Staff
ADMINISTRATION
Katie Wyatt, Executive Director “Music and the arts can level the playing field for all people, no matter their social or economic background.”Kathryn (“Katie”) Wyatt is an accomplished musician, educator and innovator in music and social entrepreneurship. Katie co-founded and assumed the post of Executive Director of KidZNotes in July 2010. Including her work in El Sistema, Katie is a national leader in the orchestra field in creating programs for access and opportunity for all children to experience the transformative power of music. She was a keynote speaker for the League of American Orchestra’s 2011 National Conference on “Creating an Environment for Innovation,” and has led seminars and consulted in music and social entrepreneurship nationally and internationally, including as faculty with the New World Symphony, League of American Orchestras regional seminars and at Carnegie Hall, the Panama Jazz Festival, the New England Conservatory Sistema Fellows program, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Academy at Julliard, and orchestras and youth orchestras across the country. From 2007-2009, Ms. Wyatt served as Director of Education and Community Engagement for the North Carolina Symphony where she created and expanded programs statewide that would inspire and captivate young audiences. Recently Ms. Wyatt was honored with the statewide 2012 “Young Careerist” award by the Business Professional Women of North Carolina.As an accomplished violist, Katie has toured and performed nationally and internationally with the orchestras of the New World Symphony, Verbier Festival Orchestra, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Youth Orchestra of the Americas, and the Spoleto Festival of Charleston, S.C., in the major concert halls of the United States, Europe, Mexico, Central and South America, China, Japan, and Taiwan. As an educator, she’s coached North Carolina statewide strings competitions, maintains a private studio, and served as Adjunct Professor of Viola at N.C. State University from 2007-2009. Her call to leadership in social justice through the arts was inspired by YOA’s joint performances with Gustavo Dudamel and the Simon Bolivar Orchestra of Caracas, Venezuela in 2005. The power and success of El Sistema moved her to begin channeling her passion for music to benefitting communities and positively affecting social change. Wyatt speaks Spanish and French and holds bachelor degrees in Political Science and Viola Performance from Indiana University and a Master’s Degree in Viola Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Katie lives and works in Durham, NC. and locally has enjoyed performing chamber music with her quartet, with the indie folk-rock chamber orchestra, Lost in the Trees, and the indian-bluegrass fusion band Hindugrass. Jennifer Blank, Development and Marketing Manager Ms. Blank holds a BA from Hope College and an MFA in Arts Management from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Prior to joining KidZNotes, Ms. Blank has worked in the marketing, development and education offices at numerous non-profit arts organizations, such as Triad Stage, Spoleto Festival USA, Magnolia Baroque Music Festival, and the American Dance Festival. Most recently, Jennifer worked in the UNCSA Office of Advancement as a Development Associate. Ms. Blank is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Brandon Boyles, Site Coordinator Mr. Boyles studied at Berklee College of Music and has taught private lessons for drum kit at Progressive Music in Raleigh. Elise Seymour, Abreu Fellow Ms. Seymour, vocalist and music educator, is currently a Sistema Fellow at the New England Conservatory. Prior to this fellowship, she worked as the Education Assistant for the Charlotte Symphony primarily as the on-site coordinator for an el Sistema inspired program. She holds degrees in Music Education and Spanish from Appalachian State University. Suqi Huang, KidZNotes Intern Ms. Huang is a current freshman and B.N. Duke Scholar at Duke University and went to the NC School of Science and Math (NCSSM) for her junior and senior years of high school. Like the children of KidZNotes, she began playing violin at a young age and has continued to participate in orchestral ensembles throughout middle school, high school, and now college. Although she is not intending to major in music, she still considers it a very important part of daily life. She currently plays in the Duke Symphony Orchestra, Duke Chamber Players, and Duke New Music Ensemble. Suqi first heard about KidZNotes from Scott Laird, the orchestra conductor at NCSSM, and decided to volunteer at E.K. Powe classes. She has also volunteered for KidZNotes’ summer camps and played in the benefit concerts. She is very excited to be an intern for KidZNotes and hopes to continue working with them for years to come.ARTISTIC AND TEACHING STAFF
