About Us 

The National Society of Arts and Letters (NSAL) of Florida  is comprised of an outstanding group of volunteers who support the aspirations of local emerging talent in the performing, visual and literary arts.

Each year, NSAL offers a variety of opportunities for students to apply for scholarships and competitions at both the local and national level.

In addition, our chapter partners with several South Florida universities including Lynn University and Conservatory; Florida Atlantic University; New World School of the Arts and University of Miami Frost School of Music to award annual scholarships to deserving students in various artistic disciplines.

NSAL founded a chapter in Florida in 1981 and has been affiliated with the not-for profit parent organization ever since. Since its founding in 1944, the National organization has discovered stars such as Shirley MacLaine, actress/dancer/writer; Jessye Norman, opera singer; Megan Hilty, Broadway and television star; Awadagin Pratt, pianist; Amanda McKerrow, prima ballerina; and our chapter’s international success story, opera singer Nadine Sierra.

We encourage students and parents to explore each season’s opportunities and to reach out with any questions. To fulfill our mission, we look towards community leaders join us in our quest to discover, support and mentor exceptional talent!

For more information please contact President Kirsten Stephenson at kirstenstephenson@comcast.net

A Brief Glimpse into the History of the NSAL

In 1944, at the end of World War II, a group of Washington, D.C. dignitaries, diplomats, and a “Who’s Who” from the arts and the aristocracy came together and launched the National Society of Arts and Letters.

Believing that “a nation is only as great as its cultural standard,” First Lady Bess Truman hosted a grand reception at the White House and President and Mrs. Truman helped promote this new organization and its endeavor to discover, mentor and give financial support to exceptional young artists.

The Washington Post covered the reception at the White House and in a story stated, “The nation’s capitol has long been accustomed to brilliant and talented women but even the Washingtonians must perk up interest at the great and varied accomplishments of the women composing this new organization.” Today, happily and thankfully, men are a vital part of NSAL.

NSAL aims to discover talented young people at the beginning of their careers and provides scholarships and competitions in art, dance, drama, literature, music, and musical theatre, and works to advance their careers and creative opportunities. Excelling at the chapter level allows competitors to progress to national competitions and many stars have been discovered. Among these are Shirley MacLaine, actress/dancer/writer; Jessye Norman, opera singer; Megan Hilty, Broadway and television star; Awadagin Pratt, pianist; and Amanda McKerrow, prima ballerina, and opera star Nadine Sierra who was discovered through the Florida Chapter.

Welcome new and renewing members of the National Society of Arts and Letters (NSAL) Florida Chapter.

 NSAL Florida, a nonprofit organization of over 40 years is composed of patrons of the arts. We serve side by side with our sister chapters throughout the United States. We also serve in collaboration with NSAL National that has a history of more than 75 years. 

Some NSAL Florida members have been engaged professionally in the arts whereas many others simply enjoy the arts. Still yet, all members support local artists. 

Together, we diligently work to provide opportunities for these artists to excel! The mission and vision of NSAL Florida can only be accomplished with the support and dedication of our loyal members and collaborative partners in the community. 

Still yet, when you become a member, you will make a difference in a young person’s life whose desire is to pursue the arts as a profession. This will be achieved by your participation in our events, and support of our competitions that provide scholarships to young artists. Again, welcome to NSAL Florida. 

If you would like more information, please email our chapter's President, Dr. N’Quavah R. Velazquez at nsal@achievementheights.org

