Meet Our Staff

Creative Arts Therapy Staff

Meet Our Staff

Creative Arts Therapy Staff

Sarah Heffner, MA, R-DMT

Associate Director of Creative Arts Therapy & Music

sheffner@beckcenter.org

Sarah is a native Clevelander who holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Dance from Baldwin Wallace University and is currently working towards her Master's as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a Specialization in Dance/Movement Therapy at Lesley University. Sarah has been trained in multiple dance forms for the past seventeen years and loves to share her passion with others. Sarah also choreographs at local community theaters and well as St. Edward High School, while still finding time to perform for herself.

Ryan Finley

Cartooning, Drawing, and Multi-media

Ryan Finley is a professional sketch card artist, published illustrator, freelance illustrator, visual arts instructor, girl dad, husband and nerd from Northeast Ohio. He currently creates Star Wars sketch cards for Topps and Marvel sketch cards for Upper Deck. Throughout his career he has also worked on other titles such as TMNT, Scooby-Doo, Stranger Things, Aliens, Predator and X-Files. His love for pop culture/comics shows through in his work along with his classroom projects. Ryan travels to comic conventions selling his original art, prints and sketch cards. His art has been published in art books, raised money for local charities, and has been displayed in several local galleries. He has also painted numerous murals in the Northeast Ohio area. Learn more about Ryan Finley’s work at ArtByRyanFinley.com

Jennifer Cochran

Creative Art Therapies Faculty

Jennifer is a distinguished musician and educator whose career spans over four decades. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in music, along with a secondary degree in Theater from the Cleveland Institute of Music and Case Western Reserve University. Her extensive teaching career includes roles as the Director of Performing Arts at Trinity High School and as a music and theater teacher and director at Hathaway Brown School and the Cuyahoga Board of Developmental Disabilities, showcasing her dedication to arts education and inclusivity. She enjoyed an impressive 40-year tenure as an associate director and soloist at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, further demonstrating her commitment to music and the arts. Jennifer has made significant contributions to the arts community in Cleveland. As a singer, actress, director, conductor, and flutist, she has become a versatile and influential figure. Her talents have been recognized nationally—she was a semi-finalist and prize winner in the Savannah American Traditions vocal competition and had the honor of being invited to perform at the White House. Today, Jennifer continues to share her passion for music through performances with the Gateway Jazz Band and as a lobby instrumentalist on the flute at Playhouse Square. She is thrilled to be joining Beck Center for the Arts as a new adaptive theater teacher.

Jocelynn Mejstrik

Adaptive Art Specialist

Jocelynn lives in Fairview Park, Ohio with her husband, two German Shepherds, and two cats. She is currently working on a master's in counseling and art therapy at Ursuline College. Jocelynn loves working with children and providing a creative and safe place for self-expression.

Sarah Link

Music Specialist

Sarah has a BM in Music Therapy from the University of Dayton. Practiced music therapy at Riverside Academy of Music for four years and The Far Conservatory in Birmingham, MI for three years. Early childhood music instructor at the Beck Center since 2005. Enjoys spending time with her two daughters and husband.

Michael Simile

LPMT, MT-BC

Michael earned his Bachelor’s of Music in Music Therapy from the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music in May of 2016. Following graduation, Michael completed a 6-month music therapy internship at Laurel Lake Retirement Community in Hudson, Ohio, where he served primarily in the skilled nursing and hospice unit. He has been on faculty at Beck Center for the Arts since January 2018, and teaches guitar there in addition to his duties as a music therapist. Michael is also employed by the Dover Congregational United Church of Christ Chancel Choir in Westlake. He maintains an active performance schedule with regional pit orchestras and with his two bands, The Branches and Flight 619.

Gavin Dorsey

LPMT, MT-BC

Gavin holds a Bachelor's of Music in Music Therapy from Ohio University. Following graduation, he completed his music therapy internship at Mobile Music Therapy Services of Orange County in Garden Grove, California. He has a range of experience working with individuals and groups in early childhood, clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and older adults in senior living facilities. His instruments include guitar, piano, and voice. He is also a classically trained clarinetist and was in the Ohio University Wind Symphony and the Ohio University Symphony Orchestra. Gavin joined the Creative Art Therapies staff at the Beck Center for the Arts in September 2023. He is excited to be working at the Beck Center of the Arts and share his love of music in the community.

Carly Reese

MA, LPMT, MT-BC

Carly earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from Ohio University after completing her music therapy internship with the Fulton County School District in the metropolitan Atlanta area. She also holds a Master of Music in Music Therapy degree from Ohio University. Her graduate research on the benefits of inclusive music therapy settings in developing early childhood social skills. Carly has experience working with children and adults with developmental disabilities and complex medical needs. Her music therapy practice centers around the belief that every individual deserves access to music and that every individual deserves the autonomy to guide their own musical experience. Carly also has experience as a piano instructor and continues to fulfill that role at the Beck Center.

Josie Vano

Creative Art Therapies Faculty

Josie (they/she) is an interdisciplinary theatre artist with over 20 years’ experience. Their work covers all areas of theatre from performance to production, spanning a range of settings from local community theatre to black box shows in New York, even producing an award-winning world premiere musical workshop. Josie holds a BIS from Kent State University, a certificate in Devising Theatre for Social Justice from Fringe Benefits Theatre in Los Angeles, and is currently earning an MA in Expressive Arts Therapy at Lesley University. As an experienced educator, Josie developed and directed the inaugural Youth Summer Theatre Camp at Arlene’s Broadway on Buffalo in Conneaut, where she continues to direct and perform. In addition to their theatre work, Josie leads ACES Creative Arts Club through NAMI Lake County, using creative arts activities to teach coping skills to middle schoolers, and is currently developing the organization’s first Youth Advisory Board.

Brooke Weaver

MT-BC

Brooke is a graduate from Cleveland State University and a recent board certified and licensed music therapist. She has been passionate about music and creative arts since the age of five and is in a band called Fall Creek. Brooke has a cat named Rajah, and she really enjoy building Legos and reading in her free time.

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17801 Detroit Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio 44107

Customer service hours

Monday 12:00pm - 5:00pm*

Tuesday 12:00pm - 5:00pm*

Wednesday 12:00pm - 5:00pm*

Thursday 12:00pm - 5:00pm*

Friday 12:00pm - 5:00pm*

Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm*

Sunday 12:00pm - 4:00pm*

*Times vary based on performance schedules. Customer service is open during all scheduled performances.

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© 2025 Beck Center for the Arts.

All Rights Reserved.


Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Use

Accessibility Statement

Refund/Exchange Policy

Donation Request Policy 

© 2025 Beck Center for the Arts. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Use  |  Accessibility Statement

Refund/Exchange Policy | Donation Request Policy 

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