
Program Staff
Instructional Staff
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Bryan Austin
Brass Teaching Artist (Carver)
Bryan Austin is a dedicated music educator at Soundscapes, bringing 10 years of experience and… -
Catina Billups
Assistant Program Manager and Connections Specialist (Carver)
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Isaiah Thomas
Rhythm Section Teaching Assistant and Instructional Swing (Carver & Greenwood)
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Joshua Price
Brass Teaching Artist (Greenwood)
Joshua Price is from Beaumont, TX, and is currently serving in the United States Army,…
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Joshua Sierra Delgado
Level 3 Strings Director (Carver)
Joshua Sierra-Delgado began studying Cello when he and his family moved to the United States…
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Julieta Fahie
Level 1 Director (Carver & Greenwood)
Julieta has lived most of her life in San Diego, California, but was born in…
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Marlana Chamblee
Level 2 Woodwinds Teaching Artist (Carver)
Marlana Chamblee is currently an elementary music teacher with Newport News Public Schools at Carver…
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Matthew Ayala Roman
Saxophone Teaching Artist (Greenwood) and Performance Ensemble Coach
Matthew Ayala Roman is a clarinetist, saxophonist, composer, and educator from Puerto Rico. He holds…
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Paola Zamora
Level 1 Director (Greenwood/Discovery STEM Academy) and Grant Writer
Paola Zamora, a Kansas native, studied Music Education with a vocal emphasis at Kansas State…
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Paul Sanho Kim
Music Director, Peninsula Youth Orchestra
Paul Sanho Kim teaches violin and conducting at Old Dominion University and directs the ODU…
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Peter Amos
Assistant Program Manager & Jazz Band Director (Greenwood)
Peter is a guitarist, composer, and educator in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Following…
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Rebecca Kim
Carver Program Manager and Level 2 Strings Director
Rebecca Kim holds a degree in music education from James Madison University and graduate degrees…
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Rita Hsu
Low Strings Teaching Artist (Carver)
Rita Hsu has been playing the Piano and the Cello since she was 6 years…
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Steven Cunningham
Peninsula Youth Jazz Band Director
Dr. Steven Cunningham is the Assistant Professor of Music Education at Hampton University. He earned…
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Taylor Williamson
Level 2 High Strings Teaching Artist (Carver)
Taylor Williamson has been playing the violin since she was 5 years old, and has…
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Westley Benson
Carver Ensemble Director & PYO Program Coordinator
Westley Benson graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from the Peabody Institute. He began…
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Zachary Erhard
Program Assistant (Discovery STEM Academy)

Bryan Austin
Brass Teaching Artist (Carver)
Bryan Austin is a dedicated music educator at Soundscapes, bringing 10 years of experience and expertise to the classroom with a nurturing approach and a deep understanding of various genres and instruments.

Catina Billups
Assistant Program Manager and Connections Specialist (Carver)

Isaiah Thomas
Rhythm Section Teaching Assistant and Instructional Swing (Carver & Greenwood)

Joshua Price
Brass Teaching Artist (Greenwood)
Joshua Price is from Beaumont, TX, and is currently serving in the United States Army, stationed at Ft. Eustis, VA. During his service of over 18 years, Joshua had the opportunity to travel the world playing music. Before joining the military, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Trumpet Music Performance from Northwestern State University. He also earned a Masters Degree in Jazz Studies from Depaul University.

Joshua Sierra Delgado
Level 3 Strings Director (Carver)
Joshua Sierra-Delgado began studying Cello when he and his family moved to the United States more than a decade ago from Humacao, Puerto Rico. He attended Loyola University New Orleans, under the tutelage of Professor Philip von Maltzahn. Mr. Sierra-Delgado has performed with the VSO, LPO, and Nola Chamber Orchestra, and is also a Studio Cellist. He is excited to join us at Soundscapes!

Julieta Fahie
Level 1 Director (Carver & Greenwood)
Julieta has lived most of her life in San Diego, California, but was born in Acapulco, Mexico. She discovered her love of music while attending music class in elementary school. She continued her music career by participating in a mariachi band, choir, and many ensembles. While attending Grossmont College in San Diego, she studied classical voice, majoring in music with a minor in musical theater.

