Find Your Mentor.
Whether you’re looking for 1:1 guidance, a clinician to work with your ensemble or someone to host a professional development session, you’ll find them here.
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Gracie Carrillo
Gracie Carrillo is a music educator and conductor dedicated to arts advocacy. She leads ensembles in competitions, workshops, and industry explorations nationwide and internationally. Gracie's experience spans multiple ensembles, grant success, and conducting fellowships, including with the San Francisco Philharmonic and Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra.
Larisa Marian
Larisa Marian, a dedicated music educator, holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Music Education from George Mason University, achieving honors. With over 12 years in public school music and recognition from ASTA and VMEA, Larisa is passionate about pedagogy and community, and now teaches privately in Loudoun County.
Vanisha Evans
With over 20 years in arts administration, nonprofit management, and music education, I have developed successful, sustainable programs tailored to organizational needs and budgets. My engaging music lessons inspire students' curiosity and passion. I perform regularly and specialize in neo-soul music, particularly Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder, as well as classical and jazz.
Nicola Barbieri
Nicola Barbieri, a Music Performance graduate, has a 25-year career as a performer and educator. He has played with prestigious orchestras worldwide and teaches at international schools. Nicola trained in Europe and the USA, and now serves as Learning Leader at the International School of Turin, Italy.
Jeffory Elliott
Jeffory has over 22 years of experience in violin, music, and dance performance. He founded the Ophélia String Quartet in Denver and has performed with the Metro Symphony Orchestra, Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra, and Parker Symphony Orchestra. Now in New York, he continues his music career with various professional gigs.
Marisa Sardo
Chicago-born guitarist Marisa Sardo, a dual-citizen of the US and Italy, is an internationally active musician known for diverse programs. She has won major competitions, including the 2022 New York Laureate and 2021 Twisted Spruce. Marisa holds degrees from Northwestern, Indiana University, and New England Conservatory.
Amos Fayette
Violinist Amos Fayette has performed as a soloist with numerous orchestras, including the Orquesta Filarmonica de Medellin, New World Symphony, and Mid-Atlantic Symphony. He co-founded the Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra and has served as guest concertmaster for several orchestras.
Daryl Silberman
Ms. Daryl Silberman is a professional violinist/violist, an orchestra director at Scullen Middle School in Naperville, IL, and a director for the Youth Symphony of DuPage. “Ms. S” studied viola performance at the University of Colorado at Boulder, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and University of Southern California and teaches with her 5-string violin. She has been a private studio teacher, high school orchestra director, youth orchestra director and freelance violist and violinist in Illinois, Oregon, and California performing with regional orchestras, rock bands, movie studio orchestras, chamber groups, and baroque ensembles.
Thomas Palmatier
Colonel Thomas Palmatier is a distinguished military musician with a career spanning over 37 years. He served as Commander of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” the largest military music unit in the U.S. He also commanded the U.S. Army Field Band, becoming the first officer to lead both premier Army bands. After retiring from the military, he became an adjunct associate professor at Old Dominion University and a sought-after clinician, guest conductor, and consultant. His academic credentials include a Doctor of Music (Honorary), a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, and a Master of Fine Arts in Music Education.
Michelle Gergich
Michelle Gergich, a flutist and conductor, has over 10 years of experience teaching music to students from ages 3 to adults. She is the Assistant Conductor of the Moorestown Community Band and teaches instrumental music at Mount Laurel's Countryside and Parkway Elementary Schools. Michelle also maintains a private music studio and holds advanced degrees in instrumental conducting and music education from Rutgers University and the University of Minnesota.
Tara Planeta
Dr. Tara Planeta holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and earned her Master's Degree in Violin Performance with Orchestral Emphasis from Arizona State University in 2003. She has also studied Suzuki and Traditional Pedagogy for numerous years with renowned pedagogues, and her own teaching style similarly reflects a strong emphasis on theory and technique.
