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Kyla Pitts-Zevin, Directora Ejecutiva del Centro Comunitario del Noreste
Kyla Pitts-Zevin ha pasado la última década defendiendo y sirviendo a niños y familias. Hablando español bilingüe, Kyla tiene experiencia en administración de programas y redacción de subvenciones. Kyla se ha desempeñado como Directora de Desarrollo del Centro Comunitario desde 2018 y asumió el cargo de Directora Ejecutiva en julio de 2021. Tiene una Maestría en Administración Pública de la Universidad Estatal de Arkansas, un certificado en Administración de Organizaciones sin Fines de Lucro de la Universidad de Duke y una Licenciatura en Desarrollo Humano. & Relaciones Sociales y Español de Earlham College.
Tamara Marler, Gerente de oficina
Tamara Marler ha trabajado como asistente administrativa de nivel ejecutivo desde que completó su servicio en el Ejército de los EE. UU. en 1993. Como violonchelista novata, conoció su instrumento por primera vez cuando era estudiante de cuarto grado a través de un programa de extensión musical en Denver, Colorado. Como residente de Northeast KCMO y entusiasta defensora de la educación musical para jóvenes, Tamara está emocionada de estar en el equipo de Harmony Project KC.
James Westbrook, Coordinador artístico de Harmony Project KC
James Westbrook es maestro, actor y nativo de Kansas City. Con más de diez años de experiencia docente, el Sr. Westbrook se dedica a brindar educación musical de calidad a estudiantes de todas las edades. Como intérprete, ha tenido el placer de interpretar obras del canon clásico y contemporáneo junto a colegas y músicos fenomenales. James tiene títulos en interpretación de clarinete y educación musical de la Universidad de Missouri - Kansas City, la Universidad del Norte de Texas y la Universidad de Missouri Central, respectivamente. También es un defensor de la música y los músicos contemporáneos en la comunidad musical de Kansas City y formó parte de la junta directiva de newEar Contemporary Chamber Ensemble.
Liz Snow, Coordinadora de datos y musicoterapeuta de Harmony Project KC
Liz es Musicoterapeuta certificada con títulos en Psicología y Musicoterapia de UMKC. Antes de su papel como musicoterapeuta y coordinadora de datos, Liz se desempeñó como artista docente de violín y viola en HPKC durante 3 años. Toca 6 instrumentos que incluyen acordeón, piano, violín, viola, guitarra y ukelele. También le encanta cantar. En su tiempo libre, a Liz le gusta jugar voleibol y pasar tiempo en la naturaleza. Le apasiona su familia, sus mascotas, los datos y tener un impacto en los demás a través de la música.
Macyory Calderon, Supportive Services Manager
Originally from Merida, Venezuela, Macyory has been an educator for the past 16 years. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Teaching foreign languages, a Master's Degree in Applied Linguistics and an Ed.S in teaching leadership. As a teacher, Macyory enjoyed encouraging students to achieve their personal and academic goals. She is very excited to be part of the Harmony Project and dedicate my time to help the community. On a personal note, Macyory loves being in nature. Her hobbies include hiking and backpacking with my family.
Adee Dancy, Harmony Project KC Program Operations Manager
Adee Dancy is excited to be joining the Harmony Project Staff as Program Assistant, after being a Teaching Artist for 3 years! Adee has an extensive background in performing arts and music education, holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Cello Performance from the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance. Adee has a passion for sharing the love of music with everyone they encounter- from students, to peers, to listeners. As a teacher, Adee has done everything from substitute teaching middle school strings, teaching private lessons, conducting ensembles, to starting an elementary music program. Adee has a deep love for songwriting, singing, and playing the cello, and performs with many local music groups. They pursue these artistic disciplines as a Studio Resident at the Charlotte Street Foundation. When they’re not working, Adee loves to be outside, ride bikes, read, and snuggle their kitties, and constantly change their hair!
Diana Hughes, Program Aide
Over a four decade career in the non-profit sector, Diana feels lucky to witness young people creating wonderful lives for themselves at the Northeast Community Center through music. Whether through her time as a Unity minister, television producer in Los Angeles and locally at KCPBS, mentor/teacher at the Kauffman Foundation or preschool reading teacher with AmeriCorps at Holliday Montessori, it feels right to be in this role at Harmony Project KC!
