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.

Hello!

We look forward to welcoming you as a new or renewing member 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 artist to excel!

The mission and vision of NSAL Florida can only be accomplished with the support and dedication of our loyal members. When you become a member, you will make a difference in a young person’s life whose desire is to purseu the arts as a profession. This will be achieved by your donations and support of our events.

Thank you!

Kirsten Stephenson

KirstenStephenson@comcast.net

NSAL of Florida Appoints Kirsten Stephenson as New President

Boca Raton-based Nonprofit Provides Scholarships and Competitions for  Young Emerging Artists

(BOCA RATON, FL) September 5, 2023--The National Society of Arts and Letters of Florida (NSAL) is delighted to announce that Kirsten Stephenson will serve as the new president of the nonprofit, which provides emerging artists, in multiple disciplines, with scholarships and competitions. Stephenson is well-known in the South Florida philanthropic community for her exceptional leadership and innovative fundraising initiatives. She has served NSAL as an executive board member for many years, providing the organization with creative new programs and chairing key events including the 2022 Star Maker Awards Gala.  The Boca Raton-based nonprofit has been supporting young local artists for over 40 years and is a chapter of the national organization, which was formed in 1943. To learn more visit www.nsalflorida.org.

“I am thrilled to lead this incredible organization,” stated Stephenson. “Having served NSAL in many capacities, I’ve had the privilege to witness the enormous impact our support provides for the magnificent young talent in our community. During my tenure, I am determined to enhance NSAL’s impact by expanding our support base while developing exciting new platforms to showcase our brilliant emerging artists.”

Stephenson has always been compelled to support local nonprofits. Her philanthropic career was incubated with the Junior League of Boca Raton where she won the honor of the most volunteer hours as a provisional. Later, she excelled in leadership roles within the organization including serving as Chair of the Florida’s State Public Affairs Committee, VP of Planning, and co-chair of the Women Volunteer of the Year event.

In 2022, Stephenson finished a two-year term as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Boca Raton Historical Society and Schmidt Museum, leading the board through major milestones including a new, fully interactive and state-of-the art award winning museum, new branding, and a new website.  In addition, she has served as Investment Committee Chair at the museum, helping to oversee a multimillion-dollar endowment and assisting in choosing a professional financial company to safely maintain investments.  She also chaired their ‘Meet Your New Downtown’ fundraiser and served as a Vintner Dinner Co-Chair.

During her time on NSAL’s board, she brainstormed, created, and implemented a pilot chapter at the high school level that encouraged and rewarded students in the arts, resulting in the first ever national high school pilot project eagerly watched by the national organization.  She mentored this group of students the first year, and true to form, her daughter served as co-president of this group of students.  This grew into four high schools in both Broward and Palm Beach counties, earning her the nomination from the National Society of Arts and Letters as their 2016 Woman Volunteer of the Year nominee.  She went on to co-chair the 2022 Star Makers Awards Gala and has hosted many NSAL events in her home and has heavily recruited for the organization.

As president of NSAL of Florida, she will be working with board members to secure donations, manage competitions, and host the organization’s signature event, The Star Maker Awards, which is scheduled for March 26, 2024.

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: Kirsten Stephenson

Vice-President: Lisa Leonard

Treasurer: Judi Asselta

Recording Secretary:  Kirsten Stanley

Corresponding Secretary: Tish Messenger

Directors:

Jacob Andreas

Gerry Ehrlich

Shari Upbin

Dorinda Spahr

Dr. N'Quavah R. Velazquez

Event Co-Chairs

Brian Edwards

Alyce Erickson

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