The IAVM Foundation is proud to announce the Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship + Internship Program recipients for the 2016 Performing Arts Managers Conference (PAMC). The awards recognize deserving individuals who demonstrate leadership, character, community involvement, and the potential to be future leaders in the venue management industry.
Gabriella Calicchio
Director of Cultural and Visitor Services at Marin County
Favorite Musician/Band? It changes all the time. Right now I love Willie K.
Your favorite entertainment memory? Watching beloved Marin County musician Huey Lewis and the News rock the house at the Marin County Fair.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? A lion, of course! I am a Leo and lions are perceived (by humans at least) as great leaders who are fiercely protective and courageous.
If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? I would be Wonder Woman because she has killer bling, flies an invisible plane, and has the lasso of truth!
If you could switch places with someone for one day, who would it be and why? I’m happy being who I am but given the option, I would choose Annie Lennox because I love her voice. She’s a great performer and has used her position well as an activist and philanthropist.
What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? I have it!
Favorite childhood snack? I grew up in Vermont. We would tap our maple trees and make sugar on snow in the winter. It was awesome!
What #hashtag would best describe you? #artculturecommunity
@Twitter handle? @calicchio3094
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriella-calicchio
Katherine Garcia
House Manager at The University of Georgia Performing Arts Center
Favorite Musician/Band? Fleetwood Mac.
Your favorite entertainment memory? My favorite moment since starting work in the performing arts has been working with our education and outreach programs. When you see a child’s eyes light up when they walk into the concert hall for the first time to when the artist walks on stage, it’s really a sight to be seen. Knowing that even just one child’s experience was fantastic makes all the work worthwhile.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? A cat, for sure. Everything is fascinating to a cat and that sense of curiosity and wonder is inspiring…but they still make plenty of time for naps!
If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? Invisible Woman—sometimes it is fun to operate behind the scenes to get the job done.
If you could switch places with someone for one day, who would it be and why? For just a day, I would love to swap places with Taylor Swift. I can’t imagine what it’s like to perform a world tour in front of audiences of 70,000-plus people night after night. But in lieu of this, I’ll settle just being her friend. 😉
What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? Artistic planning manager of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Gotta dream big!
Favorite quote? “What matters in life is not what happens to you but what you remember and how you remember it.”—Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
@Twitter handle? @katherineanngar
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherineanngarcia
Nikki Lekhy
Program Associate at Cultural Tourism DC
Favorite Team? The Memphis Grizzlies.
Favorite entertainment memory? While I was working at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, we had a Bell Biv DeVoe with Dru Hill and Keith Sweat concert. When the house opened, three live DJs were spinning and playing great R&B and hip-hop music to get the crowd energized. The concert was sold out, and it was the loudest crowd I had seen at our 2,100-seat theater. Seeing how much fun people were having made me want to experience that joy over and over again. It was such an electric night!
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? A bird so I can fly south in the winter.
If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? Sue Storm for her ability to become invisible and truly be a fly on the wall anywhere. Does that make me sound paranoid?
If you could switch places with someone for one day, who would it be and why? Carol Coletta. She has been able to transform her passion for cities into actions with measurable, tangible results, which is so inspiring. Her belief that every city has the opportunity to generate incredible economic prosperity with the resources it has is inspiring and so relevant as we experience the metropolitan revolution happening right now.
What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? This is tough to answer. I want my dream job to incorporate each area of the industry—from booking to F&B to box office to guest experience to corporate sponsorships. An executive leadership role, probably an executive director role, would be an incredible experience. Ultimately, I want to be an inspiring leader—whatever that is.
Favorite quote? “Whether you think you can or think you can’t – you’re right.”—Henry Ford.
What #hashtag would best describe you? #gritandgrind
@Twitter handle? @TrickiNikkiP
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-lekhy-a2221b9
Adam Call
Student at Oklahoma City University, majoring in design and production with emphasis in stage management
Favorite band? Simon & Garfunkel.
Favorite entertainment memory? Watching my grandmother cry during the 2001 revival of 42nd Street. Entertainment transcends generations.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? An owl. Wisdom and I’d get to fly? Duh.
If you could be any superhero, what would you be and why? Truly, I’d be happy with any superpower.
If you could switch places with someone for one day, who would it be and why? The U.S. president. Mostly to see if I could do the job.
What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? After learning all I could, I’d want to work on the executive tteam of an iconic venue.
Favorite quote? “Don’t lose your grip on love and loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.”
Favorite childhood snack? Gummie Worms.
What #hashtag would best describe you? #theoriginalALC
@Twitter handle? @adamcallmemaybe
Kevin Calhoun
Student at Stephen F. Austin State University, majoring in theatre with an emphasis in stage management
Favorite musician? Johnny Cash.
Your favorite entertainment memory? As an angsty teenager, I would go to rock concerts with my friends and found myself more interested in the lights and equipment than the performance itself.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? A bear, because hibernation sounds like a good time.
If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? I would have to say Professor X because of his vision of peace and coexistence…and mind control.
What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? Director of production and events at a performing arts center.
Favorite quote? “The Earth without Art is just ‘Eh’.”
Do you have previous experience with IAVM? This is my first IAVM conference!
Favorite childhood snack? All things chocolate.
What #hashtag would best describe you? #CantStopWontStop
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kevincalhounmgmt
