Student Profiles

Nicole Bitanga is a Filipina art professional developing a career in modern and contemporary art. Born and raised in the Philippines, she aspires to steer the industry toward global representation for Southeast Asian creatives. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History with Studio Art and French Studies minors from New York University, where she also began her involvement in galleries and fairs. Her vast work experiences at TEFAF, The Armory Show, and Untitled Art Fair kindled her curiosity for the dynamic art market. Passionate about the influence of aesthetics and culture on society, she aims to devote her graduate studies in exploring the business of art.

Gianna DiMaiolo is originally from Connecticut and graduated cum laude from the College of the Holy Cross in 2019 with a BA in Theater and a minor in Italian. While at Holy Cross, Gianna performed in mainstage and student productions, produced musicals for the college’s student theater group, and worked in the costume shop.

Gianna has worked as a Compliance Coordinator for a non-profit in Hartford, CT, where she monitored state and federally funded programs, and as a teaching artist at Oddfellows Playhouse where she taught basic acting to 8 to 10-year-olds. In the past few years, Gianna has continued producing new plays that have been featured at the Hartford, Providence, Indianapolis (Indy) and St. Louis Fringe Festivals. At Teachers College, Gianna plans to broaden her understanding of the performing arts world and establish herself as an equitable arts administrator so that she can help other artists establish sustainable careers in theater and the performing arts.

Shiyuan (Eiffel) Feng graduated from the School of Visual Arts in 2023 with a BFA in Illustration. During her undergraduate studies, her first-hand experience cultivated a strong capacity for empathy toward the administrative resources required by artistic creators. Throughout her internships at Eli Klein Gallery and Van Der Plas Gallery in New York, she managed the marketing work of gallery exhibitions by planning promotional materials and engaging in communication and liaison with professional artists and collectors to maintain connections. She also worked at Museum Daily under Xinhua News Agency, where she reported exhibition announcements for the Chinese public, focusing on museum-related news, updates in the cultural and artistic fields, and industry dynamics. Shiyuan looks forward to delving deeper into professional learning in arts administration-related fields at ARAD, to better support emerging young artists in the industry through establishing a balanced resource system and a long-term perspective in the market.


Grace George graduated from the Peabody Conservatory with a degree in vocal performance and Johns Hopkins University with a degree in History in 2022. She has spent the last two years combining her passions at the French Legation Museum in her hometown Austin, TX as a program coordinator, where she founded the Under the Oaks Concert Series and honed her skills as an arts professional. She is so excited to further her education at ARAD where she seeks to gain the tools to solidify art’s place as the heart of society.

Chen Guo graduated from New York University in 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Art History and double Minors in Studio Art and Mathematics. She was born and raised in Shanghai, China. She volunteered at the Shanghai West Bund museum and the 24th Shanghai Art Fair, while also gaining valuable insights into the art industry as a gallery assistant at Eye Level Gallery in Shanghai. During her undergraduate study, Chen developed a particular interest in Medieval Islamic art, leading her to undertake a simulation curating project centered around Islamic ceramics and provenance research on a medieval Kashan lusterware from NYU conservation center's collection. Aside from her focus on art history, as a studio art minor, she expressed her passion for visual arts through street photography, by capturing the essence of daily life in the vibrant streets of New York City. She also studied at the International Center of Photography (ICP) in order to enhance her photographic skills. With an insatiable love for art and a thirst for exploration, Chen eagerly looks forward to joining Columbia's ARAD program to further enrich her journey.

Runa King hails from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where she credits the beginning of her dance education to the Dance Center of Tuscaloosa and the Alabama Ballet. She graduated from Washington and Lee University in 2021, where she studied politics, geology, and dance. Following graduation, Runa continued to explore her passion for the wilderness and outdoor education by working as a backcountry guide in Alaska and Norway and completing the Camino de Santiago. Returning to her roots as a dancer, Runa then went on to work as the company manager for ShaLeigh Dance Works in Durham, NC, and the associate operations manager at the Joffrey Ballet School. Throughout her life, Runa has been interested in the intersection of art and nature and hopes to continue to explore the cross-sectional relationship of these fields throughout her career.

