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| Staff |
313-877-9100 x707 | | Aaron P. Dworkin is the Founder and President of the Sphinx Organization. An accomplished electric and acoustic violinist, he received his Bachelors and Masters of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Michigan School of Music, graduating with high honors. He previously attended the Peabody Institute, the Philadelphia New School and the Interlochen Arts Academy and has studied with Vladimir Graffman, Berl Senofsky, Jascha Brodsky, John Eaken, Renata Knific, Donald Hopkins and Stephen Shipps. Additionally, Mr. Dworkin studied piano with Robert Alexander Böhnke in Tübingen, Germany.
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Credits and Awards:
- 2006 Newsweek Giving Back Award
- 2005 MacArthur Fellow
- 2005 National Governors Award
- 2003 Michigan Governors Award for Arts & Culture
- 2003 Michiganian of the Year, Detroit News
- 2002 5 Under 10 Award, University of Michigan's African-American Alumni Council
- SBC Ameritech Excellence Award
- Board of Directors, University Musical Society in Ann Arbor, MI , ArtServe Michigan, Walnut Hill School, WRCJ
- Advisory Board, ASTA 2003 Alternative Strings Awards, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, From The Top radio program
- Lecturer/commencement speaker, University of Michigan, Bowling Green State University, Longy Conservatory
- Speaker on the topic of diversity in the arts at national conferences for the American Symphony Orchestra League, National Suzuki Association, National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts and National Association for Negro Musicians
- Panelist, Arts Organization Development Committee of the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the MetLife Awards for Excellence in Community Engagement, the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies and Arts Presenters
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313-877-9100 x703 | Tania McGee, Executive Director
In addition to her role as Executive Director, Ms. McGee also serves as the Director of the Sphinx Competition for young Black and Latino String Players as well as the Project Manager for the Carnegie Gala Series. Ms. McGee has served as a frequent speaker on behalf of the Sphinx Organization at various national and local events. She has participated as a grants review panelist with the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, in addition to the Aspen Festival and School’s music educators panel. Ms. McGee has appeared as a speaker on the topics of diversity and education in various venues, including Bowling Green State University and Ardis Elementary School in Ypsilanti, MI. A graduate of the Leadership Detroit Academy, Ms. McGee received her Bachelor’s in Arts Management from the De Montfort University, United Kingdom. Having previously worked as the Festival Coordinator for the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Ms. McGee brings a wealth of experience in the area of arts management and administration. She also has international festival experience, having previously worked for “Music In The Sun”, an annual festival in Sheffield, U.K. Ms. McGee serves on the Board of Directors for the internationally acclaimed Ann Arbor Film Festival.
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313-877-9100 x704 | Afa Sadykhly, Music Director
Ms. Sadykhly handles oversight of all artistic affairs of the organization. She is responsible for curricular design and artistic content of all programs. Ms. Sadykhly also serves as the editor for The Quarter Note, Sphinx’s quarterly newsletter. She has appeared as a speaker and presenter at national conferences, including the National Association for Schools of Music, the American Symphony Orchestra League, Americans for the Arts, and others. Ms. Sadykhly has also participated as an orchestra grant review panelist for the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. Most recently, she participated in the discussion panel hosted by Surdna Foundation on the topic of alumni tracking in educational institutions. She graduated with High Honors from the University of Michigan with Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Violin Performance. She has previously served on the faculty of Clarkston Community Conservatory in Southeast Michigan and was a member of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra. In addition to extensive teaching experience, she has performed with several symphony orchestras and chamber groups in Russia, Azerbaijan, Switzerland, Austria and the United States. She also has international corporate experience, having previously served as an Executive Assistant at ARCO, The International Oil and Gas Company in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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313-877-9100 x708 | Jada Wright-Greene, Director of Professional Development & Career Advancement
Ms. Wright-Greene administers all professional development initiatives for the alumni of the Sphinx Competition, including the Professional Development Program, co-management of the Harlem Quartet, management of the Sphinx Artist Series at Carnegie Hall, as well as performing the duties of Assistant Director of the Sphinx Competition. Ms. Wright-Greene graduated from the Bethune-Cookman College with a BA in Political Science. She has also earned a Master's in Urban Planning and a certificate in Museum Studies from Michigan State University, where she had the distinct honor of being the first African-American to graduate from the Museum Studies department. Ms. Wright-Greene possesses a wealth of administrative experience, having worked in the non-profit arena over a span of 10 years. She has also effectively managed and coordinated several after-school and youth programs. Ms. Wright-Greene is currently continuing her studies at Madonna University in pursuit of a Master's in Business Administration.
