Angels on Stage Staff

Nina Duncan
Executive Director / Production Director

Nina has worked in the fields of education and musical theatre for more than two decades. She is an experienced actress and director and holds a BA in Communication Studies and Special Education from San Jose State University. An active member of the special needs community, she has served on the executive board of the  Autism Project PTA and AoS. She was awarded the 2012-2013 Changing the World Together award from the College of Social Sciences at San Jose State University and was the 2011 recipient of the Service Above Self award from the San Andreas Regional Center. Nina has served as stage /production manager for AoS for several seasons and has served in a variety of theatre support staff roles, such as costume designer, entertainment coordinator and stage manager. She has also served in key roles for other local special needs events, including Day in the Sky, Take Flight for Kids and Magic Makers. Her passion comes from being a caregiver of two children with autism. She is looking forward to another sensational season with the AoS family and is honored and excited to be a part of the amazing AoS team that brings creativity, talent and magic to the Angels each week.

Farah Culbertson
VP of Programs/Shining Stars Program Manager/Producer/Front House Manager
Farah is the oldest child of Deaf Adults (CODA) and has had to battle stereotypes and discrimination based on abilities her entire life. When she learned about Angels on Stage through her nephew, who is an Angel, she was overjoyed to see an organization taking Angels out of the boxes society tries to place them in, and “illuminating their abilities”. Farah joined AoS to volunteer her services as a special ed consultant and ASL sign language interpreter for the productions. Farah was recruited as a staff member for this season, and she is excited to jump in the role and get more involved with AoS. Farah holds a BS in Psychology from San Jose State University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.

 

 

Kim Fukuyama
VP of Administration/Buddy Coach Program Manager

Kim has been a buddy coach since Season 3. She has watched Angels blossom on stage and is always inspired to see new Angels experience the AoS magic, and loves working with the buddy coaches to help set the angels up for success. Currently, Kim works at De Anza College in the Educational Diagnostic Center, which serves students with learning disabilities and tutors  students with a variety of disabilities including ADD, autism, Aspergers and learning disabilities.  She loves to volunteer at Parents Helping Parents in San Jose and co-facilitates their Learning Disabilities and ADD Support and Information Group. Kim is looking forward to another awe-inspiring season.

 

Becky Maguire
Music Director / Assistant Director / Ed Support Specialist
Becky is the Director of College Terrace Children’s Center a Palo Alto Community Child Care program.  Becky holds an MA in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College, a BA in Child and Adolescent Development from San Jose State University and an AA in Early Childhood Education from Brigham Young University. Becky has been working with young children for over 25 years. She also has several years’ experience performing in community musical theatre productions, as well 28 years singing acapella 4-part harmony as a Sweet Adeline. She is thrilled to be part of the AoS team!

 

 

Meike Sillevis Smitt-Huizinga
Super Stars Program Manager / Rising Stars Program Manager / Ed Program Specialist
Meike is the owner of and teacher at Smiley Notes, offering Music Together classes in Willow Glen. She also teaches general
music in grades TK-2 at Booksin Elementary. Born and raised in the Netherlands, Meike holds a BA in Communications from the School for Economics and Management in Utrecht (The Netherlands), and an MA in Cultural Anthropology from SUNY Albany (NY). She started her working career in Direct Marketing. After her daughters were born she gave up her job for and “expat wife” adventure in Penang, Malaysia. In 2006 the family moved to San Jose, where Meike started volunteering for Music For Minors. She found her calling in making music with young children, and soon ventured into her roles at Booksin, as well as Smiley Notes. Meike’s passion for children with special needs comes from her niece, Feline, who has Down Syndrome. Meike loves to play, sing, and dance with Feline whenever she visits The Netherlands. She is very excited to now share her passion for music and play with the Angels!

 

Marcie Turner
Ed Program Specialist/Choreographer

Marcie has worked in the field of education for 21 years. A mother of two, including a daughter with Down syndrome, she is a strong advocate of education and for people with disabilities.  Marcie was a founding member of the Bay Area DS Buddy Walk, and she serves as a parent mentor for parents who deliver children that are diagnosed with Down syndrome. She loves sharing her personal story of hope and happiness.  Marcie is passionate about AoS and looks forward to spending time with the Angels, Buddies and Staff each week.  She loves music and dance, and, as a professional DJ, she shares her talents at AoS events and other local non-profit dances, holiday parties, fundraisers and more.  Marcie is honored to be a part of the AoS family and loves being a member of the staff who gets to work with these amazing Angels each week.