Grammy Nominated Musician Associate Professor, University of Miami Frost School of Music
Praised for his “full and fluent style” by the New York Times, acclaimed pianist and composer Martin Bejerano has performed and recorded with numerous jazz luminaries, including his 20 year association with GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award-winning drummer Roy Haynes, Christian McBride, Dave Holland, Pat Metheny, Ignacio Berroa, Russell Malone, Dafnis Prieto, and Sammy Figueroa, performing at most of the major jazz clubs, festivals and venues around the world.
An award-winning bandleader, Martin’s own trio has performed at such notable venues as Symphony Space, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, The Jazz Gallery, Barquisimeto Jazz Festival, El Hatillo Jazz Festival, St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, Festival Miami, and Lucerne Piano Off-Stage Festival, and was featured on NPR’s “Jazz Set” series. He has received numerous composition grants from such prestigious organizations as Chamber Music America, Dranoff 2 Piano Foundation, and the New York Philharmonic “New World Initiative”.
As an educator, Martin has given masterclasses and clinics at high schools, colleges, and universities across the world. A tenured professor, he has been the head of the Jazz Piano Studio at the acclaimed Frost School of Music, University of Miami, for eleven years, teaching jazz piano, improvisation, and composition. He is thrilled to be expanding his work with students right here in Miami as a member of Arts for Learning.
Candace Binns is a Senior Account Manager at VML. Ms. Binns works with her team to develop strategic solutions and lead market activations to drive client business forward. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Central Florida. In addition, she is a Miami native who is passionate about community service and is an advocate of the transformational benefits of participating in programs that foster cross-cultural understanding and learning through the arts.
Brooke Elliott is an attorney in Holland & Knight’s Miami office and a member of the firm’s Private Wealth Services Group. Ms. Elliott has experience with tax controversies, as well as domestic and international estate and tax planning. With respect to international planning, Ms. Elliott provides tax advice to international clients planning to invest in the United States and to domestic clients investing internationally. She also advises clients on international tax compliance and has experience guiding clients through Internal Revenue Service (IRS) examinations and audits.
Managing Director – Private Wealth Advisor
Ameriprise Financial Services L.L.C
Abraham is a Private Wealth Advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services L.L.C and has been in the financial service industry since 1993. He earned his Certified Financial Planner designation in 2000. Abraham earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law and was an attorney prior to moving to Florida in 1987. He currently serves on the Pension Board for the Town of Surfside, and is a non attorney member of the Unlicensed Practice of Law committee for the Florida Bar Association.
Abraham’s dedication to the arts stems from his early childhood exposure to music and the visual arts. He believes that art provides unmatched opportunities to develop skills of all children that are critical for their success. Whether it is through encouraging creativity and risk taking, learning the art of expression, or simply developing the connections for cognitive skills, he believes that art can be the essential catalyst for successful learning. He is grateful to be a part of Arts for Learning and its commitment to ensuring that children of all backgrounds have the same opportunities to succeed while at the same time enriching our community of South Florida.
Vice President, BSA/AML/OFAC Officer, Banco Do Brasil Americas
Martin Jaundoo has 18 years of experience working with financial institutions, primarily focused on financial crimes, fraud and anti-money laundering compliance. Martin has assisted financial institutions throughout the USA on measures to prevent and identify financial crimes plus provided advisory services including how to remediate regulatory enforcement actions. He was part of a monitorship team appointed by US regulatory bodies to oversee and advise on the remediation of AML and sanctions compliance programs at global banks. Martin received a BSc from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Professional Aeronautics with a minor in Aviation Safety and Management. He is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS).
Michael is a Senior Manager in PwC’s Operations Transformation group specializing in Sourcing, Procurement, and Supply Chain. Michael has over 15 years of related experience in both Industry and Consulting, and draws on his knowledge and experience to help his clients reduce costs, upskill their workforce, and develop long-term strategies for operational improvement. He also provides subject matter expertise and client support for major Mergers and Acquisitions.
Michael has long been drawn to Miami’s cultural diversity, energy, and opportunities, and recently chose to relocate to South Florida full-time. He learned the power and importance of volunteerism early in life, and enjoys finding new opportunities to learn about his world by giving back to it.
Founding Dean of Dance, New World School of the Arts President, Miami Dance Futures
Daniel Lewis is an internationally-recognized dancer, teacher, choreographer and author, who joined New World School of the Arts (NWSA) in Miami, Florida as founding Dean of Dance in 1987. Here, drawing from nearly three decades of experience in the field, Mr. Lewis created the dance division’s eight-year professional program. In addition to developing and managing NWSA’s dance program, Mr. Lewis has heightened modern dance awareness in South Florida through Miami Dance Futures, a company he formed in 1988. Miami Dance Futures produced the highly successful Miami Balanchine Conference, the Dance History Scholars’ Conference, the National High School Dance Festival and the Modern Dance Sampler. Miami Dance Futures also produces local dance companies, including Houlihan and Dancers and Rosita Segovia’s Ballet Español.
Mr. Lewis is perhaps most widely known for his association with the work of Jose Limón, dancing with the company from 1962-74. As a choreographer, Mr. Lewis has been commissioned to create works by the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, Dallas Civic Opera, American Opera Center at Lincoln Center, Amherst College, the University of California at Los Angeles, and The Juilliard School, as well as companies in South America and England. His repertory company, Daniel Lewis Dance, has performed and taught extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Scandinavia. Mr. Lewis graduated from New York’s High School of Performing Arts in 1962 and The Juilliard School in 1967.
He has been received numerous national accolades including, but not limited to: The Florida Arts Recognition Award in 2001; Honorary Chairman of “dance4life,” a Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Nancy Smith Award in 2002; a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Dance Educations Organization in 2010. In 2011, Mr. Lewis received a proclamation from the floor of the Florida State Senate for his works in the arts in Florida by Senator Anitere Flores and he received the Martha Hill Lifetime Achievement Award in New York City. February 5th, 2011 was declared “Daniel Lewis Day” in Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami.