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Kyla Pitts-Zevin, Executive Director
Kyla Pitts-Zevin has spent the past decade advocating for and serving children and families. A bilingual Spanish speaker, Kyla has a background in program leadership and fundraising. Kyla served as the NECC's Development Director from 2018-2021 and stepped into the Executive Director's role in July 2021. She holds a Masters in Public Administration from Arkansas State University, a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University, and a Bachelors in Human Development & Social Relations and Spanish from Earlham College.
Julie Youngers, Development Director
Julie Youngers is excited to join the Northeast Community Center team as Development Director! Originally from Kansas City, Julie holds a Master of Social Work degree with a macro concentration from KU and a degree in psychology from Mizzou. Julie has a background in non-profit fundraising and was HPKC’s very first intern in 2016! She loves music and learned to play the piano, violin, and flute growing up. In her free time, Julie loves to read, dance, bake, and travel.
Sherronda Spriggs, Office Manager
Sherronda Spriggs is an experienced administrator with expertise in process improvement who has a heart for children and music. Sherronda served as a liaison through a community partner for three years before officially joining the NECC team. Sherronda believes music has the ability to transcend barriers, linking all things present, past and future. She enjoys jewelry making, gardening and extreme thrill adventures. She is a mother to a beautiful young lady and they live by this motto: “We leave all people, places, and things better than we found them.”
James Westbrook, Artistic Program Manager
James Westbrook is a teacher, performer, and Kansas City native. With over ten years of teaching experience, he is dedicated to providing quality music education to learners of all ages. James has performed works from both the classical and contemporary canon. He holds degrees in clarinet performance and music education from UMKC, the University of North Texas, and the University of Central Missouri, respectively. James is also an advocate for contemporary music and musicians and served on the Board of Directors for newEar Contemporary Chamber Ensemble.
Liz Moreland, Music Therapy and Impact Manager
Liz Moreland is a certified Music Therapist with degrees in Psychology and Music Therapy from UMKC and an MBA in Arts Innovation through the Global Leaders Institute. Before her role as Music Therapy and Impact Manager, Liz served as a violin and viola Teaching Artist, as well as an accompanist, at HPKC for several years. She plays 6 instruments including accordion, piano, violin, viola, guitar, and ukulele, and also loves to sing. In her free time, Liz enjoys playing volleyball and spending time in nature. She is passionate about her family, her pets, data, and making an impact on others through music.
Macyory Calderón, Supportive Services Manager
Originally from Mérida, Venezuela, Macyory Calderon has been in education for more than 18 years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Teaching Foreign Languages, a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics earned through a Fulbright Scholarship, and an Education Specialist degree in Teaching Leadership. Macyory has been recognized with an Advocacy Award for her work supporting students and families in the Latinx community. As Supportive Service Manager, she works closely with parents, schools, and community partners to help remove barriers and ensure that every child has access to the tools they need to thrive. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature, especially hiking and backpacking with her family.
Paola Cubillos, Artistic Program Coordinator
Paola Cubillos is a flutist and educator with a Doctor of Arts in Music from Ball State University. She holds an Artist Diploma and a Master of Arts in Music Performance from Ball State and Missouri State University, respectively. Her teaching experiences include positions at the Ministry of Culture in Bogotá, Ball State University, and Greenwood Laboratory School. Paola has played with various orchestras, offered masterclasses internationally, served as a guest artist and adjudicator at international festivals, and won the Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) Graduate Woodwinds Competition and Collegiate Woodwinds Ensemble Competition in 2017.
Ray Callahan, Campus Aide
Ray Callahan is originally from the Historic Northeast, and serves on the Leadership Team at Cherith Brook. He keeps the campus in working order, and assists with keeping the campus a safe environment for all of our community members. His hobbies include putting car audio equipment together, and his favorite record is "Wonder What's Next" by Chevelle.
