Our Mission: To ensure and enhance our rich cultural and musical legacy, Timeless Gifts provides instruction, exposure and professional performance opportunities for young aspiring artists, while promoting self-confidence, creativity, character, and professional etiquette in the presentation of their chosen crafts.
Our Vision: To have our own facility that is a safe space where participants can continue to receive instruction and development of their performance skills year-round, with a performance space, viable staff and offices.
Board of Directors
Executive Assistant
Rayzine Collaso, fell in love with performing at the tender age of 7 when she was selected to sing a solo in her second grade Christmas concert. She studied music and participated in band and choir in grammar and high school. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from The University of Illinois at Chicago. Her performance resume includes being a supporting vocalist for Joan Collaso and Grammy Award winning artist and songwriter, Michael Henderson. She's been an instructor and facilitator in the performing arts for 18 years, with 14 years as instructor, and Assistant Director with Timeless Gifts. She is also working toward a future as a songwriter and solo vocal recording artist.
Musical Director
Larry Hanks is an accomplished pianist, songwriter, recording producer, orchestrator, conductor and former college professor. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music and Masters Degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Larry is a co-founder, and has served as producer and Musical Director for Timeless Gifts since 2011. His resume includes hit songs on Billboard, touring and conducting the orchestra for the great R&B artist Jerry "Ice Man" Butler. Larry is a 25-year church musician (former deacon), and one of the resident pianists at the famed Gibson's Steakhouse on the Gold Coast in Chicago.
P. Dianne Damper, MD/PhD, Chairman
Retired scientist, assistant professor and physician. My joy is music and I am a founding member and currently Chairman of the Board of Directors for Timeless Gifts Youth Program for the Performing Arts.
Jessica Walton is Financial Advisory professional who specializes in investment consultations for retirement readiness. She is a 2023 graduate of the Illustrious Hampton University where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Finance with a minor in Mathematics. Jessica has been a participant in Timeless Gifts from ages 10-23 and through this organization she has performed for numerous events as a professional vocalist. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. where she can fulfill her passions for community service and women empowerment. Jessica currently resides in the ChicagoLand Area where she enjoys spending time with family and trying new restaurants in her free time. Jessica Walton is Financial Advisory professional who specializes in investment consultations for retirement readiness. She is a 2023 graduate of the Illustrious Hampton University where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Finance with a minor in Mathematics. Jessica has been a participant in Timeless Gifts from ages 10-23 and through this organization she has performed for numerous events as a professional vocalist. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. where she can fulfill her passions for community service and women empowerment. Jessica currently resides in the ChicagoLand Area where she enjoys spending time with family and trying new restaurants in her free time.
Randell L Phillips – Secretary
Randell has been a member of Timeless Gifts’ Board of Directors for the past 4 years and holds the position of Secretary. He is an industrial engineer and works for Atkore International. He graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in industrial technology and is member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity Inc. He is married to Rayzine Collaso with whom he has three children, Christina, Reece, and Casey, who all participate in the summer and fall programs. Before joining the board, Randell regularly volunteered for Timeless Gifts events assisted Joan and Rayzine with various projects.
Founder and Executive Director
Joan Collaso an accomplished Emmy Award winner, international vocalist, producer, songwriter, and TG instructor/facilitator, envisions that through Timeless Gifts, “We are creating a historical legacy in Chicago by contributing to the next generations of world-class performers and arts technicians, while helping to fill the void created by the removal of the arts in public schools".
Megon Hill-Washington
Senior Training Manager, Kohler services
Megon provides training for Design Sales Consultants on Kohler products and the buying process to ensure a superior experience for the customers. With over 30 years of managerial, and sales experience, her expertise in interior spaces allows her to create a comprehensive training program for Design Sales Consultants. Megon also implemented impactful and engaging audio recordings through Kohler's BOLD network.
• Designer - voice-over artist, Makk Studio • Board Member - Timeless Gifts • Member - Chicago Food Network • Member - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Pam Oliver
Pam Oliver is a retired television news professional with 36 years of experience working at NBC Chicago telling compelling stories and producing a variety of segments for daily newscast. Her life in retirement didn't stop with her last day on the news desk and she hasn't slowed down since walking out the door. She followed her passion for the arts/theater, mentoring youth and young adults and volunteering with a local organization providing food for individuals diagnosed with life-changing medical conditions. Frank Lloyd sums up what she's discovered since retirement, "The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes." As a 7-year Board member for Timeless Gifts she sees the beauty and unlimited potential in every student walking through the door.
Georgette L. Greenlee, Esq. Georgette L. Greenlee is a social enterprise and community development attorney with significant experience in governance, ethics compliance, real estate development, guardianships, nonprofit law, urban planning, estate planning and probate. Currently she serves as the Secretary of the Chicago Transit Authority Transit Board. A skilled attorney licensed to practice law for over 30 years, through The Greenlee Law Group she has significant experience practicing in the areas of family law and representing families enmeshed in dissolution of marriage actions, elder care matters, paternity, child support and child custody disputes.
Gertrude (Gertie) Washington-Ricks, M. Ed, Treasurer
W.K. Kellogg Group IX Leadership Fellow, Retired Director of Programs Henry Booth House (2019), 45plus years in Early Childhood Education and Head Start, Taught at City Colleges of Chicago, Northwestern University, Triton College, University of Reno. Nevada-Cooperative Extension, Owner of Washington-Ricks & Associates, and founding Board member of Timeless Gifts for the Performing Arts.
Timeless Gifts (TG) Is Building community through the performing arts.
We provide space and facilitate creative projects for our participants that encourage them to work together in groups and as a unit. The outcome has been friendships forged and the feeling of family. Our participants genuinely care about and look out for each other.
Timeless Gifts is having fun while providing a safe space for creativity and self- expression.
Our staff is careful to encourage creativity and positive interactions with our students. Our participants feel seen and loved.
Timeless Gifts is fostering self-confidence and character.
TG is a cheerleader for all of our participants. We are open to listening to their ideas and suggestions, as we seek to encourage and thoughtfully critique.
Timeless Gifts offers World-class and professional Instructors in all performing Arts disciplines.
Our instructors are seasoned performers and educators who have perform and are celebrated locally and internationally.
Timeless Gifts offers Opportunities to perform in Professionally produced productions each year.
In addition to our two annual productions (Summer and Christmas), TG has produced two 4-night theater runs, TG participants have performed internationally (Milan, Italy), for prestigious organizations, participated in our original Short Film and Music Video, and have had the opportunity to participate in professional studio recordings.
Timeless Gifts offers Summer and Fall educational performing arts programs and workshops.
We have an annual 7-week Summer program, an 8-week Fall program, and for our teens and young adults, our Straightening Our Crowns workshop
Timeless Gifts | P.O. Box 7279, Chicago, Il 60680 | 312-808-0005 | www.timelessgfts.org
