Student Profiles

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.

Rithika Ashok graduated with honors from The College of William & Mary in 2022, where she earned a B.S. in Kinesiology & Health Sciences, as well as a minor in Dance. During her undergraduate career, Rithika championed her artistic interests through participation and leadership in several campus dance organizations. This past year, Rithika worked at The Juilliard School's Dance Division, where she thoroughly developed her passion and skill set in the arts management field. She is ultimately interested in working at both nonprofit and for-profit organizations to specifically support the growth of up and coming artists. She is especially passionate about presenting South Asian art with resources that bring it into the global arts spotlight. Rithika looks forward to developing her skills and knowledge through ARAD and its supportive community!

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.

Hongxuan (Kira) Bao graduated from University of Miami in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a minor in communication. She looks forward to discovering her potential here.

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.

Natalia Buitrago graduated in 2021 from SUNY Potsdam with a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance, Clarinet and Music Business.  During her undergraduate studies, she gained experience through internships with The Crane School of Music, D’Addario, and MusicFirst. She looks forward to collaborating with like-minded individuals passionate about the arts. Her professional interests include communications and event programming in arts and music education. She aims to bring the arts to underserved communities and to transform music education programs to be more equitable and inclusive. Additionally as a musician, she enjoys woodwind doubling in musical theatre pits.

Mars Cardwell is originally from Hagerstown, Maryland. She graduated from the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University with a Bachelors in Music Education as a Strings/Violin Primary. Shortly following her graduation, she obtained her New York State Music Teaching License. While attending NYU, she spent much of her free time participating and leading in various spaces centered around creating safe and reliable resources/spaces for students of color, especially feminine identifying students of color. That combined with her teaching experience has led her to working towards all arts accessibility and advocacy for children of color. She looks forward to the knowledge and resources that she will gain in the ARAD program and overall at Teachers College.

Wan-Hsin Cheng, a graduate of National Taiwan University, earned a bachelor's degree in Economics and a minor in Music. She has a keen interest in classical piano and has gained performance experience while nurturing her appreciation for music. Her background in economics has offered her valuable training in data analysis and problem-solving, allowing her to apply market analysis and economic models to the arts sector in practical ways. Through her internship at the National Taiwan Theater and Concert Hall, Wan-Hsin was exposed to the dynamic cultural landscape and various aspects of multifaceted operations in managing performance arts. As an activity head in a music club, she has organized live performances, collaborating with technical professionals to bring artistic visions to life. Eagerly anticipating her future studies, Wan-Hsin hopes to delve further into arts management at ARAD and is excited to explore the vibrant arts scene in New York City!

Sophie Collinet is originally from France. Since her childhood, she has always been fascinated by the powerful and beautiful nature of art. It left a lasting impression on her, so, her goal growing up became to be around creativity as much as possible, in order to try to continuously experience this mesmerizing feeling. After graduating in July 2022 from Bayes Business School, City, University of London with a BSc (Hons) in International Business, where she founded and presided over the art society, as well as participated in entrepreneurship challenges, she worked for a year in several art galleries to gain more work experience, while building her first start-up. She realized then that combining her passions for art and entrepreneurship was what she really wanted to do. She is particularly interested in circular business models, together with establishing a company in the art industry that will make art more accessible while giving more visibility to talented emerging artists. Sophie believes that the MA in Arts Administration, especially the various classes and the bespoke program, will help her achieve this goal.

Xiaoqi (Iris) Cong is an enthusiastic Chinese girl with a strong passion for the arts. She just got her BFA from Dalian University of Technology, where she specialized in Visual Communication Design. 

During her undergraduate years, she gained valuable experience as a curatorial assistant for photography exhibitions and art foundations. And she is also a designer and an illustrator. Her interest in the arts was nurtured from a young age through calligraphy and fine arts, fueling her profound fascination with the creative world.

With an active and adventurous personality, she loves to explore various interests fearlessly, always eager to embrace new challenges. And with her strong interest in the integration of business, technology, and art, she hopes to meet like-minded friends who share the same  passion, fostering a creative and innovative experience during her graduate studies.

