David simmons: FOUNDER, Executive Director, TEACHING ARTIST
David Simmons
An honors graduate of the University of Montana School of Music with additional musical training in Vienna Austria, David’s diverse career as an educator, performer, producer, recording artist, inspirational speaker, worship leader and mental health advocate has taken him to all 50 states, 19 countries and 4 continents. He has served as Education Director and Teaching Artist for Arizona Broadway Theater, Fort Peck Montana Fine Arts Council, Desert Foothills Theater, and as a Teaching Artist for Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Center, AZ Child’s Play Theater, Scottsdale Desert Stages Theater, Wyoming Council on The Arts, and the Missoula Children’s Theater's International Residencies. Additional teaching experience includes residencies with the University of Montana (Missoula, MT), Casper College (Casper, WY) and Estrella Mountain Community College. David also currently serves on the Arizona Department of Education's Round-table Advisory Committee for Arts Education and the ADE SEL-Arts Crossing Guard Cohort developing SEL-Arts curriculum for K-12 teachers throughout the state.
David's work for social justice through music, theater, education and community organizing came naturally. He grew up in a family of arts educators and pacifist/activists. His own work in engaging the arts and education as tools of activism includes work as an Actor, Musician, Director, Playwright, Composer, Event Organizer and Educator working for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Pluralism, LGBTQ/Gender Rights, Mental Health Equity, Diversity in Casting and Community Building. His professional affiliations in this work include The Mixed Blood Theater, Penumbra Theater, Minnesota Opera, SteppingStone Theater for Youth Development, The Peaceful Love Warriors, Fort Peck Montana Arts Council, Arizona Broadway Theater and, of course, The UBU Project.
David has performed live with Alice Cooper, Bob Hope, The USO and members of REO Speedwagon, A-ha, Tower of Power and Sly and the Family Stone. In addition he has appeared as a featured soloist with The Phoenix Symphony, The Schubert Kirche Orchester (Vienna), and the Vancouver BC Symphony Orchestra. He also the honor of serving as Music Director, Bassist and featured soloist on tour with Motown Recording Artists: The Drifters.
In addition, David is a thriving survivor of his own suicide attempts, is a grateful, recovering alcoholic with over 29 years sober, experienced bullying and lives with the managed mental health diagnoses of major depressive disorder recurrent, PTSD and free-floating anxiety. This, in addition to his professional training and ongoing partnership with experts in childhood trauma and K-12 education, helps David bring a unique and hope-filled perspective and dedication to his work with The UBU Project's Social/Emotional Arts Integration and Diversity Equity & Inclusion Residencies. Whether in a classroom, coffee shop, rock club, worship space or classical concert hall, David brings a wealth of experience, energy and encouragement to every stage, school or project he encounters.
David has one adult son, Niko (currently living in Minneapolis, MN) and splits his time between homes in the Phoenix West Valley and Sac County, Iowa.
Deepest love and gratitude to TJT
Contact David: info@ubuproject.org
KIM ZINEVICH: Director of Operations
Kim Zinevich
The UBU Project is honored and excited to welcome Kim Zinevich to our team! Kim comes to us as a consultant by way of S&Z Professional Services, LLC.
Kim is a Singer & Songwriter for the Phoenix-based band, The Bellwethers, and Co-Founder & CEO of SZR Music Group, an independent record label she launched with her husband in 2015.
In January 2021, she took advantage of an early retirement opportunity from her “day job” as a Technology Delivery Leader in the Payments Industry to pursue several creative and philanthropic projects. She brings 30+ years of corporate experience to the UBU Project, including: Technology Delivery & Service Management, Executive Administration, Strategic Partnerships, Business Operations, and Outsourced Services Implementation. She is also a commissioned Notary for the State of Arizona.
Kim has a long-time passion for helping non-profit organizations raise funds through entertainment-based events. Over the past 25 years, she has worked with a number of local organizations including: The United Way, The Harmon Killebrew Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Southwest Kids Cancer Foundation, Musicians United & KWSS Radio.
I Support The UBU Project Because:
As a mother of two boys, I’ve spent countless hours volunteering in classrooms and mentoring children. I have also been affected by suicide on a personal level, so helping children find ways to deal with their challenges and teaching them how to channel stress is incredibly important to me. The mission of the UBU Project perfectly aligns with where my heart is… children and music.
Contact Kim: ubuproject.ops@gmail.com