About
Angel Shine Foundation
The beauty of dreams made possible through the power of the arts.
Whether they wish to share their artistic gifts on a world stage or simply experience the freedom of movement, The Angel Shine Foundation has championed the dreams of thousands of children as they transcend their challenges through the power of dance & creative expression.
ASF was established in 2014 to provide scholarships to gifted children in need, and to support the arts worldwide. Today, our original programming, financial support, and meaningful partnerships have positively impacted children of all abilities across four continents and in more than 18 countries around the globe.
Our work is changing lives, whether that is through financial support for educational and artistic opportunities or utilizing our network to protect at-risk students in war-torn countries like Ukraine.
While their circumstances may be different, all of our scholars and program participants have three things in common: the courage to dream, the potential to shine, and an ally in our foundation.
“ASF’s mission of empowering children through the arts is deeply inspiring. I sincerely thank its visionary Founder, Allyson Tang, for shining a well-deserved light on our dancers.”
–Julia Dubno, Founder and Director of Ballet Academy East (BAE)
Meet our Dedicated Board
Our board is a diverse collective of professionals who share a passion for the arts and a conviction for giving young dancers an opportunity to pursue their dreams.
Allyson Tang
Founder / President
Allyson Tang graduated from The University of Southern California (USC), she began her career with Deloitte then worked as a TV producer for over a decade.
She rediscovered her love of dance as an adult, beginning ballet training at the age of 31. Allyson established the Angel Shine Foundation to support children’s dreams by providing educational scholarships and grants to arts programs through such institutions as New York City Ballet, SAB, YAGP, Ballet Academy East and Paris Opera Ballet.
Allyson serves on the board of New York City Ballet (NYCB). She cherishes her role as NYCB’s Education Ambassador and is a dedicated member of the Nominating and Development Committees. Allyson also served on the boards of The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest and National Dance Institute (NDI).
In 2023, Allyson chaired the record setting NYCB Spring Gala entitled “Invention”, raising more than $3.45 million. She secured private donations and corporate sponsorships from Porsche, Chopard, Giorgio Armani and Macallan.
Kathy Newhouse Mele
Chairperson
Kathy earned a degree from Yale University and began her career by working as an elementary school teacher and also taught ESL to adults. She is a board member of the Association for Frontotemporal Dementia which supports families with FTD, a young onset dementia.
Previously she chaired two other boards, National Dance Institute and The Paper Bag Players, and served as a board member of Citizens Committee for Children.
Lauren Lovette
Artistic Advisor
Lauren Lovette personifies the intertwining of dance and choreography, moving seamlessly from one to the other. Her work has been commissioned and performed by leading dance companies and festivals including the NYC Ballet, ABT, Vail International Dance Festival, Paul Taylor Dance Company, as well as a self-produced evening entirely of her own work in which she also danced, Why It Matters.
Born in Thousand Oaks, California, Lauren began studying ballet at the age of 11 at the Cary Ballet Conservatory in North Carolina. She enrolled at SAB as a full scholarship student in 2006. In 2009, Lauren became an apprentice with NYCB and achieved her dream as principal dancer at NCYB in 2015. Embarking on a career devoted to dance and choreography in equal measure, she is now the resident choreographer at Paul Taylor Dance Company and performs as a guest principal dancer around the world.
Lauren received the Clive Barnes Award for dance and was the recipient of the Janice Levin Award in 2012.
Dr. Joseph Dutkowsky
Treasurer / Medical Advisor
Dr. Joseph Dutkowsky’s educational resume includes institutions like Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Brown University, Dartmouth, Campbell Foundation University, and Harvard University.
For over thirty years, he has had the pleasure and privilege of caring for and learning from persons of all ages with childhood onset disabilities. He has learned that one cannot care for a person with special needs without caring for their family and community as well. Their community may be their school, grocery store, or the New York City Ballet.
Simply, “Dr. D” believes he has the best job in the world.
Nancy Jiang
Secretary / Social Media Director
Nancy graduated from Cornell University and spent two years at JPMorgan Chase before moving to her current role as Senior Associate at Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
Growing up oil painting, she continues to be an avid lover of the arts and frequents the Met. She is passionate about helping children and young adults achieve their dreams and pursues this through her work on the Junior Board of Girls Inc NYC.
Our story began in the heart of a young girl who thrived against all odds, and for whom dance became a way to liberate her soul and give flight to her dreams.
That heart has grown exponentially as ASF has multiplied its reach, giving children everywhere the opportunity to experience art’s greatest gifts.
Your Support is the Key That Opens Doors
Each year, Angel Shine Foundation’s programs transform the lives of many children. Your financial support gives ASF scholars and students a path to pursue their dreams.
