VAPA Foundation Staff
Kim Sweeney, Administrative Coordinator
Kim Sweeney is a cultural worker, educator, artist and nonprofit administrator with experience working in museums, nonprofits, and arts organizations across San Diego. With over seven years of experience as an educator, her mission in art education is to support students to embrace natural curiosity and creativity as sources of possibility, spaciousness and power. She is a dynamic writer, a skilled communicator, and has a knack for inspiring fruitful collaboration among diverse groups.
For general information please email us at info@vapafoundation.org.
Katelyn Woodside, Executive Director
Katelyn Woodside is a dedicated music education professional and nonprofit leader with over 25 years experience as a violinist, teaching artist, small business owner, and nonprofit professional. Her multifaceted career reflects her enduring passion for advancing arts education, promoting innovative and resilient nonprofit organizations, and building strong relationships with the community.
As a San Diego native, Katelyn has worked in numerous positions for local and prominent nonprofit organizations, including UC San Diego, La Jolla Music Society, Wounded Warrior Project, Bach Collegium San Diego, and Arts Education Connection San Diego. As a violinist, she is actively engaged in the local community as a founder of the Villa Musica Community Summer Orchestra and has played in various community orchestras throughout the years. She is also a proud San Diego Youth Symphony alumni and is active in their local alumni network.
She is deeply committed to advocating for arts education, particularly within K-12 settings, and her unique background makes her ideally suited to lead the VAPA Foundation through its next phase of growth.
Katelyn studied Violin Performance at the University of Victoria, BC (Canada), and holds a Bachelors of Professional Studies in Music Business from Berklee College of Music, and a Masters of Science in Arts Administration from Drexel University.
Beyond her professional life, Katelyn is an avid fitness and outdoor enthusiast. She also has a passion for textiles and is a hobby seamstress. She lives in Ramona with her husband, 2 children, and 2 Border Collie fur-babies.