Meet our Team!

Kristen De Benedetto began her formal dance training at the age of five with her focus on classical ballet. She was awarded various scholarships and awards throughout her pre-professional career, including summer intensive grants for the Homer Bryant School of Ballet in Chicago, and a scholarship to The University if the Arts in Philadelphia where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Dance Education with a focus on Dance and Movement Therapy.  Her post graduate studies in the field of dance and movement therapy and the lack of local performing arts resources in her area for children with disabilities inspired the creation of The Include Everyone Project. 

Her passion of combining dance and movement into a form of therapy for children and adults with both emotional and physical disabilities led her to seek her Autism Movement Therapy Certification in Spring 2017. She is a certified provider in the Santa Clarita Valley. Kristen is also a diehard Harry Potter fan... "Always.", raises a beautiful tornado of a son, will drive 2 hours for a sandwich that reminders her of her hometown of Chicago, and is always in search of the perfect bowl of chips and salsa and a beach to enjoy them on.

Rodney Dong is a Board Certified Music Therapist, who has worked extensively with children and youth with special needs over the past 20 years. He received his Bachelor’s of Music Therapy Degree at Capilano College in Vancouver, Canada, and is a professional member of the American Music Therapy Association. He has served as Music Therapy Program Coordinator for 2 pediatric clinics in the Los Angeles area, and now works primarily within Santa Clarita’s school districts with children and youth with developmental disabilities such as Autism, Down Syndrome & Prader-Willi Syndrome. He believes passionately in music’s ability to support development, foster self-esteem, and promote health.

Kathleen “Kate” White received her B.F.A. in Theatre from Pace University, NYC and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education with a focus on mild/moderate special education from the University of Southern California.  She has assisted with Novato Theatre Company's summer theatre camp for kids and was a counselor with Premier Musical Theatre's summer program. She recently got back into the voiceover industry and currently studies improvisation with Turbine Arts Collective. She is writing a solo show about what it's like to be a mom to a child with multiple disabilities.

Board Members:

• Adam M. Greenwald, M.B.A.

• Neil Fitzgerald

• Caroline Daniel

• Diane Ortega M.A.

• Flo Loring, M.A.  ( Adjunct )

• Connie Vandarakis, M.A., Ed.D. ( Adjunct )

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