Who We Are
Our mission to make music a part of every child's education is achieved through the collaborative efforts of ETM's:
Eldon C. Mayer, Jr.
Edmund R. Schroeder
Michael R. Schaefer, Chairman
Emily H. Susskind, Vice-Chair
Robert A. Weisstuch, Vice-Chair
Katherine D. Elliott, Treasurer
Edmund R. Schroeder, Chairman Emeritus
Richard P. Davies
Rick Dobbis
Afsar Farman-Farmaian
Jennifer M. Goff
Victor J. Goldberg
Heather A. Hanssen
Karen M. Karlsrud
Mara L. Klein
Anthony Lo Cicero
Andrew J. Malik
Joseph F. McDonald
Nancy P. Northern
Edward J. Petner
Nader H. Salehi
David E. Stiepleman
Candace Wainwright
Michael R. Schaefer (Chairman): Managing Director, Citigroup Global Markets, Futures Dept. Former Chairman, National Futures Association (presently a member of the Exec Committee).
Return to Board List
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.
Return to Board List
Robert A. Weisstuch (Vice-Chair): Senior VP & CIO, HIT Entertainment. Former COO and CIO, Riot Media. Former Partner, Accenture. BS, Lehigh University.
Return to Board List
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.
Return to Board List
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.
Return to Board List
Richard P. Davies: Assistant General Counsel, Corporate & Compliance, Avon Products, Inc.
Return to Board List
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
Afsar Farman-Farmaian: Fmr Managing Director, PineBridge Investments, Capital Recovery Group. JD, Harvard Law School, AB, Princeton University.
Return to Board List
Jennifer M. Goff: Operations Analyst, Greenlight Capital. Board member, Partial Comfort Productions. BA, University of Texas at Austin.
Return to Board List
Victor J. Goldberg: Retired Corp. VP, IBM. Trustee, Inst. of Intl Educ. Trustee, Intl Fellowship Prog. (Ford Foundation initiative). Trustee, Scarsdale Foundation. Member, Westchester County Fair Campaign Practices Committee.
Return to Board List
Heather A. Hanssen: Consultant, Marketing & Business Development. Formerly with Sesame Workshop. Board member, The Brownstone School. BA, Binghamton University.
Return to Board List
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.
Return to Board List
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.
Return to Board List
Anthony F. Lo Cicero: Attorney. Partner, Amster Rothstein & Ebenstein, LLP. Litigator, Intellectual Property Law. Frequent lecturer. BS, Polytechnic Univ. JD, Brooklyn Law School.
Return to Board List
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.
Return to Board List
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.
Return to Board List
Nancy P. Northern: VP Project Manager Chase Mortgage Bank. Board member, Vernon Multi-Purpose Ctr. MBA (Marketing IB), Fordham Univ. BS, Univ. of Maryland.
Return to Board List
Edward J. Petner: President, Petner Asset Management. Formerly with Lynch & Mayer. MBA, Wharton Schl of Business. BA, Duquesne Univ.
Return to Board List
Nader H. Salehi: Partner, Bingham McCutchen. Securities regulatory and enforcement defense. JD and MBA, Univ. of Richmond. BA, Univ. of Virginia.
Return to Board List
David E. Stiepleman: Chief Operating Officer, TPG Opportunities Partners. BA, Amherst College; JD, Columbia.
Return to Board List
Candace Wainwright: Formerly with Expeditionary Learning Services, holding positions including Director of Development, Director of Personnel, and Director of Human Resources. Former Co-Owner, Better Bookstore Consultants and Traveller's Bookstore. BA, Smith College.
Return to Board List
Joshua Bell
The 5 Browns
Misha Dichter
Peter Flanigan
Marilyn Horne
Jane Remer
Thomas Sobol
Harold Tanner
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)
Return to Advisory Committee
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)
Return to Advisory Committee
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)
Return to Advisory Committee
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)
Return to Advisory Committee
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.
Return to Advisory Committee
Staff
Katherine Damkohler, Executive Director
Rainah Berlowitz, Director of Operations
Erica Bilko, Business Manager
Katherine Canning, Director of Development & Program Evaluation
Angela Morrissey, Communications and Events Manager
Kristen Pappas, Evaluation Associate
Dominique Salerno, Development Associate
Bridget Wright, Development Associate
Peter Pauliks, Director of Programs
Meryl Cullom, Field Supervisor
Nicholas LaFleur, Assistant Program Director
Chris Marolf, Professional Development and Consulting Specialist
Allison Mickelson, 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 member of the Arts Education Council of Americans for the Arts, and National Advisory Board of Arts|Learning. Ms. Damkohler holds an M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Return to staff list
Rainah Berlowitz serves as Director of Operations. He received an A.B. in English from Princeton University, came to ETM in 1997 through the Princeton AlumniCorps' Project 55 Fellowship Program, and 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. Rainah also plays guitar.
