2024-2025 Contributors
Abaigail Hartless, MAM (‘25)
Abigail (she/her) is second-year Master of Arts Management student at Carnegie Mellon University. She is from Amherst, Virginia, and has a bachelor’s degree in linguistics from the College of William & Mary. She is the current managing director of Scotch’n’Soda Theatre and company manager of Opera Saratoga. She is a 2025 fellow with the Creative and Independent Producer Alliance. Her primary interests are performing arts finance and management, and additionally enjoys cultural policy and advocacy. When she’s not working on shows, she enjoys knitting and exploring different coffee shops.
James Lee
James is a junior at Carnegie Mellon University studying Information Systems with a concentration in Arts Management. He is passionate about software engineering and quantitative trading. James will intern at Amazon this summer, and his goal is to become a quantitative trader at Hudson River Trading.
Christine Rivera, MAM (‘25)
Christine Weber Rivera is a second-year Master of Arts Management student at Carnegie Mellon University. With three decades of experience as a professional actor, she has performed extensively on stages across the United States as well as commercials and independent films. She has also worked as a director and producer for stage and film, with two short films currently in development. She returned to school to deepen her understanding of the intersection of business, government, and technology on arts industries. With this newfound knowledge, she aims to expand her work as a producer, with an aim to bring diverse and impactful stories to the screen and stage. Passionate about artists’ rights, Christine is dedicated to being a resource and advocate for artists nationwide. Her unique blend of creative expertise, industry insights, and business acumen positions her as a forward-thinking leader in the evolving and exciting world of arts and entertainment.
Haoruo (Cosmo) Wang, MAM (‘26)
Haoruo is a first-year Master of Arts Management student with an undergraduate background in Photography, Fashion Communication, and Music Composition. Her interdisciplinary work bridges fashion photography, pop music, and emerging technologies on art, focusing on how AI and innovative digital tools can reshape creative expression.
IG: @cosmo.s_w
Lehan Xu, MAM (‘26)
Lehan Xu (She/Her) is a first-year Master of Arts Management student at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Statistics, with minors in Business Administration and Drama, also from CMU
Lehan has diverse experience in the arts sector, including development, production, and international communication. She currently serves as the Development and Philanthropy Intern at Radiant Hall Studios, supporting donor acknowledgment processes and grant applications. Previously, she worked as a translator for Broadway Asia, a Production Intern at Harmonia Theatrical, and a Development Intern at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Originally from China, Lehan has a primary focus on the performing arts, particularly theatre. Her research interests center around the global evolution of the theatre industry, spanning from the intersection of theatre and artificial intelligence to theatre’s role in cross-cultural communication.
IG: @lehan_x
Melida Hernandez, MAM (‘25)
Melida (they/them) is a second-year Master of Arts Management student at Carnegie Mellon University. They earned their bachelor's degree in Arts Education from
Florida International University, bringing with them a background as a multidisciplinary
arts educator and a passion for using art spaces to foster creativity and learning.
Previously, Melida developed programming for art studios in Miami, Florida, and facilitated art portfolio readiness courses. They are currently a Museum Educator at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, where they help create inclusive experiences for visitors. Ultimately, Melida is dedicated to creating accessible opportunities for expression, focusing on youth facing barriers to participation in the arts.
Erin Lopez Castelan, MEIM (‘26)
Erin is a passionate storyteller and communications strategist with a deep love for entertainment and media. Growing up immersed in films, TV, books, and music, she discovered her calling, not as an artist, but as one of the many people behind them.
With a bachelor's in communication sciences and research experience in media discourse, Erin has explored the power of narratives across cultures. She has worked as a special collaborator on Mexican TV and led a government communications team, honing her skills in media strategy and audience engagement.
Now pursuing a Master’s in Entertainment Industry Management at Carnegie Mellon University, she is refining her expertise in production, marketing, and media strategy. Erin is deeply committed to social justice and believes in using media as a tool for representation, advocacy, and meaningful change. She is driven by the impact stories can have in shaping conversations and inspiring action.
IG: @erinalec
Theresa Rudesill, MAM (‘26)
Theresa is a current Master of Arts Management student at Carnegie Mellon University from Lafayette, Louisiana. She received her bachelor's degree in performing arts from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette focusing primarily on theatre performance. She is currently interning at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in their development department. Her research interests include artificial intelligence integration into theatre performance and public policy that affects art and artists.
Ninghong Wei, MAM (‘26)
Ninghong Wei is a Master of Arts Management student at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College, with a passion for performing arts, audience engagement, and digital marketing. With a background in dance and piano, she enjoys exploring how technology and data can enhance arts experiences and connect with wider audiences.
Her experiences include an internship at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, where she gained insights into global arts management and cross-cultural communication. She also led a rural arts revitalization project in Beijing, using creative and business strategies to promote community development and cultural preservation.
Currently, she is diving into blockchain ticketing, AI-driven audience analytics, and immersive performance spaces, looking for ways to make arts administration more innovative and accessible.
Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, yoga, and traveling—always on the lookout for good food and new creative inspiration.
IG: @weininghong312
Terry Kim
Terry is an undergraduate student at Carnegie Mellon University, majoring in Information Systems with a concentration in Technology and Arts Enterprises. He is passionate about the intersection of technology and creativity, and his career aspirations lie in product management or software engineering, developing innovative solutions that bridge these fields.
His love for the arts began at a young age, leading him to take drawing and painting classes. At Carnegie Mellon, he wanted to continue nurturing this passion while integrating it with his technical interests. Terry’s research interests lie in the role of blockchain in digital art ownership and artificial intelligence in creative expression. He hopes to contribute to advancements that empower artists and redefine how we experience and engage with art through technology.
IG: @terryyykim
Yao Pei, MAM (‘26)
Yao grew up in Dunhuang, a place where the echoes of the Silk Road still whisper through the Mogao Caves. Those ancient murals and sculptures weren’t just art to her—they were stories of resilience, creativity, and history. Now, as a graduate student in Arts Management at Carnegie Mellon University, she is on a mission to explore how we can protect and share these treasures in a way that is sustainable and inclusive.
When she is not nerding out over data analysis or brainstorming ways to make arts organizations more innovative, you will find Yao daydreaming about Dunhuang’s sunsets or sketching her own interpretations of Dunhuang’s art. She hopes to explore how we can build a future where cultural heritage thrives for as long as possible.
IG: @yiyaoo_oo
Alexann Sharp, MEIM (‘26)
Alexann Sharp is a Master of Entertainment Industry Management student at Carnegie Mellon University. She received her bachelor’s degree in communications from Lee University.
Raised in Nashville, Alexann’s career began in radio before joining a country music television station, Circle Media, an Opry Entertainment sister company and subsidiary of Ryman Hospitality. Following her time there, she became a music video production coordinator, most notably helping produce Hardy and Lainey Wilson’s “Wait in the Truck,” which won both CMA and ACM’s Music Video of the Year. After coordinating Morgan Wallen’s “You Proof,” Alexann transitioned to podcasting, becoming iHeartMedia’s publishing coordinator where she launched over 100 podcasts, working with companies like the NFL, Paramount, Bloomberg, Big Money Players, and Shondaland.
Alexann’s passion for entertainment has inspired her to explore many fields. In each role, she always strives to embody and promote respect, gratitude, and authenticity. Her life goals are to support creativity and advocate for diversity in entertainment.
IG: @alexann_sharp