Who We Are
Our mission to make music a part of every child's education is achieved through the collaborative efforts of ETM's:
Michael R. Schaefer, Chairman
Edmund R. Schroeder, Chairman Emeritus
Katherine D. Elliott, Treasurer
Richard P. Davies
Rick Dobbis
Victor J. Goldberg
Karen M. Karlsrud
Mara L. Klein
Anthony Lo Cicero
Andrew J. Malik
Eldon C. Mayer, Jr.
Joseph F. McDonald
Nancy P. Northern
Edward J. Petner
David E. Stiepleman
Emily H. Susskind
Anne T. Vitale
Katy L. Weinberger
Robert A. Weisstuch
Michael R. Schaefer (Chairman): Managing Director, Citigroup Global Markets, Futures Dept. Former Chairman, National Futures Association (presently a member of the Exec Committee).
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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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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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Richard P. Davies: Assistant General Counsel, Corporate & Compliance, Avon Products, Inc.
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Rick Dobbis: Chairman, Rick Dobbis Organization, Global (R-DOG). Partner, Dream Jam Enterprises. Senior Advisor, Martin Bandier Music and Entertainment Program. BS, Syracuse University. Return to Board List
Victor J. Goldberg: Retired Corp. VP, IBM. Trustee, Inst. of Intl Educ. Trustee, Intl Fellowship Prog. (Ford Foundation initiative). Pres., Scarsdale Foundation. Member, Westchester Non-Profit Loan 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 and recordings with major artists. Faculty member, The Brearley School. Studied violin and earned her BA at Oberlin College and Conservatory.
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Mara L. Klein: First VP of Investments, Wells Fargo Advisors. Formerly with Smith Barney and Paine Webber. Mbr, Financial Women's Assoc. VP of Membership, Gladney Auxiliary Ctr for Adoption. BBA, Hofstra Univ.
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Anthony F. Lo Cicero: Attorney, Amster Rothstein & Ebenstein, LLP.
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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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Eldon C. Mayer, Jr.: Founder/CIO, Mayer - Cap Advisors. Founder/former CEO and Chairman, Lynch & Mayer, Inc. Founder, Recompense Foundation. AB, Princeton Univ. Attended NYU Graduate School of Business.
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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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Nancy P. Northern: Owner, WhisperLoud. Bd mbr, 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: Managing Director and Deputy General Counsel, Fortress Investment Group. BA, Amherst College; JD, Columbia.
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Emily H. Susskind: 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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Anne T. Vitale: Attorney, Anti-Money Laundering Consultant--President of Vitale AML Consultants, Inc. Fmr Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York; Fmr Deputy General Counsel at Republic National Bank of New York; Trustee of the College of New Rochelle; Board Member of Safra National Bank. B.A. Fordham; M.Ed. Boston College; J.D. Fordham.
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Katy L. Weinberger: Senior Brand Manager, Colgate-Palmolive Co.
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Robert A. Weisstuch: Senior VP & CIO, HIT Entertainment. Former COO and CIO, Riot Media. Former Partner, Accenture. BS, Lehigh University.
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Joshua Bell
The 5 Browns
Misha Dichter
Peter Flanigan
Marilyn Horne
Jane Remer
Thomas Sobol
Harold Tanner
Walfredo Toscanini
Joshua Bell came to national attention at the age of 14 in a highly acclaimed orchestral debut with Riccardo Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra. He received an Artist Diploma in Violin Performance at Indiana University, and was honored with a Distinguished Alumni Service Award two years after graduation. An exclusive Sony Classical violinist, Mr. Bell is widely known for his notable performance on the soundtrack to The Red Violin, which earned an Oscar in 2000 for best original score. That same year, he received a Grammy Award for his recording of the Maw concerto with Sir Roger Norrington and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Mr. Bell was awarded the Avery Fisher Prize in 2007, and the Academy of Achievement Award for exceptional accomplishment in the arts in 2008. (www.joshuabell.com)
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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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Walfredo Toscanini was born in Milano, Italy and moved to the United States with his family in 1938. He attended most of the NBC Orchestra concerts conducted by his grandfather, Arturo Toscanini, and travelled across the USA with the 1950 Tour. He graduated from Yale College in 1952, and received a Master of Architecture from Yale University in 1955. In the private practice of architecture, Mr. Toscanini was particularly interested in spaces for the performing arts and acoustics. He worked for the Facilities Development Corporation of New York State administering the program for Group Homes for the Developmentally Disabled, and for the N.Y.S. Urban Development Corporation in preserving and enhancing the economic base of the state. He served as City Councilman in the City of New Rochelle from 1973 to 1977 and has been active in the Democratic Party in Westchester County.
