Company Bios

Aarin Burch (CEO, Laurel Burch Studios) is a native San Franciscan with an extraordinary upbringing. As the daughter of internationally renowned artist and designer Laurel Burch, Aarin grew up surrounded  by her mother’s vibrant paintings and a plethora of Laurel-designed jewelry, apparel, and home decor that made family life a truly creative endeavor. After Laurel’s death, Aarin launched Laurel Burch Studios in 2012 to continue to make her mother’s vivid art and messages available to all. As CEO and founder of Laurel Burch Studios, Aarin drives new approaches to bring her mother Laurel’s extraordinary designs to life and grow the brand in exciting new directions. Aarin began her creative journey at the California College of Arts and Crafts where she obtained her BFA in 1991. Aarin served on San Francisco’s Frameline Board of Directors  from 1995-1999 and as an established filmmaker, she’s received notable recognition for  her films shown at festivals throughout the world. As an independent film and video  producer, she operated Aarin Burch Productions for 23 years in which she produced, edited, and directed promotional videos, concert videos, and documentaries, as well as trailers for several feature-length films. Currently, Aarin is working on a full length documentary film depicting renowned artist and designer Laurel Burch’s life, art, and legacy. In addition, Aarin is the assistant head instructor at Hand to Hand Kajukenbo and currently holds a 6th degree blackbelt in Kajukenbo; she also taught hip hop dance for over 20 years.

Amy’s first experience with the Joe Goode Performance Group was as a participant in the Embodied Leader workshop. Joe’s invitation to participants to explore and unveil the meaning of the movement experience for themselves, rather than to unpack and explain it for them drew her in. Amy works with organizations to foster more inclusive and human-centered structures and cultures. Previously, Amy provided information, analysis, and insights to philanthropic foundations. She assisted foundations striving to create change around a wide range of issues including international intellectual property rights, digital media and children, food security, human rights, citizen journalism, healthcare technology, living wages, broadband access, youth development, economic justice, and community philanthropy. Amy holds a Masters degree from Harvard University and a B.A. from Indiana University. She is delighted to have the chance to share her professional expertise and personal passion for the arts, especially dance, with JGPG.

Elise has been in the  Bay Area for 30 years, moving to San Francisco in the early 90’s to attend the MFA in Filmmaking program at the San Francisco Art Institute.  Elise made several experimental films and a short narrative that screened in festivals and museum shows.  Elise worked for and with non-profit media arts organizations including Film Arts Foundation and the San Francisco Cinematheque and taught Sound for Film at San Francisco State University.  For some years Elise did audio production and post-production work for independent filmmakers before finding what would become her true career passion: designing and building consumer electronics. After working for companies making electronic educational toys, media products for schools, and home automation devices, Elise now works for the financial services company Square leading hardware engineering program management. Elise helps teams design new products that meet needs of small businesses and sole proprietors. Elise is thrilled to now be coming back to the local arts community and is excited to share her professional skills and love of movement arts with JGPG. Elise lives in Oakland, CA with her two cats and is mom to a college-aged daughter.

Ellen Chamberlain fell in love with dance when she took her first ballet/tap combo class in preschool. After studying the artform across disciplines for nearly 20 years, she pivoted to follow another personal passion and began working as a journalist. Her stories have graced airwaves, both print and digital publications across the country, and she even presented a TEDx talk dedicated to hip hop—another “artistic true love” of hers. Ellen enjoys reading, water activities, travel, and entirely too much television. The Michigan native earned her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Wayne State University and currently lives in metro Atlanta with her wife and son.

Kathleen Moore is a native San Franciscan. She has spent over 25 years in children’s non-profit arts education with the San Francisco Arts Education Project (SFArtsED), an early collaborator with the JGPG Youth Education program. Kathleen received a BA in Physical Education with a Dance Emphasis from San Francisco State University and has a dance performance background that stretches back to the late 1970’s. She has served on the boards of Pearl Ubungen Dancers and Musicians and the Tenderloin Reflection and Education Center. As a side gig, Kathleen has designed and built thousands (whew!) of children’s costumes for SFArtsED and the Brisbane Dance Workshop. The highlight of Kathleen’s week is JGPG’s Movement for Humans class and she has been a fan and grateful witness of the deeply tender, humorous, and honest work of Joe Goode and JGPG for over two decades. Kathleen’s intention is to listen and actively support JGPG and all of its programs in any and every way that is truly helpful. She sends gratitude to po po Helen Kwan who came to America as a picture book bride and paper daughter. Her sacrifices have made her granddaughter’s journey and service in the arts possible.

Lucille Freedman was born and raised in South Africa, graduating from the University of Cape Town, with a special emphasis in Speech and Drama. She emigrated to the US with her family in 1973, and settled in the Bay Area. An influential cooking job led to her starting her own catering business. After successfully running this line of business for 12 years, she changed careers and trained to become a tax professional, securing an Enrolled Agent License. Additionally she obtained a Series 7 (stock broker) License and established a one-stop Tax and Financial Planning practice which she operated for 35 years until her recent “semi-retirement”. Dance and movement have always been important to Lucille. Encountering Joe Goode and his Movement for Humans weekly classes was, and has continued to be, deeply influential. Joe’s community endeavors constantly inspires Lucille’s public-spirited perspective. Sharing her extensive business and financial knowledge as well as her previous experience serving on the board of another arts organization, will be a fulfilling contribution to the Joe Goode organization. Lucille lives in the Montclair district of Oakland.

McCrae Parker,a SF Bay Area native, has spent 25 years working at the intersection of digital technology access, media advocacy, community empowerment and equity. His roles at local, state and national levels have ranged from community educator to policy advocate to senior leadership positions in local and national organizations. Most recently, McCrae was the Deputy Director at MediaJustice a national organization focused on media rights, access, representation and power for POC/LGBTQ+ communities in the digital arena. Prior, he was the Managing Director of ZeroDivide where he designed and implemented capacity building and leadership development projects that leveraged digital technology in under-resourced and under-served communities for social equity and justice outcomes in vulnerable communities. McCrae is currently an Advisor for Public Matters, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA) and serves as a consultant for the The Dialogue Company (National).