My name is Sheng Dang and I graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. My background in communications allows me to better understand the publicity and the promotion part of the projects. During my undergraduate life, I interned at Yangzhou Daily News and learned how to report news. Had an internship at Jiangsu Broadcast Corporation to learn all the steps of producing a show/stage. Had an internship at ByteDance and GroupM to learn many promotion techniques. All these experiences I had helped in pursuing this aspect of musical promotion. Since 2018, the Chinese musical market is on the rise, with more and more audiences willing to come into the theatre to watch stage arts. I am one of them. Until now, I have watched hundreds of different stage arts productions, and going to the theater has become an indispensable part of my life. Also, I am constantly promoting stage theater arts to the public on social media platforms. As stage arts is still a niche culture, I hope to learn more about art and management through the ARAD program, so that I can popularize theatre culture to a larger extent.

Kira Daniel graduated Summa Cum Laude from Texas Christian University with a BFA in Modern Dance. She has been a part of the performing arts community from a young age and has completed summer programs at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Eisenhower Dance Detroit, and has performed works by Martha Graham, José Limón, Jamila Glass, and Stephanie Pizzo, among others. Having little access to dance training from a young age inspired Kira to learn the world of arts management. With a passion for exploring her interest in dance and social justice, Kira is most excited to begin her Arts Administration journey at Teachers College in hopes to open a non-profit dance center that offers better access to training in the arts to people of color.

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.

Carolina Edman embarked on exhibition making when assuming leadership of the art initiative at Copenhagen Business School while studying International Business and Politics. Recognized for her contributions, she became a selected member of the school's Art Committee, where she championed several art projects to enrich the knowledge environment of the business and management education context. Her arts administration journey continued at Faurschou, where she with colleagues nurture a contemporary art collection and an international exhibition program with leading artists. Presently, her research centres around the expanding role of museums and associated spaces as custodians of cultural heritage and generators of visual culture. Beyond her professional pursuits, Carolina finds solace in hiking and ventures into nature, reflected in her passion project, Mesh Magazine, which champions regenerative ethics for humankind's future.

Suxin Feng graduated with honors from Parsons School of Design in 2022 with her BFA in Interior Design. Triggered by her appreciation for the peculiarity of Asian culture, she has developed a great interest in investigating the diverse nuances and values of Asian cultural heritage in traditional non-profit museums and galleries using immersive techniques and social media. She did her internship at the Harmony Gallery in Shanghai, which focused on Chinese tea culture through curatorial design decisions based on social and historical artifacts such as paintings and Chinese calligraphy installations. She also worked as a design consultant at Calligaris in New York City, where she participated in curating grand opening event for the showroom, Instagram account analysis & development, video making and interior design consulting. With her goal to cultivate engagement with the audience in cultural exhibitions, she aims to utilize various art forms and social media to acquire audience exposure on the internet in her future administration practice.

Qiuru Feng graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2022 with a double major in Art History and Statistics and a minor in Business Administration. During her undergraduate study, Qiuru interned at both for-profit and non-profit art institutions, including Shanghai Powerlong Art Center, He Art Museum, the Heller Group, Gurr Johns, and Eli Klein Gallery. Her academic and professional interests center around arts advocacy, with a specific focus on using art to encourage diversity, promoting underprivileged artists, and organizing exhibitions that support marginalized groups. Through the ARAD program, Qiuru aspires to explore the multifaceted art ecosystem and develop a more comprehensive skillset that enables her to promote equity and inclusivity in the art world.

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.


ZiYing (Lavender) Gai was born in Beijing, China and graduated from Pepperdine University in 2023 with dual degrees in Art History and Art. As an undergraduate, Lavender completed internships at several contemporary art museums and galleries including the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art and ROSEGALLERY, while also developing an interest in Contemporary East Asian Art. Her senior Art History thesis explored how the Chinese contemporary artist, Ji Yunfei, mobilizes traditional Chinese aesthetics and culture through his use of material, color, technique, and iconography in order to comment on the political issues in both China and the United States based on his experience in China and the West. In addition, her Senior Art Exhibition, "Whispers from the Water," bridged Eastern and Western cultures through an analysis of consumerism and superstitious beliefs. Lavender served as co-president of both the Art Club and Art History Student Society during her undergraduate years. She looks forward to expanding her knowledge and skills in law and business classes at ARAD, to contribute to intercultural exchange and communication in the contemporary art world.

