Our mission to make music a part of every child's education is achieved through the collaborative efforts of ETM's:
Founders Board of Directors Advisory Committee Staff Music Teachers
Founders
Eldon C. Mayer, Jr.
Edmund R. Schroeder
Board of Directors
Robert A. Weisstuch, Vice-Chair
Katherine D. Elliott, Treasurer
Edmund R. Schroeder, Chairman Emeritus
Michael R. Schaefer (Chairman): Retired Managing Director, Citigroup Global Markets, Futures Dept. Former Chairman, National Futures Association.
Emily H. Susskind (Vice-Chair): Independent consultant, tech. Strategy and digital media svcs. Fmr CIO, Prudential Financial, Intl Div. Fmr Senior VP and Exec. VP, Sony Corp. of America. MBA, Wharton Schl. BA, Wellesley College.
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Robert A. Weisstuch (Vice-Chair): Vice President, Business Analysis for HarperCollins Publishers. Formerly with HIT Entertainment and Accenture. BS, Lehigh University.
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Katherine D. Elliott (Treasurer): Retired Chief Operating Officer, Petner Asset Mgmt. Former Senior VP, Lynch & Mayer. Trustee, Hobart & William Smith Colleges. William Smith College BA '66, L.H.D. '08.
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Edmund R. Schroeder (Chairman Emeritus): Attorney (Retired). Former partner, then Senior Counsel, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft. Hon.Chair., Hoff-Barthelson Music Schl. Former member Scarsdale Board of Education, former Board member Orchestra of St. Luke's. LLB, Harvard Law Schl. AB, Harvard College.
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Aly Alibhai: Director, Mergers & Acquisitions, Citigroup Global Markets. MBA, Columbia Business School, Beta Gamma Sigma. BSc., Cell Biology and Genetics, University of British Columbia.
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Joshua Bell: Often referred to as the “poet of the violin” JOSHUA BELL’s stunning virtuosity, beautiful tone and charismatic stage presence have brought him universal acclaim. An Avery Fisher Prize recipient and Musical America’s 2010 Instrumentalist of the Year, Bell is the new Music Director of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields; and the first person to hold this title since Sir Neville Marriner formed the orchestra in 1958. In February, Sony Classical released the Beethoven 4th and 7th Symphonies recorded with Bell and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Classical music chart.
Having performed with every major orchestra in the world, Bell is an exclusive Sony Classical artist who has recorded more than 40 CDs garnering Mercury, Grammy, Gramophone and Echo Klassik awards. Recent releases include French Impressions with pianist Jeremy Denk, the eclectic At Home With Friends, the Defiance soundtrack, Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, and Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with the Berlin Philharmonic, The Red Violin Concerto, Voice of the Violin, and Romance of the Violin, which Billboard named the 2004 Classical CD of the Year, and Bell the Classical Artist of the Year. His discography encompasses critically-acclaimed performances of most of the major violin repertoire in addition to John Corigliano’s Oscar-winning soundtrack, The Red Violin. Bell has premiered new works by composers Nicholas Maw, John Corigliano, Aaron Jay Kernis, Edgar Meyer, Behzad Ranjbaran and Jay Greenberg.
Born in Bloomington, Indiana, Bell received his first violin at age four and at age 12 began studying with revered violinist Josef Gingold, at Indiana University. Two years later Bell came to national attention in his debut with Riccardo Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra and, at age 17, made his Carnegie Hall debut. Bell’s extensive career has now spanned over 30 years as a soloist, chamber musician, recording artist, and conductor.
Bell performs on the 1713 Huberman Stradivarius. www.joshuabell.com
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Jennifer M. Goff: Operations Analyst, Greenlight Capital. Board member, Partial Comfort Productions. BA, University of Texas at Austin.
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Victor J. Goldberg: Retired Corp. VP, IBM. Trustee, Inst. of Intl Educ. Trustee, Intl Fellowship Prog. (Ford Foundation initiative). Member, Westchester County Fair Campaign Practices Committee.
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Karen M. Karlsrud: Professional Violinist. Performed and recorded with many orchestras such as The New York City Ballet, The Orchestra of St. Lukes, The New York Pops, and The American Symphony. Commercial credits include over 200 major motion pictures, commercials, recordings with major artists, national television appearances, and Broadway shows. Former faculty member, The Brearley School. Studied violin and earned her BA at Oberlin College and Conservatory.
