Over time, this page will be populated with information about the board members and audio describers who volunteer their time and provide the services of our organization.

Spotlight

 

Mike FeltmanMike Feltman:  Equipment Coordinator

Starting out as an audio describer for Arts Access, and spending a couple of years on our board, Mike rapidly assumed the role of equipment coordinator, the person who takes care of all of our equipment associated with audio description.  Mike has overseen the purchase, repair, and problem solving for five transmitters, countless receivers and earpieces, and equipment carrying cases, performing an invaluable role for the organization.  We call him our equipment guru.

Born and raised Chicago, Mike got his degree in Sociology but formed a career in computer engineering and moved to Raleigh in 1993.  He has been working for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals since 2002.  He volunteers his time supporting web pages for several organizations, including the internal support pages for Arts Access, and he likes rock 'n roll and even plays blues on a 12-string guitar occasionally.  You can read more in Mike's detailed biography.

Susi MichelauSusi Michelau:  Our most senior audio describer

Susi is our most experienced audio describer, the one trained first.  She has taken the time to detail her experience for us in Susi's detailed biography which includes the early history of audio description, as well as more insight into her personal life and beliefs.  Susi is also one of the mentors for our newly trained audio describers, and we can all agree, she's one of our finest and most talented describers!

Susi has worked as a CAD drafting designer for Square D since 1990, and she mentors middle school children.  Raised in Minnesota, she has called North Carolina home for over 30 years.  She has audio described countless plays for Triangle theatre patrons who are blind, and she likes to describe everything from heavy drama to Broadway to dance.

Elizabeth KahnElizabeth Kahn:  Our longest serving board member

Elizabeth is our longest serving board member.  She joined Arts Access in the early 1990s and became one of our first audio describers.  For the past six years she has trained other audio describers for us and several other organizations in the Carolinas.

Elizabeth has a BA and MFA from Brandeis in music and a PhD in comparative literature from Harvard.  She moved to Raleigh in 1976 and taught high school English and Latin for six years.  Now, she and her husband, Joe, operate their own business writing classical music program notes for organizations around the country.  She also works as a consultant for the Description and Caption Media Program, helping to develop a system for adding described video to educational media for K-12.  Her own lifelong vision problems have sensitized her to the need for and value of audio description.  When you hear a described opera, it will undoubtedly be Elizabeth describing!

Fred BrackFred Brack:  Webmaster, Board Member, Audio Describer

Fred is an audio describer, plus the webmaster and former President of Arts Access.  He is the second longest-serving board member.  Fred got involved in Arts Access right after retiring from IBM in 1999, when his wife, Kathy (who is blind), urged him to take the audio describer training class.  His favorite type of play to describe is drama, and he also enjoys describing movies at the NC Museum of Art each summer.  Today, in addition to his work with Arts Access, he is a reader and board member at the Triangle Radio Reading Service, and he operates an internet-based business selling wine racks as a second career.

Shawn FairclothShawn Faircloth:  Board President (2006-2008)

Shawn Faircloth has been a member of Arts Access for over four years and has been President since July 2006.  Her interest in the Arts had been non-existent until she moved to Raleigh.  “Being from a small town I went to school plays but missed a lot because there was no audio description service.  I had never done well in art class because of this, and thus I had no interest in the art world.”  It was an audio described exhibit of Ansel Adams that would forever draw her into the wonderful world of art.  “I felt like I got more information than the people around me about the photographs through the description.  It is interesting how my world has expanded.”

Touch tours and audio description for plays have been the main things Shawn is drawn to.  However, that all changed when audio description came to local movie theaters.  “When I got married, one of my husband's favorite things to do was go to movies.  I hated going!  I mean, if you have to lean over and ask the person next to you what is happening during that chase scene and the person behind you Shhh’s you, it is really not worth the effort,” says Faircloth.  “Now I have to beg him to go see movies -- what a blessing!” 

While serving as Arts Access President, Shawn's goals are outreach, seeking grant funding, and to have fun!  During the day Shawn works for the state of NC.  During her off hours she attends New Community Church, and spends time with her husband Chris, dog Gabba, and cat Dixon.  She vacations in upstate NY with her Niece Nina and sister Jaime Lemieux.  She is also an avid reader and an outdoors person.

Rock KershawRock Kershaw:  Audio Describer

Rock Kershaw has served as an Audio Describer for Arts Access since 1993 and is a past member of the board.  He has described musicals, dramas, dance concerts, film, art exhibits, and ballet.  Rock is the Cultural Arts Coordinator for the Town of Apex, where he is helping to plan for a Grand Opening in early 2008.  The Cultural Arts Center has a 2nd story jewel box theatre, 3 galleries, and 3 studios.  Rock also serves as a Facility Supervisor for the Garner Historic Auditorium.  And if you think with that beard he likes to play the role of Santa Claus, you're right!

Rene CumminsRene Cummins:  Board Member

Rene Cummins is the Executive Director of Alliance of Disability Advocates, Center for Independent Living, based in Raleigh and serving 5 counties.  Prior to becoming the Executive Director of Alliance, Rene was the Access Specialist at the NC office on Disability and Health, and she served as a consultant on all of the projects through that office.  Rene is also a trainer for the Southeast Disability and Technical Assistance Center in Atlanta and provides training on the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as various other disability rights laws.  She earned a doctorate in Psychology in the Public Interest from NC State University, which reinforced her passion for advocacy and community organizing on behalf of the disability community.

Rene joined the Arts Access Board to further the recognition of audio description as a means to provide effective communication for people with vision loss, and in an effort to promote equal access and full participation in society for people of all ages and abilities.

Additional biographies will be added here over time ...

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