Prison Performing Arts is committed to diversifying and expanding the skills and networks of our Board of Directors. We are extraordinarily proud and excited to announce three stellar Board additions: Phil Woodmore, Ph.D.; Jocelyn Matsuo; and Jami Dolby. Please join me in welcoming them to the PPA team!
Phil Woodmore is the Founder and Executive Director of P. Woodmore Music. He brings the vision and energy of a great musical theater artist coupled with deep roots in the community and a passion for social justice. Phil started his musical and performance journey young, playing piano at his father’s church at age 9 and has gone on to found the Marquette High School Gospel Choir, served as President of the St Louis University Gospel Choir and many other leadership roles. You may know him as the composer of the original score for the acclaimed “Antigone in Ferguson.” PPA welcomes his experience as a business person, teacher, performer, choral director, and scholar.
Jocelyn Matsuo is rejoining PPA’s Board after taking a well-earned break to focus on her young family. She is a software engineer with an abiding passion for theater - everything from improv to Shakespeare, and deep belief in the healing power of the arts. Before transplanting to St. Louis in 2013 from Los Angeles, she earned degrees from the University of Louisville, The London Academy of Music, and Dramatic Art and Pitzer College in Claremont, CA where she studied social media semiotics. Accolades include winning the Los Angeles Improv Fest and a residency at Robert Wilson's Watermill Center in NY.
Jami Dolby current serves as the Development Director at Maryville University. She was named a Young Leader in 2019 by the St Louis American Foundation, which honors African American professionals distinguished by their passionate commitment to making a positive impact in St Louis. She is an incredibly active volunteer in the region and will bring her insights on fundraising and community building to PPA. Her many accomplishments include building the ‘Multicultural Scholars Program’ and the ‘Force’ initiative, engaging female leaders for greater community impact. She is also an alum of FOCUS St. Louis’ Impact Fellows program.
All three are beginning their Board terms in June of 2021. We couldn’t be more excited about their contributions to come in expanding PPA’s mission to serve justice-involved youth and adults through the arts, developing the discipline, teamwork, and communication skills for personal growth and healthy reentry to the community.
Welcome Phil, Jocelyn, and Jami!
- Steve Knight, PPA Board President