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Administrative Staff
Katherine Damkohler, Executive Director
Rainah Berlowitz, Director of Operations
Katherine Canning, Director of Development & Program Evaluation
Emily Estock, Communications and Events Manager
Erica Bilko, Financial & Administrative Associate
Julie Rubinger, Development Associate
Program Staff
Peter Pauliks, Director of Programs
Nicholas LaFleur, Assistant Program Director
Chris Marolf, Field Supervisor
Leah Potteiger, Field Supervisor
Shanna Lesniak Whitney, Field Supervisor
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 is a founding Board member of the Manhattan Charter School, which includes music as a core curriculum component, and a member of the Advisory Board of the National Arts and Learning Collaborative at Walnut Hill in Natick, MA. Ms. Damkohler holds an M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University.
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Rainah Berlowitz serves as Director of Operations. In 1997, he received an A.B. in English from Princeton University and came to ETM through the Princeton Project 55 Public Interest Program, which promotes the involvement of alumni in the public sector. 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 (GOTO), a volunteer-managed 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. Rainah also plays guitar.
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Katherine Canning serves as Director of Development and Program Evaluation. After receiving an A.B. in Physics from Princeton University in 1997, she spent two years teaching math at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, a post-secondary school in Singapore. She came to ETM in 2000 through the Princeton Project 55 Public Interest Program, and currently volunteers as a mentor for the program. Ms. Canning also tutors Physics and Math, is principal violist of the New York Repertory Orchestra, and plays chamber music.
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Emily Estock serves as Communications and Events Manager. She received a BA in English from Boston College in 1999 and came to ETM in 2005 after working in the Development department at The Metropolitan Opera and in the Public Relations and Marketing department at the Harvard Museum of Natural History.
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Erica Bilko serves as Financial and Administrative Associate. After graduating from Marymount Manhattan College in 2005 with a BA in Humanities and Art History, Erica worked for the CFO at DeLorenzo, a museum quality art gallery on Madison Avenue. She then worked for the CFO at the Reform Pension Board in midtown until she came to ETM in 2008. Erica is on the Board of Directors as the Treasurer of the Alternative Arts Association based out of Long Island City.
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Julie Rubinger serves as Development Associate. She graduated from Princeton University in 2009 with a degree in East Asian Studies and certificates in Dance and French. She has danced and played the cello for 18 years, and at Princeton, was heavily involved in the dance program at the Lewis Center for the Arts and served as president of BodyHype Dance Company. She joined ETM in July of 2009 through the Princeton Project 55 Public Interest Program.
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Peter Pauliks joined ETM as Director of Programs in July 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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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 comes to ETM 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 a mentor to a New York City teen through the Mentoring USA program.
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Chris Marolf has served as Field Supervisor since 2005, after working as a teaching artist with ETM since 2002. He is also an active freelance musician, playing in projects ranging from Jay-Z and Beyonce to singer/songwriter Jann Klose to Chinese folk music. 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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Leah Potteiger, a part-time Field Supervisor since 2007, has been a teaching artist specializing in General Music and Strings with ETM since 2006. As a freelance violinist, Mrs. Potteiger plays in a wide variety of ensembles including the String Angels, One World Symphony, contemporary chamber ensemble alea , and with singer/songwriter Jann Klose. Her teaching career has included providing general music and instrumental ensemble instruction in both public and private schools, teaching small group classes in music theory and musicianship, and private lessons in violin, cello, piano, and voice. Mrs. Potteiger has also served as adjunct faculty for strings methods at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and has appeared as a Guest Clinician to many public schools. Mrs. Potteiger holds a Bachelor's Degree in music education and violin performance from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music where she graduated magna cum laude.
