Come and aspire with us! 
Board of Directors
Jennifer Stanek Anderson – President
Jennifer Stanek Anderson brings a lifelong passion for the arts and a broad background in nonprofit leadership to her role as President of the Board for Aspire Music Academy Foundation. A dedicated community volunteer since childhood, Jennifer’s early experiences sparked her commitment to building strong, mission-driven organizations.She has held leadership roles with several Twin Cities nonprofits, including Director of Organizational Effectiveness, Director of Development, and Director of Communications, developing expertise in governance, strategic planning, and fundraising. At Target Corporation, she helped streamline the company’s employee giving program and strengthen partnerships with local nonprofits. As a nonprofit consultant, business advisor to women entrepreneurs, and freelance writer, Jennifer combines big-picture strategy with hands-on execution.
Beyond her professional work, Jennifer has served on numerous nonprofit boards, often in leadership and fundraising roles. She also channeled her love of design and entrepreneurship into founding a successful interior design and home staging business, an experience that honed her creative eye and entrepreneurial mindset.
A theatre graduate, Jennifer has returned to the stage as a performer with Aspire’s Encore adult group and other local productions. She is especially delighted to share the stage with her three daughters, who also perform with Aspire.
In every role, Jennifer blends strategic insight with a collaborative spirit to strengthen organizations and expand opportunities for others. She is honored to lead Aspire Music Academy Foundation in inspiring creativity, confidence, and connection through the arts for everyone from seasoned performers to those rekindling or discovering their passion.
| |
Jennifer Kroeger – Vice President
Jennifer enjoys supporting the academy both on and off stage – whether helping at the desk, working with props and sets, or volunteering her time to strengthen the Aspire community.
In her other endeavors, Jennifer has actively volunteered to build community and champion youth and mental health initiatives. She drives success through event planning, fundraising, and mentorship, applying her leadership and management skills to local groups. Her volunteer work includes dedicated time with Girl Scouts, United Way, and Community Thread.
Outside of her volunteer work, Jennifer is a passionate jewelry maker, combining creativity and craftsmanship in ways that reflect her love for the arts. She is proud to now serve as Vice President of the Aspire Music Academy Foundation.
| |
Danielle Pelton – Secretary
Danielle has been part of the Aspire Music Academy family since January 2020, when her oldest daughter joined, followed by her youngest in June 2022. Her oldest daughter is currently a member of Momentum, Aspire’s first competitive show choir team, which launched its inaugural season in early 2025. Danielle and her family love being active members of the Aspire community, often volunteering and supporting events that give back to a program that has become such an important part of their daughters’ lives—helping them grow in confidence while doing what they love: singing and dancing.
A proud annual sponsor of Aspire Music Academy, Danielle is also a Realtor licensed in both Minnesota and Wisconsin with Cardinal Realty Co., where she has helped clients buy and sell homes since 2010. A 2008 graduate of Bethel University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Danielle has built a career defined by leadership and service. She completed Leadership SPAAR in 2018, later serving as Vice Chair and Chair of the Metro Young Professionals Network Committee, earning the Rising Star Award in 2020 for her excellence and promise in the industry. Currently serving on the St. Paul Area Association of Realtors Board of Directors, she is the 2025 President-Elect and will proudly serve as President in 2026.
Danielle’s passion for community runs deep. Since childhood, she has been actively involved with the St. Paul Winter Carnival—a family tradition that began in 1994 when her father first joined the Vulcans and later became Vulcanus Rex in 2007. A decade later, her husband, Josh, followed in his footsteps as a Vulcan in 2017. The Carnival is also where Danielle and Josh first met, making it a cherished part of their family’s story.
In addition to her professional and volunteer work, Danielle serves as Studio Manager and instructor at Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping in Woodbury, where she inspires others to pursue their health and wellness goals. She is thrilled to be part of the devoted group of individuals who created the Aspire Music Academy Foundation—combining her love for the arts, leadership, and community. Danielle is known for her warm, people-focused approach and her unwavering dedication to helping others thrive, both on and off the stage.
| |
George May – Treasurer
George May has been a producer, performer and long-term volunteer in the world of performing arts and music for many years. George provides assistance and leadership in matters related to finance, planning, marketing, scheduling, logistics, legal compliance and other areas that provide the foundation for performing arts experiences.
George has been at the forefront of many foundational efforts in the performing arts. He has assisted in the founding of Aspire Music Academy, the founding of Open Door Community Theatre, and the legal establishment of Spirit Song Community Choir.
In his professional life, George has retired after a long career spent in the industries of professional information, software, legal compliance, and related areas. His final corporate role was as the head of the small business segment for CT Corporation, a division of the global Wolters Kluwer corporation. George also held corporate leadership positions for many years as a part of Thomson Reuters and its predecessor companies, where he led the development of online legal research services in 13 countries on five continents. In his corporate career, George consistenly held business leadership and P&L responsibilities for large business endeavors.
Beyond his volunteer work in the performing arts, George remains engaged in work related to private equity transactions and other business and investing advisory roles, leveraging his experience in more than 40 transactions in mergers and acquisitions over the years.
George holds a B.A. in Economics and an MBA, both from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. George and his wife have three adult sons.
| |
Erica Elwell – Board Member at Large
Erica Elwell’s daughter Lydia started with Aspire Music Academy in the summer of 2022 when she played Fiona in the production of Shrek Jr. and she has been doing Aspire summer camps ever since! When Momentum group became a competitive show choir in 2024, Lydia couldn’t wait to sign up!
Erica loves being backstage during the shows and helping manage all the chaos so the magic of the musical theatre can shine through!
When she’s not backstage helping or in the audience cheering the ladies of Momentum on, Erica works for General Mills where she has worked for almost two decades. With a background in research and development, Erica has worked on brands like Chex Mix, Bugles, Yoplait and more! Currently, Erica is a project manager, where she helps teams execute innovation tests in context to help teams launch the new products you will see on your grocery store shelves soon!
| |
| |
© 2025 Aspire Music Academy Foundation. All rights reserved.