2024-2025 Contributors
Sophia Celdrán, MAM (‘25)
Sophia is currently pursuing a Master's in Arts Management at Carnegie Mellon University. She acquired an academic foundation in visual art and political science through a bachelor's degree from Marshall University before becoming invested in roles within art, education, and community engagement. Sophia's journey unfolded through museums, galleries, and community arts projects, where her passion for the arts took root.
Transitioning from managing guest services at the Huntington Museum of Art to sharing her expertise as a drawing teacher, Sophia now works at the Frick Pittsburgh. In her current role, she not only leads art workshops for all ages and conducts tours but also plays a vital role in advancing community art education initiatives. Sophia's trajectory reflects a dedication to combining art education and community engagement.
IG: @sophiaceldran
Damon Condon, MEIM (‘25)
Damon Condon is an aspiring entertainment industry professional currently pursuing a Master of Entertainment Industry Management at Carnegie Mellon University. Damon is dedicated to expanding his knowledge and skills in the ever-changing world of entertainment. Driven by a passion for family entertainment, Damon is determined to use his creative talents to produce projects that captivate audiences across all age groups. He is currently in pre-production for his second short film, a family film he is directing based on a story he wrote through the Reel Time Film Club at Carnegie Mellon. Damon’s desire to excel in the entertainment industry is further evident in his previous experience working as a senior graphic designer for eight years, as well as a short stint designing in the publishing world. With a strong foundation in design and a deep commitment to the entertainment industry, Damon hopes to make a significant impact on the world of family entertainment and bring people back together through the movies and television they are consuming.
Seohee Lee, MAM (‘25)
Seohee (She/her) is a first-year Master of Arts Management student at Carnegie Mellon University. She studied film, made a few films, and held several photo exhibitions in Korea. She has developed her skills and interest in administration as a film school supervisor at Soongsil University for two years and recognized her desire to support and uplift artists.
She pivoted her career towards arts management, with skills she gained as a filmmaker. She is expanding her horizons by taking data-based analytics classes, including those focused on disruptive technology and policy in the arts. She is excited to continue her journey by nurturing talent and creativity in the arts. Let's connect and explore new opportunities together!
IG: @olseohee
Taylor Lien, MEIM (‘25)
Taylor Lien is a first year masters of entertainment industry management student at Carnegie Mellon University. She is scheduled to graduate in May 2025. Upon graduation she is pursuing a career in television development and television writing. Outside of the entertainment industry
Taylor enjoys writing, reading, cooking and baking. Her current favorite tv show is either The Bear or Hazbin Hotel, and her favorite movie of last year was Leave the World Behind. With an undergraduate education in digital media and English, Taylor chose to pursue entertainment because of the mass appeal. Growing up in the Midwest, outside of books, movies and television were the most accessible connection to a culture outside of the small town where she grew up. She appreciates being able to blend her creative acumen and business knowledge of the industry in order to shape the next generation of television.
IG: @taylorelien
Rachael Gunning, MAM (‘25)
Rachael (she/her) is a first year Master of Arts Management student. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Bard College, double majoring in Written Arts and Music. Prior to her master’s program, she worked at the Fisher Center at Bard. While there, she discovered a passion for arts management, specializing in producing, finance, and administration. She hopes to explore cultural equity and community engagement in the arts after graduation. When she is not busy with her studies, she enjoys laughing her way through improv and learning useless facts.
Ian Hawthorne, MAM (‘25)
Ian (He/Him) is a first-year Master of Arts Management student at Carnegie Mellon University. Ian earned his bachelor’s degree in economics with a minor in art history from Michigan State University in 2021.
Before coming to Pittsburgh, Ian served as the Operations Manager at REACH Studio Art Center, a nonprofit community art center in Lansing, Michigan. While in this position, Ian managed budgeting, reporting, and bookkeeping operations while writing REACH’s first permanent set of financial policies and procedures. Ian helped rebuild development and grant-writing operations after staff reductions during the pandemic, expanded and oversaw REACH’s advertising budget, and developed events, exhibitions, and rental agreements in REACH’s 7 studios and gallery.
These experiences have made Ian passionate about developing sustainable financing solutions to better support nonprofit arts operations.
Melida Hernandez, MAM (‘25)
Melida Hernandez (They/Them) is currently a first-year Master of Arts Management student at
Carnegie Mellon University. They completed their bachelor's degree in Arts Education from
Florida International University in 2020, bringing with them a background as a multidisciplinary
arts educator and a passion for using art spaces to foster creativity and learning.
Previously, Melida developed programming for art studios in Miami, FL, and facilitated art portfolio readiness courses. Melida currently serves as an Advancement Assistant Fellow at the College of Fine Arts at CMU, supporting fundraising and outreach initiatives. They also are a Museum Educator at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, where they help create inclusive
experiences for visitors. Ultimately, Melida is dedicated to creating accessible opportunities for expression, focusing on youth facing barriers to participation in the arts.They look forward to leveraging their education and experiences to engage meaningfully with the vibrant arts community in Pittsburgh!
Tianying (Echo) Zhu, MAM (‘24)
Tianying is a second-year Master of Arts Management student at Carnegie Mellon University. Tianying finished her undergraduate degree at Parsons School of Design at The New School, majoring in fashion design. Her undergraduate work was distinguished by a deep commitment to sustainability within the fashion industry. Now transitioning her focus towards the broader visual arts sector, Tianying is applying her artistic background and management understanding to explore the intersection of public art, urban design, and sustainability.
Her recent professional experiences include internships within The Morgan Library & Museum's Development Department and at the Heila Heller Gallery. Before shifting her focus towards the arts, Tianying garnered diverse experiences across various sectors, including the medical technology firm Stryker's marketing team, luxury fashion brand Christian Dior's merchandising team, and fashion magazine Grazia's New Media Fashion Group. Tianying's unique blend of artistic vision, passion for sustainability, and cross-industry experience positions her further to explore art, fashion, and urban environmental design.
IG: @ech.oart
Julia Levine, MAM (‘24)