Ray Callahan, Campus Aide
Ray 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.
Crystal Posey, Development Associate
Crystal Posey is the newest addition to the team. With her Bachelor's in Illustration from University of Central Missouri and her administrative and graphic design background, she hopes to bring her experience in reaching the organization's goals with her unique artistic expression. Before this role, she was working in education where she assisted children from
K-12 in various subjects, her most recent position being a paraprofessional. In her free time, she pursues other artistic endeavors such as writing short stories, sculpture, and painting.
Alyssa Bell, artista docente de viola/facilitadora de música de cámara
Alyssa Bell, nativa de Kansas City, ha tocado viola/violín durante 20 años y enseña desde 2009. Su compromiso con la educación musical y la defensa de la música se puede observar a través de su trabajo con organizaciones como OrchKids en Baltimore, Northwest Missouri State University, Classical Revolution KC, y ahora Harmony Project KC. Ha actuado en festivales internacionales de música, así como en casa con la Sinfónica de Kansas City y está emocionada de embarcarse en un nuevo capítulo de defensa de la música en Kansas City.
Can Balcik, Violin Teaching Artist
Turkish/Uruguayan violinist, Can "John" Balcik Moretti, holds a Bachelor's Degree from Dokuz Eylul University Conservatory in Izmir and a Master's Degree in Violin Performance from the University of Iowa. He moved to Kansas City in 2018 to pursue his Doctoral Degree at UMKC, where he served as concertmaster for three years. As part of his musical journey, Can has attended numerous festivals, including the International Music Academy in France, Institute Eugene Ysaye in Belgium, Internationale Sommerakademie, and Beethovenfest Bonn in Germany. Through these opportunities, Can has given many solo, chamber, and orchestral concerts throughout Europe, the US, and South America. In addition to performing, Can's true passion has been teaching since 2014. Back in Izmir, he founded a violin ensemble, consisting of his high school level students, that toured all over the Aegean Region. A number of his students have won competitions in Turkey and Europe, and many of them pursue musical careers today. Can joined the Harmony Project team in January 2022 and has been thrilled to teach the incredibly talented students there.
Valerie Bell, directora de orquesta/artista docente de contrabajo
Valerie actualmente se desempeña como especialista en cuerdas en el área de Kansas City y enseña contrabajo y cuerdas en Harmony Project KC. Se retiró del distrito escolar de Park Hill en 2011 como directora de orquestas en la escuela secundaria Park Hill South y en la escuela secundaria Lakeview. Antes de esto, la Sra. Bell fue directora de orquestas en Raytown High School y Middle School. Otras experiencias de enseñanza incluyen instructora de cuerdas en el Distrito Escolar de North Kansas City (2013-2018) e instructora adjunta de String Methods, UMKC (2010-2014). La Sra. Bell tiene un BME y una maestría en educación musical (énfasis en contrabajo) de la Universidad de Central Missouri. Valerie ha ocupado los puestos de VP de la Orquesta del Distrito III de KC Metro, VP de la Orquesta de MMEA, y es expresidenta de MoASTA (División de Missouri de la Asociación Estadounidense de Maestros de Cuerdas), donde actualmente forma parte de la junta y ayuda con la administración de la Orquesta de todo el estado de Missouri.
Rachael Berg, artista docente de viola
Rachael nació y se crió en Georgia, donde recibió su formación musical y sus credenciales de enseñanza. Ella ha estado tocando el violín durante veinte años y enseñando durante casi el mismo tiempo. Recibió su título de Licenciada en Educación Musical de la Universidad de Georgia. Rachael fue codirectora de uno de los programas de orquesta de escuela secundaria más grandes de Georgia antes de cambiar de marcha y dedicarse únicamente a la enseñanza de lecciones privadas de violín, viola, violonchelo y piano. Desde que se mudó a Missouri en 2018, a Rachael le ha gustado tocar con la Orquesta Cívica de KC y otros conjuntos locales, dar clases privadas y enseñar clases de inglés en línea a niños en China. Cuando no está enseñando o jugando, disfruta pasar tiempo con su esposo y sus cuatro hijos. Compartir música con otros ha sido una de las mayores alegrías de la vida de Rachael y está emocionada de ser parte del maravilloso programa en Harmony Project KC.
Casey Gregory, artista docente de violín,
Casey es violinista de Wichita Grand Opera y violinista suplente de Topeka.
