Wortham Center is thrilled to welcome back a familiar face—and a deeply respected artistic voice—as Shana Tucker steps into the role of Education & Engagement Director. A nationally recognized arts administrator and master teaching artist, Shana brings a rare blend of creativity and community connection to this new chapter in Wortham’s story.
Many in our community will remember Shana from her time as one of Wortham’s inaugural Artists in Residence (2019–2021), where her socially conscious performances and education programs sparked lasting impact. Now, she returns with an even deeper sense of purpose.
“This is what I chose to do for life.”
In a recent interview for Asheville Area Focus on Mix 96.5 FM, Shana shared what drives her work in the performing arts: “I am a career musician—I’m a cellist by training, a singer-songwriter, a teaching artist—and this is what I chose to do for life. The reason why I chose to take this position is because I see the level at which the Wortham is presenting and is doing it well.”
She spoke passionately about Wortham’s commitment to making the arts accessible for people at every stage of life. From drop-in dance classes and lifelong movement workshops to summer camps that “activate young people” and family-friendly, financially accessible performances, Shana sees the Wortham as a place where community members can stay creative, connected, and inspired.
“There is a social aspect to it,” she explained. “When people become isolated, sometimes the thing that gets them out of that space is showing up and being creative with people at a certain cadence.”
A Voice for Access and Inclusion
Shana’s values align directly with Wortham’s mission to enrich, enlighten, educate, and entertain. She sees arts access as essential—“a human right to experience the performing arts as much as possible.”
That belief naturally connects with Wortham’s Arts for All Kids initiative, which ensures that students across Western North Carolina can experience live performance regardless of financial barriers. Through her role in education and engagement, Shana helps bring this spirit of access to life across the programs she develops and supports.
Returning With Purpose
With her lived artistic practice, deep teaching experience, and uncommon talent for building trust-based partnerships, Shana is poised to help shape the next era of Wortham’s education and engagement work. “I’m proud to be part of a place where access isn’t just talked about—it’s happening,” she shared.
Managing Director Rae Geoffrey adds, “Shana has an extraordinary way of meeting people where they are and inviting them into the creative process. She brings a generosity of spirit that encourages participation at every level. Our community is better with her in it, and we’re proud to have her back.”
For Shana’s complete bio, read here
A nationally respected arts administrator, master teaching artist, and performing artist, Tucker brings a rare ability to inspire creativity, curiosity, and confidence in audiences and learners of all ages. She returns to the Wortham following her tenure as an inaugural Artist-in-Residence (2019–2021), during which she developed deeply engaging, socially conscious performances and education programs that forged lasting community connections.
Tucker previously served as Executive Director of Kidznotes, leading organizational growth, strategic planning, and fundraising for an El Sistema–inspired music-for-social-justice nonprofit. As an A+ Schools of North Carolina Artist Fellow, she designed arts-integrated curriculum and professional development for educators statewide and served as a teaching artist with Durham Arts Council, Arts and Science Council (Charlotte-Mecklenburg) United Arts Council’s Artists in Schools program, the Smith Center for the Performing Arts (Las Vegas), Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, and numerous K–12, university and presenting organizations across the country. She is the creator and facilitator of music industry professional development workshops including Minding Your Business, supporting creative entrepreneurs as small business owners, and Getting the Grant, guiding artists in identifying and securing public and private funding.
A board member of United Arts Wake, voting member of the Recording Academy (GRAMMYS), and member of NCPC and NAPAMA, Tucker is also an active, practicing artist with an ongoing schedule of performances, recordings, residencies, and workshops. Known as a “human conduit,” she has an uncommon ability to forge imaginative, trust-based partnerships within communities and across organizations—connecting people, ideas, and resources in ways that catalyze meaningful collaboration. This relational strength, paired with her lived artistic practice, will be central to the Wortham Center’s future strategic planning, the reactivation of existing relationships, and the cultivation of new partnerships that expand the reach, relevance, and impact of its education and engagement programs.
