Founded to ensure every young person has access to the transformative power of performing arts.
Our Story
Timeless Gifts was founded by Joan Collaso, with the help of co-founders Larry Hanks and Juanita Passmore. A single powerful vision: to ensure that every young person in Chicago has access to performing arts opportunities — regardless of their background or circumstances.
What began as a dream to share the transformative power of music, dance, and theater has grown into a thriving 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has served over 500 youth, produced more than 50 performances, and even taken young artists to the international stage in Milan, Italy.
For over a decade, Timeless Gifts has been building community, providing a safe space for creativity and self-expression, and fostering the self-confidence that carries young people far beyond the stage.
Our Mission & Vision
To ensure and enhance our rich cultural and musical legacy by providing instruction, exposure and professional performance opportunities while promoting self-confidence, creativity, character and professional etiquette.
Timeless Gifts builds community, provides a safe space for creativity and self-expression, and fosters self-confidence. We believe every young person deserves the chance to discover their voice, hone their talent, and shine on stage.
Honoring every individual's unique voice and journey
Acting with honesty and transparency in all we do
Embracing diversity and celebrating differences
Creating pathways for growth and achievement
Striving for the highest standards in everything
Uplifting and supporting one another daily
Our Founder
Founder & Executive Director
An Emmy-winning vocalist and seasoned producer, Joan Collaso holds a BA in Music and an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Humanities. Her vision has guided the organization for 16+ years. Under her leadership, Timeless Gifts has served over 600 youth, toured internationally to Milan, Italy, and been recognized by ABC7 News, NBC-5 News, Windy City LIVE, Daytime Chicago, WGN TV, and WTTW Chicago. She is also a TG 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”. Joan brings decades of professional experience to Timeless Gifts, and inspires every aspect of the organization today.
Our Team
Our instructors are experienced professionals across various disciplines who share a passion for mentoring the next generation of artists.
An Emmy-winning vocalist and seasoned producer, Joan Collaso holds a BA in Music and brings decades of professional experience to Timeless Gifts. Her vision of creating for youth and young adults has guided the organization for over 15+ years. Under her leadership, Timeless Gifts has served over 500 youth, toured internationally to Milan, Italy, and been recognized by NBC-5 News, Windy City LIVE, and WTTW Chicago.
Rayzine Collaso Holds a B. A in Music from theUniversity of Illinois at Chicago. She is a professional vocalist, and has served as an instructor and facilitator in the performing arts for 20 years (Camp Harambe, After School Matters, Phalanx), and has served as instructor, facilitator and Assistant Director for Timeless Gifts since 2011.
Larry Hanks earned his BA in Music, and MA in Educational Leadership from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is an accomplished pianist, composer, arranger, and music educator, who taught at Northeastern Illinois University for five years. Larry is a co-founder of Timeless Gifts and has served as instructor, facilitator and musical director since 2011, while continuing to perform internationally and in the Chicago land area.