Marlana Chamblee
Level 2 Woodwinds Teaching Artist (Carver)
Marlana Chamblee is currently an elementary music teacher with Newport News Public Schools at Carver Elementary. She joined the Soundscapes teaching artist staff Sept. 2018 as Level 2 Woodwinds instructor. Her primary instrument is alto saxophone. Marlana holds a bachelor’s (ECSU) and master’s degree in music education (ODU). She began her teaching career in September 2015 teaching in Camden County.

Matthew Ayala Roman
Saxophone Teaching Artist (Greenwood) and Performance Ensemble Coach
Matthew Ayala Roman is a clarinetist, saxophonist, composer, and educator from Puerto Rico. He holds a Master of Music from the New England Conservatory and a Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of Puerto Rico. A former musician in the U.S. Air Force, he has performed worldwide and collaborated with Grammy-winning artists. He is passionate about mentoring aspiring musicians!

Paola Zamora
Level 1 Director (Greenwood/Discovery STEM Academy) and Grant Writer
Paola Zamora, a Kansas native, studied Music Education with a vocal emphasis at Kansas State University. She taught elementary music, served as a high school marching band assistant, and taught private voice and piano lessons at Flint Hills Academy of Music. Now based in Virginia, Paola is eager to continue teaching music as one of the Level One Directors at Soundscapes.

Paul Sanho Kim
Music Director, Peninsula Youth Orchestra
Paul Sanho Kim teaches violin and conducting at Old Dominion University and directs the ODU Symphony Orchestra. Named the Virginia Music Teachers Association’s 2022 Commissioned Composer, Kim’s music has been featured on NPR and by the Virginia Symphony and Symphonicity. He was formerly a violinist with the Roanoke Symphony and also a U.S. Marine.

Peter Amos
Assistant Program Manager & Jazz Band Director (Greenwood)
Peter is a guitarist, composer, and educator in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Following his graduation from college, Peter moved to New York City, where he performed in jazz clubs, art spaces, avant garde theater productions, converted auto-body shops, and subway stations. He now lives in Newport News, where he performs, writes, and maintains a large private studio.

Rebecca Kim
Carver Program Manager and Level 2 Strings Director
Rebecca Kim holds a degree in music education from James Madison University and graduate degrees in music performance from The Boston Conservatory and East Carolina University. She has performed with faculty of Old Dominion University and ECU, and has played abroad in Japan and the Czech Republic. For Rebecca, the best thing about music is collaborating with other creative minds to bring great ideas to life!

Rita Hsu
Low Strings Teaching Artist (Carver)
Rita Hsu has been playing the Piano and the Cello since she was 6 years old. She holds a degree in music performance from the National Taiwan University of Arts and earned a degree in music education from the University of Taipei. After being an Elementary School music teacher for over 10 years, she currently joins Soundscapes in 2024 as a Level 2 Low Strings Instructor.

Steven Cunningham
Peninsula Youth Jazz Band Director
Dr. Steven Cunningham is the Assistant Professor of Music Education at Hampton University. He earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts and his Master of Music from the University of Maryland and his Bachelor of Music from VCU. Steven has performed with the Brass Band of Battle Creek, 8-Bit Big Band, Camille Thurman, Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, No BS! Brass Band and many more.

Taylor Williamson
Level 2 High Strings Teaching Artist (Carver)
Taylor Williamson has been playing the violin since she was 5 years old, and has studied under Dianne Chapman, Brendan Elliot, Jeanne DeDominick, and June Huang. While a student of Old Dominion University, she participated in the symphony orchestra and the Russell Stanger String Quartet before earning her bachelor’s degree in music education with a concentration in orchestral strings.

Westley Benson
Carver Ensemble Director & PYO Program Coordinator
Westley Benson graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from the Peabody Institute. He began studying piano and percussion at age five. He has taught piano and percussion to several students in the Hampton Roads area and continues to maintain a roster of active student musicians. He is the Music Director of the Doorway Singers.