Renard Jackson, Campus Security
Renard Jackson has worked in security for over 20 years and spent 15 years working with Commerce Bank in the Trust Department. He keeps our campus safe for our students, teachers, and families. Renard is a former member of the Marching Cobras, a father of 3, and grandfather of 7 boys! In his free time, he plays drums in the band Elevation.
Luci Gutierrez, Custodian
Luci is the NECC's longest tenured employee, with over 20 years of service! She brings light and laughter to every part of our program and keeps our campus beautiful.
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Marlena Stinnett, Program Aide
Marlena Stinnett is a sophomore at UMKC in the School of Science & Engineering. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics & Statistics. She intends to begin a career in secondary math education once her schooling is complete. She loves working with youth, crocheting, and reading!
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Yunfei Li, Program Aide
Yunfei Li is a Kansas City-based composer and violinist known for her innovative approach to blending traditional instruments with cutting-edge music technology. Inspired by nature, her compositions transform natural sounds into a unique musical language. With roots in both Eastern and Western classical traditions and influences from pop, electroacoustic, and film music, Yunfei’s versatility has led to collaborations with filmmakers, choreographers, and multimedia artists. She is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Vanessa Guillen Macias, Program Aide
Vanessa Guillen Macias is a full-time student at UMKC pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a goal of creating her own business. An alumna of HPKC, Vanessa plays the viola. Through her musical journey, Vanessa has played with the Youth Symphony, participated in Conservatory Bridges, and participated in the Missouri All State Music Festival. Her goal is to continue to share her passion for music with others.
Lizbeth Chavez, Program Aide
Lizbeth Chavez is a full-time student at Rockhurst University studying nursing with a full scholarship. She is an alumna of HPKC, playing the violin - she was part of the original class of 33 students in 2015! While at HPKC, she participated in chamber music and All-District Orchestra. Outside of classes, Lizbeth likes to read and go on walks. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career as a nurse.
Kristen Tourville, Violin Teaching Artist
Kristen Tourville is a clinician, performer, and independent fiddle, Suzuki violin, and viola teacher currently living in Blue Springs, Missouri. An Arizona transplant, she holds degrees from Vanderbilt University (BM) and Northern Arizona University (MM-violin performance/string pedagogy). Kristen has completed her long-term Suzuki training, toured with major commercial performing artists, and performed with symphonies across the Midwest & Southwest. She is a Music Mind Games Teacher Trainer and a clinician and creative workshop leader, working to engage children of all ages in cross-genre musical exploration. Kristen has taught elementary strings, violin, viola, and Music Mind Games for the School District of Clayton in Missouri, the NAU Community Music and Dance Academy, and Marshall Magnet Elementary (Flagstaff, AZ). Kristen’s other interests include gardening, jogging, hiking, camping, and adventuring with her dogs Ophir and Jack.
​Kathryn Hilger, Viola Teaching Artist
Violist Kathryn Hilger is a Kansas City based freelance musician and music educator. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Viola Performance from the UMKC Conservatory and the Cleveland Institute of Music, respectively. Kathryn serves as the Artistic Director and Principal Violist for Midwest Chamber Ensemble, and has performed with the Topeka Symphony, the Kansas City Symphony, Rock Orchestra Kansas City, the KC Queertet, and Candlelight Concerts. Kathryn has taught private lessons since age 16, began teaching for Harmony Project in 2021, and has completed the Teaching Artist Training Institute for music teachers in El Sistema-based programs. Kathryn also serves as an Artist in Residence with the Kansas City Public Schools, developing emerging orchestral programs at area high schools and middle schools. In her spare time, Kathryn enjoys spending time with her partner and their cats & dogs, reading, being in nature, and thrifting.
Larry Hernandez, Cello Teaching Artist
Larry Hernandez started playing cello at the age of 9 through his elementary school’s strings program. He earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Cello Performance from the UMKC Conservatory. As a student, he was a cellist with the UMKC Graduate Fellowship String Quartet. Larry was a prize winner in the 2020 Associazione Napolinova World Cello E-Competition and plays regularly with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. With a passion for outreach and teaching, Larry has served as a Teaching Artist with Harmony Project KC for over a decade and has done other non-profit work with Akojopo Music Foundation, a Chicago based non-profit that helps promote Pan-African music and provides musical resources to musicians living in Nigeria.
