Meet Arisa Sullivan-College Park Classical Singer, Model, Mom, and Executive/Artistic Director of Classical and Jazz for The Howey Mansion Music Series
Meet Arisa Sullivan- College Park Classical Singer, Model, Mom, and Executive/Artistic Director of Classical and Jazz for the Howey Mansion Music Series
I was born in Kinston, NC to Japanese parents. My father was an
acupuncturist and psychiatrist, and my mother had her hands full
taking care of my brother and me.
I am a two time College Park resident. By that, I mean that I moved
here in 2004, after falling in love with the neighborhood and our
little Cape Cod house on Westmoreland Dr. We then moved to New Jersey
for about 5 years, but we loved the neighborhood so much that we chose
to live here again when we came back in 2012 and have been here ever
since!
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have a beautiful family. My husband works for Siemens
Energy, I have a 15 year old son at Bishop Moore and an 11 year old
girl at Monarch Learning Academy. I also have two “fur children,” a
malshi and a shih tzu.
Q: What do you do for work, and what do you love most about what you do?
I guess I am what you would call an Arts Multi-hyphenate. I have been
a professional classical singer for over 26 years. I’ve also been
teaching voice for 15 years. I also am the founder and
Executive/Artistic Director of the 501(c)(3) classical and jazz
performance organization, the Howey Mansion Music Series in Lake
County. On top of that, I accidentally fell into acting and modeling
recently and have been appearing in TV commercials and modeling on
HSN! In between there, I also had a stint as a cross-cultural
consultant for a global leadership firm.
I love connecting with people on a deeper and more meaningful level.
It started with singing. I honed the craft of singing opera and
classical music, and this was not only challenging and stimulating on
many levels for me, but it was an incredible way to connect on a
deeper level with humanity and provide meaning to people’s lives.
Many audience members came to me and shared how my singing touched
them, and it really made all personal sacrifices and struggles worth
it.
I continue this kind of connecting now as a voice teacher, actor,
concert presenter, and also at my own childrens’ school. I try to
make a difference in every person’s life. It’s why I think God put us
on this planet. How can we help improve other people’s lives? After
seeing all of the rise in racism recently that even my own children
experiences, I decided to do something about it. I started a program
at Monarch Learning Academy called “Better Together,” where I take
everything I learned as a corporate global leadership consultant and
apply it to a school context. I rolled out the program to everyone
from faculty to grades K-8. I also started an International Cultures
Club at school to teach kids appreciation for other cultures by
understanding their food, their crafts, music, etc. These have all
been very fulfilling ways to make an impact on my community.
Q: If a neighbor is hungry in College Park, what local restaurants would
you refer them to?
Oh, I have many favorites in College Park! For fresh chirashi sushi,
I would point them to Jade Sushi and New Asian. For a wonderful
brunch, I’d take them to Cafe Linger. For an always reliable, special
meal, The Taproom at Dubsdread is always delicious. The linguine con
vongole and the pizza at Armando’s are always top notch, and for an
after-school treat, we often go to Infusion Tea.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
In total, I have lived in College Park for 11 years.
Q: What is your favorite thing about College Park?
I love the community and my neighbors. There’s such a friendly vibe
here that doesn’t exist in other neighborhoods. My neighbors, we watch
out for each other, and I feel like I’ve become friends with all the
local business owners. Last but not least, the neighborhood is
gorgeous, historic, and has some of the only walkable lakes in the
county!
Q: Who is the most interesting person you've met in College Park?
Kathy and Tom Cardwell are two of my favorite College Parkers. Both
of them are so accomplished, so refined, and such incredible
conversationalists. The best part is, they are incredibly humble
about it all. They always lift others up, and put the spotlight on
others. But don’t be fooled. Kathy has run Coalition for the
Homeless and was a self-taught, successful financial advisor at Morgan
Stanley. Tom was a well-reputed lawyer and has written a published
book about their adventures in the French countryside! They both
speak French and are some of the most fascinating people we know.
Q: What advice, thought, or quote would you share with the community?
Be the positive light in someone’s life. There is enough negativity in
the world. We need more inspiring energy.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I’d like to go to the Galapagos Island. It was on my dad’s bucket
list, but he never got to go.
Q: Do you have any College Park businesses who aren't here anymore that
you wish would come back?
I miss Stewart Jewelry.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself being trying to make a positive impact on young artists,
and on my community. I also hope to be traveling the world often.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don't know about you?
I was involved in the Jr. Curator program at the NC Museum of Natural
Sciences, and I helped teach a Herpetology summer class to kids when I
was in high school .
Q: Outside of the 32804, what is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
That would be a toss up between the Big Island in Hawaii and
Interlaken, Switzerland.
Q: What is your favorite month? Favorite holiday? And best single day on
the calendar?
In Florida, my favorite month is December, favorite holiday is
Christmas, and I do love Thanksgiving Day.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My faith and my children inspire me to be better.
Q: What three words come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, food, my bed.