Yu Yun Kim graduated from Cornell University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in History of Art and double minors in French Studies and Fine Arts. During her senior year, Yu Yun had the opportunity to work as an Asian Art Intern at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, where she was responsible for collections management and gallery rotations. After graduation, she worked as a Public Relations Assistant at Kukje Gallery in Seoul, South Korea, collaborating with various media outlets and producing promotional materials. In ARAD, she intends to build on her experience by studying arts administration in depth, with the goal of making meaningful contributions to the visual arts field.

Carson Simpson graduated in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa, where he double majored in Dance and Interdepartmental Studies, with an emphasis in Business and Arts Management. Throughout his undergraduate studies, Carson was a student member of the Association of Arts Administration Educators. He also served as vice president for the university's Undergraduate Dance Organization, secretary for Delta Sigma Phi, and was a cheerleader for several of the university's athletic programs. Carson found his passion for arts administration during his internship with Mark DeGarmo Dance, where he assisted in Dr. DeGarmo's mission of providing dance education to the public schools of New York City. Most recently, Carson has worked as a ticketing specialist for Des Moines Performing Arts and as a franchise manager for Tippi Toes, which provides accessible dance classes for children across more than 15 locations in the Iowa City area. Carson is deeply passionate about arts accessibility and eagerly anticipates getting involved in research and acquiring the necessary skills to promote greater arts accessibility throughout his time in the ARAD program at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Minji Kwak completed her undergraduate studies at Dongguk University in 2024, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater. During her undergraduate years, she actively engaged in various productions, assuming roles as an actress, crew member, and manager. Additionally, she dedicated her time to volunteer work as a teaching assistant in the theater program at welfare center. Her professional aspirations center around nonprofit management, and leveraging theater programs to promote social inclusion. Through the ARAD program, she aims to develop expertise in business administration to further her pursuits.

Laila Lawson graduated summa cum laude from the University of California, Davis, in 2024, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Minor in Art Studio. During her undergraduate career she spent time at the Beck Personality Lab and Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology Lab. Her research focused on the effects of creative leisurely activities on subjective well-being through the fostering of social connection. As an artist, Laila’s focus is visual art, particularly portraits of women of color. She looks forward to combining her interest in the benefits of social connections that art can offer with the business of arts  administration, and is excited to continue her education at the ARAD program.

Jia Li graduated from the University of Southern California with a major in Business Administration, complemented by a minor in Theatre. Her academic journey included an enriching exchange at Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management. During her undergraduate years, Jia applied her business acumen to the arts, working in pivotal roles at Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre and OneMore Productions Co., Ltd., where she spearheaded several productions. These experiences deepened her passion for integrating creative and operational management to elevate performing arts related works. She is excited to continue honing her skills in the ARAD program, anticipating how it will refine her future approach.

Yunsi Li graduated with Magna Cum Laude from Mount Holyoke College (South Hadley, Massachusetts) with double bachelor degrees in Art History and Economics. During her undergraduate years, she found her interest in the intersection of art and business/market. She interned at different art institutions, including assisting in the curation of a newly constructed university museum from inception, and participated in a donation to handle over 400 pieces of cultural relics in Seattle, USA. She is also interested in finding ways to bring art to the wider public and give more visibility to talented artists. Exuberant about the opportunities in the ARAD program, she hopes to explore the knowledge and practice of visual arts administration with people in related fields.

Lewis McClenaghan graduated from the University of Warwick with a joint degree in Film and Literature in 2019. After graduating, he completed a 2-year development scheme at the Wellcome Trust and Collection, where he worked across a variety of projects at the intersection of public health, policy and the arts. This included working on international cultural programmes such as Mindscapes, a global project bringing together artists, activists, policymakers, researchers, and communities with lived experience to facilitate conversations around mental health in urban areas which were at once hyper-local and globally relevant.

After this, Lewis moved to Bogotá, Colombia to work as an English teacher and translator for 2 years. It was during this time that he cemented his interest in understanding the arts through an international, cross-cultural and multilingual perspective.