Sinfonía. Principalmente sirviendo como un educador de música dedicado, Casey tiene un próspero 28 estudiantes
estudio de violinistas y violistas. Equipado con un estilo de enseñanza inspirador y una pasión.
por el oficio, inspira motivación en sus alumnos para tener éxito en sus esfuerzos musicales. Casey
tiene experiencia exitosa en la preparación de estudiantes para audiciones y competencias de alto nivel. Su
los estudiantes tienen elogios actuando en concursos de becas, audiciones universitarias, audiciones de orquestas estatales y distritales, y sinfonías juveniles de Kansas City y Olathe.
Larry Hernandez, artista docente de violonchelo
Larry actualmente está cursando una maestría en interpretación de violonchelo en el Conservatorio UMKC estudiando con Michael Mermagen. Obtuvo una doble titulación en BM Cello Performance and Music Theory en el Conservatorio UMKC 2018, cum laude. Participó en el Festival de Música de Miami (MMF), el Festival de Música de Innsbrook en St. Louis y la Academia de Música de Verano de Frostburg (Frostburg, MD), donde fue becario y entrenador de estudiantes. Hernández ha tocado en la Orquesta Sinfónica de Topeka, las orquestas de Ópera y Sinfónica de MMF, el Conjunto de Cámara del Medio Oeste y la Sinfónica Juvenil de Kansas City. Hernández se ha presentado en clases magistrales para Hans Jørgen Jensen, Michael Stern, Keith Robinson, Emilio Colón y Nathan Cole. Otros maestros de violonchelo influyentes incluyen a Carter Enyeart, Alexander East y Emilio Colón.
Selene Hernandez, artista docente de violín/directora de conjunto de cuerdas/artista docente de técnicas avanzadas
Selene es actualmente maestra de orquesta de secundaria y preparatoria para el distrito escolar de Independence. En el pasado, Selene hizo una pasantía con la Sinfónica Juvenil de Kansas City y la Orquesta Juvenil de Los Ángeles en Heart of Los Ángeles. Recibió su Licenciatura en Educación Musical de William Jewell College.
Kathryn Hilger, Viola Teaching Artist
Kathryn Hilger is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music (M.M.) and the University of Missouri—Kansas City Conservatory (B.M.), holding degrees in Viola Performance. Ms. Hilger is active in her community, performing and teaching with several local organizations in her hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. In this regard, she serves as Principal Viola and Chamber Music Coordinator for Midwest Chamber Ensemble, performs as a member of the Topeka and Lee’s Summit Symphonies, subs with the Kansas City Symphony and serves as a Teaching Artist for Harmony Project KC. Past notable achievements include positions with the National Repertory Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute, where she sat principal. Ms. Hilger’s other interests include spending time outdoors (and bringing the outdoors in with an ever-growing collection of houseplants), rewatching the same five episodes of The Office, yoga, jogging, local history and fashion.
Brett Jackson, artista docente de instrumentos de viento de madera
Pasando de un género a otro, la interpretación y los créditos de grabación de Brett incluyen a Bobby Watson, Cyrille Aimée, Johnny Mathis, Michael Feinstein, Roy Hargrove, Jerry Bergonzi, Jaleel Shaw, Sean Jones, Tech N9ne y Krizz Kaliko, Kelly Finnigan, Josh Heinrichs, Monophonics, The Project. H, Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Repertory Theatre y las giras de Broadway de Chicago, Motown y Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Actualmente enseña instrumentos de viento de madera en KCKCC. Se puede escuchar a Jackson en "We Live Among The Lines", "Become Light" y "Everyday, Forever" de The Project H, "Soul Jazz Fridays" y "The Basement Beat" de Chris Hazelton's Boogaloo 7, "Make It Right". y “Perseverance” de Zack Mufasa Band, “Rhapsody” de Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, “Go” de Krizz Kaliko y “The Storm” de Tech N9ne. Puede encontrar más información sobre Brett en: www.brettjacksonmusic.com
Adam Lundine, artista docente del conjunto de viento
Adam es nativo del área de Kansas City y ha disfrutado enseñando en el área durante los últimos diez años. Tiene una Maestría en Educación Musical de la Universidad de Kansas y una licenciatura en Educación Musical y Saxofón de la Universidad Estatal de Kansas. Anteriormente, Adam fue director de bandas en la escuela secundaria Blue Valley Northwest. ¡Está muy emocionado de trabajar con los estudiantes del Harmony Project KC Wind Ensemble!
