City Hearts team member since 2023

Roy is an accomplished Actor, Writer, and Director whose career spans film, television, and theatre. He has appeared in more than 35 projects across major platforms such as NBC, ABC, CBS, Netflix, Hulu, and BET, and notably starred as the lead in The Lord of All Future Space & Time, which had its World Premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival. A passionate storyteller and collaborator, Roy has produced his own short films and frequently supports emerging talent through independent projects.

In addition to serving as a Teaching Artist, Roy serves as City Hearts' Program Engagement Coordinator, acting as a key liaison between City Hearts, school partners, students, and families while supporting program implementation and student engagement initiatives.

He studied acting at Truthful Acting Studios, Orlando’s premier conservatory for film and theatre, where he earned a certificate in the Meisner Acting Technique, and he also pursued studies at Full Sail University in Orlando, FL.

City Hearts team member since 2023

Ayda Gragossian is an Iranian-American Painter, Photographer, and Author whose work explores themes of displacement and impermanence in relation to the urban landscape. In addition to her internationally exhibited art practice, Ayda has dedicated much of her career to arts education, serving as an educator at LACMA and the Hammer Museum, mentoring art teachers and young students across underserved communities in Los Angeles. She currently teaches at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), continuing her commitment to developing the next generation of artists.

Most recently, Ayda published her first book, North North South, a photographic exploration of Los Angeles as a constantly shifting, fragmented city shaped by car culture. Through this work, she documents the overlooked spaces, objects, and textures that fade into the background of life in constant motion. Ayda received her B.A. from California State University, Northridge, and her M.F.A. from the University of Oxford.

City Hearts team member since 2025

Bailey is an artist and educator with nearly a decade of classroom experience, teaching visual arts to students from preschool through middle school. Passionate about nurturing creativity, she has curated numerous student art shows that celebrate each child’s individuality and imagination. Her artistic practice reflects her belief that art is both a personal voice and a bridge to community. Inspired by her journey of becoming a paraplegic twelve years ago, Bailey weaves storytelling, color, and connection into her work. While she most enjoys acrylic painting, she also works with charcoal, clay, and a wide range of mixed media. Her artwork has been showcased at CSULB and the Museum of Latin American Art (MoLAA).

Whether in the classroom, gallery, or studio, Bailey encourages kindness, curiosity, and the courage to create. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from CSULB, along with a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Art.

City Hearts team member since 2024

Caitlin Arndt is a multifaceted theatre artist with a passion for Arts Education. A theatre educator since 2013, her focus is on empowering youth to use their voices, embrace creativity, and take pride in their work. An Actor, Director, and Improvisor who grew up in the Greater Los Angeles area, Caitlin believes in the power of theatre. Her pedagogy is rooted in access to the Arts for all, equity, community, and joy. She has a BA in Performing Arts from Saint Mary's College of California and an MFA in International Theatre Practice and Performance from Rose Bruford College, London UK.

City Hearts team member since 2013

Guitarist, Singer, Songwriter, and Producer, Calvin Banks has collaborated, performed, and recorded with notable Artists such as Stevie Wonder, Roy Ayers, and Big Mountain. In addition to his Artistic endeavors, Calvin is a passionate Teaching Artist sharing his knowledge and inspiring the next generation of musicians by connecting rich grassroots and traditional musical history with powerful social and literary context.

Calvin has established himself as a universal and dynamic performer within the industry. Calvin has released several albums that showcase his unique style and musical prowess, captivating audiences with his soulful melodies and intricate guitar work. Not limited to the music scene, Calvin has also ventured into film, lending his musical expertise to movie credits. His compositions and performances have added depth and emotion to cinematic experiences, further highlighting his Artistic versatility.

City Hearts team member since 2026

Chloe Owens is a mezzo-soprano born and raised in Wichita, Kansas. She moved to Houston, Texas, in 2020 to complete her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Houston. There, she was a member of the UH Concert Chorale and performed in over a dozen productions with the Moores School of Music and the Houston Gilbert and Sullivan Society. She moved to Los Angeles, California, in 2024 to pursue her Master of Music degree in Vocal Arts at the University of Southern California, which she attained this past May. Here, Chloe performed in multiple opera roles, directed scenes, and helped to debut new works with The Beth Morrison Project. 