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.

Yixue (Rachel) Guo was born in Beijing, China and recently graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a BFA focus on photography and a thesis in Visual and Critical Studies. Her strong passion for art, law, and business solidified her goal to promote the multifaceted value of art via cross-disciplinary approaches, especially for children. After her first experience as a teacher’s assistant at an English summer camp, she realized art’s cultural and social importance and its powerful impact on Children. With the hope of minimizing the barriers and making art more accessible, she interned at the International Children’s Media Center and the Baer Faxt Asia. She also volunteered at multiple museums and film festivals. She is excited to start her new journey at ARAD in Teachers College, Columbia University, and she looks forward to developing her skills in non-profit arts management and gaining knowledge in the legal and business field. During her spare time, she enjoys trail running, rock climbing, and snowboarding.

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.

Chelsey Guo holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia. Following her graduation, she pursued further studies at the Gemological Institute of America, where she obtained a prestigious Diploma in Graduate Gemology. In 2016, leveraging her expertise in business and gemology, Chelsey embarked on an inspiring journey by establishing her own jewelry brand. Her brand focuses on crafting exquisite pieces with natural diamonds, colored stones, and jadeite. A core aspect of Chelsey’ s identity centers around her strong family ties and her commitment to community and social responsibility. This fundamental value system has guided her throughout her professional endeavors, influencing her to incorporate ethical and sustainable practices in her jewelry business. In the summer of 2022, Chelsey reached a pivotal milestone when she launched her second line of jewelry, exclusively featuring designs adorned with lab-grown gems and diamonds. This decision exemplifies her dedication to embracing innovation and supporting environmentally friendly practices in the jewelry industry. Excited about the opportunity to expand her horizons, Chelsey eagerly anticipates becoming a part of the ARAD community at TC. She is eager to engage with peers from diverse backgrounds, as she believes that such interactions foster creativity, collaboration, and the exchange of transformative ideas.

Ziying Guo is a recent graduate of American University, where she specialized in Art History and Studio Art. Her profound experience in art appreciation, coupled with her unwavering passion for art creation, has ignited her interest in actively engaging with the public and expressing the inherent value of art. Ziying has previously interned with two nonprofit organizations and an art foundation, where she gained invaluable working experience that fostered her sense of social responsibility. Her ultimate goal is to cultivate an appreciative understanding of art through art education, empowering others to access and appreciate the intrinsic value of art. Ziying is eager to further her knowledge and skills in this field, as she is committed to making a meaningful impact in the realm of art education.

Amanda Han graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Southern California in Fall 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Industry. Growing up as a classical pianist, Amanda is dedicated to promoting classical music as well as making music more accessible to the world.

YungChing (Anita) Huang graduated with honors from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2023, where she earned a BFA in graphic design. As a graphic designer, she finds great joy in telling stories and crafting narratives as a medium that can deeply resonate with others. She sees design as a tool in which she can effectively communicate the projects’ intent while creating meaningful connections, utilizing the graphic form as a collaborative platform to foster communities. Her interests center around marketing, communications, and social media strategy. During her undergraduate studies, her work experiences honed her expertise in developing compelling visual identities. She has previously interned at ZX Ventures in Shanghai, where she worked with the sales and marketing team to conceptualize marketing campaigns and design product packaging for breweries such as Hoegaarden, Patagonia, and Goose Island. In addition, she worked as a design intern for Miki Rai (content creator) and AlienAnt’s graphic design team by creating advertising and marketing materials based on collecting and analyzing audience engagement. 

Through the ARAD program, Anita hopes to explore the intersection between art and business. She looks forward to expanding her passion for arts management and acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact in the field.