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Shanna Lesniak Whitney became a part-time Field Supervisor in 2009, having served as a teaching artist with ETM since 2003. Mrs. Whitney is also a part of Carnegie Hall's Teaching Artist Collaboration where she is currently part of the NYC Music Blueprint Project, and she has taught for organizations including the 92 St Y and Concordia College's Outreach Program. Singing since the age of two, she has been seen in musical theatre and opera roles across the country, is a member of the Actor's Equity Association and was recently seen Off-Broadway in Al Carmine's Christmas Rappings. Mrs. Whitney earned a BA in Music and Interpersonal & Organizational Communications from SUNY Geneseo and a Master's of Music from the Manhattan School of Music.
Teaching Artists (2009-10 school year)
Jason Baboryk (substitute)
Susan Berkowitz (music therapist)
Racquel Borromeo (substitute)
Jennifer Byers
Maggie Davis
Rachael Ditri
Heather Eliason
Chiara Fasi
Josh Fleischmann
Ian Kanakaris
Shanna Lesniak Whitney
Kelly Martin (substitute)
Jennifer Rose Parker-Sparks
Kathryn Phillips
Leah Potteiger
Stacey Small
Perry Smith
Ulises Solano
Philip Tambakis
Robin Kate Turman
Jeffrey Wang
Jason Baboryk moved to New York City in the summer of 2008. Originally from Grafton, Ohio, he has taught high school and middle school choir in Michigan before moving to New York. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Bowling Green State University and a Masters in Theatre from Eastern Michigan University. In addition to being a music teacher, Jason has also performed in many theatrical productions. A few of the roles he has undertaken include Rapunzel's Prince in Into the Woods, Clov in End Game, and Smudge in Forever Plaid: Plaid tidings. He has also played minor characters in Shakespeare's The Tempest and Twelfth Night. While Jason moved to NYC to pursue an acting career, he loves teaching and hopes that his educational career continues to evolve as well. You can see photos, hear sound clips, and read more about Jason at www.JasonBaboryk.com.
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Susan Berkowitz has served as a Music Therapist specializing in children with special needs since October 2007. She also has worked with adults in medical, mental-health and hospice settings. Ms. Berkowitz studied music at Mannes College and received her MA in Music Therapy from New York University and national certification (MT-BC) from the Certification Board of Music Therapists. She performs on flute with the Riverside Orchestra and the improvisational drama group, Village Playback Theatre.
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Racquel Borromeo has served as an ETM Teaching Artist since 2006. She is a graduate of Manhattan School of Music with a piano performance degree. Racquel started formal piano lessons at the age of 10 in the Philippines. The Philippine Government accepted her to be a Scholar of the Philippines at age 11. Her piano career has taken her to perform and compete across the U.S., the Philippines, Japan, Russia, and Italy for various recitals as well as national and international competitions. She continues to be one of the highest ranked performers, consistently winning first and second places in competitions. Shea has a passion for teaching theory and history. Racquel has taught in James Bowie High School in Texas, P.S. 34, Children's Storefront, the Bronx School of Music and Art, and St. Brendan's School of Music. She also teaches private piano lessons.
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Jennifer Byers has served as a teaching artist specializing in Strings since 03/2008. She is a member of the Byers Family Trio which has performed at Merkin Hall and Steinway Hall. A composer, she has worked with luminaries such as Edward Albee, Adrienne Kennedy, and resided as composer in residence at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. She has performed as a cellist in a variety of venues nationally and internationally with places as contrasting as Johannesburg, South Africa and Herrnhaag, Germany. Her four children all taught by her play instruments as varied as flute, saxophone, violin, piano and guitar. She has taught in schools in the New York City area such as LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Urban Assembly for the Performing Arts. Jennifer Byers holds a Bachelor of Music Performance from the North Carolina School of the Arts.
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Maggie Davis is very happy to be a new member of ETM's teaching staff this year as the PreK-2nd grade general music teacher at P.S. 3 in Brooklyn. She is also currently building a new music program at The Academy of St. Joseph in Manhattan's West Village. Highlights in her performance career include an understudy role working with personnel of the Chicago Lyric Opera in the world premier of the 20th-century opera "Ruth" in 2002. She has been a soprano soloist with both symphony orchestras and choral ensembles and sung abroad in the Czech Republic, Prague, and Germany, and is the recipient of a NATS regional award as well as a National Scholarship in musical theater from AMDA. Her studies in the classical canon at the Eastman School of Music in tandem with her Musical Theater studies at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy make Maggie a versatile artist. She holds a BA in voice from SUNY Geneseo and is nearing completion of her MA in Music Education at CUNY Hunter College. Trained in Kodaly at NYU, Maggie has been a teacher of general music in New York City's charter and private schools for one year, and has coached private vocal lessons since 2002.
