Heather Dewey Wagner
Executive Director
Heather Wagner is an artist, arts advocate, and Executive Director of Eastern Iowa Arts Academy. A Cedar Rapids native and Washington High School graduate, she studied journalism at the University of Missouri before discovering a passion for drawing that led her to Iowa State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Design in 1990.
Heather began her career in art advertising before becoming a freelance artist and designer and launching her own business, Paper Moon Originals. After returning to Cedar Rapids in 2000, she painted murals for local businesses, schools, churches, and the African American Museum. She maintained a studio in the Cherry Building for nearly twenty years and helped build the creative community in the NewBo neighborhood.
Since joining Eastern Iowa Arts Academy in January of 2014, Heather has combined her creative background with a deep commitment to making the arts accessible. Her work has included teaching students with autism and intellectual disabilities, expanding community partnerships, and developing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to have access to the arts. As Executive Director, she has guided substantial growth in programming and helped lead the Academy’s transition into its permanent home at the former Arthur Elementary School.
Heather’s community involvement includes the Cedar Rapids Public Art Commission, the Visual Arts Master Plan Steering Committee, Daybreak Rotary, the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation’s Nonprofit Advisory Committee, the Kirkwood Music Advisory Committee, and Cedar Rapids SoundCheck. She received The Gazette’s HER Award in 2020, and the Academy team received the Governor’s Arts Award for Arts Education in 2023.
Outside of work, Heather enjoys spending time with her two grown sons and good friends, traveling, catching live music, relaxing by the water, exploring local restaurants, cooking, and heading outdoors for Jeep adventures.
Naomi Ruckus Rose
Rock Academy & Creative Director
Naomi's origins start in Northeast Iowa, where she was raised by creative parents who inspired artistic growth within her. She graduated with a degree in recording and music technology from Madison Media Institute in Madison, WI. She migrated to the Cedar Rapids area as an adult and got involved with EIAA in 2018.
In addition to being the Rock Academy Director, she teaches vocal lessons and directs a youth rock band, 3rd Times the Charm, at EIAA. Naomi has worked as a professional graphic designer since 2007 (currently designing for Premier Guitar magazine), a photographer/videographer since 2010, and has been a performing musician, songwriter since the early '90s, and producer since the early 2000s. Naomi has been a professional creative business owner since 2008 (Rockadot), partnering with local startups to nationally known corporations, where she specializes in branding and graphic design. In 2025, she was honored with a HER Award from the Cedar Rapids Gazette, recognizing her contributions to the EIAA community.
Naomi has two rescue pups, Polliwog and Seven of Nine. She enjoys being in nature, making music, and collecting rocks.
Evan Stock
TalkBack Studios Director
Evan Stock is the Rock Band Program and Recording Studio Coordinator. Evan began producing music at a very young age, making songs and albums frequently with friends and bandmates from grade school. His passion for recording music continued through high school as his new and upcoming band, The Evan Stock Band, self-produced and released their own music. While working on music production with a working band Evan has spent years networking and managing his act as they played gigs all over Iowa, and beyond. Evan has experience with event contacts, traveling, live sound management, managing band members, and much more!
Kassandra Rocarek
Office Manager / Executive Assistant
Kassandra is a Cedar Rapids native with a background in special education, caregiving, small business, and the arts. She earned her degree from Kirkwood Community College with a focus on special education and loves putting both her creative and organizational sides to work at Eastern Iowa Arts Academy. As a former small business owner and artist, she especially enjoys being part of a place where creativity and community go hand in hand.
Outside of the Academy, Kassandra is a full-time caregiver who enjoys traveling, camping, fishing, reading, playing video games, and experimenting with new art mediums—especially when it gives her an excuse to add another hobby to the collection.
Drake Wilson
Facilities Manager
Drake was born and raised in Cedar Rapids where he graduated from Xavier High School. Drummer and founding member of The Evan Stock Band, he has been performing since 2011. Drake is a Sound Engineer at The Olympic Southside Theater, The Ideal Theater and Bar, and has worked in many other local and regional performance venues. He has experience in construction and home remodeling, enjoying a hands-on approach to his work. In his spare time he enjoys the outdoors, camping, and fishing.
Jenna Burton
Program Director
Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Jenna has always had a passion for the arts. From a young age, she immersed herself in music, theater, dance, and art. After earning a degree in elementary education from Wartburg College, Jenna returned to Cedar Rapids, where she spent 11 years teaching youth in the Cedar Rapids Community School District.