Zachary Erhard
Program Assistant (Discovery STEM Academy)
Program Support Staff
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Catina Billups
Assistant Program Manager and Connections Specialist (Carver)
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Ciara Alexander-Baker
Level 1 Supervisor
Ciara Alexander-Baker is a singer-songwriter from Richmond, Va. After graduating from Norfolk State University, Ciara…
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Heather Kelly
Greenwood Program Manager
Heather Kelly, Greenwood Program Manager, began her musical journey in chorus at Greenwood Elementary and…
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Matthew Ayala Roman
Saxophone Teaching Artist (Greenwood) and Performance Ensemble Coach
Matthew Ayala Roman is a clarinetist, saxophonist, composer, and educator from Puerto Rico. He holds…
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Peter Amos
Assistant Program Manager & Jazz Band Director (Greenwood)
Peter is a guitarist, composer, and educator in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Following…
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Rebecca Kim
Carver Program Manager and Level 2 Strings Director
Rebecca Kim holds a degree in music education from James Madison University and graduate degrees…
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Triston Stevens
Performance Ensemble Coordinator
Triston Stevens, a self-taught musician and Hampton Roads native, has been making, mixing, and producing…
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Westley Benson
Carver Ensemble Director & PYO Program Coordinator
Westley Benson graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from the Peabody Institute. He began…

Catina Billups
Assistant Program Manager and Connections Specialist (Carver)

Ciara Alexander-Baker
Level 1 Supervisor
Ciara Alexander-Baker is a singer-songwriter from Richmond, Va. After graduating from Norfolk State University, Ciara began to pursue her Career in Music. In 2016, Ciara began working at Soundscapes; a non-profit organization based in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. She is currently Co-Level 1 director at Soundscapes. Ciara enjoys everything music and technology and loves to incorporate unique styles of playing. She finds great pleasure playing with her all-female band and promotes the empowerment of women in music.

Heather Kelly
Greenwood Program Manager
Heather Kelly, Greenwood Program Manager, began her musical journey in chorus at Greenwood Elementary and later performed clarinet with Virginia State University’s Trojan Explosion Marching Band and Wind Ensembles. With over a decade in education and workforce development, she brings her passion for youth success and her love of music to Soundscapes’ mission of transforming lives through music.

Matthew Ayala Roman
Saxophone Teaching Artist (Greenwood) and Performance Ensemble Coach
Matthew Ayala Roman is a clarinetist, saxophonist, composer, and educator from Puerto Rico. He holds a Master of Music from the New England Conservatory and a Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of Puerto Rico. A former musician in the U.S. Air Force, he has performed worldwide and collaborated with Grammy-winning artists. He is passionate about mentoring aspiring musicians!

Peter Amos
Assistant Program Manager & Jazz Band Director (Greenwood)
Peter is a guitarist, composer, and educator in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Following his graduation from college, Peter moved to New York City, where he performed in jazz clubs, art spaces, avant garde theater productions, converted auto-body shops, and subway stations. He now lives in Newport News, where he performs, writes, and maintains a large private studio.

Rebecca Kim
Carver Program Manager and Level 2 Strings Director
Rebecca Kim holds a degree in music education from James Madison University and graduate degrees in music performance from The Boston Conservatory and East Carolina University. She has performed with faculty of Old Dominion University and ECU, and has played abroad in Japan and the Czech Republic. For Rebecca, the best thing about music is collaborating with other creative minds to bring great ideas to life!

Triston Stevens
Performance Ensemble Coordinator
Triston Stevens, a self-taught musician and Hampton Roads native, has been making, mixing, and producing music for over 10 years. His work has garnered a growing monthly listening audience on Spotify. In addition to his musical creations, Triston has cultivated a thriving community centered around synthesizers, encouraging creativity and collaboration among fellow artists and enthusiasts.

