Vision
A premiere performing arts entity for youth and young adults.
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.
Core Values
Respect, Integrity, Acceptance, Opportunity, Excellence, Encouragement
Board of Directors
Executive Assistant
Rayzine Collaso Holds a B. A in Music from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a professional vocalist, and has served as an instructor and facilitator in the performing arts for 19 years (Camp Harambe, After School Matters, Phalanx), and has served as instructor and Assistant Director for Timeless Gifts since 2011.
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 of the Board of Directors
Dr. Damper is a retired Scientist, assistant professor and physician.
She is a Founding Member of Timeless Gifts’ Board of Directors.
Jessica Walton
Jessica is a Financial Advisory professional who specializes in investment consultations for retirement readiness. She holds a B. S. degree in Finance with a minor in Mathematics. Jessica has the unique position of former Timeless Gifts student (ages 10-23) and newest member of the Board of Directors (2023).
Randell L Phillips – Secretary
Randell is an Industrial Engineer.
He holds a B. S. in Industrial Technology from Iowa State University, and is a member of Kappa Alpha Phi Fraternity Inc. He is 5-year member of Timeless Gifts Board of Directors
Founder and Executive Director
Joan Collaso holds a B. A. in Music, with high honors, from Chicago State University. She is an accomplished award-winning, international vocalist, producer, songwriter, Timeless Gifts instructor and facilitator, who envisions that, “through Timeless Gifts we are creating an historical legacy in Chicago by contributing to the next generations of world-class performers, arts technicians and positive contributors to society and the world”.
Megon Hill-Washington
Megon is a Senior Manager at Kohler Company, training new hires and Design Consultants. She is also a creative talent in interior design and voice-overs. Megon has served Timeless Gifts as a dedicated member of the Board of Directors since 2019.
Pam Oliver
Pam is a retired television news professional with 36 years of experience, working with NBC Chicago. As an 8-year Board member for Timeless Gifts she sees, “beauty and unlimited potential in every student walking through the door”.
Georgette Greenlee, Esq.
Atty. 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. She is a Founding member of Timeless Gifts’ Board of Directors.
Gertrude (Gertie) Ricks, M. Ed, Treasurer
Gertie is a W. K. Kellogg Group IX Leadership Fellow, and Retired Director of Programs for Henry Booth House (2019), with 45 plus years of Early Childhood Education and Head Start. She is a Founding Member of Timeless Gifts’ Board of Directors.
Timeless Gifts 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 performed 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