The ARAD program at Teachers College will offer Lewis the chance to deepen his understanding of the role of the arts in society and how they can play an essential part in improving the health and happiness of our communities. Lewis is particularly keen to make the most of the faculty’s expertise and research facilities to research how emerging technologies offer creatives new chances for the creation, exhibition and public reception of their work, whilst improving accessibility.

Maggie Parham graduated cum laude from Haverford College in 2022 with a BA in History of Art. She grew up in New York City and has been involved with arts organizations since high school. Her résumé includes positions at the International Center of Photography (NYC), the Curator Gallery (NYC), the Gross McCleaf Gallery (Philadelphia, PA), the Cantor Fitzgerald Gallery (Haverford, PA), and Kenise Barnes Fine Art (South Kent, CT). She is most interested in the ways art and architecture are indicative of human behavior and social issues. Her other interests include urban planning, environmentalism, set design, film, and fashion. Maggie is thrilled to begin her Arts Administration journey at Teachers College in hopes to make art more accessible and inclusive through meaningful and intentional decision-making within arts organizations.

A lifelong dancer and photographer, Laura Prados-Bacó was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico and holds a BS in Business Administration from Babson College (2021). As an undergrad, she cultivated her passion for the arts, working at the Sorenson Visual Arts Center, organizing galleries, and promoting community-driven arts events. For the past three years, Laura has worked at ArtLifting, where she advocates for artists living with mental or physical disabilities, or experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness. With her personal lifelong commitment to Puerto Rico's vibrant arts scene and her professional experience championing diverse artists, Laura aims to integrate economic, social, and cultural perspectives within arts administration. In doing so, she hopes to foster community connections and enhance accessibility to the arts, both in Puerto Rico and beyond.

Giovanna Querido is passionate about new models of cultural organizations and collective technologies of governance that foster art and education by promoting solidarity networks based on exchange, collaboration, and experimentation. Working for more than six years as a cultural worker in different institutions, Querido has been part of the collective work of listening, thinking, elaborating, and assembling the 34th (2021) and 35th Bienal de São Paulo (2023), the second oldest in the world and the biggest in Latin America, and also the 18th Architecture Venice Biennale (2023) and the 60th Venice Art Biennale (2024). Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Communications from the University of São Paulo and a Specialization in Arts and Cultural Management at Celacc-USP (Center for Latin American Studies on Culture and Communication). She was awarded a full-ride scholarship by the Lemann Foundation to pursue her Master’s at Columbia University.

Tiffany Wong graduated from The Juilliard School in 2023 with a Bachelor of Music in Harp Performance. At Juilliard, she won the harp department’s concerto competition in her sophomore year and served as principal harpist in the Juilliard Orchestra’s performance at Carnegie Hall in her senior year. Tiffany’s interest in arts administration began during her very first Juilliard Orchestra rehearsal, when she observed members of the orchestra administration team organizing music on stands and setting up equipment in the room. To learn more about the operations that contribute to successful rehearsals and performances, Tiffany worked as a teaching assistant for an orchestra repertoire class, where she was responsible for tasks such as recording attendance, tracking all instrument parts, and addressing questions and concerns from over 60 students. Tiffany also worked as an ear training teaching fellow, orchestra library assistant, and usher/front of house manager at Juilliard. All of these experiences have opened her eyes to the many ways she can support fellow musicians beyond being a performer, and she hopes to discover even more career possibilities and professional interests at ARAD. Aside from playing the harp, Tiffany enjoys bouldering, crocheting, reading, and singing.

In the dynamic interplay of modern dance, documentary film production, and acting, Tiantian Yang emerges as a figure of versatility and leadership. As the former Executive Director of the Beijing Modern Dance Company (BMDC), Tiantian led the prestigious group to international acclaim, attending over 20 arts festivals worldwide, including the Berlin Art Festival and Venice Biennale. During her tenure, BMDC witnessed a remarkable revenue increase through comprehensive reform, innovative online classes in collaboration with ByteDance, and pioneering online pay-per-view performances which garnered millions of views.  She has also made her mark as a producer and a film actress. Her work includes producing the acclaimed paleontology documentary "The Fantastic Journey of Rabbits," which won the 13th China Academy Awards of Documentary Film and starred in more than 15 films, which received accolades and recognition at prestigious film festivals. Embarking on her next chapter at Teacher College, Tiantian is eager to blend her experience with the insights and talents of her peers in the ARAD community to foster a vibrant, innovative future for the art world.

