SAA GOVERNING BOARD

Patrick Mizak
PMizak@sarasotaacademyofthearts.com

Vice President 

Pat Mizak is the Assistant Vice President for Planning & Institutional Effectiveness and faculty member in the Business of Art & Design program at Ringling College of Art and Design.  He formerly worked at Armstrong Atlantic State University (now Georgia Southern University) in Savannah, Georgia and Canisius College in Buffalo, New York.  He is a graduate of Cornell University (B.A. History), Cleveland State University (M.A. Economics), Georgia Institute of Technology (M.S. International Affairs), and the State University of New York at Buffalo (Ph.D. Higher Education).  He has over 20 years of experience in higher education as a teacher and administrator.  Pat also participates in accrediting colleges and universities for both the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.  He and his wife are the parents of five children and moved to Sarasota in 2012.  In his spare time, Pat enjoys watching sports, throwing darts, and cooking.

Denise Verheul 
DVerheul@sarasotaacademyofthearts.com

An Oberlin Conservatory graduate with Bachelor's of Music and Master's of Music in Teaching Degrees, Denise Verheul has been teaching and helping to fulfill musical dreams for her students as they perform in festivals, competitions, college and professional auditions while pursuing excellence in their musical training. Many of her students compete in State, Regional and National competitions with the National Music Teachers Association as well as the Young Artist Competition.
Denise Verheul is a former faculty member of State College of Florida and served as Florida State Concerto Chairman. She is an active member of the National Federation of Music Clubs and specializes in College Audition Preparation and has helped many students get accepted into prestigious music schools across the country including Oberlin Conservatory, Juilliard, University of Michigan, Eastman School of Music, Florida State University, Indiana University, Cincinnati Conservatory, Berklee School of Music, Elon, NYU, etc... Her students can be seen in National
Tours, Broadway, movie scores, TV/Film, American Idol and America’s Got Talent.
In Atlanta, Ms. Verheul developed many music programs, theatre companies, and created “Atlanta Idol” where local musicians showcased their talents for casting agents and record executives. Ms. Verheul has served on committees with Broadway Dreams Foundation, Christian Youth Theatre, Atlanta Workshop Players and was involved in music directing with the
prestigious Shuler Awards.
​Currently in Sarasota, she serves as pianist at First Sarasota Church and can be seen directing orchestra and choir at the annual Singing Christmas Tree along with Director, Shawn Gross.
She is Vice-President of Sarasota Music Teachers Association and Chairman of District music events.  She was Music Director at Booker High VPA for 10 years and was awarded Sarasota Most Influential High School Teacher of the Year as well as College Advisor Award for helping VPA students earn over a million dollars in college scholarships. Ms. Verheul is a professional pianist, accompanist, music director and teacher and enjoys working with young people as they develop their college and career goals.​

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Dan Dembicki 
DDembicki@sarasotaacademyofthearts.com

Treasurer

For the first 20 years of his career, Dan Dembicki applied his MA degree to the business world where he launched a consulting practice engaged by venture capital firms to enhancement their portfolio investments in the areas of operational expertise and sales.  As a musician, Dan has played the organ and piano at churches in his home state of Michigan and now here in Sarasota where he is residing organist at Sarasota Baptist Church. Incorporating his passion for music with a business idea he Co-Founded AirWorks Media – A music software company that conducted an IPO on NASDAQ and whose music tools were used in music libraries on a worldwide basis. 
 
Dembicki maintains his consulting practice in Sarasota and has now added musicians and artists to his client list helping them with their brand development, audience promotion, personal growth and business savvy.  Dan plays a wide range of Musical Styles which include Christian, Classical, Popular, Orchestral Styles, Swing and Stride.  He plays in a variety of combos in the SRQ area: Sarasota Jazz Project, Tropical Ave., Shane Chalke Trio, Ocean’s Eleven Big Band, Smokey’s Session, the Accidentalz, Shift Change, Grove To Move Band and more.
 
Dan grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music, with a major in Organ Performance and a Minor in Choral Music Pedagogy Central Michigan University. He also writes and Arranges Orchestral Music as well as for Big Band, Gospel Music and Classical

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Brett Thomason
BThomason@Sarasotaacademyofthearts.com 

Secretary

Brett has a Bachelors in Digital Media (Internet and Interactive Systems) from the University of Central Florida. He also completed additional post graduate coursework in Computer Forensics High Technology Crime Investigation at George Washington University during his time working for the Department of Homeland Security. He is an Apple Certified Technical Coordinator, Apple Certified Systems Administrator, Apple Certified Help Desk Technician, and Google Certified. Brett has been instructing teachers and students in colleges and universities since 2005. He launched the IM Learning Mobile Initiative at Shenandoah University, putting mobile learning devices in the hands of all students. He has also been the Network Systems Administrator at St. Paul's School in Clearwater, FL, launching an iPad 1:1 initiative.  Brett is a part time faculty member at Suncoast ACE program, where he teaches smartphones including iPhone and Android. Brett has also worked for Universal Studios, Walt Disney World, Department of Homeland Security, and as an Apple consultant for the FBI.
​He loves merging technology and art. In his spare time he likes to make YouTube videos with his daughters.

Mary "Tootie" Stewart Owen Kennedy
​TKennedy@sarasotaacademyofthearts.com

Mrs. Mary Stewart Owen Kennedy, known as "Tootie"  is a long time educator, having taught Science in grades 8- 12. She graduated from the University of Kentucky. She began her teaching career in Fayette County, Kentucky and was Co-Founder FOP Rocketeers. Tootie was Teacher of the Year at Riverview High School in 1996-1997. She also was a USCG Licensed Captain at Carefree Learner, Sarasota High School.  She retired from teaching in 2014. During her free time she enjoys kayaking, reading, quilting, and playing mahjong.
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