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Mara L. Klein: First Vice-President-Investments, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. Formerly with Smith Barney and Paine Webber. Member, Financial Women's Assoc. VP of Membership, Gladney Auxiliary Ctr for Adoption. BBA, Hofstra Univ.
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Amy Dorn Kopelan: President and Executive Producer, Bedlam Productions Inc., Former EVP Morning Television and SVP Direct Marketing, Capital Cities/ABC Inc., BS, Boston University School of Communication.
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Anthony F. Lo Cicero: Attorney. Partner, Amster Rothstein & Ebenstein, LLP. Litigator, Intellectual Property Law. Frequent lecturer. BS, Polytechnic Univ. JD, Brooklyn Law School.
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Andrew J. Malik: Chairman, Needham & Co. Head, Banking Dev't Group. Board mbr, Celbros Tech., Hummingbird Ltd., and SuperSpeed Software. Univ. of RI. Queens College. Deg. from The NY Inst. of Finance.
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Joseph F. McDonald: Attorney. Senior Counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. Bd mbr: PRI Healthcare, Vera Inst. of Justice; Dir. Emeritus, NY Lawyers for the Public Interest. LLB (Tax), NYU. JD, Univ. of Mich. Law Schl. BA, Amherst College.
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Lori A. Murphy: Director, Account Development, American Express. Former member of Steering Committee, Arts and Business Council of New York. Professional studio singer. Degree in Studio Music/Jazz Vocal from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fl.
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Nancy P. Northern: VP Project Manager Chase Mortgage Bank. Board member, Vernon Multi-Purpose Ctr. MBA (Marketing IB), Fordham Univ. BS, Univ. of Maryland.
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Edward J. Petner: President, Petner Asset Management. Formerly with Lynch & Mayer. MBA, Wharton Schl of Business. BA, Duquesne Univ.
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David E. Stiepleman: Chief Operating Officer, TPG Opportunities Partners. BA, Amherst College; JD, Columbia.
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Manoj Susarla: Vice President, Special Situations Group, Goldman Sachs. BS, Economics, Wharton School. BA, Mathematics and International Studies, University of Pennsylvania. Principal Violist with Penn’s Symphony Orchestra and a founding officer of Penn Chamber Music Society.
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Advisory Committee
Peter Flanigan
Jane Remer
Thomas Sobol
The 5 Browns - Ryan, Melody, Gregory, Deondra, and Desirae - were the first family of five siblings ever accepted to New York's Juilliard School. From there, the five pianists launched a successful career, beginning in February 2002 when People magazine dubbed them the "Fab Five." The 5 Browns signed with Sony BMG Masterworks, and by the end of 2005, were considered to be one of the top classical artists of the year. The 5 Browns perform on five pianos and various ensemble combinations, and are dedicated to bringing classical music to the lives of people everywhere. (www.the5browns.com)
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Misha Dichter launched his international career as a pianist in 1966 when he won the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow while still enrolled at Juilliard. Two years later, he made his debut with Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic. Since then, he has made numerous acclaimed recordings for Philips, RCA, MusicMasters, and Koch Classics. Mr. Dichter is also an accomplished writer, and has contributed to many publications, including The New York Times. (www.mishadichter.com)
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Marilyn Horne, who has been called "the most influential singer in American history" by Opera News, has dominated her field for over four decades. Among her many awards are the Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters from France's Ministry of Culture, the Commendatore al Merito della Repubblica Italiana, the Fidelio Gold Medal from the International Association of Opera Directors, and the Covent Garden Silver Medal for Outstanding Service. Miss Horne celebrated twenty-six years as a leading lady at the Metropolitan Opera, and has won four Grammy Awards. In celebration of her birthday in January of 1994, she launched The Marilyn Horne Foundation, dedicated to the art of the vocal recital and presentation of young singers in recital throughout the United States. (www.marilynhornefdn.org)
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Harold Tanner, President of Tanner & Co., Inc., a private investment banking firm in New York, has spent over 50 years in the investment banking business and was a Managing Director of Salomon Brothers Inc. before forming his own firm. He is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of Cornell University, past President of the American Jewish Committee and immediate past Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. He is a Life Overseer of Weill Medical College of Cornell University, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and previously served on the Boards of Classroom Inc., the Charles H. Revson Foundation, and the Russell Sage Foundation. He is a graduate of Cornell University and Harvard Business School.