Ben Tervort, Bass Teaching Artist
Ben Tervort is a musician and recording/mixing engineer currently based in Kansas City. With an emphasis on improvised music, he has performed as a bassist throughout the Midwest with jazz artists as well as national touring acts. In addition to Jazz, he has an extensive background performing classically. He has attended the Eastern Music Festival (2017) and performed with large ensembles at the University of Kansas and University of Missouri Kansas City. Ben is also an active recording and mixing engineer and enjoys producing acoustic music.
Mitchell Reilly, Violin Teaching Artist
Mitchell Reilly began his formal training at age eight, ultimately going on to complete his Doctor of Musical Arts in Violin Performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory. During his DMA, Mitchell received a fellowship as the Orchestral Manager Graduate Teaching Assistant for the university’s symphony orchestra. He regularly performs as a substitute with the Kansas City Symphony, and plays in other local groups such as the St. Joseph Symphony and Topeka Symphony. His summers have been spent as a fellow at music festivals like Kent Blossom, EuroArts Germany, and University of North Texas Strings Institute. Mitchell is also a faculty member at the Music and Arts Institute and a private instructor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Academy/Musical Bridges program.
Jose Ramirez, Violin Teaching Artist
Jose Ramirez was born in Medellín, Colombia, where he studied at the Fe y Alegria School, the Network of Music Schools, and Iberacademy. He holds a bachelor of music in violin performance from the Conservatory of Music at Antioquia University and a masters in chamber music performance from Kent State University. Jose has worked with the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra of Colombia and the Bogotá Youth Chamber Orchestra and formed the Gabo String Quartet. He is currently pursuing a DMA in performance at University of Missouri - Kansas City.
Adee Dancy, Cello Teaching Artist
Born and raised in the Kansas City area, Adee Dancy (Sisterbot) is a multidisciplinary performing artist, constantly weaving together the many influences and teachings that have shaped their work. Adorning many hats, Adee has taken on roles as a professional cellist, music director, vocalist, composer, and actor. They have collaborated with numerous local theatrical and artistic organizations, including The Unicorn Theatre, The Arts Asylum, Charlotte Street Foundation, Midwest Chamber Ensemble, and Harmony Project KC. Their artistic identity thrives at the intersection of dynamic string writing and theatrical rock, most notably through Sisterbot- a genre-blurring project and alter ego that fuses their many disciplines.
Chung-Wen (Katy) Lee, Viola Teaching Artist
Katy Lee is an accomplished Taiwanese violist based in Kansas City, Missouri. With a passion for music that began at a young age, she received professional training in viola, piano, and the Chinese instrument zhongruan at a prestigious music elementary school in Taiwan. Katy won first prize at the 2013 Taoyuan City Music Competition and was. a semi-finalist placement at the 2025 Plowman Chamber Music Competition as the violist of the Seville String Quartet. She has served as principal violist of the Wu Ling Philharmonic, performed with the Kansas City Symphony, the Topeka Symphony Orchestra, and recorded an acclaimed album with the Midwest Chamber Ensemble. She is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Viola Performance at the University of Missouri–Kansas City, serving as the violist of the Graduate Fellowship String Quartet. Her expressive playing, musicianship, and passion for teaching continue to inspire both audiences and students.
Grace Hemmer, Sinfonia Teaching Artist
Grace Hemmer is a violinist and music educator based in Kansas City. Born in Milwaukee, WI, she began learning violin at the age of 4. Grace holds a Bachelor’s from the UMKC Conservatory and a Master’s from CU Boulder College of Music, both in Violin Performance. Currently, Grace serves as Principal 2nd for Midwest Chamber Ensemble, spending her days teaching middle school orchestra at City of Fountains School, as well as maintaining a private studio. Grace has performed with the Boulder Chamber Orchestra, Boulder Philharmonic, the Topeka Symphony, Park University, and Candlelight Concerts.