Soojin (Jinnie) Kang is an actor, dancer, and educator hailing from Seoul, South Korea. She graduated with honors from NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development with Bachelor of Science degree in Educational Theatre and minors in Creative Writing, Dance, and Dramatic Literature.

Jinnie is deeply passionate about exploring the intersection of different art forms, and understands the transformative power of the arts. She is particularly interested in using the arts to create safe and inclusive learning environments for children. With experience as a drama teacher in various educational settings and as an assistant administrator in performing arts companies in New York and Seoul, she hopes to bridge the gap between arts and education.

Through the ARAD program, Jinnie looks forward to delve into a wide variety of artistic disciplines and gain foundational knowledge and professional skills in arts administration. She is also excited to connect and collaborate with other artists and professionals.

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.

Yiru Li graduated from National Taichung University of Education. She has received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with distinction. During her studies at the university, she was attracted to art exhibitions and art performances. Through her observation, she found that the artworks of students who had graduated from systematic art training were not appreciated by the majority of people. At the same time, she began to explore the influence of social and cultural contexts on the local art climate. Now, she hopes that through the studies, she will be able to promote the arts into people's daily lives in a way that fits the local cultural environment.

Tingwei Lin graduated from Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He believes art is a unique way to express the characteristics of a person, and art can inspire people and create social, cultural impacts. From an academic perspective, he collaborated with a prestigious professor researching the relationship among pop-music bands, audiences, and culture. With 12 years of music learning experience, Tingwei is familiar with the art industry, and then joined OPUS Music Art, a professional classic-music management company, to cultivate his artistic senses. He not only worked with musicians from distinguished symphony orchestras, such as National Symphony Orchestra and New York Philharmonic, but also engaged in several well-known performing arts projects. Participating in a startup project, which mainly focused on connecting artists, and an international volunteer program diversified his experience and reinforced his vision of bridging art, community, and people. Tingwei is hugely excited to join ARAD and continue to professionalize his business and art expertise. He hopes to launch an art company and utilize the power of art to bring more positivity and creativity to our world.

Chuying (Sienna) Lin is a New York-based fashion designer and entrepreneur from Macau, China. Sienna Lin graduated from Parsons School of Design with a BFA in Fashion Design and a minor in Creative Entrepreneurship. During her undergraduate studies at Parsons School of Design, Lin was nominated for the top 50 in the Arts of Foundation competition, the Supima Competition in 2023, and was one of the designers whose work was showcased at Parsons Benefit Gala 2023. Lin’s work identity is characterized by a sleek, modern aesthetic that incorporates innovative construction techniques, contrasts of colors, and a focus on clean lines. She generally looks to sources unrelated to fashion for inspiration, including art, architecture, and music. Lin aims to create new ideas and new forms that don’t follow any rules or conform to the trends of the time to play, evoke, inspire, and resonate with the audience. Driven by a profound passion for communication and art in general, Lin aims to share her unique perspective and acquired knowledge with a broader audience. Joining the Arts Administration program, Lin will continue to create, curate and showcase the enthralling intersection of consumer culture and creative entities.

Muhang Ma graduated with dual degrees in Cinema and Media Arts and Economics and History from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, with honors, and has gained extensive knowledge and expertise in these areas. Outside of academia, Muhang has developed a deep passion for photography, particularly in capturing the beauty of landscapes and the essence of individuals through portrait photography. Creativity is at the core of Muhang's interests. She is drawn to video production, where she brings to life the beauty of nature, the intimacy of relationships, and the connection between memories and senses. She interns at BlueFocus, Hebei Daily, MiraclePlus Venture Capital, and China Construction Bank and has been working directly with Director Yang Ting. Her love for travel has taken her to many corners of the world, where she enjoys immersing herself in new cultures and experiences. She is also an avid hiker, having conquered the historic Machu Picchu in Peru.

