OUR MISSION
Cedar Tree Music and Performance exists to ensure that a young person’s background, family income, learning differences, or neurodivergence never determines how far their talent can grow.
Through high-quality music education, individualized instruction, mentorship, and performance, we create inclusive pathways where young people can learn in ways that honor how they think, create, and communicate—developing their artistry, confidence, leadership, and access to future educational and creative opportunities.
EXECUTIVE PROFILES
CHERYL CARTER
Founder & Executive Director
Cheryl Carter is the Founder and Executive Director of Cedar Tree Music and Performance. A lifelong performing artist, Cheryl has traveled and performed extensively as a world dancer, with an emphasis on traditional and folk dance.
Her vision for Cedar Tree grew from both her artistic experience and her journey as the mother of twin sons on the autism spectrum. Through their involvement in music, she witnessed firsthand how music could strengthen confidence, communication, discipline, connection, and a young person’s sense of possibility.
When one of her sons was given the opportunity to travel internationally and perform throughout Spain, Cheryl began to see music not simply as an extracurricular activity, but as a pathway—one capable of opening doors to experiences, education, relationships, and opportunities far beyond the classroom.
That realization became part of the foundation for Cedar Tree Music and Performance: the belief that every young person deserves access to excellent arts education and the opportunity to discover where their talent can take them.
Today, Cheryl brings her experience as an artist, parent, advocate, and community leader to Cedar Tree’s mission of creating inclusive, high-quality music and performance opportunities where young people of different backgrounds, abilities, and ways of learning are encouraged to grow, create, perform, and thrive.
MARK PAREDES
Secretary, Board of Supervisors
Mark Paredes brings extensive experience in civic engagement, public policy, community health, and advocacy to Cedar Tree Music and Performance. He currently serves as Civic Engagement Manager for United Domestic Workers, AFSCME Local 3930, representing home care and child care providers and working to strengthen the voices of families and workers in their communities.
Throughout his career, Mark has held leadership and policy roles across the nonprofit, healthcare, and public-service sectors, including Executive Director of Mercy Health, Government Affairs Specialist at Blue Shield of California, Program Manager for Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County, and Policy Analyst for Community Health Councils.
His experience at the intersection of policy, community engagement, and advocacy brings valuable perspective to Cedar Tree’s commitment to creating equitable opportunities for young people and strengthening community-based programs.
Mark earned a master’s degree in public policy from UCLA and studied political science at UC Irvine. Through his service on Cedar Tree’s Board of Directors, he supports the organization’s continued growth, community relationships, and commitment to ensuring young people have access to opportunities that allow them to thrive.