Tokay Allen, General Music, Club Boulevard Ms. Allen is a General Music Educator for DPS and has been teaching music for 13 years. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education in 1998 from NCCU with a Concentration in Piano. Ms. Allen was a music teacher for Baltimore City Public Schools for 6 years, and earned a Masters of Science in Music Education in 2004 from Towson University in Maryland. For the past 7 years, she has been teaching General Music at Club Boulevard Arts & Humanities Magnet School and is the choral director for the 4th/5th grade chorus. In addition to playing the piano, Ms. Allen is an accomplished flutist, and accompanist for the adult choir at Bethesda United Methodist Church, and is learning to play the violin. LaSaundra Booth, Mozarts Music Director Ms. Booth is a cellist with over 12 years of performance experience, has a Master’s in Music Education from UNC-G, and is currently pursuing her PhD in Curriculum and Teacher Training. Alex Fioto, Brass A native of Raleigh, NC, Mr. Fioto received his undergraduate and masters degree in trumpet performance from the University of Michigan and Rice University, respectively. In addition to teaching, Mr. Fioto has performed with ensembles such as the North Carolina Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, Detroit Symphony, and the Charleston Symphony to name a few. In addition to music, Alex enjoys biking, hiking, running and spending time with his wife, Amy, and their two cats, Kumba and Hewi. Allan Friedman, General Music Dr. Friedman teaches, composes, and performs music throughout Durham and Chapel Hill. He is the conductor of Women’s Voices Chorus, the Duke Medicine Chorus, Sonam, and is the music professional at Judea Reform Congregation. Chloe Gude, Violin Ms. Gude received her Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumental Music Education from Appalachian State University and is a registered Suzuki violin instructor. Ms. Gude currently teaches one on one lessons in Chapel Hill and previously served as an orchestra director in the Charleston, South Carolina public school district. Chloe is the violin teacher at Maureen Joy Charter School with KidZNotes. Molly Hill, General Music, Maureen Joy Ms. Hill is a native of Denver, and a mountain girl at heart. She received her BM in Vocal Performance at Oklahoma City University studying under Dr. William Nield Christensen. Favorite roles include: Prince Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus), Mother (The Consul), Principessa (Suor Angelica) and Marcellina (Le Marriage of Figaro). Victoria Jones, Accompanist Ms. Jones, KidZNotes accompanist, is a junior chemistry major at North Carolina Central University. She plans to ultimately earn an MD/PhD dual degree and become a cardiothoracic surgeon. Oakley Lyon, Winds Mr. Lyon has been teaching flute professionally for the last two years in Iowa and now in Durham. He is currently the director of Hand Bells and Choir at the Resurrection United Methodist Church in Durham, North Carolina. He graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 2011 with a Bachelor of Music Education. Marc Moskovitz, Cello Mr. Moskovitz is principal cellist of the Columbus (OH) ProMusica Chamber Orchestra and performs frequently with the NC Symphony. He is also a published author and has recorded for the VAI and ASV labels, among others. Sara Moore, Violin Ms. Moore has her BM in Music Performance and Music Education from Appalachian State University and her MM in Music Education from University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She began teaching orchestra in Durham Public Schools in 2000 and is currently orchestra director at Riverside High School. She joined KidZNotes in 2011 where she is the violin instructor at Y.E. Smith Elementary School. Jihyun Park, Choir Ms. Park finds beauty, hope and inspiration in the voices of young children. She has taught vocal music at Durham School of the Arts and a specialized arts program in a New York City public school. She is a native of South Korea and holds a Master of Education from Teachers College of Columbia University. Ruby Prescott, Violin Lillian Pressley, General Music, Y.E. Smith Omar Ruiz, ViolaMr. Ruiz-Lopez is a strings teacher (violin/viola/mandolin) and player recently relocated to the Triangle. Besides working with the Durham Symphony Orchestra, he also plays regularly with other rock, pop, Americana, and jazz outfits including Jonathan Byrd, Michael Rank & STAG, Steph Stewart and the Boyfriends and more. He firmly believes in the ability and power of music to bring people across different cultures and classes together. He is honored to support the vision of KidZNotes and El Sistema!
Tonya Suggs, Beethovens Music Director
Ms. Suggs is an Orchestra and General Music teacher in the Wake County Schools. She is a member of the Durham Symphony, and has performed with the Carolina Cool Jazz Orchestra.
Jessica Tanner, General Music, E.K. Powe
Ms. Tanner has been teaching music in North Carolina public schools for over ten years. She received her Masters of Music from UNCG and is National Board and Orff certified. Ms. Tanner is a general music teacher and curriculum facilitator with KidZNotes.
Mike Truzy, Choir/General Music, Eastway
Mr. Truzy graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and a Master of Arts in Teaching. He has taught music in Durham Public Schools for seven years and currently serves as the music specialist at Eastway Elementary.
Maria Fernanda Valencia, Nucleo Artistic Coordinator, Violin and Viola
Ms. Valencia is a graduate of El Sistema and has received both Bachelors degree & Masters degree in Music Performance-Viola. She has performed with the Peru National Symphony Orchestra, Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, Mahler Symphony Orchestra, and many others. Ms. Valencia has studied internationally in Italy-Parma Conservatory, Santiago de Compostela-Spain, and others. She has taugh at UNC, UNCG, CCM and has worked under the direction of Gustavo Dudamel, Sir. Simon Rattle, Claudio Abbado, and many others conductors.
Matt Vooris, Percussion and Bucket Band
Mr. Matt, as the kids call him, is Principal Percussionist for the Durham Symphony Orchestra, a section member in the Fayetteville Symphony, and plays locally with bands and chamber groups of all types. As a teaching artist, Mr. Vooris splits his time equally between teaching and performing. In his words, “Together, educating and playing teaches me more about myself and my music than if I were to do just one.”