Bio for Dr. N'quavah Velazquez

DR. N’QUAVAH R. VELAZQUEZ is a native New Yorker and currently resides in South Florida. She is a transformational leader with sustained excellence. She effectively collaborates with stakeholders to inspire self-actualization. Moreover, Dr. Velazquez is creative, innovative, and has superior communication skills. She has especially excelled as an educational leader and possesses 20+ years experience. Furthermore, Dr. Velazquez is the founder, CEO and Headmaster of Achievement Heights Academy, an international K-12 STEAM school and full-service educational management organization. Dr. Velazquez obtained her doctoral and master’s degrees from Lynn University, Donald E. and Helen R. Ross College of Education in Boca Raton, Florida. She is a life-long learner and has an international approach to education. She has completed workshops at Harvard; Stanford, School of Medicine; Florida International University College of Law; University of — Birmingham, Leeds, and London. Some of the continuing education course topics Dr. Velazquez has completed are: data analysis; child nutrition; social emotional learning; learning differences; ESOL; reading; phonological and phonemic awareness; contracts; torts; constitutional law; legal skills and values; general and organic chemistry with labs; and physics with labs. Besides the aforementioned, Dr. Velazquez is an outstanding leader in the community. Currently, she serves as the President of the National Society of Art & Letters, Florida Chapter; she is a Community Advisory Board Member with PBS WXEL/WPBT; and as a Honor Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Boca Raton Sunrise. In addition, Dr. Velazquez has successfully served on the steering committee for fundraisers such as the Brain Bowl Luncheon for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Dementia Diseases; Faulk Center for Counseling Awards Gala; Rotary Club of Boca Raton Sunrise Annual Golf Tournament; and Rotary Club of Boca Raton Sunrise Teacher-of-the-Year Annual Awards Dinner. What’s more, Dr. Velazquez is a published author in peer reviewed journals as well as presenter at national conventions. For example, she defended and published her dissertation: Effective Secondary Character Education: Impact on Secondary Students’ Social Skills and Reinforcing Character Strengths. Boca Raton, Florida. Moreover, she presented: Medical Decision Making in Neonatology, Columbia University Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, New York and the National Black Leadership Conference. Further, she conducted collaborative research and was listed as one of the researchers on Plants from Puerto Rico with Anti-Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Properties Including MDR Strains, New York University Medical School Pulmonary Division and Inter-American University with the American Thoracic Society. Dr. Velazquez also presented Bridging the Gap for Underrepresented Minority Students’ College Readiness by Open Enrollment of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, NASPA Region II Conference, New York. Finally, Dr. Velazquez has been recognized and received a number of awards. In 2022, she was nominated as the Woman Volunteer of the Year Award for the Junior League of Boca Raton. She was awarded Rotarian of the Year 2016, Rotary Club of Boca Raton Sunrise. She also received Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow 2016. Dr. Velazquez was a Finalist: Gator Alumni Debate Tournament and the Miami Dade College Parliamentary Debate. She was recognized for: Outstanding Research in Medicinal Plants; Outstanding Undergraduate Psychology; and nominated for the John Will Harris Medal of Honor all at Inter-American University, Metropolitan Campus. Dr. Velazquez is a Florida State Licensed Instructor and Florida State Licensed Educational Leader.

NSAL of Florida Chapter is proud to announce our Board of Directors and Committees. These outstanding volunteers dedicate their time and talent to support our local emerging artists.

Executive Board

President: Dr. N'quavah Velazquez

Vice-President: Jacob. Andreas

Treasurer: Judi Asselta

Recording Secretary:  Kirsten Stanley

Corresponding Secretary: Vacant

Directors:

Kirsten Stephenson 

Shari Upbin

David Wallach 

Event Co-Chairs

Shari Upbin and Arlene Herson

Michaela (Angela) DiCosola                

Florida Atlantic University

William Roderick Faulds                     

Director Florida Atlantic University, University Galleries                                                                                         

Irvin M. Lippman

Executive Director, Boca Raton Museum of Art                                              

Carol Prusa 

Professor, Visual Arts, Florida Atlantic University    

Clarence Brooks

Florida Atlantic University

Steven Caras                        

Dancer, subject of Emmy Award-winning PBS documentary and Internationally-acclaimed dance photographer

Jonathan Stuart Cerullo        

Award-winning Director, Producer and Choreographer

Maurice Brandon Curry         

Dancer and Executive Artistic Director, New York’s Eglevsky Ballet Company

Cynthia Harvey   

Dancer and Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre’s JKO School

Heather F. Lescaille

Dancer and Dean of Dance A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts