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Staff
Katherine Damkohler, Executive Director
Rainah Berlowitz, Director of Operations
Katherine Canning, Director of Development & Program Evaluation
Tim Lemberger, Director of Marketing & Communications
Peter Pauliks, Director of Programs
Meryl Cullom, Field Supervisor
Leslie Gordon, Development Associate
Maraiya Hakeem, Development Associate
Nicholas LaFleur, Assistant Program Director
Chris Marolf, Professional Development and Consulting Specialist
Allison Mickelson, Field Supervisor
Kristen Pappas, Evaluation Associate
Lisa Marie Persaud, Program Administrator
Krystal Valentin, Development Associate
Katherine Damkohler has served as ETM's Executive Director since 1995. A long-time educator of inner-city children, she is a former teacher and school principal; as principal, she led one school to a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award. Ms. Damkohler has spoken at arts education conferences and panel discussions in New York City and around the country, addressing principals, superintendents, teachers and business and community leaders on school leadership and using the arts to help revitalize schools; and has served as a guest lecturer in curriculum and pedagogy at the Manhattan School of Music. She served on the Arts Education Council of Americans for the Arts during 2011-12, and is a member of the National Advisory Board of Arts|Learning. Ms. Damkohler holds an M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University.
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Rainah Berlowitz serves as Director of Operations. He received an A.B. in English from Princeton University and came to ETM in 1997 through the Princeton AlumniCorps' Project 55 Fellowship Program. He currently volunteers as a mentor for the program. In 2005, Mr. Berlowitz was appointed a member of the National Board of Directors and President of the New York Executive Committee of Giving Opportunities To Others, Inc. (GOTO), a volunteer-managed 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. In 2009, he was elected to serve as Chairman of GOTO's Board. In Fall 2011, he completed executive leadership training as a participant in the New York Arts & Business Council's Arts Leadership Institute. In Fall 2012, he was one of twelve nonprofit professionals from the U.S. and overseas selected to participate in the American Express Foundation/Aspen Institute Fellowship for Emerging Nonprofit Leaders. Rainah also plays guitar.
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Katherine Canning serves as Director of Development & Program Evaluation. After receiving an A.B. in Physics from Princeton University, she taught math at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, a post-secondary school in Singapore. She came to ETM in 2000 through the Princeton AlumniCorps' Project 55 Fellowship Program, and currently volunteers as a mentor for the program. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Chamber Music Conference and Composers' Forum of the East. Ms. Canning also tutors Physics and Math, is principal violist of the New York Repertory Orchestra, and plays chamber music.
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Tim Lemberger serves as Director of Marketing and Communications, joining ETM in October 2012. He brings over 15 years marketing and communications experience, with extensive work with education organizations. He directed communications activities for two education foundations, The National Academy Foundation and The Golden Apple Foundation, and he oversaw the communications department at The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago. He has taken 17 years of piano lessons. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Sean Curran Company, a modern dance company. Tim received his B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Iowa.
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Peter Pauliks joined ETM as Director of Programs in 2008. He has taught in public school for ten years, specifically Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Music Theory, Guitar, General Music, Musical Theatre, Acting, and Music Technology. He earned his undergraduate degree in Music Education from Marywood University in Scranton, PA, and completed his graduate studies at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, focusing on Music Technology. Mr. Pauliks has completed the Professional Musical Theatre Training Program at CAP21 in NYC. He is certified to teach both music and technology K-12 in Pennsylvania, and Music K-12 in New York State. He is also a certified TI:ME Instructor (Technology Institute for Music Educators). Mr. Pauliks has served on the Executive Board for the Wayne County Arts Alliance, and continues to develop his skills as a performer and educator through professional studies, local performing groups, and workshops.
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Meryl Cullom joined ETM as a Field Supervisor in 2011. Meryl is an Arts Educator, singer, actress, and composer. She served as Education Director for the Washington DC metro area's longest running children's theatre, Adventure Theatre. She has taught elementary school in Brooklyn, and music in Harlem and Florida. She has designed, administered, and implemented theatrical arts programs for many organizations including Round House Theatre, Charlotte Children's Theatre, The My Hero Project, and Maryland Ensemble Theatre where the World Premieres of her musicals "Ready, Set, ME!" and "Lucy Rose and Here is the Thing About Me" have appeared. As a performer, Meryl has appeared as a soloist with the Pensacola Symphony, in national tours of musicals, in regional theatres, cruise ships, and Tokyo Disneyland.
