Lynette Scrutchings is an early childhood educator rooted in music education and dedicated to social justice through the arts. Her journey began at age three, singing, playing violin, and piano in recitals at her family’s private Christian school in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded over 40 years ago by her grandmother, Cynthia McNeal — a nationally competitive classical pianist who had the honor of performing at one of the wake ceremonies held for Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. — Hoke McNeal Academy of Higher Learning also shaped Lynette’s path as an educator. By age 11, she was teaching young children ages two-to-five essential academic and life skills. Lynette currently serves as an organizer with The Freedom Bloc, a Black-led organization focused on civic engagement and empowering communities in Akron, Ohio. She is also a member of People Feeding People, a mutual aid collective dedicated to food justice and community care. Her relationship with Weathervane Playhouse began in 2015, where she appeared in the children’s ensemble of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She is honored to return to the stage, continuing her lifelong connection to performance and community.