Board of Directors

All board members serve as volunteers; their interest in serving the theatrical community through SSPA is founded in years of support for and involvement in the craft of the art. Board members may be contacted through SSPA at sierraschoolofperformingarts@gmail.com.

President - Joe Linscott

Joe is a local business owner and real estate professional. Joe was born and raised in Reno Nevada, and graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in Business Management. Joe is a supporter of local arts and has participated in and enjoyed performing arts in the area from a young age—including appearing in past SSPA performances as a young adult. Joe appreciates the life benefits he has experienced from developing performance skills, and he is excited to lead Sierra School of Performing Arts into a bright future.

Vice President - Jon Marshall

Jon is a musician, mathematician, and educator. He and his family have made Reno their home since 2013. As chair of the Education Committee, he is focused on extending the reach of SSPA's programs to historically underserved communities. He loves performing and was honored to be cast in the 2021's Annie and All Together Now productions, as well as 2022's Into the Woods.

Treasurer - Joe Costanza

Partner, DiPietro & Thornton Certified Public Accountants

Secretary - Open

Advisor - Kayla Berrey

Advisor - Kim Carpenter

Advisor - Karen Galatz

Karen Galatz is a native New Yorker, raised on bagels, pastrami, and Broadway shows. A former reporter for KLAS-TV 8 in Las Vegas and the MacNeil-Lehrer NewsHour, Karen is the author of a top 100 humor blog, Muddling through Middle Age and The Matzo Chronicles column which appears across the US and abroad. When not sitting in rapt delight at “the theatre,” this over-grown Broadway Baby blathers non-stop about plays and blares show tunes. Worst yet, she often “sings” along — loudly, off-key. Approach with earplugs.

Advisor - Kelsey Gundersen

Kelsey was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. Her mother, Lisa Gunderson, was a founding member of Sierra School of Performing Arts. As a child, Kelsey was involved in the early days of SSPA and is now happy to return as an adult. Kelsey is currently an attorney at Sutton Hague Law Corporation. She graduated from the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law in 2019, and Rollins College in 2015. Kelsey is excited to bring her love of theater, as well as her legal knowledge and experience to the SSPA Board of Directors.

Advisor - Beth Honebein

Beth has found a niche writing grants and keeping an eye on the website for Sierra School of Performing Arts. With a professional background in advertising and marketing, she spent 10 years at advertising agencies in San Francisco and Indiana. In 1994, she moved to Reno and started her own manufacturing business, AuntieA's. As an entrepreneur, she is involved in every aspect of business, from making products and ordering inventory, to sales, marketing, and accounting, even sweeping the warehouse floor. Beth has put this ability to do whatever needs to be done to work in a variety of volunteer endeavors. She is proud to lend these talents to the amazingly creative people of SSPA.

Advisor - Whitney Hovenic

Advisor - Nancy Podewils-Baba

Advisor - Alison Westfall

Alison joined the board of directors at SSPA as an advisor in 2021. She is a long time Reno resident, a local OB/GYN physician, and an enthusiastic supporter of the performing arts. She was introduced to SSPA when her daughter joined the musical theatre world and had the privilege of learning and performing with this great school and production company. She looks forward to helping SSPA grow and reach their goals!