Callie Garber, Sinfonia Teaching Artist
Callie Garber is currently a middle school and high school Orchestra Director in the Kansas City Public Schools. She received her Bachelor of Music Education from Bethel College (KS) and is currently pursuing her Masters of Music Education from UMKC Conservatory. She is delighted to be part of Harmony Project KC this school year.
Rachael Berg, Intro to Orchestra Teaching Artist
Rachael was born and raised in Georgia where she received her musical training and teaching credentials. She has been playing the violin for twenty years and teaching for nearly as long. She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Georgia. Rachael was co-director of one of the largest high school orchestra programs in Georgia before switching gears to solely teaching private lessons for violin, viola, cello, and piano. Since moving to Missouri in 2018, Rachael has enjoyed playing with the KC Civic Orchestra and other local ensembles, teaching private lessons, and teaching online English lessons to children in China. When she isn’t teaching or playing she enjoys spending time with her husband and four boys. Sharing music with others has been one of the greatest joys of Rachael’s life and she is excited to be a part of the wonderful program at Harmony Project KC.
Meredith Sliter, Intro to Orchestra Teaching Artist
Meredith Sliter is an elementary orchestra teacher in Liberty, Missouri. She holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Missouri, Columbia in Music Education. While attending college, Meredith worked as a beginning orchestra teacher for the Missouri String Project for three years and also directed the Mid-Missouri Community Orchestra for their 2023-2024 cycle. Meredith is a passionate believer in music as a community building experience, and loves to share the joy of music with others.
Amber Litteken, Musicianship Teaching Artist
Amber Litteken has been teaching elementary general music in Kansas City Kansas Public
Schools for five years and is excited to bring her love of music and movement to the students of Harmony Project KC. She graduated from the University of Missouri – Kansas City with a Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature. She also completed her Orff Schulwerk certification at Baker University and Level 1 of World Music Drumming training. Amber regularly performs bassoon with Midwest Winds and Crossroads Wind Symphony. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, reading, traveling, and training aerial arts.
Cooper Haywood, Intro to Band Teaching Artist
Cooper Haywood is a first-year Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) student in Wind Conducting at the University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory. Prior to his graduate studies, Haywood served as an assistant band director in the Tupelo Public School System (Tupelo, Mississippi), where he directed the Milam Elementary Beginner Band and assisted with the high school band program. Concurrently, he was Music Director of the North Mississippi Youth Orchestra, working with young musicians across the region. He holds a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from Louisiana State University, and a Bachelor of Music Education from Mississippi State University.
Avery Southard, Intro to Band Teaching Artist
Avery Southard is a graduate student in Wind Conducting at the UMKC Conservatory. Previously, Avery taught junior high band in Lockhart, Texas, where she led the Symphonic Band and taught beginner brass classes for grades 6-8. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Instrumental Music Education from the University of Oklahoma.
Steven Collins, Concert Band Conductor
A native of Arlington, Texas, Steven Collins is a musician, educator, and conductor that believes in the power of music to transform people through beautiful growth and soul-sustaining experiences. Steven holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Master’s degree in Music Education/Wind Conducting from the University of Oklahoma, and is pursuing his Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education at the UMKC Conservatory. From 2013-2024, Steven was the Associate Director of Bands at Bixby Public Schools, where he also taught trombone lessons. As a trombonist, Steven performed in professional ensembles throughout Tulsa, including the Modern Oklahoma Jazz Orchestra, Tulsa Praise Orchestra, and Starlight Band.
Blake Hordé, Wind Ensemble Conductor
A native of Marietta, Georgia, Blake Hordé currently serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Missouri - Kansas City Conservatory, where he is actively pursuing a Master of Music Degree in Wind Conducting. Prior to his studies at UMKC, he served as a middle school and high school band director in multiple states, most recently as the Associate Director of Bands at Sebastian River High School in Sebastian, FL. Blake received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University (Columbus, GA), where his primary instrument was the clarinet. In his time at CSU, he regularly performed with the Schwob Wind Ensemble, the Schwob Philharmonic, and the Schwob Chamber Singers.
