Board of Directors
Cosette Moeller, President
Cosette brings a lifelong love of the arts to her role as President of Marina Youth Arts. From childhood memories of music-filled neighborhoods to school days filled with choir, musicals, piano, and dance, the arts brought her joy, confidence, and connection. Now, she’s passionate about helping youth experience that same spark.
Since 2025, Cosette has led MYA with heart, expanding access to free, creative programs that support emotional well-being. Volunteering alongside kids as they make their own art is, to her, one of the greatest gifts of all.
Linda Wallace, Vice President
Linda Wallace was born and raised on the Monterey Peninsula and spent much of her childhood in Marina. Since 2018, she has proudly called Marina home, where she lives with her family and remains deeply connected to the community.
Linda has always had a passion for the arts and believes strongly that creative expression is essential for both children and adults. She took art classes throughout high school and college, focusing on drawing, pastel work, and painting. Those experiences helped shape her appreciation for the power of art as a tool for confidence, growth, and connection.
In addition to her artistic pursuits, Linda was a synchronized swimmer, an experience that fostered discipline, teamwork, and creativity—qualities she continues to value in her community involvement today.
As a board member of Marina Youth Arts, Linda is committed to ensuring that local youth have access to meaningful creative opportunities and welcoming spaces where their imagination can thrive.
Cheryl Swix, Secretary
Glenda Motz Gamino, Treasurer
Board Members
Cristina Medina Dirksen
Cristina is a 30-year Marina resident and community volunteer.
She served as Mayor Pro Tem of Marina during her elected term on the Marina City Council and brings a commitment to improving access to arts, education and opportunities during her 11-years on the Marina Youth Arts board. She also serves as a board member of Salinas-based arts organization Hijos del Sol Productions. Her support of the arts is demonstrated by bringing new supporters to ensure MYA's success in delivering on its promise of free art opportunities. She and her husband are raising triplet teens daughters who attend MPUSD schools.
Mia Nguyen
Excited to be joining the Marina Youth Arts, Mia enjoys sharing her passion of art with others. She spends her free time creating artwork, traveling, reading, gardening, hiking, biking and being outdoors. During her world travels she’s come to realise that Art is an essential key to a happy society and mental health. Art is mathematics in motion. From her personal experience art can be healing, nourishing and fun. It’s an important part of growing up as well as managing a stressful life into adulthood. For the elderly it’s wonderful to help with memory and cognitive functions.
Patricia Woodman
Patty is a retired middle school counselor and has worked in various education roles for over 25 years. She and her husband have 2 sons and a daughter-in-law. Since moving to Marina she has volunteered at various FOML and Marina Youth Arts (MYA) events. She is currently a tutor in the Monterey County Adult Literacy Program. All of which continue to be very rewarding. Patty joined the MYA Board in 2026. She looks forward to being a part of it's continued growth and positive impact in the community. She and her husband spend their free time exploring different locals and events in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, playing Scrabble and cards, gardening. and loving their four-legged daughter, Bonnie.
LeAnn Lang
Remembering Lenore Masterson
Lenore Masterson has been a resident of Marina for 30 years. She is a Custom Cartoon Illustrator with a BA in Commercial Art and a Graduate Degree in Fine Art and over 40 years as a professional illustrator with 5 books to her credit. She, along with Nancy Amadeo, founded Marina Youth Arts and has been its President for 13 years.
A scholarship in her name is held at The Marina Foundation that provides arts education support for youth. More information or to apply go here.