Board of Directors

Gerrit Scheepers, President

Assistant Professor of Music; Director of Choirs; SDSMT

Dr. Gerrit Scheepers serves as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choirs at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology; one of the top engineering universities in the United States. Scheepers completed a Bachelor of Music degree at UP. He earned a Master of Music degree from Missouri State University, where he studied choral conducting with Cameron LaBarr, and completed a doctorate from the University of Washington in choral conducting, where he studied under Geoffrey Boers and Giselle Wyers. Prior to his appointment at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology he served as Director of Choral Studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of Cape Town South Africa. While at IUP he served as assistant professor on the music faculty where he conducted the flagship ensemble the IUP Chorale. He has also taught undergraduate and graduate conducting, choral literature, and class voice. Gerrit has worked as guest conductor and clinician for various high schools and festivals across the United States, Europe, and South Africa. Upcoming engagements include guest conducting honor choirs in the states of Missouri and South Dakota, as well as conference presentations in the states of Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

Dr. Kay Kelts, DO, Vice President

Family Medicine Physician

Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Dr. Kelts moved to her husband’s hometown of Rapid City in 2020. Kay attended St. Olaf College in Minnesota and was a part of the inaugural class of Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She currently practices family medicine at Rapid City Medical Center, as well as lecturing medical students from Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine. She previously was the Associate Program Director of the family medicine residency program at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira New York. She has also made multiple medical missions to Guatemala, Honduras, and Peru. Kay has one son and one daughter, who performs on the PACRC stage as a member of Barefoot Dance.

Sandra Weaver, Treasurer

Owner, Sage Creek Accounting Services

Sandra is one of the 68 people who called Interior, South Dakota, in the heart of the Badlands, home while growing up. She attended Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, earning her B.A. in Professional Accounting with a minor in Psychology. She became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 2007, and she and her family returned to Rapid City in 2010.

After working for several public accounting firms and a local nonprofit, Sandra decided to start her own business, Sage Creek Accounting Services. Sage Creek offers services such as tax preparation, consulting, accounting assistance, and pre-audit preparation, primarily serving nonprofit and governmental organizations.

Sandra and her husband have two daughters (one attending Augustana University—go Vikings!) and a son, all of whom have participated or are currently participating in a variety of musical activities. The family enjoys attending as many musicals as possible.

Tyler Mathieson, Secretary

Owner, Resounding Grace Photo/DJ

Bio Coming Soon

Laura Armstrong

Ward 5 Rapid City Council

Laura Armstrong is a Rapid City Common Council member representing Ward 5, bringing a strong background in public service, community engagement, and leadership. A resident of Rapid City since 1996, Laura is a medically based Speech-Language Pathologist and owner of Black Hills Speech Pathology. She previously served on the Common Council from 2017 to 2023, including two terms as Council President, and was re-elected in 2026. Laura is actively involved in numerous community organizations and is honored to serve as the Council’s liaison to the Performing Arts Center Board of Directors. She believes the arts are essential to a thriving community by enriching lives, bringing people together, inspiring creativity, and strengthening Rapid City’s cultural identity for generations to come.

Jamie Clapham

RCAS School Board

Jamie was born and raised in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. She earned a B.S. in Health and Exercise Science at Furman University and a Master of Physical Therapy from the Medical College of Georgia. She moved to the Black Hills with her husband in 2011. She is a licensed physical therapist employed by Monument Health where she has worked for more than 10 years and also serves as a clinical instructor. Jamie has 2 children who attend school in RCAS. Since 2018, Jamie has been heavily involved in PTA at the school, city, and state level.

Jade Clement

Manager of Construction and Planning, RCAS

Bio Coming Soon

Katie Cook

Partner, Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson & Ashmore

Katie is a partner at Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson & Ashmore. She focuses her practice on complex civil litigation in the areas of personal injury, insurance litigation, construction law, corporate litigation, and contested estate litigation.

Crissy Davies

Gray Media KOTA/KEVN TV

Bio coming soon.

Kara Flynn

BHCT Board President

Kara Flynn was born and raised in Sioux Falls and moved to Rapid City in 2004. She and her husband Leo have two sons, Leo and Nathaniel, who are active in local music programs. She holds a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin and a Master’s degree in Geography from South Dakota State University. Kara is currently the Vice President of Development for Children’s Home Society of South Dakota. Kara was the Education Co-Chair for the City of Rapid City’s Cultural Plan in 2016 and has been involved in funding and promoting the arts in Rapid City ever since. Kara is a former member of the local singing group TRASH and believes a thriving arts scene provides area citizens the opportunity to participate in the arts as both performer and consumer.

Karen Kierstead

Owner, Mountain States Security

Picture and bio coming soon.

Kirsten Olson Hollenbeck

Executive Director, Black Hills Symphony Orchestra

Born and raised in Rapid City, Kirsten Hollenbeck has been involved in the arts community for most of her adult life. She is married to Kevin Hollenbeck. They have two grown sons, Noah and Evan Geiger. Kirsten holds a B.A. in English from the University of South Dakota. She has worked as Executive Director for the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra for over 10 years.