With her background in choir, musical theatre, opera, acting, directing, voice science, and vocal pedagogy, Chloe is passionate about sharing her love of music and the arts with students. For the past two years, she has taught music lessons and choir in Los Angeles public schools through the USC Thornton Community Engagement Program. Building on her experience as both a performer and educator, Chloe is excited to bring her passion for vocal music to City Hearts and lead the organization's new Voice/Choir program.

City Hearts team member since 2022

Lester Purry is one of the country's most highly respected stage Actors. He has performed in regional theatres across the country, including a national tour as Othello in Othello at the world-famous Guthrie Theatre. He is a company member of Penumbra Theatre and has performed all across the country with other prestigious Theatre companies such as Baltimore Center Stage, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Arizona Theatre Company, Portland Playhouse, Palm Beach Dramaworks, Los Angeles Performing Arts Center, and the South Coast Repertory Theatre.

Lester also has taught Acting and Theatre for nearly four decades at Pierce College, the Penumbra Theatre Company, Illusion Theatre, and the Freedom Theatre. His wide range of subjects taught include Voice, Improv, Character Analysis, Monologue, and Scene Study. He was recently seen in a riveting one-man show as Thurgood Marshall in the play, Thurgood, at the Portland Playhouse. He is also the co-developer of City Hearts’ acclaimed Wilson ‘n William Theatre Program.

City Hearts team member since 2026

Miriam is an actor, writer, filmmaker, and educator originally from Chicago, currently based in Los Angeles. She is a graduate of the University of Iowa and recently completed her MFA in Acting at CalArts. She has performed at LaMaMa Experimental Club in New York City, The Odyssey Theater, and The Barnsdall Gallery Theater, among others.

As a storyteller, Miriam is fueled by rich and complex narratives that represent the depth of the human experience within her community. She is an avid cook, a hooper, and a devout WNBA fan. Those passions are reflected in the way she approaches her work, bringing the discipline of an athlete and the intellect of a dramaturge to every room she enters.

City Hearts team member since 2025

A 2026 Lin-Manuel Miranda Family Fellow, Nate B. Smith is a Los Angeles–based multi-hyphenate artist and a proud South Bay native. He grew up near many of the communities City Hearts serves and is excited to return to the region to inspire and mentor young artists. 

He has originated roles in multiple world premieres, including Motherloss at Potiker Theatre (La Jolla Playhouse), Half Sibling Play at Shank Theatre (La Jolla Playhouse), Open Your Eyes at Forum Theatre (La Jolla Playhouse), and If I Awaken in Los Angeles at The Ford Theater. Other credits include N (West Coast Premiere) at Point Loma Playhouse, as well as Amélie and Spring Awakening at El Camino Community College.

Nate has trained with notable figures such as Forrest McClendon and Kara Mack, and collaborated with renowned artists including rapper Snoop Dogg, actress/director Gina Belafonte, musician Derrick Hodge, and the LA Philharmonic. He holds a BA in Theatre from UC San Diego, where he also completed extensive coursework in dance.

City Hearts team member since 2025

A standout in the Los Angeles comedy scene and nationally recognized performer, Ron is a “Paid Regular” at The Comedy Store and a host of Chocolate Sundaes at the Laugh Factory, two of the most iconic comedy stages in the world. His credits include Insecure, Key & Peele, Kevin Hart Presents: The Next Level, and series regular roles on Nickelodeon’s Cousins for Life and ALLBLK’s Partners in Rhyme. He also earned an Emmy for his work on Season 2 of CNN’s United Shades of America.

Since joining City Hearts as the organization’s first-ever Resident Teaching Artist, Ron has led multiple Stand-Up Comedy workshops for elementary, middle, and high school students, introducing young people to the fundamentals of comedic performance, storytelling, and self-expression. He looks forward to continuing to develop specialized workshops and creating meaningful opportunities for students to explore their creativity, build confidence, and find their unique voices.