Theresa Smith-Levin is the founder and Executive Director of Central Florida Vocal Arts and a lifelong Winter Park resident, widely known and respected for her constant involvement in the community. Her journey is one of resilience, vision, and an unwavering dedication to making a difference. After a canceled performance in 2012, Theresa was inspired to create opportunities rather than wait for them, leading to the overnight founding of Central Florida Vocal Arts. Over its twelve subsequent seasons, CFVA has laid the foundation for a community transformed, through the power of performing arts.

Theresa is a graduate of the University of Central Florida (B. Music Education and minor in Spanish) and the University of Miami (M. Music in Vocal Performance). She is a member of Florida Executive Women, the Women’s Executive Council, the Winter Park Arts Alliance and an alumni of Athena Next Gen and Leadership Winter Park. She has been recognized for her outstanding leadership as

• Orlando Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 (2025)

• Victory Cup Initiative Finalist (2024)

• Well Together Showcase Winner (2024)

• Winter Park’s Most Influential by Winter Park Magazine (2023)

• Women’s Executive Council Achievement in the Arts (2023)

• Orlando Family Magazine Superwoman (2022)

• American Express Women in Arts Leadership National Conference (2019)

In 2024 alone, she secured $250,000 in new organizational revenues and is a regular public speaker and performer, showcasing her multifaceted impact.

In 2024, the Orlando Business Journal recognized Central Florida Vocal Arts as the single-fastest growing arts organization in the region and in 2025 was honored with Community Organization of the Year by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce. As a highly collaborative organization, CFVA has formal partnership programs with Orange, Osceola and Lake County Public Schools, Pace Center for Girls, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, Black Theater Girl Magic, OCA, Camp Boggy Creek, the Center for Health & Wellbeing, local library systems and many more. CFVA also regularly partners with AdventHealth, the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center and United Arts of Central Florida among others.

Theresa has also played a critical role in the growth of other organizations, including the Park Avenue District, serving as Treasurer and Governance Committee Chair, helping to guide nonprofit best practices, with an anticipated 500% increase in revenue from 2023 to 2024. She also visits Tallahassee annually, leading a small group of arts leaders in meetings with elected officials to lobby for arts funding. In 2024, Theresa founded her own nonprofit consulting firm, Tenacious & Tangible to support other passionate founders like herself who dream of using their talents to transform our community for the better.

Theresa fiercely fights for a better future for the whole community, especially her beloved friends and family. She is a proud mother to Bodhi (7) and Beckham (5) and wife to her loving and exceedingly patient husband, Brent.