Kaylie Maines (she/her/hers) is an artist and educator from State College, Pennsylvania. She attended The Pennsylvania State University, where she triple-majored in Sculpture, Art Education, and English. Kaylie maintains a robust multidisciplinary studio practice and is an active member of the Northeastern foundry circuit. Her poetry collection, Make it Do or Do Without; A Collection of Poems and Folk Memoirs, explores disputed personal history and coming-of-age in modern Appalachia; the collection was awarded an Erickson Discovery Grant. Currently, she is focused on the development of mobile arts institutions and multi-community service in extended rural populations. She believes that a mobile service model can recentralize the arts and provide sustainable, inclusive, and flexible programming to underserved populations, regardless of geographic location.

Dylan Murphy, from Brocton, NY,  recently graduated from the State University of New York at Fredonia with a Bachelor of Arts degree double majoring in Music and Arts Administration. While at Fredonia, he actively participated in many arts organizations including the Fredonia Student Opera Theatre Association (SOTA), the American Choral Directors Association, and Much More Chill a capella. As the Vice President of Fredonia SOTA, Dylan produced the organization’s annual Opera Scenes while simultaneously directing a newly-composed opera created by a Fredonia alumnus and composition faculty. During his final semester of undergrad, Dylan stepped into the position of Acting Ticketing and Customer Service Manager during which he led a team of 18 student ticket agents in and out of the office. Dylan’s professional goals include working with diverse artists and arts organizations while continuing to create an inclusive environment for artists of all disciplines. He looks forward to working with his ARAD colleagues to encourage and inspire current and future artists to create their best.

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.

Alexandra Syrenova graduated from HSE University Contemporary Art program and recognizes art as a complex subject that shapes society. The focus of her career is contemporary art and the dialogue that links artists with the audience, while her overarching goals are to provide better access to the general public, promote a more equitable cultural economy that better serves working artists and public, and create responsible cultural management strategies that are profitable, interdisciplinary, and inclusive. 

She is a member of the International Federation of Artists, as well as a member of the Russian Union of Artists, and a recipient of a scholarship from the Creative Association of Artists of Russia in the category of Latest trends. She has curated and participated in more than 20 exhibitions, including no truth and Moscow Biennale, managed the development and opening of NIMA museum. Ultimately, she intends to continue her career in art management. 

Yihui Tang graduated from Otis College of Art and Design in 2023, where she earned a BFA in Fashion Design. Recognizing the cultural and economic impact of visual arts, Yihui is passionate about promoting arts communication and integrating arts education into local communities. With a strong background in design, market research, and business analysis, Yihui is well-prepared for graduate study in arts management. During her undergraduate study, Yihui has completed internships at PwC and Gucci, where they gained valuable insights into data analysis, marketing, and brand management. Additionally, Yihui has taken various courses in marketing, financial accounting, statistics, and Python to enhance their business and analytical skills. Yihui's long-term goal is to establish an art organization dedicated to supporting government and small artist programs, facilitating art financing and evaluation, and promoting art education in collaboration with schools and communities. Now Yihui is excited to join Columbia University's Arts Administration program. She is eager to contribute her interdisciplinary educational background and experiences to enrich the student body and actively engage in initiatives related to intercultural communication and creative design.

Zhengxin Ran graduated from University of Pennsylvania in 2023 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She also graduated from Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 2023 with a studio certificate. She was a sculptor and painter focused on representational work. During her undergraduate studies, in addition to fine art practices, she found her interest in art history, museum anthropology, and art management. She has had the opportunity of learning from experienced curators in person at several of Philadelphia's leading museums, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art. With a particular love of natural history, she chose to volunteer at the first natural history museum in the United States to be established for the purpose of free public education, Wagner's Free Institution of Science. She aspires to learn at ARAD about the connection of art and artwork to art dealers and business, as well as the different approaches and attitudes towards art appreciation and management around the world. She hopes to become a qualified personal studio operator after graduation.

Xinyu Qiao was born in Suzhou, China and graduated from Parsons School of Design with a BFA in Communication Design in 2023. With an educational background in China, the United Kingdom, and the United States, Xinyu developed her interest in art through different cultural aspects. As a visual graphic designer, she experienced art across print and digital media, marketing collateral, advertisements, events, web design and social media forms. Xinyu is exuberant about the opportunities in the ARAD program and hopes to explore the practice of art in business and bridge the gaps between art and the public.