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Alberto Racanati, Band Support Teaching Artist
Dr. Alberto Racanati is a freelance trumpet player and educator in the Kansas City area. Originally from Bari (Italy) Alberto has studied at the Piccinni Conservatory in Bari, the Moniuszko Music Academy in Gdansk (Poland), Western Illinois University and the University of Missouri - Kansas City. Besides his activity as a classical musician, he is also active in the realms of contemporary and electronic music, having released three solo albums on streaming platforms with his project Alber, and collaborating with other local artists in a variety of projects.
Mike Prucha, Band & Woodwind Support Teaching Artist
Michael Prucha is a performer and teacher specializing in oboe, clarinet, and saxophone. He also has a background in classical radio hosting and production. He is currently pursuing his DMA at the UMKC Conservatory.
Jonathon Nickell, Band Support Teaching Artist
Jonathon Nickell is a multiple woodwinds specialist located in Kansas City, Missouri. He performs regularly with ensembles of all music styles including orchestras, big bands, combos, pit orchestras, blues and rock groups, saxophone quartets, wind bands, and more. Jonathon is conservatory-trained in classical, jazz, and commercial mediums, with extensive experience in teaching these genres. He has taught woodwinds from grades 6-12 at several schools across Kentucky, Ohio, and Missouri, maintained a saxophone studio
with quartets and saxophone choirs, and taught woodwind pedagogy at the collegiate level. He recently moved to Kansas City to pursue a Doctor of Musical Arts. Jonathon lives with his amazing wife, Evelynn, and their two cats.
Michelle Davis, Encore Conductor
Michelle Davis is a recently retired string orchestra educator with 32 years of teaching experience in Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri. She taught orchestra at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, most recently serving as the conductor of the Liberty High School Orchestras in Liberty, Missouri. Currently, she is the conductor Youth Symphony of Kansas City Philharmonic Orchestra, and interim Professor of String Pedagogy at The University of Missouri Conservatory. She also maintains a private violin/viola studio. Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree in viola performance and a master’s degree in music education from the University of Michigan. She lives in Liberty with her husband, Steve, and their two goldendoodles, Maddy and Henri.
Kayl Soukup, Camerata Conductor
Kayl Soukup is Orchestra Director at Liberty Middle School in Liberty, MO. She believes that everyone is a musician at heart and the opportunity to make music with others is one of life’s greatest joys. She is currently working on Level Two Certification in the Bornoff Approach. Kayl is the 2022 MO-ASTA Outstanding Secondary Educator Award winner. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance degree from Northern Illinois University as well as Master of Music (again, cello performance) and Bachelor of Music Education degrees from UMKC.
​Brittany Wasko, Camerata Conductor
Brittany received her degree from the UMKC Conservatory of Music in Bachelor of Music Education. She currently teaches orchestra at the Shawnee Mission School District and and performs in several local ensembles including the Lee's Summit Symphony and the Midwest Chamber Ensemble.
Connor Fetting, Band & Percussion Support Teaching Artist
Originally from Ada, MI, Connor Fetting is a PhD student in music education at the UMKC Conservatory. An experienced teacher of students at the secondary and collegiate levels, he is passionate about cultivating meaningful experiences and communities through music and guiding the development of future artist-educators. Connor enjoyed a two-year tenure as Director of Bands at Houston’s acclaimed Kinder High for the Performing and Visual Arts. Connor holds bachelor’s degrees in Music Performance, Music Education, and Chemistry and a master's in wind conducting from Michigan State University (MSU).