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Leslie Gordon serves as Development Associate. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2011 with a degree in Political Science. A dancer since the age of six, she was a member of an on-campus modern dance company all four years of college and was also dedicated to community work, tutoring ESL Spanish-speakers and students at an educational garden. She completed an internship at the Brooklyn Historical Society before joining the ETM staff.
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Maraiya Hakeem serves as Development Associate. She graduated from Princeton University in 2012 with a degree in Sociology and a certificate in African-American Studies. While at Princeton, she was involved with various theater productions and held leadership positions with the theater group Black Arts Company Drama. She joins ETM as a 2012-2013 fellow through the Princeton AlumniCorps' Project 55 Fellowship Program.
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Nicholas LaFleur serves as Assistant Program Director. He received his Master of the Arts in Performing Arts Administration from New York University in 2005 and his Bachelor's of Music in Jazz Performance from the University of Massachusetts in 1985. He came to ETM in 2008, after having served as General Manager of Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center in Bronx, NY since 2006. After finishing his Bachelor's Degree, Nick spent three years teaching music in the school systems of Boston and Los Angeles before turning to a full-time career of performance in the U.S. and Asia, eventually settling in Bangkok where he stayed for 11 years working extensively in its commercial music industry and in education. Before returning to the U.S. from Thailand in 2003, Nick spent three years as Director of the Jazz & Contemporary Music program at MIFA-The International Academy of Music. Nick plays saxophone, flute and trumpet and is currently pursuing advanced certification in music education from Brooklyn College.
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Chris Marolf serves as Professional Development & Consulting Specialist. He began working at ETM in 2002 as an ETM music teacher. He is an active freelance musician, playing in projects ranging from Jay-Z and Beyonce to singer/songwriter Jann Klose to Chinese folk music. He appears with Jann Klose on the Grammy nominated children's album "Healthy Food For Thought." Before joining ETM, Mr. Marolf was a certified K-12 music teacher in Kansas, where he also held a permanent bass chair with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. He has worked with a number of highly acclaimed string programs in the Midwest, and accompanied two orchestras to the prestigious Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. He has a Bachelor's in Music Education from Wichita State University, where he graduated summa cum laude and studied with Jacquelyn Dillon, author of the popular Strictly Strings method book.
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Allison Mickelson became a Field Supervisor in 2010, after serving as an ETM music teacher for a year. Allison is a music educator, choral conductor, and performer from Pierre, South Dakota, where she began making music before she could speak. She taught K-6 music in Grand Forks, North Dakota and conducted choirs of the Grand Cities Children's Choir and the University of North Dakota's Women's Choir. She has directed Middle School and High School musicals and taught for Surflight Theater's Arts School on Long Beach Island, NJ, and continues to teach private voice and piano lessons. She enjoys serving as a choral clinician for festivals, camps, and regional contests. Some of her favorite performances regionally include lead female singer in Holiday Jam with the Hegg Brothers, Mother in Ragtime, Female Authority Figure in Hairspray, and Peter Pan in Peter Pan. Allison earned her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the University of North Dakota, where she studied choral conducting with Dr. James Rodde.
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Kristen Pappas serves as Evaluation Associate. She has a M.S. in Social Research from Hunter College, City University of New York. Prior to joining ETM in 2012, she gained experience evaluating New York City-based education programs, working with the non-profit organization ReLearning Curve and interning with the non-profit organization Dynamic Research and Evaluation, LLC.
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Lisa Marie Persaud serves as Program Administrator. She received her B.A. in Theater Arts from City College in 2009, specializing in Children’s Theater. She has auditioned for numerous networks including, but not limited to, CW11, Nickelodeon, Disney and HBO. She is the face of Moxie Teenz doll, Bijou in the Doll line’s 2011 Commercial. Her continued passion for the arts landed her at ETM, where she is proud to support the organization’s efforts to integrate music into disadvantaged schools.