Westley Benson
Carver Ensemble Director & PYO Program Coordinator
Westley Benson graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from the Peabody Institute. He began studying piano and percussion at age five. He has taught piano and percussion to several students in the Hampton Roads area and continues to maintain a roster of active student musicians. He is the Music Director of the Doorway Singers.
Administrative Staff
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Reynaldo Ramirez
Co-founder & Program Director
Reynaldo Ramirez has served within the field of music education for over 25 years. He…
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Carol Minter
Executive Director
Carol Minter has more than 15 years of management experience for nonprofits in Hampton Roads…
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Sara Balgoyen
Director of Community Engagement
Sara has 15 years of experience in non-profit work. She has a BS from New…
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Princess Fenner
Office Manager
Princess holds a BSBA from the University of Maryland, Global Campus, with over six years…
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Katie Sackett
Communication Manager
Katie Sackett is a nonprofit development pro with killer IT and artistic skills. She has…
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Bobbie Strand
Finance Manager
Bobbie grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and moved to Hampton Roads after…
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Lila Naniki
Development Manager
Lila has over 10 years of experience in nonprofit work, specializing in development operations and…
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Paola Zamora
Level 1 Director (Greenwood/Discovery STEM Academy) and Grant Writer
Paola Zamora, a Kansas native, studied Music Education with a vocal emphasis at Kansas State…
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Kenneth R. Darden
Community Engagement Manager
Ken has over 20 years of non-profit management experience. He has a BS in Education…

Reynaldo Ramirez
Co-founder & Program Director
Reynaldo Ramirez has served within the field of music education for over 25 years. He was instrumental in establishing El Sistema USA and served as a founding board member and treasurer. He is a noted leader within the El Sistema movement where he has presented at universities and conferences throughout the country. He plays Horn with the Virginia Wind Symphony and freelances.

Carol Minter
Executive Director
Carol Minter has more than 15 years of management experience for nonprofits in Hampton Roads and beyond. Her areas of expertise include fundraising strategy, grant writing, and event planning. Carol has a BA in Communication from the University of Maryland, College Park and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Academy for Nonprofit Excellence at Tidewater Community College.

Sara Balgoyen
Director of Community Engagement
Sara has 15 years of experience in non-profit work. She has a BS from New Mexico State University and a MBA from Concordia University. Sara is originally from Virginia and after living in many other places across the US, she has returned to her home state. Sara is passionate about our shared responsibility to provide positive youth development opportunities for all children.

Princess Fenner
Office Manager
Princess holds a BSBA from the University of Maryland, Global Campus, with over six years of experience in administrative support, specializing in organization, multitasking, and client relations. She’s transitioning to Payroll and HR and is excited to join Soundscapes as she believes in music’s power to connect and inspire and is eager to contribute to an organization with a meaningful impact.

Katie Sackett
Communication Manager
Katie Sackett is a nonprofit development pro with killer IT and artistic skills. She has more than 10 years’ experience working with nonprofits in Hampton Roads. Katie joined Soundscapes in mid-2019 because of her love of music and passion for social justice. She has a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University. Katie lives in Hampton with her partner, Chris, and their three cats, Evie, Pancake, and Aether.

Bobbie Strand
Finance Manager
Bobbie grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and moved to Hampton Roads after college. With a degree in accounting, she has 15+ years of experience working with debits and credits. She loves spending time with family & friends, traveling & relaxing on the beach. With 4 kids & 6 grandchildren, you are most likely to find Bobbie at one of their sporting events or theatre performances.

Lila Naniki
Development Manager
Lila has over 10 years of experience in nonprofit work, specializing in development operations and events. She built her nonprofit career after serving in the U.S. Navy. Lila is passionate about supporting mission-driven organizations and is pursuing an MA in Nonprofit Leadership at the University of Denver. She joined Soundscapes inspired by the belief that music is a powerful force for transformation in young people’s lives.

Paola Zamora
Level 1 Director (Greenwood/Discovery STEM Academy) and Grant Writer
Paola Zamora, a Kansas native, studied Music Education with a vocal emphasis at Kansas State University. She taught elementary music, served as a high school marching band assistant, and taught private voice and piano lessons at Flint Hills Academy of Music. Now based in Virginia, Paola is eager to continue teaching music as one of the Level One Directors at Soundscapes.

Kenneth R. Darden
Community Engagement Manager
Ken has over 20 years of non-profit management experience. He has a BS in Education from City College of New York and a Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Management from The New School in NYC. Ken was born in Richmond, VA, but spent his formative years in New York City. Ken is an advocate for all children and is passionate about youth education and development.