Joseph Panella, Bass Teaching Artist/Chamber Music Facilitator
Joseph Panella has been performing (double bass and electric bass) professionally for over a decade. He grew up in a musical family and was encouraged to study music from the earliest ages. He was trained in the Suzuki program and then switched to bass at age thirteen, upon hearing a series of recordings that inspired him to be more deeply immersed in Black American Music, including what is known as Swing, Bebop, Funk, Blues, and more.
He studied with Marcos Machado, classical virtuoso and author of “The Tao of Double Bass” at the University of Southern Mississippi. He has also studied with bassist and educator Dr. David Pellow, a Protege of Francois Rabbath and former professor at Carnegie Mellon University, as well as Bob Bowman, legendary bassist with the Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra.
In 2012, he began working in Nashville as a session and touring musician with the Annie Moses Band, a group that fuses a broad range of influences, including folk, pop, and classical music. He is featured on their studio album, American Rhapsody. During that time, he also met, toured, and recorded with Joshua Carswell. His playing is featured on the albums Debonair and Joshua Carswell: Live in Long Beach, CA.
Currently, Panella resides in the Kansas City Area, performing as a freelance bassist and teaching clinics and private lessons. In the Midwest, he has performed with the likes of Mark Lowrey, Lisa Henry, Matt Otto, Will Matthews, Shay Estes, Stanton Kessler, Danny Embrey, Anthony Pinciotti, Pete Zimmer, Pamela Watson, Ensemble Iberica, Victor and Penny, Owen/Cox Dance Company and many more.
Kristen Nall, artista docente de instrumentos de viento de madera
Kristen recibió su Licenciatura en Educación Musical de la Universidad de Missouri - Kansas City. Actualmente enseña Música K-5 en la Escuela Primaria Lewis and Clark en Liberty, MO. Kristen toca el trombón regularmente con dos conjuntos en el área de Kansas City: Moon City Big Band y Northland Symphony Orchestra. ¡A Kristen le apasiona que los niños reciban oportunidades para hacer música y está encantada de ser parte de Harmony Project KC!
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Alberto Racanati, Brass 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.
Maria Milazzo, artista docente
Maria Milazzo se graduó en mayo de 2018 con su Maestría en Música en Interpretación Vocal de la Universidad de Missouri-Kansas City estudiando bajo la dirección vocal de Maria Kanyova. María se graduó de Westminster Choir College con su Licenciatura en Música en Interpretación Vocal en 2014. Al regresar a Kansas City en 2015, María encontró el amor y la pasión por llevar la música a los jóvenes. Comenzó como asistente de maestra con Harmony Project KC en el otoño de 2015 y desde entonces se ha convertido en una artista docente al servicio de los estudiantes de Harmony Project en Northeast Community Center, Garfield Elementary y, más recientemente, Scuola Vita Nuova. Desde la primavera de 2016, Maria ha servido a la comunidad de la Iglesia y Escuela Nativity of Mary en Independence, MO. como Director de Música y Liturgia. Ella y su hermana comenzaron un programa de teatro en Nativity of Mary y recientemente se les ha visto dirigiendo Seussical, Jr. y Beauty and the Beast, Jr. Además de su experiencia docente, María ha cumplido su amor por la ópera en varios papeles, tanto en Westminster Choir College y UMKC Conservatory.
Kristen Tourville, Violin Teaching Artist
Kristen Tourville is a clinician, performer and independent fiddle, Suzuki violin & 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). She completed her long-term Suzuki training in all 10 books with several remarkable teacher trainers including Louise Scott, Karin Hallberg, Carol Tarr, & Carrie Reuning. Personal musical pursuits took her around the country on tour with major commercial performing artists, and to symphonies across the Midwest & Southwest. Offstage and outside the teaching studio, Kristen serves as a Music Mind Games Teacher Trainer, and as a clinician and creative workshop leader, working to engage children of all ages in cross-genre musical exploration. Previously, Kristen taught elementary strings for the School District of Clayton in Missouri, and at the NAU Community Music and Dance Academy teaching individual and group classes in violin, viola, and Music Mind Games. She also taught Suzuki violin and Music Mind Games to over 300 kids each year in grades K-5 at Marshall Magnet Elementary, a Title I school in Flagstaff, AZ. Kristen’s other interests include gardening, jogging, hiking, camping, and adventuring with her dogs Ophir and Jack.
