Staff - The People's Music School

Staff

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Alejandra Aquino, Program Coordinator

Alejandra graduated in 2020 with her Bachelors of Arts in general music with a concentration in Arts Administration from North Park University. She studied with flutist Dr. Ellen Huntington. At North Park University she was awarded an internship with The People’s Music School. In 2021, Alejandra became a coordinator at The People’s Music School. Her responsibilities have grown and is now working with SLAM honors and Albany Park as their program coordinator. In addition to the admin role, she teaches private flute classes as faculty.

Alejandra Aquino

Program Coordinator

Natalie Butler, Dean of Learning and Teaching

Natalie Butler grew up in Miami, FL and tried studying voice, violin, and cello before deciding upon the clarinet as her primary instrument.

Natalie received her Bachelors of Music Education from Florida State University and shortly thereafter moved (in the middle of winter, no less) to Chicago to begin her career as a music educator. She took a break from teaching to pursue and receive her Masters of Music from Northwestern University and later successfully completed the process to become a Nationally Board Certified Teacher in Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood Music.

Natalie spent over thirteen years teaching general music and conducting bands for students in grades pre-K-12 in the Chicago Public Schools while continuing to study clarinet privately and performing both clarinet and voice. In 2013 Natalie joined the team at The People’s Music School. Throughout her career Natalie has conducted, presented, and published her research on the national and international levels.

Natalie is honored to serve our amazing People’s community of students, families, and faculty and proud to serve alongside our dedicated staff.

Natalie Butler

Dean of Learning and Teaching

Kathryn Cederborg

Originally from Northern California, Kathryn is a clarinetist, flutist, saxophonist, and teacher currently working and performing throughout the Chicago area.
Her love for teaching and mentoring students of all levels emerged through a college internship with The People’s Music School – where she currently resides as the Program Coordinator for Uptown Academy, as well as a teaching artist in music theory, clarinet, and the Transform wind ensemble director at the Albany Park site. Additionally, she is an Instructor of Applied Woodwinds at South Suburban College in South Holland, IL.

In 2020, Kathryn completed a Master’s of Music in Clarinet Performance at Baylor University, where she studied with Jun Qian and Richard Shanley. She earned a Bachelor’s of Music Education with a certificate in Music for Social Change in 2017 at North Park University, studying with Ralph Wilder.

Kathryn currently lives in Chicago with her guinea pig, Peach. She enjoys running along Lake Michigan, and attending live concerts throughout the city.”

Kathryn Cederborg

Program Coordinator

Cortina Comer-Brooks

Cortina was born in Madison WI. She loves all forms of art, and has worked with children since age twelve. “I think it’s truly my calling,” she says. Cortina has four beautiful children of her own.

Cortina Comer-Brooks

Student Reception Coordinator

Kelly Dennis, Senior Manager of Student Data and Systems

Kelly Dennis is a Chicago-land freelancer, music educator, and non-profit administrator who specializes in data analysis.

Kelly has been a lifelong musician and grew up playing the trumpet and piano. She studied trumpet at DePaul University School of Music and went on to pursue her masters in non-profit management at Roosevelt University. Kelly believes that music education should be accessible to all and is passionate about creating equity and inclusion in the music industry.

Kelly Dennis

Senior Manager of Student Data & Systems

Ellie DePastino, Marketing, Communications, and Events Manager

Ellie’s has wide-reaching experience in non-profit work, having worked as a marketing and media manager with several nonprofits local to her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. A lifelong musician, Ellie grew up playing the violin and piano. She studied violin at The College of Wooster in Ohio, where she received her B.A. in History and was awarded the Daniel and Clarice Parmelee Endowed Prize Fund for excellence in the Wooster Symphony Orchestra. Over the years, she taught violin and piano lessons out of her home and at the British International School in Lincoln Park. Ellie believes in the power of digital storytelling and its unique ability to bring individuals and communities together.