Recently, Jenna decided to follow her creative dreams and, alongside her wife, co-founded House of Burton, a vibrant creative business specializing in digital illustration, unique mixed media art, and artist-for-hire services. Jenna is thrilled to bring her teaching expertise and enthusiasm for art and music to this role. She is passionate about blending education with creativity to inspire and nurture young talent in the community.
When not busy creating, you can find Jenna spending quality time with family and friends, tending to her lively zoo of companion animals, or dancing under mirrorball light in her kitchen.
Russ Fagle
Healing HeARTS Coordinator
Russ Fagle is an artist and art instructor with nearly 30 years of experience in branding, graphic design, art and illustration and creative development. A graduate of Wartburg College, his clients have included The Iowa Lottery, Brach’s Candy, Apple, Panasonic, GE Capital and local companies like The Freedom Festival, The NewBo City Market and Rockwell Collins. Russ has also worked extensively in developing communications and graphics for businesses and organizations since 2001 when he transitioned to an independent consultant. Russ was a founding artist of the New Bohemia Arts and Entertainment District of Cedar Rapids in 2002 and currently sits on the New Bohemia District Board of Directors. He is the owner of Mixed Media Magic which is an art event business. Russ has facilitated art making workshops for cancer patients for many years and he currently facilitates the EIAA’s Healing HeARTS program, as well as the Arts@Home program. Russ is an artist, father and avid student of world history and cultures.
Crystal JL Hird
Program Specialist
Crystal JL Hird is a professional artist based in Cedar Rapids, lowa with a diverse range of artistic interests including mixed media, sewing, textiles, and collage. She also has skills in clay, watercolor, and sculpture, showcasing their versatility and creativity across different mediums.
With over 20 years of art experience, Crystal has made significant contributions to the local art scene. Their work has been exhibited in prestigious venues such as the State Law Library of lowa, Robert W. Barlow and Ladd Libraries, as well as CSPS, the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art (CRMA), the Cherry Building, and many others. In addition to her artistic practice, she has dedicated three years to teaching, sharing her knowledge and passion for art with others.
Crystal's commitment to her craft and community reflects her deep appreciation for the arts and her desire to inspire creativity in those around her.
Jeni Head
Director of Finance
Jeni grew up in Dubuque and graduated from Hempstead High School. Art and math classes were her favorite. She attended the University of Northern Iowa majoring in art, but ended up graduating with a degree in accounting and a minor in art. She worked in public accounting and then spent 17 years working as an internal auditor at a credit union and is back in public accounting, focusing on non-profit organizations.
Jeni's son Ethan enrolled in the rock band program when he was in 6th grade and continued on with it until he graduated from high school. This was Jeni's introduction to EIAA. She loved attending the rock band performances, started to take the adult art classes and joined the board of directors. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to be the Director of Finance and continue being able to work with the wonderful staff. Jeni loves to spend time with her husband and 2 adult sons, traveling, going to concerts and creating art - stained glass, mosaics, ceramics and painting.
Maddie Burton
Volunteer Coordinator
Originally from West Okoboji, Iowa, Maddie Burton moved to Cedar Rapids in 2013 after attending Wartburg College, where she majored in Sociology and came just one class shy of a Theater degree- a fact she is happy to bring up every time.
After spending 10 years in the Cedar Rapids Community School District—including four wonderful years leading a Level 3 Autism program—Maddie is thrilled to begin her next adventure as Volunteer Coordinator at Eastern Iowa Arts Academy.
Art, music, and theater have been at the heart of Maddie's life for as long as she can remember. She believes creativity has the power to build confidence, create belonging, and bring people together. Whether she's making art, telling terrible jokes, or breaking into an impromptu song, her goal is always the same: to help people feel welcomed, valued, and inspired to be themselves.
When she's not at work, you'll probably find Maddie creating something, spending time with her wife and their ever-growing collection of creature companions, or laughing a little too hard at her own jokes.
Roxanne Evans
Chief Mouser & Morale Officer
Roxanne has been a beloved member of the academy since early 2025. As a former member of the Cedar Valley Humane Society's Barn Cat Program, she takes her role at EIAA seriously. She spends her day greeting students and visitors at the door, checking in on classes to ensure artistic excellence, and offering emotional support (and the occasional cuddle) to anyone who needs it.
When she’s not supervising rehearsals or classes, Roxanne keeps the campus rodent-free with expert stealth.
Her hobbies include napping, playing with cat toys, stealing pom poms from the craft supplies, invading space, and insisting on sitting on laptop keyboards.
Roxanne is now accepting mail (she has her own mailbox). Please send mail to 2630 B Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.