Alicia Zhang graduated with highest distinction from the University of California, San Diego, earning a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Computing and the Arts (ICAM), a B.S. in Business Economics (ranked first in her major), and a minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. An innovative entrepreneur, artist, and business leader, Alicia thrives at the intersection of art and technology within the broader business landscape.

During her undergraduate years, Alicia interned with several technology firms as a business analyst, co-founded two non-profit educational startups, and had multiple performance art and installation pieces exhibited at the Adam D. Kamil Gallery. She also co-curated two exhibitions, working with over 40 mixed-media art pieces. Additionally, Alicia held leadership positions as president and vice president in three pre-professional organizations focused on consulting, investment, and non-profit sectors. She showcased her musical talents as the lead guitarist for two alternative rock bands, performing in acclaimed productions such as "American Idiot," "Rocky Horror Show," and "Something Rotten!" with Muir Musical.

As she embarks on her journey in the ARAD program, Alicia is eager to gain insights from industry leaders and learn from expert practitioners. She is keenly aware of the challenges facing the highly concentrated and opaque art market, including stagnant growth and diminishing social impact, so she is committed to fostering long-term relationships with like-minded individuals to strengthen, sustain, and democratize the art sector, making it more accessible to all.

Yiyan (Evelyn) Zhang graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Pepperdine University in 2024. During her undergraduate years, she cultivated a strong passion for the fashion industry, underscored by internships at distinguished companies like Sepia Showroom, Capsule Showroom, and Jacques Wei Studio. She was also one of the curating members at Shanghai Fashion Week for two years. Her passion for blending modern innovation with environmental responsibility led her to explore sustainable art and fashion through internships at a carbon neutrality company, where she worked on integrating eco-friendly practices into the fashion and art industries. She is excited to start her journey at ARAD, looking forward to meeting people with similar ambitions in this community, and eager to contribute to cross-cultural exchanges.

Xuan An graduated with a bachelor's degree in Chinese Language and Literature (Interdisciplinary Program:Innovative and Cultural Industry) from Shandong Normal University in 2023. She has gained rich knowledge in cultural production and consumption, which involves literature, aesthetics, art, marketing, and communication. During her undergraduate studies, An gained experience working in the new media department of Shandong Business Daily and her university. She has tried to start an artistic business as well. She participated in establishing a studio in 2021 to provide promotion services for local traditional crafts through new media. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors and writing fiction. Born with a dynamic personality and active thinking style, An has developed an interest in commercial entertainment, visual arts, new media, ACGN culture,etc. She has a fascination with interacting with different artists,evaluating the price, and using strategic marketing tools, such as digital marketing, to help sell arts products. Attracted by digital artworks and entertainment products, her academic interest lies in the visual aesthetics of the integration of digital technology and traditional art. She is also concerned with how to utilize cultural resources to obtain economic and artistic benefits and how to start innovative entrepreneurship in the cultural sector. By continuing her study at ARAD TC, An hopes to better improve her art administration skills and collaborate with others. In the future, An plans to devote herself to the auction or entertainment industries.

Soobin Bae is an arts professional from Seoul, South Korea. After graduating from Wellesley College with degrees in Art History and Chinese Language and Literature, she has garnered experience at various companies within the art industry, including Sotheby's New York and Perrotin Hong Kong. Her most recent role involves serving as a liaison for a diverse roster of artists from several parts of the world, specifically Los Angeles, New York, Seoul, and Stockholm. Passionate about bridging cultural gaps, she aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the intersection between the arts and management through the ARAD program. Her goal is to apply this knowledge to foster the creation of vibrant and sustainable art communities. She is committed to cultivating global relationships, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity and diversity.