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Krystal Valentin serves as Development Associate. She graduated from Princeton University in 2012 with a degree in Public Policy from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. At Princeton, Krystal was involved with the Carl A. Fields Center to promote social justice, civic engagement, and educational empowerment. She also dedicated her time to volunteering and traveling, which culminated in her co-founding, Ubomi Beads, a social enterprise which facilitates the distribution and retail of recycled magazine beaded necklaces from Cape Town, South Africa. She joins ETM as a 2012-2013 fellow through the Princeton AlumniCorps’ Project 55 Fellowship Program.
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ETM Music Teachers (2012-2013)
Jason Atkinson is a new music teacher with ETM, working at PS/MS 7 in East Harlem. Previously, he was a NYC Teaching Fellow, and worked in The Bronx teaching K-8, and at an all-autistic school in Co-Op City. At both schools he secured VH1 grants, starting a concert band and creating a piano lab. Following that, he moved to Italy where he taught and performed in Rome for three years. Jason also works frequently in theater. He has written music for theatrical productions at The Cleveland Playhouse, Cleveland Public Theater, and NYC's Prospect Theater, and this past summer, a play of his was featured at the 2012 NYC International Fringe Festival. His short fiction has been published in the USA and abroad. Jason recently returned from Washington DC, where he founded a music program at the city's first all-girl charter school.
Stefan Benkowski, MT-BC, originally hailing from Wisconsin, is a board certified music therapist who graduated Summa Cum Laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy degree after spending one year as a jazz trombone performance major at New York University and two years playing bass in a touring rock band. Stefan brings this diverse musical and cultural background to his approach to music and his passion for music therapy and songwriting. In Arizona, Stefan was president of the ASU Music Therapy Student Organization and taught guitar, general music and a rock band class through the Phoenix Conservatory of Music. Now in New York, Stefan recently completed his internship in palliative care music therapy at Calvary Hospital, however has embraced his role of working with special education departments within various schools around New York. This is Stefan's first year with ETM and looks forward to providing music therapy to students and giving a voice to children around New York.
Rachel Bidwell is a music educator who was born and raised in New York. Rachel currently teaches PreK-8 General Music at St. Athanasius School in the Bronx and St. Mark the Evangelist in Harlem, and is very excited to be working with ETM! For the previous two years, Rachel taught middle school band in Westchester County. In addition, she teaches private flute and piano lessons and has also worked as a director and accompanist for middle and high school theatre programs. She earned both her Bachelor's and Master's in Music Education from Manhattanville College, where she studied flute under Harold Jones. She has participated in numerous wind ensembles, choruses, and flute ensembles throughout Westchester and Putnam Counties.
David Blumenthal, a recent graduate of the Crane School Music at SUNY Potsdam, holds degrees in Music Education, Music Performance and Musical Studies with a concentration in Theory and History. Originally from Monroe, New York, David is thrilled to be back in New York City where he studied at the Mannes Preparatory Division. David teaches General Music and Choir at P.S. 84 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He is an active trombone player and pedagogue, and is continuing his studies in conducting. Most recently he has attended the Waterville Valley Music Center as a conducting participant under renowned conducting pedagogue Maestro Kenneth Kiesler.
Matthew Brady, originally from Toms River, New Jersey, is a first-year NY and NJ state certified K-12 music instructor. He received his Bachelor's in Music Education at the Mason Gross School of the Arts (Rutgers University) and recently received his Master's Degree in Woodwind Performance from New York University. While attending Rutgers, he performed and soloed with the graduate-level Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Opera Orchestra; performance highlights and venues include Avery Fischer Hall, Symphony Space, NJPAC, and the Kimmel Center (Philadelphia). Balancing life as an educator and freelance oboist, Matthew stays busy performing with various orchestras in the New York City area. This is Matt's first year with ETM, and he is extremely excited to share his passion and understanding of music with his students, parents, and peers in New York City!
Brian Dornicik was born and raised in Suffolk County, Long Island. He is New York State Certified to teach Music K-12, Childhood Education 1-6, and Early Childhood Education B-2. Brian has a Bachelor's Degree in Music from Stony Brook University, where he studied classical guitar under Jerry Willard and Paul Cesarczyk. Brian also has a Master's Degree in Childhood Education - Integrated Math, Science and Technology from Dowling College. In addition to working with Education Through Music, Brian has taught middle school Chorus and General Music in the Mohawk Valley of upstate New York, where he created a Rock Band class for 6th-8th graders with social/emotional challenges and a middle school Guitar Ensemble. Brian has also served as a clinician for various local music workshops, directed and performed in pit-bands across Long Island, and taught private guitar, bass and drum lessons for the past 13 years.
