About Us

The Milpitas Alliance for the Arts was formed in 1997 and established as a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation in January 1998. The purpose of the Alliance is to promote and support quality multicultural experiences in the areas of visual and performing arts in the City of Milpitas. The Alliance currently has over 150 individual and corporate supporters in its "Circle of Supporters." The Milpitas Alliance for the Arts is working to facilitate cooperative programming with local arts organizations, the City of Milpitas, cultural groups, and the corporate community.
The Milpitas Alliance for the Arts serves the 60,000 residents of Milpitas as well as nearly 20 different arts organizations. The Alliance coordinated and co-authored the City of Milpitas' 5-Year Cultural Arts Master Plan, as well as actively encouraged the City to establish the Arts Commission formed in November of 2001. The Alliance created the Art in Your Park project, which envisions a piece of public art in every park in Milpitas. It also created a marketing campaign for the arts community that included brochures, street banners, a professional video, and an arts hotline for supporting the arts in Milpitas. In addition, the Alliance was instrumental in the development of the Milpitas Post Art Page.
The Board of Directors for the Milpitas Alliance for the Arts includes eight prominent Milpitas citizens. The Board of Directors oversees the operation of the Alliance and provides direction for the organization.

The Milpitas Alliance for the Arts
Board of Directors

Julie Cheitlin Cherry, President
Julie founded the Milpitas Alliance for the Arts with the long-term vision of creating a cultural arts center in Milpitas. Being an avid patron of the theater and opera, and with a daughter involved in Rainbow Theatre for over 8 years, Julie has given countless hours of volunteer service to the arts community. Julie is currently the Chair of the Milpitas Arts Commission as well as President of the Milpitas Alliance for the Arts.

Larry Voellger, Vice President
Larry Voellger is a graduate of San Jose State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre Arts. He spent his early years in Fremont and moved to Milpitas in 1987. Having met his wife in children's theater and having two children involved in the performing arts, Larry was eager to help support the Milpitas Alliance for the Arts. As a founding member of the organization, Larry has served as both President and Vice President.

BJ Navarro, Director
Barbara Jo Navarro, better known as "BJ", is an original board member of the Milpitas Alliance for the Arts and currently holds the position of Director. Her love of the arts is evident through her long time commitment as a member of the Milpitas Community Concert Band. BJ played in the orchestra for Rainbow Theatre's productions of "Music Man" and "Bye Bye Birdie". She shares her love of music as a music minister at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church. BJ and her husband, Rocky, have been residents of Milpitas for over 20 years.

Frances Krommenhock, Treasurer
Frances Krommenhock currently serves as Treasurer for the Milpitas Alliance for the Arts. As a Commissioner for the Milpitas Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Commission from 1972 to 1993 and again from 1998 until present, she has helped to shape the cultural community in Milpitas. Frances has been living in Milpitas for over 32 years. She played a pivotal role in the planning of the first "Art in Your Park" project for Albert Augustine Jr. Memorial Park.

Elena Lawson, Secretary
Elena's interest in the arts goes back to her early childhood in New York, what a great city to become fully immersed in all aspects of art. Through her children, Elena was involved with Rainbow Theatre at its inception and San Jose Children's Musical Theater. She managed an art exhibit of employee artwork called the "Public Hanging" for a major electronics firm. Elena is excited to be part of the Milpitas Alliance for the Arts Board of Directors. She believes the organization has done a fantastic job of promoting art in all its forms and Elena is proud to be an art advocate in Milpitas.

Henry Manayan, Director
Henry Manayan served as the Mayor of Milpitas from 1996 to 2002. He is an attorney and business owner in Milpitas. During his term as Mayor, he formed the Milpitas Arts Commission as well as adopted a Cultural Plan for the City. As an arts patron and volunteer, Mr. Manayan has chaired or served on the boards of numerous arts companies including the Margaret Wingrove Dance Company, San Jose Performing Arts Consortium, San Jose Museum of Art and Villa Montalvo. He is the past President of the Board of the Arts Council of Santa Clara County. In recognition of his accomplishments, the Arts Council of Santa Clara County awarded him its annual "Business Leadership in the Arts Award" in 1991. Mr. Manayan joined the Board of Directors for the Milpitas Alliance for the Arts in May 2002.

Jeff Yaeger, Director
is a Tuba and Trombone Player. He has played with the Milpitas High School Jazz Band, Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Orchestra, as well as the Milpitas Community Concert Band and Milpitas Rainbow Theater, plus several Theater Companies and Orchestras around the Bay Area. He has conducted the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West. Jeff is a Instrumental Music Teacher at several elementary schools in Fremont. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education.

Joe Santoro, Director
Joe Santoro is a musician of 40 years and teacher for over 30. He is the co-owner of South Bay School of Music Arts where he teaches drum and percussion. He also is a Percussion Instructor at Milpitas High School. Joe is the Founder and Director of South Bay Kids, which is a Milpitas-based youth performance troupe. Joe performs at Nicolino's Garden Cafe every Saturday night at the "That's Amore", a show that consists of all Italian music.

The Milpitas ARTitude Video
As part of the ARTifude Marketing Campaign, the Milpitas Alliance for the Arts in conjunction with the City of Milpitas created an entertaining and informative video about the arts in Milpitas. The video is shown on Channel 15, the public access channel in Milpitas, every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday evenings at 7:00PM, 8:00PM, 8:30PM, and 9:00PM. If you would like to obtain a copy of the video, visit our Contact Us page, and request the video in the comments section.