Xinying Wang graduated from Boston College in 2022. Her interest and curiosity in arts and culture led her to major in Studio Art and minor in Art History. She has started her own business, designing and selling stationary and journaling supplies since her freshman year at Boston College. Through her experience working with artists worldwide, she has developed a more comprehensive understanding of arts and business and decided to pursue a career path as a curator, art business manager, and creative innovator who showcases artworks from Asian cultures on the global stage, forging multi-functional platforms that help young artists connect and reach a broader market. Xinying is excited about gaining leadership, data analysis, and marketing skills in ARAD and learning to apply them effectively to the art world. She is also looking forward to being part of the multicultural, diverse, and inclusive community at Teachers College.

Yuhan Wang graduated from the University of Arizona in 2022 with double bachelor degrees in East Asian Studies and Studio art. She has participated in design and marketing jobs at a children's education media company in Wuhan, China, and worked as a media assistant at Kuaikan Comics in Beijing. She also volunteered for Art Nova 100 art exhibitions in Beijing. Yuhan’s interest in the art business originates from her training as a studio art major, ranging from drawing, photography, design, and illustration. It has provided her with a foundation of art making and appreciation. Her volunteer work at the art exhibition sparked her interest in curating and opening up art spaces, as well as exploring more possibilities for balancing art and business. She is particularly interested in facilitating the practice of artistic, educational, and community practice in China, and also hopes to contribute to the still-developing but precious system. Joining the ARAD project, Yuhan is looking forward to improving her leadership skills and understanding of the art market and institutions. She hoped to cooperate with fellow students, local artists and other art practitioners to promote a vibrant art community.

Man (Alvin) Wang is a fresh graduate from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a BFA degree in Graphic Design. Before coming to Columbia, he has been taking an active role in collaborating with those who come from different backgrounds on projects which incorporate the latest technologies and make people’s lives easier and better. His recent interests lie on how user experience of interacting with designs be improved by resorting to technologies such as AR and VR. In addition to design per se, Alvin concerns much on how to manage art business and how he could identify talented artists. Alvin has had some interesting observations of artists in Dafen Village of Shenzhen, China, the so-called world art factory. He dreams of running his own gallery connecting emerging and talented artists and the world. Alvin believes that the interdisciplinary knowledge in business, art and technology will thus be helpful to his goal. He was hence brought to the ARAD program at Columbia.

Yuxi Wang graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in Music Arts Management. During her undergraduate years, she was both the founder and co-founder of two music therapy organizations: "Along with Music” Studio and “Feel&Hear” Studio.

Having established the first studio in China to combine music education with music therapy, her team is committed to serving vulnerable groups in society. It is for this reason that they have developed the "Starlight Yicai" course specifically for children with autism. In addition to providing a public welfare project, she interned at China National Opera and Shenzhen Singing Festival as a new media intern and assistant stage manager, respectively. As a result of Arad's study, Yuxi hopes to increase the role of art within the public cultural service system in society.

Anna Xie received a BA with honors in Art History with a Museum Studies Emphasis and Communications from the University of California, Davis in 2023. Her commitment to 20th century and contemporary art and architecture, particularly Asian, led her to navigating art scenes internationally. She has worked as an activity coordinator and education intern for the Manetti Shrem Museum Student Coalition and Pence Gallery in California, as well as a gallery intern at ZiWU Bookstore & Gallery, Modern Media Group in Shanghai. Aiming to spark active conversations and promote community arts accessibility and advocacy, she planned initiatives and programs including free public art lectures, workshops, and events for children, students and faculty, and community members. Through further pursuit in Arts Administration, she aims to venture into cultural and social transformations of the global art landscape with academic, networking, and leadership opportunities that ARAD offers.

Cleo Xu graduated from Pratt Institute in 2018, with BFA in Fashion Design. After graduation, she had worked as a designer, an illustrator, and a fashion jewelry buyer. During her time working as a jewelry buyer she enjoyed the process of discovering new designers and artists. She is also a freshly graduated gemologist from GIA.