Morgan Ferris is a certified K-12 Music teacher from West Chester, Ohio. She received her Bachelor's of Music Education from Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University in 2011. While in school she
was a member of the Indiana University award-winning Marching Hundred as well as Concert Band. She performed as part of the Fresh Winds Trio, which performed on NPR’s From the Top program. She has attended the Midwest Music Educators conference in Chicago as a performer and clinic participant. She is currently teaching at P.S. 72 in Bronx, NY. Morgan also teaches private clarinet, saxophone and piano lessons.
Joshua Fleischmann has been teaching private lessons for 17 years, and in public and parochial schools for 8 years. He is a drummer and percussionist who has lived in New York City since 2005. While earning a BA in Music Education from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Josh studied with renowned drummer Fred Buda (Boston Pops) and classical percussionist Jeffrey Fischer (Boston Ballet). Additional studies have been with jazz drummers Randy Kaye (Jimmy Giuffre) and Bob Gulotti (The Fringe). In 2004 Josh was part of a jazz quartet that performed at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, MA for the National Education Association/Black Caucus brunch and dinner with guest speaker Barack Obama. He performs throughout NYC and has toured the US several times with various indie rock bands. Josh has taught for ETM since 2006.
Erin Giacinto is a certified public school teacher from Long Island, New York. She received her Bachelor's of Music Education from Five Towns College in 2009 and is currently pursuing her Masters in Music Technology. Through her undergraduate, Erin was an active member of several vocal and instrumental ensembles. In addition, she served as concert master for the Five Towns Concert Band as well as student director for the Five Towns Chorus. She is a clarinetist and a vocalist who has been teaching privately for twelve years and teaching public school for four. She has also performed at Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall. Erin is excited to make music with her students and is looking forward to the 2012 - 2013 school year!
Kevin Heathwood is a certified K-12 music educator from East Islip, NY. He studied trumpet at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and received a Bachelors of Music Education degree in August 2009. While at Indiana, he was a section leader in the 2007 Sudler Award winning Marching Hundred, and held the principal seat in various ensembles. In addition to having a placement at a Grade A high school marching band program in Indianapolis, he has also taught over in Auckland New Zealand at Westlake Boys High School. After graduating from Indiana he took over as the head band director at Hampton Bays Middle School where he led 3 concert bands, a jazz band, general music classes, and solo and ensemble preparation. In addition to teaching in the classroom, Kevin also teaches private trumpet and guitar lessons.
Molly Kackloudis received her B.M. in Music Education from Michigan State University where she studied under the mentorship of Dr. Cynthia Taggart and also studied flute and jazz piano. While in Michigan, Molly taught music to a variety of ages from early childhood and up, and assisted in the organization of a collaborative community music concert featuring notable folk musicians and area students. Passionate about jazz education, this year Molly worked at Jazz at Lincoln Center to co-produce the 2012 Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival as well as the 2012 Summer Band Directors Academy. Molly is currently teaching elementary general music grades 1-5 for ETM at P.S. 182 in Bronx, NY.
Ian Kanakaris is a certified K-12 music teacher in Connecticut and New York, and is currently pursuing a master's degree, focusing on educational technology and music. Ian is a summa cum laude graduate the University of Hartford, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with an instrumental emphasis. While attending the University of Hartford, he studied double bass with Robert Black and participated in master classes with Timothy Cobb (Metropolitan Opera), Edwin Barker (Boston Symphony), Eugene Levinson (New York Philharmonic), and Francois Rabbath (Paris Conservatory). Ian was a member of the symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, bass ensemble, and instrumental improvisation.
Carolina Kim was born and raised in Brazil. Upon moving to Miami as a teenager, she was introduced to the guitar in her public school's music program. Her love of music was sparked, and she went on to receive her Bachelor's of Music Education degree from the College of Music at Florida State University where she studied the classical guitar under Bruce Holzman and Joao Paulo Figueiroa. Now a certified music teacher, she continues to pass on the same opportunity, experiences, and inspiration she was freely given by her first music teacher. Carolina has taught music in Florida and South Korea, and in addition to her current work with Education Through Music she is also the guitar teacher for the Salvation Army's Phil Ramone Orchestra for Children in Harlem. Carolina is completing her Master's degree in Music Education at Teachers College, where she is a Tech Fellow and graduate assistant.
