ABOUT HPPAA
Leadership & Board
ARTISTIC VISION. RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE. PUBLIC PURPOSE.
HPPAA is guided by artists, educators, and community-minded leaders who steward its mission, programs, partnerships, and nonprofit responsibilities.
FOUNDING LEADERSHIP
Hank Hehmsoth
Founder & President
Hank Hehmsoth founded H Project Performing Arts Association in 2011 to create a nonprofit framework for original jazz, interdisciplinary art, education, cultural history, and public programs.
A jazz pianist, composer, visual artist, educator, and researcher, he leads HPPAA's artistic planning, program development, partnerships, grant-supported projects, and public documentation. His work connects composition and improvisation with youth education, Texas jazz history, public humanities, and visual art.
Through HPPAA, he brings artists and institutions together to turn creative ideas into accessible public experiences with value beyond a single event.
NONPROFIT GOVERNANCE
Board of Directors
Introduction
HPPAA's board provides mission-centered oversight, financial stewardship, and guidance for an artist-led organization serving public audiences through performance, education, history, and interdisciplinary arts.
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
Hank Hehmsoth
Hank connects artistic planning with nonprofit stewardship, program development, grant activity, partnerships, and public access.
Director
John Mills
A composer, arranger, saxophonist, educator, and mentor, John brings broad experience in performance, collaboration, and music education to HPPAA's work.
Director
Jan Peterson Hockey
An educator, musician, and advocate for creative learning, Jan brings experience in music education and community engagement to HPPAA's governance and educational priorities.
CONTINUING GUIDANCE
Thomas S. Clark
DIRECTOR EMERITUS
A composer, scholar, and arts administrator, Thomas S. Clark brings decades of experience in higher education, contemporary music, academic leadership, and institutional development. His perspective reflects HPPAA's commitment to artistic rigor, learning, and responsible organizational growth.
Mission + Strategy
Keep programs aligned with HPPAA's charitable purpose and long-term direction.
BOARD STEWARDSHIP
A project may begin with a composition, an archival discovery, an educational need, or an invitation from a community partner.
HPPAA helps turn that idea into a public program.
What the board is responsible for
Financial Stewardship
Review budgets, grants, major commitments, and the responsible use of nonprofit resources.
Compliance + Ethics
Support accurate records, required filings, sound policies, and appropriate organizational oversight.
Program Accountability
Consider artistic quality, public benefit, partnerships, access, and documentation across HPPAA programs.
PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY
Governance in service of the mission
HPPAA's leadership model joins artistic expertise with nonprofit responsibility. The board's role is to protect the organization's charitable purpose while supporting thoughtful programs, partnerships, and sustainable growth.
Clear leadership information, current organizational records, public nonprofit identification, and accessible contact information help HPPAA remain accountable to artists, participants, partners, supporters, funders, and the communities it serves.
CONNECT WITH HPPAA
Start a conversation with HPPAA.
HPPAA welcomes inquiries from artists, educators, presenters, museums, galleries, schools, arts organizations, community partners, supporters, and prospective board or advisory participants.