We are incredibly lucky to have some of LA and Santa Monica’s biggest movers and shakers in music education and the arts on our advisory board.
Elemental Music’s Advisory Board is:
Varina Bleil
Deputy Director, United Friends of the Children
Buzz Gravelle
Music Faculty, CalPoly Pomona
Founder & Director of Santa Monica Academy of MusiC
Kevin McKeown
Director of Bands, SAMOHI (SMMUSD)
Assistant Professor of Music, UCLA
Joni Swenson
Director of Orchestras, SAMOHI (SMMUSD)
Tim Tortora
CEO, Andrews, Sumitt & Allen Management
Jim Wang
Director of Orchestras & Chair of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at Lincoln Middle School (SMMUSD)
Angela Woo
Director of Instrumental Music & Chair of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at John Adams Middle School (SMMUSD)
Victor Zaud
Senior Director of Product Design, Disney+
Founder & President, Zaudhaus Design
The members of Elemental Music’s Advisory Board act as tireless resources for the organization, providing invaluable guidance and insight on matters regarding organization development, curriculum development, program growth, and more! We are incredibly grateful for time, wisdom, and generosity of spirit that the Advisory Board members share with us.
We recently asked some members why they serve on Elemental Music’s Advisory Board and here is what they had to say:
Kevin McKeown
“I’m proud of the growth of the program and know that it’s going to grow to even greater heights in the future.”
Joni Swenson
“Through the years, thousands of students have benefitted from the quality music education that is provided. It is an honor to serve on the advisory board of an organization that gives so much to our community and to the students that we share.”
Jim Wang
“Other local music organizations should look to Elemental Music and Dr. Josephine Moerschel's example on how to truly support and partner with local school music program while relentlessly serving the community at large by providing additional opportunities for our student musicians. From funding private lessons to giving our young musicians an extended ensemble experience, Elemental has been a fundamental cornerstone to our success in the Santa Monica-Malibu schools.”
Angela Woo
“For the last 10 years, Elemental Music has provided countless opportunities for the young musicians of our community with content-rich and artistically vibrant experiences. As the Director of Instrumental Music at John Adams Middle School since 1995, I can attest to the distinct level of preparedness in the Elemental Music students who first enter our program - they have a strong sense of fundamental ensemble skills in addition to a solid grasp of their own individual skill sets. Musicians from the Elemental Music program are recognized by their peers as leaders in the JAMS music community; they bring a level of confidence in their playing that reflects the opportunities and experiences provided through Elemental Music.
It is a special privilege to serve on the Elemental Music Advisory Board. As an advocate for quality music education, I am committed to supporting every young musician who aspires to artistic excellence.”
To learn more about our Advisory Board members, click here!