David Tourtellot, artista de enseñanza del bajo
David Tourtellot es músico y educador musical en Lee's Summit, Missouri. El Sr. Tourtellot recibió su título del Conservatorio de Música y Danza de la Universidad de Missouri - Kansas City, donde estudió contrabajo con Sue Stubbs, Jeffrey Kail y Gerald Spaits. Ha enseñado en el distrito escolar de Lee's Summit desde 2013 y con Harmony Project KC desde 2021. En 2018, el Sr. Tourtellot fue seleccionado como maestro de administración nacional oceánica y atmosférica en el mar, y sirvió a bordo del barco Thomas Jefferson de la NOAA mientras realizaba una misión de estudio hidrográfico. en el Golfo de México. El Sr. Tourtellot continúa siendo un artista activo en el área metropolitana de Kansas City, actuando regularmente con Lee's Summit Symphony, Kansas City Wind Symphony, St. Joseph Symphony, y es miembro fundador de Lee's Summit Jazz Orchestra.
Helena Vasconcellos, artista de enseñanza musical
Helena recibió su Maestría en Música en Dirección Coral y su Doctorado en Música en Educación Musical del Conservatorio de Música UMKC, ambos con énfasis en Dirección Coral. Helena es actualmente la Directora Musical de la Coral Jacomo (un coro comunitario) y la directora de "Bells of Joy" (un coro de campanas de mano en la parroquia católica Holy Trinity en Lenexa). Anteriormente fue maestra de música coral en varias escuelas católicas en la diócesis de Saint Joseph-Kansas City, directora asociada del coro de niños de KC y directora musical de la parroquia Nativity of Mary en Independence, Missouri.
Brittany Wasko, artista docente de violín/directora de conjunto de cuerdas
Brittany es estudiante de último año en el Conservatorio de Música de UMKC y busca una Licenciatura en Educación Musical. Actualmente es pasante en la Sinfónica Juvenil de Kansas City y actúa en varios conjuntos locales, incluida la Sinfónica Lee's Summit y el Conjunto de Cámara del Medio Oeste.
Jason West, artista de enseñanza de violonchelo/director de conjunto de cuerdas
Jason terminó recientemente sus estudios universitarios con títulos en Violonchelo y Educación Musical en el Conservatorio UMKC. Actualmente también está cursando su maestría en interpretación de violonchelo en el conservatorio. Tiene una gran devoción tanto por la enseñanza como por la interpretación para ayudar a mejorar la vida de los demás a través de la música. Jason se ha presentado en varios recitales y festivales de música solista y de cámara en todo el país, y localmente con el Midwest Chamber Ensemble. Está encantado de formar parte de Harmony Project KC para fomentar el crecimiento e influir en los jóvenes músicos de este programa.
Jennifer Hepp, Wind Ensemble Conductor
Jen Hepp is currently pursuing her masters degree in Wind Conducting at the UMKC Conservatory. She is currently the Director of the Beginning Band and assists with the Intermediate Band at Harmony Project KC. Prior to moving to Kansas City, Jen served as a high school band director in Houston, TX. During her time there, she worked with close to 300 students as the head director for two of the four performing ensembles, and assisted
with all other ensembles and aspects of the program. Jen holds Bachelor’s degrees from Northwestern University in Music Education, Trumpet Performance and
Journalism. During her time at Northwestern, Jen was recognized as a Theodore Presser Scholar and performed regularly with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Jen has been active with the pageantry arts since marching with The Phantom Regiment, having served on the brass
staffs of Phantom Regiment and The Santa Clara Vanguard. She is also currently on the faculty of the Crossroads Drum Major and Leadership Clinic.
LilyAnn Willis, Intro To Orchestra Teaching Artist
Hello there! I'm LilyAnn Willis and I'm currently pursuing my music degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. My journey with the viola began in 2016, and ever since then, I've been absolutely and I've been absolutely captivated ever since! Not only do I get to indulge in my passion for music, but I also have the incredible opportunity to work as a Teaching Artist Aide in the Intro to Orchestra class. It's such a rewarding experience to share my knowledge and love for music with the kiddos. I also step in as a Substitute whenever other string teachers need a helping hand. I'm really grateful for the chance to contribute to this amazing program and make a positive impact on the students' musical journeys.
