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RESUME
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Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Ohio University
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Founder and Director, Roots To Rhythm™ (2002 to present). Design and facilitate rhythm-based development programs for schools, workplaces, leadership retreats, conferences, community groups, wellness agencies, and private events. Facilitator of community drum circles since 1996. Remo Endorsed Drum Circle Facilitator . Marketing and Corporate Communications Director, Newton Consulting (2009 to present). Newton Consulting is a leading provider of business strategy, information technology and human resource management consulting services, providing customer-focused, values-driven solutions to clients as they move from vision to reality. With its industry changing business model, Newton Consulting attracts and retains the best and brightest in the consulting field to provide services in Business and IT Strategy, Project Management, Systems Integration, Application Support and Development, and Recruiting Solutions. Newton Consulting provides an outstanding value proposition to a growing customer base in North America and Europe, and has been selected to the Inc. 5000, Pittsburgh 100, Best Places to Work in Western Pennsylvania, and as Best Service Provider by the Pittsburgh Technology Council. Marketing & Communications Officer, the Wilds (2007 to 2009). The Wilds is one of the largest and most innovative wildlife conservation centers in the world with a mission to advance conservation through science, education and personal experience. Located on nearly 10,000 acres in southeast Ohio, the Wilds is home to rare and threatened species from Africa, Asia and North America. Responsible for overseeing all public communications, marketing, and media relations, including website, printed materials, press releases, advertisements, community relations, and media interviews. Independent Consultant, Branches Creative Services (2005 to present). Provide a variety of development and promotional services for businesses and non-profit groups, including vision planning, media and public relations, meeting facilitation, name development, event planning and logistics, press releases, marketing, art direction, and photography. Organizational Development Facilitation clients included Cambridge Main Street, Dickens Victorian Village, and Guernsey County Farmers Market. Services also include Website Development. Research and organize content, map website structure, and provide all written content and photography to suit clients' individualized needs. Sites include www.dickensvictorianvillage.com and www.rootstorhythm.com. Work in association with Andy Hall Design . Program Director, Deerassic Park Education Center, Cambridge, Ohio (2003-2005). Developed and implemented outdoor education programs (in-school and field trips) to help meet State Academic Content Standards, including research and writing curriculum; hired and trained program presenter staff; wrote and designed newsletters and other promotional works; photographic coverage of programs and events; oversaw creation of new website, including writing and assembly of all content, mapping configuration, and working with designer; coordinated park events, including program design and presentation, press releases, and marketing; coordinated stage, scheduling, and central communications for 2nd annual Deerassic Classic fundraising event drawing over 17,000 people to the park, including producing audio/visual marketing package and assisting in coordinating hundreds of volunteers. Substitute Teacher, K-12 (2002-2003). Regularly served as substitute teacher for all grade levels, including special needs, for Guernsey, Noble, and Belmont County schools, Ohio. Photo Editor of Assignments and Origination, The Hartford Courant (1991-2001). Member of management team for staff of 21 photographers at Connecticut's largest daily newspaper with 10 daily zoned editions. Coordinated logistics for local, national, and international coverage, including staff scheduling, access, and deadline considerations. Served as central communication position between editors, reporters, bureaus, photographers, page designers, story subjects, officials, and the public. Coordinated breaking news coverage. Developed and chose visual content for Page 1; local, national, and international news; and special projects. On team to receive “Overall Excellence in Editing” award in the Pictures of the Year International contest, the highest picture editing award offered by the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA), in 2000 and 2001; also on team to receive “World's Best Designed Newspaper” in Society for News Design's (SND) 2000 international contest. Individual awards from NPPA, SND. Photographic Consultant, Towery Publishing (1999). Coordinated photographic content, coverage, editing, and promotions for “Hartford: New England Renaissance,” a 288-page high-quality, hardcover photo essay book featuring Hartford, Conn., and its surrounding communities. Staff Photojournalist (1981-1991). New Milford Times (Connecticut); Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette (Indiana); Muskegon Chronicle (Michigan); Cambridge Daily Jeffersonian; Ohio University Post; and Athens magazine (Ohio). Provided photojournalistic coverage of local, national, and international news. Wrote occasional news stories and columns. Awards from National Press Photographers Association (NPPA), Connecticut News Photographers (CNP), and Indiana News Photographers Association (INPA). Academic Recognition, Ohio University (1985): Cum Laude; Most Outstanding Visual Communication Student.
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Olney Friends School -- Member, Board of Trustees (2012-2013)
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAININGS Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC): (2013) Indianapolis, IN Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC): (2011) Indianapolis, IN
DRUMMING / WORLD PERCUSSION CLASSES and WORKSHOPS Kenya Masala : Drum Circle Facilitation Workshop (PASIC 2011) Layne Redmond :
fusing Brazilian and Mediterranean rhythms (PASIC 2009)
SHARED the STAGE Columbus Symphony (2008)
PERSONAL PATH
I remember my thoughts when it was time for me to choose an instrument to play in the band. I was 9 years old. I was a “nature kid” and spent the best days of my youth playing outside and exploring and learning about the woods and nature. Through this intimate relationship with the outdoor world, I related deeply to the natural aspects of drumming. Two sticks and a tree stump would do it. No need for man-made instruments, complicated mechanics, or written notation. For me, drumming was the “natural” choice – a direct connection to all that is. That decision led me to Mr. John Hartzell, our school district's percussion instructor. I practiced hard every day because I felt I had to dispel the myth of those days that girls couldn't drum. They never had a chance to believe that anymore. Thank you, Mr. Hartzell, for your faith in me and teaching me the rudiments of rhythm. It is interesting to me that the loves from my youth – drumming, photography, and the outdoors – led me to my professional career in photojournalism; a job connecting youth with the outdoors; and to my current role developing Roots To Rhythm. And it is especially interesting to me that is all about connections. As a photojournalist and photo editor, my mission was to connect people – to visually capture a moment in someone's life and present it to the readership community in an effort to foster understanding between people. As an outdoor education program director, my mission was to connect youth and families with the outdoors. As a drum circle facilitator, I'm doing all these things – providing opportunities for people to connect – using drums instead of pictures or hikes in the woods or stories. In this case, the connection is multi-dimensional – within oneself, with others in the circle, and with spirit. I have been blessed to experience and enjoy an amazing life ride on the path of rhythm, which has led me to cross paths and connect with the wonderful people listed above and others along the way . I am forever grateful to them all. |
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Toni Kellar, Director, Roots To Rhythm