Brittany Kolodziej had her first violin lesson at age 8, and from that moment on she knew she was destined to be an orchestra teacher. She received her undergraduate and Master's degrees in Music Education from Providence College and Boston University, respectively. Prior to joining the ETM this year, Brittany was the strings director in the Lynn Public Schools for grades 4-12, the manager for the 2012 Northeast Senior District Orchestra, and the manager for the Preparatory Orchestra at the Rivers Conservatory in Weston, MA. Although classically trained, Brittany has a deep appreciation for eclectic, pop, and jazz string performance. She has performed jazz violin and vocals for the Providence College Big Band, the Ocean State Pops Orchestra, and the Rhode Island Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. Brittany is a certified teacher in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and is currently working towards her New York state license.
Meghan O'Brien is a certified K-12 Music Teacher from Long Island, New York. In high school she had the opportunity to perform throughout several countries in Europe with American Music Abroad, and realized that teachers can provide opportunities to students they never thought possible. Turning this realization into her career, Meghan received her Master of Music Education from George Mason University in 2008, where she studied the flute under Professor Judith Lapple. She has her Level III certification in Orff Schulwerk. She maintained a private flute studio and taught elementary general music, chorus, and show choir for four years in Fairfax, Virginia before joining ETM in February 2012.
Gina Pemberton was born on the island of St. Kitts/Nevis in the West Indies and raised in Queens, New York, where she attended LaGuardia High School for Music Arts and Performing Arts. She is a certified K-12 music teacher who received her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education with a Vocal Performance emphasis from Clarke College in Dubuque Iowa. Gina taught general music and chorus in Dubuque for four years before returning to New York City in 2010 to pursue a career in musical theater. In addition to teaching in the classroom, Gina also teaches private piano lessons and sings with The Greater Allen AME Mass and Judah Choirs. She looks forward to the 2012-2013 school year and is excited to be working with ETM.
Karissa Phillip attended Manhattan School of Music in pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree in Viola Performance. Wanting to pass along her love of music, she later attended Brooklyn College, where she earned a degree in Music Education. She grew up on Long Island and participated in many musical opportunities in the New York City area. She looks forward to preparing her students for many of these same opportunities, including the Usdan Center, the Manhattan School of Music Preparatory Division, NYSSMA Orchestral Studies, NY Youth, and All State and All National Orchestra festivals and NYSSSA Orchestral Studies.
Robert Popescu is an accomplished music educator, jazz musician, and dedicated philanthropist for music. He studied jazz guitar performance at Arizona State University under Michael Kocour and Chris Champion. He has been playing music professionally for several years, sharing the stage with the likes of George Benson, Joey DeFrancesco, Bill and Dom Moio, and Ray Riendeau. As a music educator, he has taught K-5 music in Glendale, Arizona, directed a successful after-school music program, and was deeply involved as a clinician in JazzinAZ and the Jazz Coop, two music non-profits in Arizona that promoted jazz to high-need schools. He has also taught music privately for over ten years. He has been a band leader, a jazz sideman, and a composer for indie films. He released two well-received recordings with his jazz groups, The Modern Guitar Quintet and The Actual Proof Trio.
Edmundo Ramirez is an avid music educator and string pedagogue who has participated in several teaching workshops such as Suzuki and Mark O'Connor methods. His teaching experience includes the Long Island University's C.W. Post Suzuki program, Mannheim Hochshule fur Musik in Germany, the Youth Orchestra Program in Costa Rica, Youth Orchestra of the Americas, ISMEV in Mexico, The Harmony Program and Third Street Music Settlement. He is a soloist with orchestras on violin, viola, and viola d'amore and performs in a variety of ensembles at festivals and concert halls across Asia, Europe and Latin America. In New York, Edmundo performs at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, Symphony Space, Galapagos and Drom. Edmundo began his violin and viola studies at the Municipal School of Music in Santo Domingo de Heredia and later at the National Youth Symphony Music Program, in his native Costa Rica. He continued his studies at the New England Conservatory, The Juilliard School and the Academia Chigiana in Italy. Edmundo is currently finishing his Masters in Music Education at Lehman College. He also plays the Saxophone and the Indian Sitar.
