Mission
To facilitate education through international publication, funding, and travel.
Nonprofit Organizations Served
Hospitals, Orchestras, Choirs, Food Pantries, Refugee Aid and Services, Sex Trafficking Rescue, Museums, Domestic Violence/Homeless Shelters, Artists, Musicians, Youth Programs, Environmental Programs, Elderly Programs, Animal Rescues, Research and Historian Archival, Preservation Programs, Opera Companies, Theater Companies, Universities, Community Colleges, Disability Programs, Employment Programs, Arts Organizations, Therapy Organizations, STEAM Programs, Charter Schools, Private Schools, Public Schools, Documentary Films, Orphanages, Homeless Shelters, Food Banks, and many more.
Countries Served and Visited
We also travel so that we can better understand the needs of our clients and the areas in which our services can be of help. Through this, we are more aware of on-the-ground resources, more opportunities for funding, and a deeper understanding of the needs of those who are helped. Those visited are marked **.
United States of America**
Canada**
Panama**
Argentina**
Colombia**
Mexico**
Brazil
Germany**
Denmark**
Austria**
Croatia**
Italy**
Spain**
Albania**
Turkiye**
Romania**
Bulgaria**
Hungary**
Ghana
Haiti
Serbia**
India
Bangladesh
United Kingdom
China
South Korea**
Vietnam**
Cambodia**
Thailand**
Malaysia**
Philippines**
Peru
Kenya
Ethiopia
Senegal
Syria
Jordan
Israel
Armenia
Costa Rica**
Nigeria
Montenegro**
Kazakhstan**
Afghanistan
Pakistan
Nepal
Sri Lanka
Australia
Iraq
About Shella Zelenz
My name is Shella Zelenz. I have been involved in nonprofit management, education, arts administration, music, and publishing since 1995. My vast knowledge of these fields has assisted organizations across America and the globe. My personal passion is to facilitate learning. In my tenure, I have taught hundreds students from various backgrounds and countries as well as planned and implemented numerous large group tours and performances.
I began these skills back in 1995 when I first graduated from Whitworth University with degrees in Music and Arts Administration. I have served as the Administrative Director of nonprofit period music organizations and educational organizations. I have extensive education and experience in music education and have written curriculum for numerous virtual schools across the United States, Senegal, and Australia. I hold a Teaching in the Virtual Classroom certification from Fielding Graduate University, where I worked on my EdD in Educational Leadership and Change with a simultaneous focus on Media Studies.
I have worked with students from Pre-K - college and above. I have taught chorus, band, music theory, music history, English, math, and music composition. I have also worked with various music software programs and helped students with recording contracts learn the skills required by record industry heads. I have had students who obtained recording contracts with major record labels while still in middle school.
I always include foreign language music regardless of the school I teach in. I also incorporate dance when appropriate. I have also taught theater and directed plays and musicals. I have had my students learn music composition as well as write their own plays and songs. I’m very much a believer in making the students own their own experience and the work. The pride of accomplishment does not come from outside, but from within.
In addition to this, I have helped more than 300 nonprofit organizations worldwide achieve their grant funding goals through my grant writing services. My background in Arts Administration has also served to help advise and guide them on the steps they need to take to improve their chances of funding and overall functionality so that they can perform at their highest level.
In the last eight years, I have been traveling the world with my family, exploring countries in several continents. This is the only time in my life where I wasn’t directly teaching or performing music. Instead, I was facilitating grant funding for nonprofits in the USA and globally. Many of them were also arts organizations. I have a degree in music (BA and MM coursework for vocal performance) and Arts Administration (BA). I also have a MAEd in Elementary Education and am ABD with my EdD in Educational Leadership and Change (the dissertation ended up being a published book).
Summary
I am highly regarded in my music and arts administration endeavors as well as globally recognized for my innovative education expertise with an historically strong reputation for having an innovative servant leadership style, articulate problem-solving skills, and highly sensitive networking skills. I am a professional Musician, Workshop Facilitator, Presenter, Researcher, Administrator, Fundraiser, Grant Writer, Marketing Strategist, Instructor, Curriculum & Course Designer, and Consultant. I am a visionary who has combined 25+ years of experience in Music, Arts Administration, and Arts Education to create a strong understanding of the needs and challenges found in our arts organizations, communities, and schools. My primary areas of expertise include: Music (Composition, Performance, Music Education), Communication, Social Media, Virtual Education, Community Building, Networking, Event Planning, Donor and Volunteer Procurement and Management, Marketing Campaign Strategy, Speech Writing and Research, Grant Writing and Management, Public Relations, and Entrepreneurship.
