Meet Our Staff
Please note that our staff is working remotely. Email is the best way to contact us, but if you call and leave a message, we'll get right back to you. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Executive Director
Adrienne Valencia
Adrienne Valencia brings more than 25 years' experience as an educator and non-profit arts administrator to her role at AECSD. A pianist, singer and former music teacher, Adrienne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Humboldt State University and a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from the University of Kentucky, Lexington.
(619) 550-3068 (Direct)
Residency Program Manager
Deirdre Moore
Deirdre Moore is an educator with over 20 years’ experience facilitating learning with students from infants to professional adults in subjects ranging from general education to discrete arts and the integration of the two. Creating engaging learning opportunities and watching learners flourish never ceases to inspire and humble her. Since her arrival in San Diego eight years ago, Deirdre has worked as a professional development facilitator and teaching artist for the VAPA Department of SDUSD integrating dance and theatre with literacy and science, an elementary level teacher of performing & visual arts and a teacher of Music Together, an early childhood music and movement program. She also supported the implementation of the Turnaround Arts Initiative in a local elementary school. In addition, Deirdre works as a writer, presenter and mentor for Education Closet, an online resource for K-12 educators in Arts Integration and STEAM. Deirdre holds a B.S. in Special Education from the University of St. Joseph in Connecticut and a M.Ed. in the Creative Arts in Learning from Lesley University in Massachusetts as well as teaching certifications in elementary education in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and California.
(619) 344-0498 (Direct)
Operations Administrator
Erika Paul
Erika Paul, Operations Administrator for Arts Education Connection San Diego, is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara. Erika has a degree in English and has a passion for creative writing and poetry. Erika utilizes her love for writing and her problem solving and organizational skills to support the programming staff.
(619) 677-6558 (Direct)
Programs Assistant
Kimberly Acosta
Kimberly is a visual artist and graphic designer, having received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from UC Riverside and a Master of Fine Arts in Animation from UCLA. Kimberly also received a certification in Museum Studies from San Diego Mesa College. She has served as a teaching assistant in the School of Theater, Film and Television at UCLA and has experience working with numerous museums in visitor services, marketing, special events and education programming. Kimberly has a great passion for both the arts and arts education, which she uses to support the AECSD programming staff.
(619) 243-0230 (Direct)