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Heather Eliason is pleased to have joined Education Through Music as a Teaching Artist in September 2008. She began her teaching career in 2005 and has taught general music and chorus as well as beginning band and keyboarding in both Seattle and New York City. While earning her Bachelor's degree in Broad Area Music Education from Central Washington University, Heather performed throughout the Pacific Northwest as part of the university's Chamber Choir, Vocal Jazz ensemble, Symphonic and Stage Bands. MS. Eliason is currently studying the bass and working to build her private studio in Brooklyn.
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Josh Fleischmann is a drummer and percussionist, fluent in many styles of music. He has been playing for 20 years, and performing professionally for fifteen years. Josh holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from The University of Massachusetts, Lowell, and is a Certified Teacher in Massachusetts and New York. Josh has studied with Randy Kaye (Jimmy Giuffre, Jimi Hendrix), Fred Buda (Boston Pops), Jeffrey Fischer (Boston Ballet), and Bob Gulotti (The Fringe). Josh currently performs with singers/songwriters Shilpa Ray, Richard McGraw, Siwat Titiwatanna, Alistair Sim, Stan Pyrzanowski, and The Vontons. As a member of the rock band KAPOW!, Josh recently toured the East Coast supporting The Fiery Furnaces. KAPOW! also had the honor of supporting The Arctic Monkeys at the Bowery Ballroom. Josh has shared the stage with jazz musician David Amram, bassist Les Claypool, and pianist Pete Drungle. In 2004, Josh performed for the National Education Association/Black Caucus luncheon and rally at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, MA, where he met President Elect Barack Obama. In addition to performing, Josh has taught private music lessons for the past ten years. Josh has also taught General Music, Percussion Ensemble and Chorus at Public Middle Schools in Massachusetts and in The Bronx, NY.
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Jennifer Rose Parker-Sparks joined ETM in 2008. As a teaching artist, Jennifer also works with the Metropolitan Opera Guild. She has a Master of Music degree in choral conducting from Boston University where she studied with Dr. Anne Howard Jones. As part of her graduate studies, Jennifer traveled to Italy and Norway to study conducting and choral music. As a conductor, Jennifer has worked with the Boston University Concert Chorus and Women's Chorale and for two years as Assistant Conductor at the United Parish in Brookline, MA. Jennifer is a trained soprano with a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance, also from Boston University.
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Kathryn Phillips is thrilled to join the stellar team of teaching artists at ETM for the 2009-10 school year! After spending her childhood in the Chicago suburbs and receiving her Bachelor of Music Education from Wartburg College in Iowa, she decided to make the leap from the Midwest to NYC and hasn’t looked back. As general music teacher at P.S. 43, Kate has a blast every day exploring the world of music with Pre-K through 5th grade students. When she’s not at school or preparing lessons or creating bulletin boards (being a teacher is hard work!), she enjoys running, discovering new musical theatre, and taking advantage of the myriad cultural opportunities this city has to offer!