David Oosse, Percussion Support Teaching Artist
David Oosse is currently an undergraduate at UMKC studying Percussion Performance. He has been performing professionally since he was 14 years old, and teaching since 2024. David was recently an assistant percussion teacher at Lee’s Summit North High School and currently teaches at the School of Rock in Parkville. He has a deep love for music of all kinds, including large ensembles, rock bands, chamber music, and drumlines. Before moving to Kansas City for college, David grew up in Traverse City, Michigan, where he started learning percussion and playing with every ensemble available to him at 11 years old.
Jena Vangjel, Satellite Teaching Artist
Jena Vangjel is a freelance trumpeter and teaching artist based in Kansas City, MO. She has performed with orchestras across the country, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, New World Symphony, Alabama Symphony, Tucson Symphony, and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Jena is fiercely passionate about using music to create community and has worked with Street Symphony in Los Angeles, CA. In 2018, Jena founded Community of Note, an organization committed to fostering community and relationship through music. Jena also teaches Music Entrepreneurship at Missouri Western State University, is the Principal Trumpet of the Northland Symphony, and plays with the Fountain City Brass Band. She holds a Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance from The Colburn School in Los Angeles, CA, and a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory.
Kaitlyn Hess, Guitar Teaching Artist
Kaitlyn Hess is a full-time student studying Music Therapy and Psychology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. In her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys painting, reading to her cats, playing alto saxophone in UMKC’s Campus Band, and taking care of her seventeen houseplants. After graduation, Kaitlyn hopes to work with adolescents and young adults, focusing on mental health and substance abuse rehabilitation.
Briley Patterson, Percussion Support Teaching Artist
An active freelancer and musician in the Kansas City area, Briley Patterson is a drummer/percussionist with a love for contemporary chamber music. Originally from East Texas, Briley holds his undergraduate degree in Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University. He moved to the Kansas City area in 2023 to pursue his Master of Music at UMKC Conservatory. An advocate for new works of music, he has commissioned and premiered numerous new works for percussion ensemble and other mediums. When not focusing on work, Briley enjoys playing video games, thrift shopping with his wife Bailey, making at-home lattes, or cuddling with his two cats, Dublin and Freya.
Ben Gerrard, Woodwind Support Teaching Artist
Ben Gerrard is a doctoral conducting student and teaching assistant in the band area at the UMKC Conservatory. He also holds a Master of Music from Baylor University and a Bachelor of Music Education with Honors Degree and Honors Thesis in Flute Performance from The Florida State University. Ben has taught at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and Merritt Island High School in Brevard County, FL. He has performed as a flutist with the Central Florida Winds and Chamber Winds, the Space Coast Flute Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra, the Waco Symphony Orchestra, and the Brevard County Woodwind Quintet.
Lauren Beemer, Harmony Together Leader
Lauren Beemer has been a board-certified music therapist since 2017. Lauren works full-time with adults in a medical setting at University Health Truman Medical Center. As a member of University Health’s Patient and Family Advocacy Council, she is a fierce advocate for justice and compassionate care. Lauren supports people who are deeply grieving and can relate to the all-consuming grief amidst life changes and trauma on a personal level. Lauren has many years of experience teaching private piano, voice, and guitar to students of all ages. She was the Adjunct Clinical Supervisor on faculty in the Department of Music Therapy at UMKC from 2021-2023, where she enjoyed providing supervision and guidance for undergraduate and graduate students. Lauren occasionally sings with her best friends in the acoustic girl-power folk group, The Cover Girls, and as an alto in the Kansas City Symphony Chorus.
Hope Romero, Harmony Together Leader
Born and raised in Kansas City, Hope is a full-time music therapist at KVC Niles, an adolescent psychiatric residential facility near the historic 18th and Vine neighborhood. Hope currently provides services to pre-teens and teens who have experienced complex trauma in school and residential settings. Her philosophy of music therapy involves a music centered approach, utilizing active music making to accomplish goals of treatment. Hope especially loves songwriting with her clients. In Spring of 2021, Hope completed her internship at Ozanam’s Cornerstones of Care and has been working in adolescent mental health since. Outside of music therapy Hope finds joy in music by song writing and leading worship at her local church.
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