Daniel Lewis      

Dancer, Teacher, Choreographer and author

Christopher Wheeldon  

Dancer and Tony Award-Winning International Choreographer

Gordon Wright

Dancer, Executive VP and Director of the Harid Conservatory

Desmond Gallant

Florida Atlantic University

Joe Gillie

Consultant for Musical Theatre and Drama

Kathryn Johnston

Florida Atlantic University 

Andrew Kato 

Director, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Adam Simpson

Associate Professor, Technical Director, Curriculum Coordinator,   Lynn Drama, Lynn University

College of Arts and Sciences

Fred Conrad 

Photojournalist and fine arts photographer

Stephen Crowley  

Pulitizer award winning, former New York Times photographer and Visual Historian

Cathaleen Curtiss  

Current Director of Photography, Buffalo News,White House News                                               Photographers Association’s Photographer of the Year, former Vice President of Global Photography at AOL                                               

Faran Fagen 

Teacher, Pembroke Pines Charter High School   

Jack Foreman  

AP Photography Teacher,  Pembroke Pines Charter High School

Stephen Germana  

AP Photography Teacher  Jupiter Community High School

Melissa Glosmanova

2018 Dean, Digitial Media  A. W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts

Sarah Knudtson

AP Photography Teacher, Jupiter Community High School

Mickey Osterreicher, Esq.

Award winning photo-journalist in print and broadcast,

General Counsel to National Press Photographers Association

Peter Stodolak

2017 Dean, Digital Media, A. W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts

Rob Sweeten  

AP Photography Teacher, Boca Raton Community High School

Lorraine Vazquez 

AP Photography Teacher, Pembroke Pines Charter High School

Dr. Eric Berlatsky

Florida Atlantic University

Carl Hiaasen  

Award-winning Author

Dr. Becka McKay

Author, Associate Professor ofTranslation and Creative Writing, Florida Atlantic University

Michael McKeever 

Playwright

Dr. Marcella Munson

Florida Atlantic University

David J. Poissant 

Author, University of Central Florida           

Dr. Daniel Andai  

Dean of Music, New World School of the Arts;

Artistic Director Killington Music Festival;  Concertmaster, Miami Symphony

David Cole 

Head of Strings, Professor of Cello - Lynn Conservatory of  Music

Guillermo Figueroa

Music Director, Conductor, Violin, Lynn Conservatory of Music

Michael Finn

Distinguished Artist-in-Residence, Chamber Music and orchestral repertoire

Dr. Irena Kofman 

Director of Keyboard Studies FAU Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters

Lisa Leonard 

Professor and Department Head of Instrumental Collaborative Piano, Lynn Conservatory of Music

Elmar Oliveira  --Retired

Distinguished Artist, Professor of Violin, Lynn Conservatory of Music

Marc Reese

Assistant Dean, Professor of Trumpet, Lynn Conservatory of  Music

Dean Jon Robertson  

Academician, Conductor, pianist, Lynn Conservatory of Music

Joseph Robinson--Retired

Oboe - Lynn Conservatory of Music - New York Philharmonia

Dr. Roberta Rust 

Piano Department Head, Lynn Conservatory of Music

Michael Tilson Thomas

Music Director, San Francisco  Symphony and Artistic Director New World Symphony

Daniel Baiggi  

Director - Palm Beach Opera

Jeffrey Marc Buchman

Director – Opera 

Susan Danis

General Director and CEO, Florida Grand Opera  

Susan Dorchin

Senior Instructor, Voice,  Florida Atlantic University

Dr. Patricia P. Fleitas  

Director of Vocal Studies  Florida Atlantic University

Dr. E. J. Hardenbergh 

Associate Professor of Music;  Chair, Department of Vocal  Performance;

Program Director,  Vocal Performance, University of Miami

Alan Johnson

Music Director, Frost Opera Theater, Frost School of Music, University of Miami

Dr. Sandra McClain   

Private Voice Instructor

Marilyn Mims 

Resident Artist in Voice and  Director of Opera Workshop Palm Beach Atlantic University

Dr. Stacie Rossow 

Associate Director of Choral and Vocal Studies, Florida Atlantic University

Mark Alexander   

Executive Director, Theatres, Palm Beach State College

Caryl Fantel

Award-Winning Music Director; Music Coordinator, FAU Department of Theatre and Dance

Lynn McNutt  

Assistant Professor Theater, Florida Atlantic University