Speakers and Artists
Summit Day – February 12
KEYNOTE: Robin Berlinsky
Robin Berlinsky is a self-proclaimed champion of the WOOHOO spirit and cheerleader for high-quality education. She is an adjunct professor in the School of Education at The College of Charleston where she teaches future early childhood educators, the creator of The Learning Ring, a 180-day system that connects the afterschool space to the classroom and she hosts a weekly podcast, Energy Matters: In the Classroom with Robin Berlinsky.
Robin is the Chief Executive Officer of Engaging Creative Minds, a nonprofit based in Charleston, South Carolina that works with school districts, principals, teachers, and the local workforce to identify specific knowledge and skillsets all students should master before graduating high school. ECM Instructors are local artists, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) professionals, and cultural organizations who we train to work with K-12 teachers. Instructors help teachers to enhance student learning via arts integrating learning using innovation, design, and creativity.
Their goal is for every student to achieve academically, stay engaged in school, and succeed in life; while their teachers develop engaging teaching strategies in arts integration and entrepreneurship that foster communication, critical thinking, self-awareness, and future planning. Teachers and students report that ECM is a powerful model of success.
AGENCY UPDATE: David Platts
David Platts joined the South Carolina Arts Commission team as the executive director in 2019.
For 26 years prior, David worked in South Carolina as an educator, principal and district level administrator. He served as the arts and sciences coordinator for Lancaster County School District, a position he held for 15 years.
In addition to his work as an educator, Platts has served the Lancaster County Council of the Arts as a board member and president. He has statewide experience as a member, president, and treasurer of the Palmetto State Arts Education board and as a past member of the South Carolina Arts Alliance board, where he became active as an arts advocate. On the national level, David served as a member of the Education Advisory Committee for the John F. Kennedy Center’s Partners in Education Program, and he is currently a member of the South Arts board.
David keeps his own artistic expression fresh by serving as a volunteer accompanist for church choral programs.
Legislative Update: Jeff Robinson
Jeff Robinson is the Executive Director of the South Carolina Arts Alliance. He has over a decade of experience as an arts educator and administrator. He began his career in his hometown of York, SC as Director of Bands at York Middle School and Assistant Director at York Comprehensive High School, where students under his direction were consistently recognized at the State and Regional levels.
Prior to joining the SC Arts Alliance, Jeff worked in the Office of Outreach at the SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities developing professional learning, arts programming, and virtual resources for students and teachers throughout the State of South Carolina. He also worked closely with local organizations to help connect young artists and their community through the Governor’s Schools service learning program, Connecting Arts Through Service.
A lifelong musician and arts advocate, Jeff holds a Bachelor in Music Education and a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from Winthrop University. In 2022 he participated in South Carolina Afterschool Leaders Empowered (SCALE), a 10-month Fellowship at the Furman University Riley Institute. He is a South Carolina Teaching Fellow, and during his graduate studies he was selected as the inaugural Graduate Fellow for the South Carolina Arts Alliance. In 2024, he received Winthrop’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award.
He is currently serving as Board Chair for Palmetto State Arts Education and is a Deputy Province Governor for Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity.
Jeff resides in Inman with his wife, Lori Lynne, and their calico cat, Lucky.
Sherard “Shakeese” Duvall
Sherard “Shekeese” Duvall is a film producer, media educator and ambassador of South Carolina Hip-Hop culture. A former DJ for Columbia’s BigDM, Hot 103.9FM and several radio stations along the east coast including appearances on BET and MTV. He’s produced commercial and documentary projects for VH1, Oxygen Network, Discovery Health and more. A 2022 SC Arts Commission Fellow, a 2022 Liberty Fellow, a Leo Twiggs Arts Leadership Scholar and one of the founders of Love Peace & Hip-Hop’s World Famous Hip-Hop Family Day. A 2001 University of South Carolina grad and a product of Richland District One schools, he is the President/CEO at OTR Media Group and the proud dad of his son, Cairo.
Pam Breaux
Pam Breaux joined the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) in 2015. As president and CEO, she works with the association’s board of directors and staff to advance NASAA’s policy and programmatic mission to strengthen America’s state and jurisdictional arts agencies. A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, Pam has held leadership positions at the local, state and national levels. While in Louisiana state government, she was secretary of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism (CRT), assistant secretary of CRT (overseeing its cultural development portfolio), and executive director of its state arts agency (the Louisiana Division of the Arts). During her time at CRT, Pam developed and led Louisiana’s cultural economy initiative and spearheaded the successful UNESCO inscription of Poverty Point State Historic Site (an ancient Indian site) as a World Heritage site.
Before working in state government, Pam was executive director of the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana and managed southwest Louisiana’s Decentralized Arts Funding Program. She has served on the boards of the U.S. Travel Association, NASAA, South Arts and the Louisiana Board of International Commerce. Pam is currently a member of the U.S. National Commission on UNESCO. She graduated from McNeese State University with a B.A. in English and earned an M.A. in English and folklore from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
State House Day – February 13
Beaufort Middle School Rock Orchestra is a mixed group of Band and Orchestra students of various levels from 6th, 7th and 8th grade. They hail from Beaufort, SC and are led by director Amanda Trimpey. Motivated and Inspired by Rockstar Violinist, Mark Wood, they will rock your socks off with their high energy performance! Watch them perform during the SC Arts Day rally on the State House Steps beginning at 11:30 AM.
HEART Inclusive Arts Community provides visual arts, music, and performing arts mentorships and community engagement for adults with disabilities who want to grow and develop as artists. At HEART, they have created a studio where artists are loved, supported, and celebrated for being their authentic selves. They create together to enrich and transform our community. Catch them on the State House steps during the Arts Day rally beginning at 11:30 AM!
The Blue Fire Drumline, from Barnwell County, is in its 22nd year of performances. This talented group includes students from Williston-Elko Middle and High Schools, Ginyard-Butler Middle School, and Barnwell High School. Led by Percussion Instructor Jodi Bruner and Band Director Jessica Pym, the Blue Fire Drumline is a familiar presence at local basketball games, parades, and even the famous Greening of the Fountain at Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Their energy and dedication shine through in every performance, and we’re excited to share this one with you. Enjoy the rhythm and power of Blue Fire Drumline!
Young Appalachian Musicians introduces children to the traditional music of their heritage. Local traditional musicians teach students to play time-honored music on fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and banjo by ear – the traditional way.
Currently the YAM program provides instruction to over 400 hundred 3rd-8th grade students enrolled in the after-school program offered at 14 schools/sites in Pickens County. Sweet Potato Pie Kids is the performing band for YAM that promotes the YAM program by playing at various venues throughout the year.
Bryce Stratton is a Vocal Performance Major at the University of South Carolina, currently studying with Dr. Jonnie Felder. As an avid musical theater actor, Bryce has portrayed many different characters on stage including Prince Eric (The Little Mermaid), Leaf Conneybear (Spellingbee), Pippin (Pippin), and is currently working on a brand new role in Rocky Mountain High: A New Musical. Other than musical theater, Bryce also performs Opera, being cast in shows such as Hansel and Gretel as the Witch (Varna International Music Academy), Ruddigore and Gianni Schicchi with Opera at USC. He is also an active brother in the Delta Sigma Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