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313-877-9100 x710 | Leah Lucas, Director of Education & Youth Development
Ms. Lucas administers all educational initiatives of the Sphinx Organization including the coordination and implementation of the Sphinx Preparatory Music Institute and its Overture Division, the Sphinx Performance Academy, and the Classical Connections Program. Ms. Lucas received her Bachelor of Music degree in Viola Performance with a minor in Piano, graduating with honors from Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts, and earned her Master of Music degree in Viola Performance from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Ms. Lucas is an experienced viola, violin and piano instructor, teaching all levels and ages from beginning to advanced in music performance and theory. In addition to private instruction, she teaches string students at Sphinx Prep on Saturdays at Wayne State University. Ms. Lucas is also a talented orchestral and solo performer and currently performs as part of a duo in various venues in Detroit and Southeast Michigan.
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313-877-9100 x701 | Teresa Clark, Director of Corporate Partnerships
Ms. Clark oversees all corporate fundraising activities of the Sphinx Organization. Along with grant research, management of all corporate fundraising initiatives, Ms. Clark's duties have also included coordinating special initiatives. In 2004, she handled the coordination of the inaugural Carnegie Gala Concert, held at the Stern Auditorium. Ms. Clark also serves as a contributing writer to The Quarter Note, Sphinx's quarterly newsletter. She graduated with Honors from the University of Michigan where she pursued a pre-law curriculum, and earned a Bachelor's Degree in General Studies. She worked for the law offices of Dykema Gossett PLLC prior to joining Sphinx.
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313-877-9100 x709 | Yolanda Lyles Johnson, Director of Foundation & Government Partnerships
Ms. Lyles Johnson coordinates all research, proposal and report writing related to foundation and government grants for the Sphinx Organization. Ms. Lyles Johnson is also involved in the planning and coordination of fundraising and marketing events for the organization. Ms. Lyles Johnson comes to Sphinx with significant experience in development that runs the gamut from grant writing, strategic planning, event coordination and board training. She has also worked in and for a variety of organizations from grassroots organizations to government agencies. In addition, she has designed and conducted a variety of fundraising training workshops for nonprofit staff and board members, in addition to working as a private consultant in the area of grassroots fundraising. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan with both a Bachelor’s degree in business administration (BBA) in marketing and a Master’s degree in public administration (MPA) with an emphasis in social policy. Ms. Lyles Johnson is currently pursuing further graduate studies at UM in the areas of politics, nonprofit management and the urban environment.
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313-877-9100 x714 | Margaret Cassetto, Manager of Corporate Partnerships
Ms. Cassetto assists with all corporate fundraising activities of the Sphinx Organization. A Brooklyn native, Ms. Cassetto is a graduate of the University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science and the Arts and the School of Music, Theatre and Dance. She holds a BMA in Voice Performance and a BA in History of Art. As a vocalist, Ms. Cassetto has had the opportunity to share the stage as a backup singer for such renowned artists as Elton John, Andrea Bocelli, Hugh Masekela and Judy Collins. She has also appeared as a backup singer on Saturday Night Live and The David Letterman Show. Ms. Cassetto has performed with orchestras such as the New York, Brooklyn and Los Angeles Philharmonics and under the batons of Maestros Lorin Maazel, Charles Dutoit, Dennis Russel Davies and Esa-Pekka Salonen. Ms. Cassetto appears on GRAMMY award winning recordings of John Adams' On the Transmigration of Souls and William Bolcom's Songs of Innocence and Experience. She has toured and participated in choral competitions in Germany, British Columbia and Russia.
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313-877-9100 x706 | Stephan Bobalik, Manager of Foundation & Media Partnerships
Mr. Bobalik assists with all foundation grants as well as media relations for the Sphinx Organization, including grant research, coordination and administration, and coordination of media placements with local and national outlets. Mr. Bobalik also serves as a contributing writer to The Quarter Note, Sphinx’s quarterly newsletter. Mr. Bobalik has extensive background in music and the performing arts. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Voice Performance from the University of Michigan and participated in a study abroad program in Florence, Italy. He has performed various roles in theatrical and operatic productions. Prior to joining Sphinx, Mr. Bobalik worked with the University Musical Society in Ann Arbor, a distinguished arts presenter. During his time at UMS, Stephan worked in the Ticket Office and in the Education department creating educational and marketing materials.