Ellie DePastino

Marketing, Communications, and Events Manager

Jessica Esteves, HR Associate

Jessica Esteves is HR Associate at The People’s Music School.

Jessica Esteves

Human Resources Manager

Ariel Garcia, Community Manager

Ariel Garcia was born and raised in Chicago’s La Villita neighborhood where at the tender age of eight, he began his formal training on the violin. Ariel holds degrees from the DePaul University School of Music, the University of Nebraska, and is a doctoral candidate at the University of Wisconsin. He has had extensive performance experience with orchestras such as the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and the Madison Symphony Orchestra. Ariel is also an avid chamber musician. He is a founding member of the Music of the Americas Ensemble (MAE), a Chicago based ensemble consisting of classically trained Latino musicians from all over the Americas.

Ariel Garcia

Program Manager, Back of the Yards

Caro Granner, Uptown Academy Program Associate

Caro Granner (she/her) is a musician living in Chicago. She graduated from Lawrence University with a degree in theatre, where she fell in love with music, movement, improvisation, and building creative community. As an educator and creative partner, she has worked with Girls Rock! Chicago, etc. Music School, Harbor House, and Bach to Rock, and is thrilled to be at TPMS! As a singer-songwriter, she makes and releases indie folk music (but her first love is choral singing.) As a person, she loves reading essays and watching every TV show imaginable.

Caro Granner

Program Associate, Uptown Academy

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Elena Grijalva, Greater South Side Program Manager

Originally from Southern California, Elena Grijalva is a Latinx trombonist who teaches and freelances in Chicago.

She has held positions such as the Academy of Music Performance Coordinator with the Chicago Philharmonic, Artistic and Production Assistant for the Grant Park Music Festival and Program Coordinator for the Chicago Metamorphosis Orchestra Project. Working with these organizations has led Elena to have a passion for music administration. Being a Program Manager for the The People’s Music School has furthered her growth and dedication to create impassioned communities through the joy of music. Elena holds a Master of Music degree in Performance from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and a Bachelor of Music degree in Performance from Lawrence University’s Conservatory of Music. Elena has participated in summer programs such as the Philadelphia International Music Festival, where she received the Young Artists in Residency Award, and Aspen Music Festival and School. She enjoys playing a wide range of genres and has showcased that in her first album entitled MOSAICO; which was released in October of 2020.

Elena Grijalva

Program Manager, Greater South Side

Kasia Johnson, Director of Finance, HR, and Administration

Kasia Johnson, Director of Finance, HR, and Administration, believes arts and arts education make for a happier, well-rounded society.

A performer her whole life, Kasia had an active freelance career as a violist in Chicago, performing with various orchestras including the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, the Lake Forest Symphony and the Chicago Philharmonic and chamber groups including Artistrings and Meritage Ensemble. Prior to joining TPMS, Kasia was the Chief Operating Officer for the mid-size Chicago law firm of HMB Legal Counsel. Kasia received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Michigan and her Masters of Music degree from Northern Illinois University, where she studied with Richard Young and the Vermeer Quartet.

Kasia Johnson

Chief Financial Officer

Chelsey Jones, Institutional Giving Manager

Chelsey Jones Bazuro, Institutional Giving Manager at The People’s Music School, brings to her role a passion for institutional grant writing, and arts advocacy. Chelsey has worked previously as a writer for Grenzebach Glier and Associates, a philanthropy consultancy firm, as well as the Corporate Giving Manager for ONETrack International, a child welfare nonprofit dedicated to home reunification. A lifelong musician and vocalist, Chelsey graduated from Berklee College of Music. Chelsey holds a master’s degree from the Universita di Bologna, specializing in arts and cultural heritage management, from which she graduated with full honors and publication by Carnegie Mellon University. Before relocating to the United States Chelsey lived in Italy for nearly five years, an experience from which she gained fluency in the Italian language as well as a passion for cultural diversity and the rights of immigrants.

