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Emerging Arts Professionals

Fostering and supporting the next generation of arts professionals is an important part of everything that we do at TPA.

Each semester, TPA employs 100 students in different areas across the organization to work alongside staff while learning various aspects of the field. Offering a more immersive experience for recent graduates, TPA’s Emerging Arts Professionals Program is a special track for future arts leaders to gain valuable real-world experience through early career employment, development, and mentorship. 

Meet the 2025/26 Emerging Arts Professionals

Mia Spidel – Programming & Events

Sereniti Patterson – Ticketing

Julia Yelvington – Fabrication – Scenic Art

Insha Iqbal – Education & Engagement

Leah Austin – Fabrication – Stage Properties

2026/27 Emerging Arts Professionals

Applications for the 26/27 Emerging Arts Professionals cohort will be available in early Spring 2026.

Past Cohorts

2024/25

Ava Tran – Education & Engagement
Bridgette Clifford – Fabrication – Scenic Art
Daniel Geld – Fabrication – Technical Direction

2023/24

Aubrey Felty – Education & Engagement
Mika O’Dwyer – Programming & Events

Support for the Emerging Arts Professionals Program is provided by the Kathy Panoff Texas Performing Arts Student Engagement Endowment, Pilar & Jaime Davila, Kandace & Dennis Eakin, Julia Marsden, and Susan & Robert Morse.