Curriculum Vitae
Functional Summary
● Music Faculty, Chorus, Drama, Band, nd Private Music Instructor
● Arts Administration and Non-Profit Management Experience
● Researcher
● Curriculum Designer
● Virtual Classroom Instructor
● Marketing & Media Relations
● Donor and Volunteer Management
● Event Planner
● Communications, Writing, Public Relations
● Grant Writer
● Fundraiser (Events and Donor Management)
● Education Advocate
Experience
Highlights:
● Curriculum designer for multiple online private schools
● Multiple successful fundraisers, grant writing, and performances/competitions
● Taught/Directed/Performed: chorus, jazz band, orchestra, band, theater, opera, and private lessons
● Presentations at education conferences
● Launched new arts programs in schools and private programs
● Large group performance/competition/travel planning and management
● Freelance performer
● ASCAP, ACDA, MENC member
● Songwriter/choral arranger/band arranger
● Online teaching for K-PhD programs and private lessons
Author
RootEd: How Trauma Impacts Learning and Society
Nonprofit Basics: Starting & Funding
Arts Administration Consultant
Consulting with various organizations regarding their nonprofit needs and challenges. Various projects include marketing, public relations, donor and volunteer procurement and management, database management, professional artist recruitment, grant writing, presentations, event planning and fundraising.
CEO
Zelenz Consulting Group
● Grant writing services and nonprofit consultation for over 300 organizations.
● Editing for various medical, academic, and independent authors for publication.
June 2009 - 2022, International
Zemii Media and Publishing Group
● Media and publishing house with global distribution.
● Zemii Tours - Group Travel Planner/Advisor
June 2022 - Present, International
Education Researcher
Research and writing related to educational practices, methodologies, theories and practices.
Conference Presentations:
Alternative Education Resource Organization Conference
June 2010, Albany, NY
Title: Arizona's Ethnic Studies Law (H.B. 2281): What are its implications for academic freedom and youth education in a multicultural, pluralistic America?
Workshop Facilitators: Don "Four Arrows" Jacobs, Brian J. Trautman, and Shella R. Zelenz (Fielding Graduate University)
Description: Addressing Arizona House Bill 2281, an act directed at the state's ethnic studies programs.
It was signed into law on May 11, 2010. The law prohibits ethnic studies classes in all K-12 public and charter schools, but specifically targets Latino, African American and Native American ethnic/cultural and linguistic heritage. We explained the law and examined its implications for academic freedom and youth education in Arizona and across the nation, including its threats to authentic critical thinking about history and the values of identity, tolerance, equality and justice in a multicultural, pluralistic American society.
Research:
Dissertation (in progress - led to published book instead): "The Role of Indigenous Cultural Values and Epigenetics on School Reform" - Awarded the Social Innovation Award by Fielding Graduate University's program of Human and Organizational Development.
Music Teacher/Professor/Director - 20+ years
Private Lessons Flute, Voice, Piano, Private Show Choir, Group Piano
Public School Choir, Band, Show Choir, Jazz Choir, Jazz Band
Community College Music History and Music Theory
Music Ministry Director Served as choir director for numerous churches as well as special performances
Recording Studio Training I have prepped individuals for recording contract work or sessions as requested by the producers
Employers: Park Cities Music (2012), Texas Academy of Arts (2012-2013), Musika (2011), Kanata Music Academy, Canada (1996-1997), Centrepointe Music Academy, Canada (1996-1997), Coral Mountain Music/Shella Zelenz Music (my own company 1996-2014), Rosebud Public School (2002-2003), Meadowbrook Middle School (2003- 2004), Newark Junior High School (2004-2005), Eagles Peak Charter School (2005-2006), Miles Community College (2002-2003), Mount San Jacinto College (2005-2009), First Presbyterian Church (2001-2003), Church of Christ (2001-2003), Country Homes Christian Church (1998- 2001), Northwest Bible Church (1993-1996), Church of Religious Science (2005-2009)
Administrative Employment
Zelenz Consulting Group CEO & Founder 2009 - 2022 (now Zemii Media and Publishing Group - 2022 - Present)
● Grant Writing Services for Non-Profit Organizations and NGOs.
● Consultation services that offer educational resources, Nonprofit management assistance, Grant writing, fiscal accountability training, entrepreneurship training and publishing.
● Oversee nonprofit education programs (virtual)
● Advise clients
Miles Community College Director of the Center for Academic Success 2009
● Grant writing
● Monitor and implement GED program as well as Americorp and other job training program oversight.
● Direct tutoring center activities and training for students and faculty.
● Marketing and research
● Provide training utilizing the online course programs to implement growth and success of the programs offered
● Raise retention rates at the college by providing student academic assistance and
encouragement.
Mt. San Jacinto College Evening Administrator 2008-2009
Responsible for ensuring all security processes were in order, monitored campus activities in the evenings and weekends, and facilitated faculty needs.
Virtual/Online Teaching Experience
Fielding Graduate University Virtual Cluster Leader 2010-2011
Scheduled, uploaded presentations, and ran monthly cluster meetings for faculty and students located in various parts of the world for the Educational Leadership and Change program.