Chelsey Jones

Institutional Giving Manager

Jack Kartsotis, Program Coordinator

With a passion for all kinds of music, Jack Kartsotis is a clarinetist with a diverse portfolio of performance experience. Originally from Dallas Texas, Jack’s musical background, ranging from full orchestras and wind ensembles, to chamber music and solo recitals, has served him in becoming a versatile performer as well as educator.

Jack currently holds the position of 2nd clarinetist with the Owensboro Symphony in Kentucky, and lives in Chicago, Illinois where he is a Teaching Artist and Program Coordinator at The People’s Music School.

Jack earned degrees in clarinet performance from the University of North Texas and Indiana University.

Jack Kartsotis

Program Coordinator

Grecia Landin, Program Manager, Albany Park

Grecia Landin is a native to Chicago, with a bachelors in Music Education. She is a woodwind player, and has been teaching for nine years in public and private schools in the US and Internationally.

Grecia is the Program Manager for Hibbard Elementary School in Albany Park. She strives to cultivate a positive learning environment for students that will allow them to be creative and awake to the beauty in the world through music. She is honored to be a part of The People’s Music School and represent her Mexican heritage for the community of Albany Park. Grecia enjoys reading, dancing, bubble tea, being in nature and traveling.

Grecia Landin

Program Manager, Albany Park

Stephanie Londoño, Uptown Academy Program Manager

Stephanie Londoño is Program Manager for The People’s Music School at Uptown Academy.

Stephanie Londoño

Program Manager, Uptown Academy

Miriam Goldberg Owens, President & Chief Executive Officer

Miriam Goldberg Owens, President & Chief Executive Officer, has served on the organization’s leadership team since August 2021, joining as Chief Operating Officer. She became Chief of Development and Operations in April 2022, expanding the organization’s fundraising footprint while driving operational improvements.

Owens enters the role with a wealth of senior leadership experience in the social and private sectors. Her career roots are in driving equitable outcomes in public education: she was a 5th grade science teacher in Brooklyn with Teach for America and a Program Manager at Raise Your Hand Texas, an education advocacy organization. Prior to joining The People’s Music School, Owens was a consultant at McKinsey and Company for eight years, where she was an Associate Partner. A leader in the firm’s Organization practice, Owens served clients in areas including strategic planning, large-scale reorganization, talent management transformations, and inclusion and diversity.

A native Texan and proud Latina, Owens is also a lifelong musician. She studied piano from grades K-12, and at Harvard spent four years in the women’s a cappella group The Radcliffe Pitches, serving as Music Director and Stage Manager. She is currently the lead singer in the rock cover band Model-J. She holds an AB from Harvard University, an MS in Education from Teacher U at Hunter College (now Relay Graduate School of Education), and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Miriam Goldberg Owens

President & Chief Executive Officer

Jennifer Riskind, Director of Individual Giving

As Director of Individual Giving, Jennifer is responsible for planning, managing, and implementing the strategic plan and driving all contributed income from individual donors. Jennifer brings over 20 years of experience in the Chicago philanthropic and nonprofit management sectors. Prior to joining The People’s Music School, she served as the lead development professional for a number of Chicago-area nonprofit agencies including the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy, Accelerate Institute, Gads Hill Center, the Infant Welfare Society of Evanston, Project Exploration, and Circle Family Care. Jennifer began her fundraising career as a grant writer at the Heartland Alliance. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, from the University of Minnesota and trained at the famed Guthrie Theater, working as a classical stage actor in Minneapolis and Chicago before segueing her career into philanthropy. Jennifer is a longtime member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. As a volunteer leader, Jennifer has served on several nonprofit boards, including Mount Sinai Medical Institute Council and the Anti-Cruelty Society. In her role at TPMS combine her passions for the arts, education and philanthropy.