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313-877-9100 x705 | Julie Renfro, Director of Design & Technology
Ms. Renfro is responsible for the design and maintenance of the Sphinx Organization's Web sites and all printed materials for the organization. In addition, she works to integrate the use of current technology within the organization as well as maintaining all of Sphinx's technology resources. Ms. Renfro played a key role in designing Sphinx’s interactive educational CD-ROM, used throughout its educational programming. She is also responsible for designing the art work for Sphinx’s DVDs, artist CDs and documentaries. In addition to designing and formatting The Quarter Note, Ms. Renfro also serves as a contributing writer for the publication. Her work as a talented visual artist has been recently showcased at art exhibits in Ann Arbor and Detroit, MI. Ms. Renfro graduated with Honors from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, earning a B.F.A. in Illustration and Fine Art. Her varied creative background includes her role as a soloist with a ballet company in Southern California and Senior Artist with a software development company in San Francisco.
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313-877-9100 x702 | John Madison, Dean of Sphinx Preparatory Music Institute at Wayne State University
Mr. Madision is currently the Principal violist of the Michigan Opera Theater Orchestra, a regular substitute with the Detroit Symphony, Principal violist of the Sphinx Symphony, and Co founder and coordinator of The Cassini Ensemble, an Ann Arbor based chamber group that has performed extensively throughout the United States. The ensemble was awarded for its interpretation of the music of Johannes Brahms, and for their commitment to new works. Mr. Madison has performed with the New York City Opera Company, the Toledo Symphony and the Toledo Opera Orchestra, and has appeared as soloist with The Southfield Philharmonic, The Toledo Symphony, The Jackson Symphony, The Adrian Symphony and The Cassini Ensemble. As an educator, he has taught on staff at The University of Michigan, Sienna Heights College, and regularly coaches privately, and in workshops and clinics. Mr. Madison received Bachelor and Masters Degrees in Viola Performance from the University of Michigan.
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313-877-9100 x711 | Chris Jenkins, Dean of Sphinx Performance Academy at Walnut Hill School
A Fellow of the Perlman Music Program and a graduate of Harvard University, Christopher Jenkins is a recipient of the fellowship from the Mellon Foundation to study psychology and music. He received his MM from the New England Conservatory, where he studied with Martha Katz and performed as a member of the Boston Philharmonic. Mr. Jenkins attended the Manhattan School of Music through the Sphinx Music Assistance Fund, studying with Michael Tree and Karen Dreyfus. A Laureate of the Sphinx Competition and an accomplished violist, Mr. Jenkins has performed in the viola section of the New York Philharmonic, Virginia Symphony, in addition to having served as the violist of the Sphinx Quartet and assistant Dean for the SPA at Walnut Hill School. He is an experienced teacher and chamber music coach, who currently maintains a teaching studio.
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313-877-9100 x712 | Michelle May, Coordinator of the Overture Program
Ms. May has worked with the Sphinx Organization since 2001 as Sphinx Symphony member, Sphinx Jury and Guest Artist Liaison and former Dean of the Sphinx Preparatory Institute. Ms. May has been a professional musician since 1980, having played both violin and flute for over thirty years; she has played in numerous classical, jazz and gospel ensembles and currently leads a jazz string and percussion ensemble. She is a sought-after teacher on both violin and flute. Ms. May holds a Bachelor's of Arts in Education from Marygrove College, a Master of Arts in Counseling from Wayne State University and a Certificate in Recording Technology from Schoolcraft College. In addition, she has extensive post-Bachelor's and post-Master's work in both music and corporate training and development, all from Wayne State University. Currently, she is the Vice-President of A.M. May & Associates, Inc., a Detroit counseling and consulting firm, and an adjunct counselor at Oakland Community College. She has held numerous Board of Directors and Committee positions with such organizations as Adult Learning Systems (non-profit mental health), the Michigan College Personnel Association (including a term as President), Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity (current Chair of Summer Scholarships) and the Historic Boston-Edison Residential Historic District.
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Faculty
DETROIT OVERTURE
James Greer
Leslie Deshazor-Adams
Bertrina Thomas-Willis
FLINT OVERTURE
Renaudo Robinson
Antony Verner
SPHINX PERFORMANCE ACADEMY
Facutly Quartet:
Ilmar Gavilan
Melissa White
Juan-Miguel Hernandez
Desmond Neysmith
Resident Quartet:
Shelby Latin
Jannina Barefield
Jason Amos
Karlos Rodriguez
SPHINX PREP
Cecelia Sharpe, Strings
Joyanne Amani, Piano
Dennis Carter, Flute
Andre Dowell, Percussion
Evan Marks, Woodwinds
Charlotte Merkerson, Strings
Laura Roelofs, Strings
Cheynne Thompson, Piano
Leslie Deshazor-Adams, Strings
Charles Garner, Piano |
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