Return to staff list
Erica Bilko serves as Business Manager. After graduating from Marymount Manhattan College in 2005 with a BA in Humanities and Art History, Ms. Bilko worked in the fiscal office at the Reform Pension Board, a Manhattan-based nonprofit, before coming to ETM in 2008. In 2010, she received certification as a Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP) from Fiscal Management Associates.
Return to staff list
Katherine Canning serves as Director of Development and 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.
Return to staff list
Angela Morrissey serves as Communications and Events Manager. After receiving a BA in Communications from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 2000, she moved to NYC and began her career in communications and marketing. She comes to ETM after working at City Harvest within food donations and marketing; followed by the TGL Foundation where she served as the Director of Marketing and Special Events for seven years. She joined ETM in 2010.
Return to staff list
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.
Return to staff list
Dominique Salerno serves as Development Associate. She graduated from Princeton University in 2010 with a degree in Religion and a certificate in Theater. She has been pursuing professional acting and vocal training for the past 10 years. While at Princeton, she performed in a variety of styles including: straight plays, Shakespearian productions, improvisational comedy, musical theater, and opera. She joined the ETM team in 2010 through the Princeton AlumniCorps' Project 55 Fellowship Program.
Return to staff list
Bridget Wright serves as Development Associate. She is a 2011 graduate of Princeton University where she received an A.B. in Art and Archaeology with certificates in American Studies and Dance. Bridget has completed internships at several arts organizations, including Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and the Princeton University Art Museum. She joins ETM as a 2011-2012 fellow through the Princeton AlumniCorps' Project 55 Fellowship Program.
Return to staff list
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.
Return to staff list
Meryl Cullom joined ETM as a Field Supervisor in 2011. Meryl is a singer, actress, composer, and Arts Educator. 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.
Return to staff list
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.
Return to staff list
Chris Marolf serves as Professional Development and 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.
Return to staff list
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.
Return to staff list
ETM Music Teachers (2011-12 school year)
STEFAN BENKOWSKI, originally hailing from Wisconsin, 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 is currently completing his internship in palliative care music therapy at Calvary Hospital and working for the music/art therapy program Heartsong. 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.
JENNIFER BYERS studied at the North Carolina School of the Arts where she earned a bachelor's degree with composer Sherwood Shaffer and cellist Robert Marsh. Her compositional works include orchestral, chamber, and vocal works, instrumental sonatas, instructional children's music, and adaptations of traditional music from Italy, Africa, China, and Native America. A member of ASCAP, she has earned numerous awards for her music and is regularly sought after as a solo cellist. The South African orchestra "Muse Africa Muse" invited Jennifer to perform her adaptations of traditional South African music at the 1992 Investiture Ceremony of Dr. Walter Sisulu. She has also worked with playwright Edward Albee, re-conceiving and performing her solo cello score in "Sandbox," based on the works of composer William Flanagan. Jennifer has always enjoyed teaching and finds working in urban schools particularly fulfilling.
DIANA DiFILIPPI FOX is a certified public school teacher from Long Island New York. She received her Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Five Towns College in May 2009. Diana has a deep passion for teaching and sharing music both inside and outside the classroom. Diana is a flautist, pianist, and singer. During college Diana was an active member of the Five Towns Pit Orchestra, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and served as her section's principal flautist. She has also performed in Alice Tully Hall, the Heckscher Museum of Art, and with the Leon Lacey Gospel Orchestra. Diana is also pursuing a career as a solo artist, and in 2010 she released her first solo album "Diary." She performs in the tri-state area and teaches privately at All Music in Plainview, New York.
CHRIS DILLON is a certified music teacher from Charleston, West Virginia. He received his Bachelors of Science in Education from WV State University and is Orff Level I certified through the University of Kentucky. Chris has been teaching private saxophone, voice, and piano for ten years and teaching public school for three. He has performed as a saxophonist and singer in many capacities including various pit orchestras, collegiate and professional jazz and wind ensembles, as well as on the stage itself. Chris has had the opportunity to perform in several states as well as Vienna, Austria. Chris is looking forward to the 2011-2012 school year and is thrilled to be teaching for ETM!
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.
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.
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.
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.
MARGARET MICUCCI is a certified PK-12 Music Teacher from Long Island, New York. Margaret received her Masters of the Arts in Music Education from New York University in 2011. She received her BMUS in Music Education at Manhattanville College, where received the Branceleone Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Vocal Performance. Margaret is also the recipient of the John E. French Award for Future in the Arts, and the TenHaagen Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Theatrical performance, for which she now serves as a board member. Bringing music education into the lives of young people will always be her passion.
NATALIE R. PERKINS originally hails from Indianapolis, IN where she taught high school choir, musical theatre, music theory and history, and piano. She received her BME from Indiana University where she also started the university's first contemporary women's a cappella group, which is still going strong. She moved to New York to pursue a career in Musical Theatre and teaches a variety of subjects all over the five boroughs, including music directing middle school musicals in Brooklyn and classroom management to teachers in the Bronx. She also teaches voice privately. In her "spare" time writes and produces her own cabaret shows.