Jennifer Riskind

Director of Individual Giving

Megan Robbins, Sr Manager of Learning and Teaching

Megan is passionately committed to sharing her love of music with young people through her work as a teaching artist and Senior Manager of Curriculum Support. Before joining The People’s Music School, Megan completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Northwestern University and held the position of principal oboist of the Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Megan Robbins

Senior Manager of Learning and Teaching

David Sands, Sr Manager of Artistic Engagement

A native of Aurora, IL, David Sands began his cello studies at age 10. After graduating from DePaul University in 2014, he became a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, where he sat as assistant principal and was a teaching artist for CSO Connect. David returned to DePaul University to earn his Master’s degree and now serves as an adjunct faculty member for the Music Education Department.

As a recording artist, David has participated in select studio work for the film Chi-raq and accredited to the track Mama from the hit TV show Empire. He has appeared on the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s contemporary chamber music series MusicNOW and was a featured soloist and chamber musician for The Line-Up at Wrigley Field. Recently David was also featured in Chicago Fringe Opera’s micro-opera series A City of Works.

David has served as a clinician of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and led masterclasses at DePaul and North Park University. His private students have performed on WFMT’s Introductions and participate in vigorous programs such asThe National Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, The Chicago Chamber Music Festival, and the inaugural cohort of The Chicago Music Pathways Initiative.

David serves as a teaching artist and senior manager at The People’s Music School of Chicago, a non-profit that brings free music education to over 800 children in Chicago. In his spare time, David can be found baking or singing barbershop quartets with himself.

David Sands

Senior Manager of Artistic Engagement

Michael Thompson, Instrument Inventory Coordinator

Clarinetist Michael Thompson currently serves as The People’s Music School’s Instrument Inventory Coordinator and as a clarinet faculty member. As a freelance performer and teacher in the Chicago area, Michael eagerly seeks out opportunities to share his music with audiences and students alike.

Though having grown up in Petersburg, KY, Michael has been a member of groups nationwide, including the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the University of North Texas Wind Symphony, the Fillmore Wind Band, and the Hot Springs Festival Orchestra.

As a finalist in the 2019 George Papich Chamber Music Competition Competition, participant in the 2020 Fresh Inc contemporary music festival, and member of several international chamber music collaborations, Michael has had an equally varied career in small ensembles and solo performance.

With interests stretching outside of the realm of western classical music, Michael performed for two years with the UNT Chinese Music Ensemble, playing dizi (bamboo flutes), sheng, and Beijing Opera-style percussion.

Not only an accomplished performer, Michael served as an Undergraduate Research Fellow at the University of North Texas and received Second Prize in the 2019 North Texas Music Entrepreneurship Competition. He received his Bachelor of Music and minor in Spanish from the University of North Texas and Master of Music from DePaul University.

Michael Thompson

Development Coordinator

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Felipe Tobar, Learning and Teaching Associate

“Creativity is connected to the core of the arts, and it is a very important part of what inspires humanity to create objects, machines and solve practical problems.”

“Great ideas are born and developed through a creative process, and incorporating improvisation from early stages of music education can help students to develop that creativity. Playing and learning diverse repertoire can be a great way to engage with the students, when they see themselves represented and they identify with the composer, music can be more accessible for them.”

Felipe Tobar

Learning and Teaching Associate

Marc Wilson, Chief of Strategy and Partnerships

Marc Wilson, JD, Chief of Strategy and Partnerships, has a long history and knowledge of educational initiatives and comes from the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools where he functioned as their Senior Director of Strategy and Operations, Legal Counsel. At Partnership, Marc collaborated closely with school principals, partner organizations and community leaders to develop and execute creative strategies and implement innovative systems to support school transformation. Marc also helped lead the organization’s policy advocacy on several key priorities, including a successful campaign for a more equitable district funding formula. Before joining Partnership, Marc spent nine years as an attorney in private practice at Latham & Watkins and Paramount Pictures, where his experience spanned from environmental law and policy to the international distribution of motion pictures.

Marc Wilson

Chief of Strategy and Partnerships