CHESTER, VA — The Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education board of directors announced that Chelsea Buyalos has been appointed as executive director in a press release today.

A Chester native, Buyalos "previously served as the Concert Series Coordinator and Competitions Manager at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University," according to the release. She also "has served as the vice president and CFO of Mobile Music NOW! Inc., a nonprofit she co-founded in Baltimore, Md. focused on 'enriching communities through music one audience at a time.'"

The Perkinson Center for the Arts and Eductation features the "state-of-the-art 350-seat Jimmy Dean Theater, the Baxter and Elaine Perkinson Jr. Art Gallery, and two spaces for education or special events—all nestled in the heart of the Chester Village Green."

“We are excited to have Ms. Buyalos as the permanent, full-time leader of this organization," said Lane Ramsey, Chairman of the Chesterfield Cultural Arts Foundation (CCAF) Board of Directors, in the press release. "The Board has complete confidence in her and the entire Perkinson staff and look forward to the future of a venue that so many worked tirelessly to make a reality."

In addition to her role as an arts administrator, Buyalos is an accomplished soprano and educator who has maintained her own private studio for more than 10 years, per the release. She is a graduate of Thomas Dale High School and received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in vocal performance from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University.

"I have known Chelsea as the Director of Education at the Perkinson Art Center for almost a year," said CCAF board member, artist, and philanthropist Dr. Baxter Perkinson in the release. "During this time, I have seen her passion and competency shine in every task she has performed whether it was artistic, educational or team building. Her poise and confidence makes her a great asset as Director of our art center.”

Buyalos noted in the release: "I got my start in the arts here in Chester and have had the opportunity to manifest that love and passion from my childhood into my professional life as an arts administrator, educator, and professional musician. Returning home to serve the community where it all started for me has done nothing but reinvigorate that love and passion that I have for the arts. I look forward to working collaboratively with the CCAF board, staff, volunteers, and our community partners to further solidify the Perkinson Center’s role as a pillar of our community that will not only serve the ‘here and now,’ but will endure for generations to come.”