Yitan Xu completed a successful ten-year career in real estate in Hong Kong before deciding to pursue her passion for art. She previously graduated from Sotheby’s Institute of Art New York with a master degree in Art Business. She is passionate about the aesthetics, cultures and humanities behind art. Yitan aims to support emerging artists by unlocking their artistic potential and commercial value in the art world while becoming an advocate of Asian art and culture in the world.

Kathryn Yang is an artist and curator based in Chicago. She received her BFA in Painting and Arts Administration from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) in 2023, where she developed her technical skills and learned to merge her passion for art with the practicalities of running an art organization. With a focus on nostalgia, her paintings capture fleeting memories and emotions through a vivid interplay of color and form. Her creative interests extend beyond painting, as she has previously worked at Compound Yellow, an experimental art organization in Chicago, where she was responsible for its MdW fair and served as a lead in the 2022 Multiple Goods Fair. In addition to her work at Compound Yellow, she worked as an assistant curator at the Tsinghua University Art Museum (TAM), where she was responsible for exhibitions including 100 Years of Design History: The Biagetti-Koening Collection and Marvelous Colors, Manifold Forms: Cultural Exchanges in Glass Art Among the Ancient East and West.

As a creative individual, she has also spearheaded curatorial projects, including Dine With Us and Hope & Darkness. Her passion for art expands to the film industry, where she is an active art director for multiple film projects. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the world of fine dining and winery, investigating and writing comments on these experiences.

Zichen (Aidan) Yu graduated from the University of South Carolina, where he earned his BA in Science of Tourism Management. During his four years of study in hospitality, Aidan realized that the arts are the core of cultural tourism and always need more exposure. Aside from his hospitality experiences, Aidan has also worked in multiple symphony orchestras in China and the United States, including China National Symphony Orchestra and South Carolina Philharmonic. He is also a clarinetist who has been playing in different orchestras internationally for the past five years. Aidan aims to combine his passion for the arts with his hospitality industry knowledge to create unique and memorable experiences for travelers. He hopes to use his skills and experiences to help bridge the gap between cultures and promote cross-cultural understanding.

Léo Zhang is a visual artist from Windhoek, Namibia. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 2022 with high distinction in Studio Art and Global Studies. Post graduation, Léo completed a year-long artist residency as an Aunspaugh Fellow in the UVA Art Department working with Federico Cuatlacuat. During his time in Charlottesville, he has worked for local galleries and art spaces such as Visible Records, Second Street Gallery, and Le Yeux du Monde. His interest in artist advocacy and accessibility has allowed him to work with organisations such as the Undocu+ collective. Léo hopes to utilise the ARAD curriculum to learn more about community-based work and art spaces as a driver for community organising and advocacy.

Ruoyue Zhang graduated from the University of British Columbia (Sauder School of Business) with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance. She was born in Beijing, China, and raised in Singapore, where she developed a passion for the visual arts. During her undergraduate studies in Vancouver, she worked and volunteered for the Contemporary Art Gallery Vancouver, Vancouver Visual Art Foundation, and the Chinese Canadian Museum. Her academic interest lies in public art, the presence of underrepresented artists, and the emerging NFT industry. She is excited to learn from the exceptional faculty and peers in the ARAD program and looks forward to making meaningful impacts in the field of arts administration.

Wenjie (Demi) Zhao is a multifaceted artist, writer, and scholar dedicated to making art accessible through innovative and creative communication. Originally from Nantong, China, Demi recently graduated from New York University with Magna Cum Laude honors. She was inducted into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa society and recognized as a member of Pi Delta Phi. 

During her undergraduate studies, Demi explored a diverse array of interests and expertise in visual arts. She double majored in Art History and French, and further broadened her knowledge by minoring in Psychology, Studio Art, and Digital Art & Design. Driven by a passion for Arts Administration, Demi has cultivated an extensive background in Digital Marketing, Public Relations, and Audience Engagement. 