Lisette Santiago teaches general music, chorus, and percussion programs throughout the city. She is a percussionist and drummer from Brooklyn, NY who began singing at the age of four. She attended the famed LaGuardia High School of Music and the Performing Arts, and while at Columbia University, received vocal coaching as part of a Columbia-Juilliard joint program. Lisette specializes in Afro-Cuban percussion such as batá and congas, and is currently on the roster of artists endorsing Latin Percussion products. Among other projects, Lisette is a member of Beat the Donkey, a popular ensemble led by Grammy award-winning percussionist Cyro Baptista.
Derek Santo has been playing the piano since the age of five. Raised on Long Island he completed his Bachelors of music from Five Towns College in Music Education with an emphasis on piano and percussion. He has performed in the jazz orchestra, swing band, and the choir. In addition to his work with ETM, Derek Santo also teaches private lessons on the weekends, teaching piano, drums, and bass. Derek has also worked along side with music producer Steve Haigler for recording his own band. Derek also performs on the weekends with a jazz trio and a Long Island based rock group. Currently Derek is working at middle school 424x in Hunts Point teaching music technology. Derek Santo is also currently working on his Master's degree in education at Hofstra University.
Kara Simpson recently moved to the Big Apple from the Little Apple (as Manhattan, Kansas is also known), and is thrilled to be part of the ETM team. In Manhattan, KS she earned her Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Kansas State University, as well as her Graduate Diploma in Music Education. Kara also holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Oklahoma and has her Level I certification in Orff-Schulwerk. She brings a wealth of experience to ETM, including elementary classroom music experience, a private voice/piano/guitar teaching studio, solo performances, and numerous operatic roles. Kara was also the director and choreographer for several children's, church, and community choirs. Currently, she is the Associate Conductor for the National Children's Chorus, Prelude Level, and she particularly enjoys teaching elementary music to the wonderful children in the New York City public schools!
Ulises Solano is a music educator and tenor from Costa Rica, where his early music training and teaching experiences occurred at the Conservatorio de Castella. He earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Vocal Performance at the Indiana University School of Music. An active operatic tenor, his recitals and opera roles have taken him to Venezuela, Austria, Hungry, the Philippines, the United States, and most of Central America. He has performed at the Brevard Music Center, the Schoenbrunn Schloss Theater in Austrua, and with the Chicago Grand Park Orchestra. Ulises continues to balance his life as a teacher and as a performer in New York City, realizing that his toughest and most grateful audience is the one he encounters every day in the New York city classrooms. Ulises enjoys the opportunity to serve a population of children who are getting their first music education through him. This is his fourth year with ETM.
Juan Carlos Tavarez was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Long Island. He completed his Bachelors of Music degree from Five Towns College in Music Education with an emphasis in voice and cello. While at Five Towns College, he performed in the Choir, Chamber Orchestra, and Concert Band. In addition to his work with ETM and teaching private voice lessons, Juan Carlos is currently working towards his Master's degree in Education and Special Education (Grades 1-6) at Touro College. Since he was eight years old, Juan Carlos has been passionate about music. Through his active involvement in education, church, and community events, he enthusiastically shares this with others, while helping them achieve their musical goals.
Allison Terrana is a New York State certified K-12 music educator. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia, with a concentration in Piano, Voice and Choral studies. Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, she moved to New York City to purse her Master's Degree and work with students in the city's public schools. Allison has had a love for music since she started studying piano at 5 years old. In addition to working with ETM, Allison also gives private piano and voice lessons to students throughout New York City.
Evangeline Wolfe is a certified Waldorf teacher with over five years of experience working with pre-K through high school students as a classroom teacher, music teacher, and after school director. Originally from Ithaca, NY, she attended LaGuardia High School of Music and Performing Arts and holds a B.A. Magna Cum Laude from Cornell University, where she studied music, anthropology, and education as a College Scholar. Evangeline is an accomplished pianist, early music soprano, conductor, and organist and a regular choir member in Paul Winter’s Missa Gaia at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Prior to moving back to New York City, she served as Director of Music at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Berkeley, California, and has worked extensively as an accompanist for singers, ensembles, and dancers. She has also taught rock climbing to college students. Evangeline is thrilled to be joining the ETM team.
School-employed Music Teachers (2012-13 school year)
Tanisha Campbell
Thomas Conti
Diana Fox
Mary Landry
Jessica Parr
Leah Potteiger
Jacqueline Pouncie
Melissa Salguero
Tim Sobolewski