Abbie Brown, Wind Ensemble Teaching Artist
Originally from Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Abbie Brown is a music educator and conductor working on her Interdisciplinary PhD in Music Education from the University of Missouri Kansas-City. This is her first year as a Wind Ensemble director and teaching artist for Harmony Project KC. Abbie received her Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting from the University of Oklahoma, and before starting her MM, Abbie taught in the public schools of Arkansas and Texas for six years. She began her teaching career in Hot Springs, Arkansas at Lakeside School District where she was the head band director at Lakeside Middle School. Abbie moved to Lubbock, Texas in 2017 and accepted the position of Director of Bands and O.L. Slaton Middle School, a Title I school in Lubbock Independent School District. While at O.L. Slaton, Abbie focused on integrating the band program into the rich and culturally diverse community that the school was a part of. No matter the setting, Abbie could be found leading inspiring rehearsals and challenging her students to find deeper meaning in the music they share.
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.
Snow Zhang, Violin Teaching Artist
Yixue Snow Zhang-Probst, originally from China, is a violinist, conductor, and teacher. Snow first fell in love with orchestral music when she received a full scholarship at age 19 to play violin in the Asian Youth Orchestra, founded by Yehudi Menuhin and Richard Pontzious. Since then, she has performed with orchestras in numerous major concert halls throughout Asia. Snow also performed as a soloist in venues and won national and international prizes such as the first prize of the Concerto Competition in Shanghai and in Delaware, and third prize of the
International Competition of Okiden Sugarhall in Japan.
Passionate about helping young musicians, Snow has taught hundreds of students in China and America. She holds the position as the Director and Conductor of Ottumwa Youth Symphony Orchestra and Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. Snow holds a bachelor’s degree as a Distinguished Alumna from East China Normal University and a master’s degree in music from the University of Delaware. She is pursuing a doctoral degree in music performance and pedagogy at the University of Iowa with the Iowa Performance Fellowship. Currently, she is working on recording a violin album of new Chinese-American compositions.
Aryana Nemati, Saxophone Teaching Artist
Kansas City native Aryana Nemati has a true passion for music. Aryana pursued her musical aspirations at UMKC’s conservatory where she received her bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance/Studio Music. In the spring of 2017, Nemati completed her teaching assistantship and received a master’s degree in Jazz Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has been a featured artist for Kansas City’s Open Spaces festival, Columbia, Missouri’s We Always Swing jazz series, and Topeka’s Jazz Series and was a selected participant to represent Kansas City in a musical exchange to Chile through UNESCO. Along with performing a wide array of musical genres regularly, she takes pride in providing educational experiences, especially within the Kansas City community. She has had the honor of playing with the following: Harry Connick Jr., Bobby Watson, Mindi Abair, The Four Tops, Sister Carol, Father John Misty, Harold ‘Spike’ Bonhart, and Ernie Andrews.
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Felicia Paolercio, Cello Teaching Artist
Felicia Paolercio is a 22 year old cellist from Kansas City. She has been studying cello for over 11 years. Previously, Felicia performed in the Youth Symphony of Kansas City before becoming a student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She is studying music education at UMKC and has experience studying all of the other string orchestra instruments and piano as well. During her free time, Felicia works as the Shipping Manager at KC Strings and has been teaching violin, viola, cello, and bass to students over the past couple of years. Felicia also previously taught lessons through the UMKC Conservatory Academy and Bridges Program in the Kansas City Area. Now attending UMKC, she plans to graduate with her degree in music education so that she can teach music to more students. Felicia has also had the opportunity to study cello at UMKC under the instruction of Michael Mermagen.
Stefeny Jungbluth, Harmony Together Leader
Stefeny Jungbluth is a board certified music therapist currently living in Kansas City, Missouri. Stefeny currently works as a Special Education music therapist for Kansas City Kansas Public Schools. Stefeny received her degree in music therapy and psychology at the University of Missouri- Kansas City. Stefeny specializes in academic based music therapy and also has experience in providing social/emotional based music therapy services. Stefeny is active in the Kansas City Metro Music Therapists organization and in her spare time enjoys reading, crocheting, hiking, and spending time with her husband, friends, and pets.
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