
Karen Still-Pendergrass, Dance in the Schools Coordinator
Karen was born and raised Philadelphia, PA, educated in the Philadelphia Public School system and attended Temple University majoring in education and dance. She has been involved in the arts for the past 37 years. Formerly a principal dancer with Philadanco, Karen has also served as an adjunct professor at Drexel University and was an instructor for SmithKline Beecham in stress reduction classes for corporate employees. Karen is a master in ballet, jazz, and modern dance and is thrilled to be a part of the Kimmel staff.
Brooke Whitaker, Education Programs Associate
As a graduate of Temple University’s Tyler School of Art, Brooke’s experiences as both artist and administrator make her a welcomed addition to the Education Department here at the Kimmel Center. After spending several years in corporate industries as a project manager and database administrator, Brooke is excited to bring those skills back to art administration. Having worked with several non-profit arts organizations in Philadelphia, such as Art-Reach, Inc. and the Leeway Foundation, she is passionate about making the arts more accessible to the community.