Mt. San Jacinto College Music Faculty 2005-2009
Taught online American Music History
Lincoln Learning Management Curriculum Writer 2015
Wrote Music Appreciation & History curriculum for online high schools
KC Distance Learning Curriculum Writer 2008
Wrote Middle School and High School curriculum for online schools. I have also written freelance requested curriculum for other groups or organizations including homeschool groups, and private companies looking to sell their products.
Private Music and English Teacher 1996-2024
Taught private voice, piano, flute, and English lessons utilizing Elluminate, Skype and other online platforms as well as in person private lessons and group classes.
California Virtual Academy K-8 Teacher (Education Specialist) 2006-2007
Maintained student records for 28 students who took their classes online, including but not limited to, attendance records and report cards, assignment sheets, and met with parents quarterly to collect work samples. Provided assistance to parents who were homeschooling their children.
LMS Platforms utilized: Skype, Moodle, Elluminate, K-12 Proprietary, Angel, Webex, Blackboard, Second Life, LabSpace, and other platforms.
Media and Recording Software utilized: Garage Band, Sibelius, ProTools, Finale, Cakewalk, iMovie, Anchor FM, and others platforms.
Education
2007-2011 Fielding Graduate University Santa Barbara, CA
EdD in Educational Leadership & Change Teaching in the Virtual Classroom Certification Media Studies concentration (ABD)
Teaching in the Virtual Classroom Certification - Basic Principles of Online Teaching, Strategies for
Online Facilitation and Evaluation, Applied Project in Effective Online Teaching and Evaluation, Principles of Course and Curriculum Design for Online Learning, Strategies of Effective Course and Curriculum Design, and Applied Project in Effective Design of Online courses and Programs. EdD
Educational Leadership and Change program, concentration area in Media Studies: Structural Inequality and Diversity, Systems Thinking, Action Oriented Research, Media Studies, Rethinking Schools and Organizations, Leadership and Change, and Dissertation published as the book "RootEd: How Trauma Impacts Learning and Society."
2002-2004 University of Phoenix Phoenix, AZ
MAED - Masters in Education
Elementary Art and Science of Teaching; Child and Adolescent Development; Models, Theories, and Instructional Strategies; Elementary Student Teaching Seminar I; The Diverse Classroom; Maintaining an Effective Learning Climate; Curriculum Constructs and Assessment: Reading and Language Arts; Curriculum Constructs and Assessment: Science and Mathematics; Curriculum Constructs and Assessment: Social Studies and Fine Arts; Action Research; Student Teaching.
1998-2000 Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA
MA in Vocal Performance incomplete
Music History (20th Century and Baroque), Choral Arranging, Performance, Advanced Conducting, Concert Choir, Musical Theater Productions, Private Voice and Piano Lessons, Methods of Educational Research
1991-1995 Whitworth College Spokane, WA
BA in Arts Administration BA in Music BA in Music Education (completed through MAEd program)
Education courses, Music Education courses, Chemistry, Philosophy, Music History, Music Theory, Ear Training, Private Vocal, Piano, and Flute Lessons, Concert Choir, Psychology, Choral Arranging, Orchestration, Conducting, Opera Workshop, Accounting, Business Management, Comprehensive Computer courses, and various business courses.
Accreditations
BA in Music/Music Education
BA in Arts Administration
MA/MM Vocal Performance - incomplete
MAED - Masters in Education - Elementary
TVC - Teaching in the Virtual Classroom Certified
EdD - Educational Leadership & Change, concentration area - Media Studies (ABD - dissertation became published book instead)
Professional Memberships and Awards
Memberships:
Karl Forster Chor - Berlin, DE
Alternative Education Resource Organization, Albany, NY
Casa Italiana Opera Company, Los Angeles, CA
Desert Repertory Theater, Rancho Mirage, CA
American Songwriters, Composers, Authors and Publishers - ASCAP Temecula Valley Master Chorale,
Temecula, CA
Bay Area Choral Harmonies, Oakland, CA
West Bay Opera, Palo Alto, CA
San Jose Symphonic Choir, San Jose, CA
California Opera Association, San Francisco, CA
American Choral Directors Association -ACDA
Music Educators National Conference - MENC
Ottawa Choral Society, (directed by Iwan Edwards and guest conducted by Trevor Pinnock - St. Matthew
Passion, National Arts Centre, 1996) Ottawa, ON, Canada
Bach Chorale (Gunther Schueller, Director), Bach Festival - Spokane, WA Spokane Allied Arts Festival,
Spokane, WA Sandpoint Music Festival (Gunther Schueller, Director), Sandpoint, ID
Spokane Symphony Chorale, Spokane, WA
Awards
Social Innovation Award - Fielding Graduate University
Fielding Scholarship - multiple years
Most Outstanding Coordinator - CIEE
Virtual Cluster Leader - Fielding Graduate University
Award winning choirs - Magic Music Days, Travis Ranch Show Choir Competition, Great America Show
Choir Competition, Bonita Vista Show Choir Competition (adjudicated by Kirby Shaw)
Vocal Scholarship - Whitworth University
Forensic Team Scholarship - Whitworth University
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