TAC Staff

Thornapple Arts Council Staff

Megan Lavell	Executive Director exd@thornapplearts.org

Megan Lavell joined TAC as the executive director in 2009. Prior to joining TAC, Lavell earned her BA in journalism and worked at Hastings papers, building strong relationships with area individuals, organizations, and businesses that continue to benefit TAC today. Lavell is a 2010 graduate of Leadership Barry County, a 2012 recipient of the Athena Young Professional Award, and is part of the ongoing MACC Rising Leaders cohort.

Megan Lavell

Executive Director
exd@thornapplearts.org

Kathleen Welch	Marketing and Technology Coordinator kathleen@thornapplearts.org

Kathleen Welch joined TAC in 2018 as Program Director before transitioning into Marketing and Technology Coordinator in early 2020. She holds a BA in English Language & Literature and has experience in professional writing, graphic design, and coding.

Kathleen Welch

Marketing and Technology Coordinator
kathleen@thornapplearts.org

HCMS Staff

Community Music School Staff

Beth Lepak	Administrative Manager beth@thornapplearts.org

Michigan native Beth Lepak holds an MA in Theatre/Interpretation with a minor in English. A lifelong musician, Beth has played professionally with the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra, the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, the Dearborn Symphony Orchestra, and the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra. In addition to serving as the Administrative Manager, Beth teaches violin and viola for HCMS.

Beth Lepak

Administrative Manager
beth@thornapplearts.org

Doris Hale	Administrative Assistant hcms@gmail.com

A native of Hastings, Doris studied Music under Art Stewart, Edvard Grinvalds, and Freddy Kruko. She especially enjoyed her time in Michigan State University’s “Music as Literature” class.

Doris Hale

Administrative Assistant
hcms@thornapplearts.org

A native of Hastings, Doris studied Music under Art Stewart, Edvard Grinvalds, and Freddy Kruko. She especially enjoyed her time in Michigan State University’s “Music as Literature” class.

HCMS Teacher Bios

2022 Board of Directors

2023 Board of Directors

Jennifer DeWitt, President
Dale Svihl, Vice President
Ayesha Franklin, Secretary
Kristie Mouch, Treasurer
Michelle Duits, Immediate Past President
Zara Franklin*
Jan Hawthorne
Jorden Lyke*
Jacquie McLean
Michael Kinnary
Ellie Payne*
Sally Shuster Schoff

*Youth Board Member

Board meetings are held at 5:45 pm on the fourth Tuesday of every month in the Thornapple Arts Council office.

Board Committees

Executive Committee
Purpose: To evaluate the Executive Director; to determine bonuses and pay raises; to implement corrective action; to make recommendations to the full Board of Directors

Community Outreach Committee
Purpose: To serve as ambassadors for TAC; to plan and develop non-fundraising programs and events

Fundraising Committee
Purpose: To raise money for programs and operations of the Thornapple Arts Council

Scholarship & Financial Assistance Review Committee
Purpose: To make scholarship and financial aid awards to students, schools, teachers, and programs