Holding a BFA, and educated at the Boston Conservatory of Music and Emerson College, Holli spent the first ten years of her career in Chicago as a professional union actress. Holli first connected with arts education when she heard a Louanne Johnson speak about teaching bright but underachieving teens at an inner-city high school. It was an "A-ha" moment, because she had too had once been an "at risk child." She wondered, "What if teaching, rather than performing, is the best use of my time on earth?" She decided to find the answer to that question, and never looked back. That launched a journey as a teaching artist, teaching and directing with a variety of theaters, schools and educational theaters in Chicago, San Francisco and the Virgin Islands. She eventually became the Program Director of Solano Youth Theatre, which served over 800 young performers each year. Holli joined Inner-City Arts in 2013 as a Programs Manager, and was given the incredible opportunity to develop the Work of Art program, which is a college and career exploration program for Inner-City Arts teens. She is incredibly proud to mentor these amazing young people as they prepare for their creative futures.