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.
LEAH POTTEIGERhas played violin since the tender age of three. As the daughter of a music educator, she spent her formative years immersed in music, eventually going on to major in violin performance and music education at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. As a music educator, Leah has experience with general music for all ages, string orchestra, and music theory for ages 3 and up. She particularly enjoys working with children in New York City Public Schools, where the students are both enthusiastic and challenging. Her many years of professional experience include performances with Josh Groban and Mannheim Steamroller. Her active performance schedule currently includes singer-songwriter Jann Klose, the One World Symphony, the String Angels, and the chamber ensemble Alea.
JESSICA PUNCHATZ graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fl, where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, with vocal and piano emphasis, as well as a Minor in Theater Arts. While at the University of Miami, Jessica was invited to sing in the summer 2009 Mozart Festival in Salzburg, Austria. She has worked with esteemed conductors such as John Williams, Jo-Michael Scheibe, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Helmut Riling. She has worked with Nickelodeon and Music Theatre International in the production and workshops of upcoming musicals for middle schools and high schools. Jessica premiered as the character "Jaimie" as the friend of the Sesame Street muppets and monsters in the touring show. Previous to teaching with Education Through Music, Jessica taught elementary general music and chorus in Greenwich, CT and high school piano, jazz band and chorus in Miami, FL.
An avid music educator and string pedagogue, EDMUNDO RAMÍREZ 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.
MALLORY RIVERA is a certified PK-12 Music Teacher from Long Island, New York. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a vocal and general music emphasis from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY. During her time at Nazareth, Mallory was a member of Chamber Choir, participated in various shows and performances, and was an active member of MENC. Mallory is thrilled to be returning to ETM for her second year.
MELISSA SALGUERO is a certified K-12 music educator. She received her Bachelor of Music Education Degree from The University of South Florida in May 2009. Melissa has performed across the United States with the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps. In college, she performed with the Wind Ensemble, Tuba Euphonium Ensemble, and served as Drum Major of the USF Marching band. After graduating, Melissa was the Band director at Martienez Middle School in Lutz, Fl. She moved to NY after getting married in June 2010. Currently Melissa teaches private lessons in NYC and performs with the Hudson Valley Wind Ensemble.
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.
TIM SOBOLEWSKI is a New York State certified K-12 music educator. He received his degree in music education from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam where he studied trombone under Dr. Mark Hartman. While at Crane he participated in the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and Trombone Ensembles. Tim is an active musician and gives lessons to students throughout the Long Island area. Tim teaches 4th and 5th grade general music and is the 5th grade band director at P.S. 121 in the Bronx and is very excited to be a part of the staff at Education Through Music.
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.
CHELSEA STERN is a New York State certified music teacher from Long Island. She received her bachelor's in music from Stony Brook University where she studied violin and vocal performance. At Stony Brook, she performed with the university orchestra and was the director of the schools female a capella group. After graduating from Stony Brook, she attended Five Towns College where she studied music education and performed with the string orchestra and pit orchestra. Chelsea teaches private lessons and has worked as a musical director and accompanist for an elementary after school musical theatre program. She teaches orchestra for ETM at P.S. 182 and continues to teach privately on Long Island.
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.
ROGER VOSS is a certified K-12 music educator from Monroe, NY. He received a B.S. in Jazz Studies from SUNY New Paltz and a M.S. in Music Education from Queens College. Prior to his work with ETM, Roger was the Band Director and Assistant Jazz Band Director at Goshen Intermediate School in Goshen, NY. Also a percussionist, he teaches private percussion lessons in the Orange County, NY. Roger's own teachers have included world renowned drummers Joe Morello, John Riley, and Gary Chaffee, and he has toured the US and Europe with guitarist Todd Wolfe (former guitarist for Grammy winning artist Sheryl Crow).
DARRYL YOKLEY, originally from California, is an active classical and jazz saxophonist in the New York/Philadelphia area. In addition to his performance career, Darryl enjoys an active and successful teaching career which has included positions at the Westminster Conservatory, the Albert Conservatory of Philadelphia, the Community Conservatory of Music in Doylestown, PA, and adjunct professor of saxophone at West Chester University. Darryl has also been a clinician at the Wolverine Band Camp and at schools in Detroit and Maryland. Darryl received his Bachelors Degree in Music Performance from Duquesne University in 2003 and his Masters in Music Performance from Michigan State in 2006.
School-employed Music Teachers (2011-12 school year)
Ahmed Abdullah
Tanisha Campbell
Thomas Conti
Sue Kamer
Jessica Parr
Kate Phillips
Jacqueline Pouncie
Fay Watson
Who We Serve
During 2011-12, ETM's model serves:
- 13,000 children in New York City, through ETM's partnerships with 25 schools.
- 8,000 children in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, through the work of ETM-LA and ETM-Bay Area, two organizations which we have licensed to replicate our model.
Quotes
- "I learned how to identify instruments by sound."-Partner school student