Demi’s previous internships at esteemed organizations such as Ogilvy, Hill + Knowlton Strategies, The Armory Show, Fu Qiumeng Fine Art, and Musée Magazine have equipped her with invaluable experience in advertising and public relations, social media management, art fair and gallery operations, and insightful writing about the art world. As she looks to the future, Demi is eager to deepen her expertise at ARAD and continue her mission of promoting art and creativity to an ever-growing audience.

Baiqiang (Patrick) Zheng graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University with a B.A. degree in German, with a literature and economics focus, but with courses into art history and philosophy which strengthened his passion for art and its connection to culture, he began to volunteer in various art foundations, art spaces and media companies, witnessing the operations of a variety of artistic organizations. Throughout his investment and finance careers of the past 7 years, he has maintained a close connection with art, working with art institutes, investors and government bodies to foster the development of art in China. Most recently at Matrix Partners, he has explored the trends in domestic art, meeting with curators, art professors and students of fine art universities to explore the potential of art variety shows, popularization of art foundations, and methods for broadening aesthetic education. In ARAD, he looks forward to explore further how such digital technologies, combined with increased transparency and improved regulation, can improve the art market in the years to come.

Daniel Zhu graduated with Honours from the University of British Columbia with a B.Sc in Applied Animal Biology and a Diploma in Art History. Daniel has always held a deep appreciation for both the natural world and the arts, with his love for animals intersecting his passion for creative expression at every stage of his journey. Daniel has interned at the Vancouver Centre of International Contemporary Art as a gallery assistant, helping coordinate event logistics and host opening exhibits for renowned artists ranging from Javier Calleja to Hajime Sorayama. Daniel has also curated showings for private collections of Chinese contemporary artists and has experience working with branding, clienteling, and visual merchandising at Gucci. Daniel comes from a family of contemporary artists, and hopes to apply his multidisciplinary background to provide a fresh perspective in further catalyzing the bridging of the Asian and Western art scenes and to lend a meaningful voice to those who have been left unheard through innovative exhibition practices.

Xiaojing Zhu has an interdisciplinary background in art history, design and curating. She graduated with a dual Bachelor of Arts degree from The Communication University of China and The New York Institute of Technology in 2021. With a dedication to the localisation context of art, she worked in different non-profit independent art institutions in China such as DRC. No.12, The Bunker Space and is the public program curator of the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art at present. She aims to utter the characteristic sound of those veiled native narratives in sociopolitical perspectives through the potentiality of contemporary art in China and advocate for the extensive connection between art and the public in a systematic cognition. Her academic research is focusing on geopolitics, gender consciousness, and intertwined design history under globalization in the contemporary art field. As a writer, she mostly published her critics and exhibition reviews on different platforms. Xiaojing is looking forward to collaborating with her peers and being inspired by them at Columbia University.

Yuejia Zhu is from China and graduated from The New School, Parsons in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Illustration and a minor in Economics. From 2020 to the present, she gained a lot of hands-on experience in various positions in the Chinese art industry and became more aware of and empathized with the plight of the artist community during the pandemic. While planning a rural art exhibition in China, she learned firsthand how difficult it is to balance income and expenses, which is the case for many non-profit organizations and independent artists.

ARAD is a very exciting start for Yuejia. She has the ambition to explore new opportunities for both artists and audiences in today's world by fostering the development of the creative industry through innovative integrations and collaborations.

Audrey Ling Yik Pun graduated cum laude from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History. Her passion for arts administration first began in high school during her three-year summer volunteer experience with New York Philharmonic as the coordinator of the orchestra’s rehearsal and performance schedules, and later as the personal assistant to their music director Jaap van Zweden. During her time at Mount Holyoke, this interest was expanded as she entered the colorful world of visual arts. To ensure that she has a holistic view of the field, she participated in several independent research projects that range from Asian, Middle Eastern, to North American cultures and across a variety of periods, as well as acquired hands-on experiences such as being an archaeological intern for the Poggio Civitate Project in Tuscany, Italy, which focuses on the ancient Etruscan culture. Throughout the ARAD program, she hopes to turn her focus to the business side of art, thus acquiring administrative skills to bring art to a modern audience as well as valuable global networks.

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.