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Stacey Small holds an Associates Degree in the Performing Arts from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and a BA from the New School University. She works full time for ETM teaching grades K-5 general music, keyboards, recorders, and chorus. She is also a Head Afterschool Counselor at the Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy. Stacey also works with Ahtik Studio Production, Inc. as a songwriter and producer. In addition to her contributions to several other artists' albums, she has recently been signed by Ahtik as a recording artist, and is currently working on her debut album. In her spare time Stacey enjoys cooking, reading, hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
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Ulises Solano has been a Teaching Artist with ETM since 2007, when he moved to New York City from Indiana. He is a native of Costa Rica, where he started his artistic endeavors at the tender age of nine years old. His training began at Conservatory of Castella in Costa Rica with maestro Danilo Chavez. He later studied at Universidad Nacional with soprano Amelia Barquero. Ulises moved to the United States to sing and study at California State University with Gwen Curatilo and William Ramsey. He earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Vocal Performance from Indiana University while working with Giorgio Tozzi, James McDonald, and Paul Kiesgen. He has since worked with Virginia Zeani and Alice Hopper. Critics from the Chicago Tribune have escribed his singing as ardent, passionate, a clear clarion tenor coupled with an array of color and poignancy. Equally comfortable in traditional and modern musical idioms, Ulises has sung a wide range of repertory in many different languages. His singing career has taken him to Venezuela, most of Central America, Hungary, Austria, the Philippines and many cities in the United States. Opera roles include Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly; the Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto; Der Narr in Wozzeck; Leon in Il signor Deluso; Ernesto in Don Pasquale; Hoffmann in Les contes de Hoffmann; Lun-Tha in The King and I; the Duende in Piazzolla's Maria de Buenos Aires; and Haimon, in both the world premiere in Chicago and the New York premiere, of John Eaton's Antigone. Most recently he sang the role of Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos at the Brevard Music Festival under David Efron. Most recently Ulises was guest performer for the Indiana University premier of Ainadamar, Fountain of Tears by Osvaldo Golijov under the direction of Carmen Tellez. Mr. Solano has delved into the 20th and 21th century repertory, often premiering and commissioning new works. Ulises devotes a good part of his career to performing and promoting music by living composers, among them John Eaton, Garrett Byrnes, Misha Zupko, Jeremy Rafal, and Gilbert Galindo (who has written music to Solano's own poetry). His association with Aguavá New Music Studio took him to Coolidge Hall at the Library of Congress for the world premiere of a new vocal-instrumental work by the eminent Cuban composer Aurelio de la Vega. Through Aguavá NMS, in August 2006 he was a soloist a major concert event featuring Ramirez' Misa Criolla, and Estevez' Cantata Criolla with Chicago Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus conducted by maestro Carlos Kalmar. In New York City, through Education Through Music he reaches out to hundreds of children in inner-city schools in the Bronx and Harlem. He continues to pursue creative research along with international singing activities, as a recitalist throughout the city and as cantor in Brooklyn, NY. Mr. Solano is also a poet, arranger, educator and conductor.
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Philip Tambakis has happily returned with ETM to St. Brendan's School in the Bronx. Teaching Pre-K through 8th grades, he also directs the St. Brendan's church choir, leads the congregation in song, and is an accompanist for the family mass and First Friday services. In addition, Philip now teaches 6th- 8th grades at St. Clare's school, also in the Bronx. Philip is pursuing a professional singing career in Westchester and the New York City area with Sing We Enchanted, a renaissance a cappella ensemble. He is on the roster of the New York Synagogue, which has led him to sing with Dudu Fischer under the baton of Leor Himmelstein. Philip has performed as a soloist with New York City's Cantori directed by Mark Shapiro, Richard Slade's Sound Shore Chorale, the Agnus Dei Society, as well as at Grace Congregational Church under the direction of Dr. John L. Motley. He has performed as Remendado in Carmen, and was the understudy for the lead role of Don Jose in performances with the Bronx Opera. He has also played the role of Remenado with One World Symphony, in addition to the role of Jaquino in their production of Beethoven's Fidelio. Empire Opera has had Philip in their productions of Waundel Saavedra's original works The Great Supper and The Passion, playing the roles of the Bachelor and Judas respectively. Other pursuits include the study of the Mandarin language with professor Vera Huang, Zhong Guo Chuan under Shrfu Frank DeMaria, singing in the choir of the Chinese School of Northern Westchester directed by Hui Mei Lin, and Indian classical music study with renowned sitarist Ustad Rais Khan. Love to his teachers, students, family and friends(furry and otherwise).
Who We Serve
During 2009-10, ETM's model serves:
- 11,000 children in New York City, through ETM's partnerships with 23 schools.
- 5,000 children in Los Angeles and Richmond, CA, through the work of our affiliate organizations, ETM-LA and ETM-Bay Area.
Charity Navigator gives Four Stars to ETM
Charity Navigator is America's premier independent charity evaluator. Review ETM's four star rating.
Quotes
"I feel that this program is the best thing that ever happened to our school."
-- Cheryl Coles, Principal, P.S. 68
