|
| 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.
Download Aaron's full bio (PDF)
|
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
|
313-877-9100 x704 |
Afa Sadykhly, Vice President of Programming & Artistic Director
Ms. Sadykhly handles oversight of all artistic affairs of the organization. She is responsible for curricular design and artistic content of all programs. 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.
|
313-877-9100 x708 | Jada Wright-Greene, Director of Education & Youth Development
Ms. Wright-Greene administers educational initiatives of the Sphinx Organization including the coordination and implementation of the Sphinx Preparatory Music Institute, its Overture Division, and the Classical Connections Program. Ms. Wright-Greene graduated from the Bethune-Cookman College with a BA in Political Science. She has also earned a Master's Degree in Urban & Regional 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. She has participated as a grants review panelist with the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. Ms. Wright-Greene possesses a wealth of administrative experience, having worked in the non-profit arena over a span of 14 years. She has also effectively managed and coordinated several after-school and youth programs throughout Southeast Michigan. Ms. Wright-Greene has concluded her educational studies by completing a non-profit leadership certificate at Madonna University in 2007.
|
313-877-9100 x712 | Andre Dowell, Artistic Administrator and Competition Director
In addition to his role as the Sphinx Competition Director, Mr. Dowell administers the Professional Development Program for the alumni of the Sphinx Competition. Mr. Dowell’s duties include oversight of the Music Assistance Fund, Summer Education Program, and the Instrument Fund. Mr. Dowell also serves as manager of the Sphinx Chamber Orchestra and oversees the operational planning and artistic coordination of the national SCO Tour. Mr. Dowell received both his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Percussion Performance from the University of Michigan. He graduated with many accolades including the Martin Luther King Diversity Award, Willis Patterson Diversity Award, and is also a Graduate Merit Scholar. As an avid musician, he was one of the featured performers in “Michigan on Broadway: A Tribute to Arthur Miller”, and also premiered and recorded Michael Daugherty’s Timpani Concerto – Raise the Roof for Timpani and Symphonic Band with the University of Michigan Symphonic Band.
|
313-877-9100 x715 | Nicholas Garcia, Manager of Artistic Affairs and Audience Development
Mr. Garcia oversees all logistical and implementation aspects of audience development for the annual Carnegie Gala and Sphinx Competition Finals Concerts. In addition, he also serves as Assistant Director of the Sphinx Competition and Assistant Manager of the Sphinx Chamber Orchestra Tour. A native of El Paso, Texas, Mr. Garcia spent many years involved in jazz, symphonic and marching percussion. Mr. Garcia attended the University of Michigan where he was a member of the Michigan Drumline. He has also taught for the Sphinx Preparatory Music Institute and has performed as a member of the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra.
|
313-877-9100 x713 | Marshay R. Williams, Director of Leadership Investments
Mrs. Williams oversees all fundraising activities of the Sphinx Organization. Along with oversight of all corporate, foundation & government fundraising initiatives, Mrs. William's duties focus on individual donors with an emphasis on the Sphinx Musical Chairs program as well as the Sphinx Endowment. Previously a Senior Consultant with KidSmart Software, she brings a wide range of experience to Sphinx, including non-profit and educational consulting, project management and over 20 years of public speaking experience. Mrs. Williams is a member of the American Society for Training and Development, the Project Management Institute, the "Women in Project Management" Special Interest Group, and was co-author of The Training Equation, an article written for the American Bar Association General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division Magazine.
|
313-877-9100 x709 | Alison Piech, Manager of Leadership Investments
Along with oversight of media relations and social media, Ms. Piech focuses on individual donors and assists with the Sphinx Musical Chairs program. Ms. Piech also serves as a contributing writer for the The Quarter Note. A Detroit native, Ms. Piech graduated from the University of Michigan as a James B. Angell Scholar with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and History of Art. Before joining the Sphinx Organization, Ms. Piech worked with the Detroit Historical Society in the Development Department assisting with the planning of the Annual Detroit Historical Society Ball. With a passion for the arts and arts education for young people, she has previously interned with the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit(MOCAD), volunteered with 826Michigan and worked at the University of Michigan Museum of Art in Ann Arbor. |
313-877-9100 x706 | Stephan Bobalik, Director of Foundation & Government Partnerships
Mr. Bobalik coordinates all research, proposal and report writing related to foundation and government grants for the Sphinx Organization. Mr. Bobalik also serves as the editor for 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.
|
313-877-9100 x710 | Caitlin Ilich, Manager of Foundation & Government Partnerships
Ms. Ilich performs proposal and report writing, as well as research, related to foundation and government fundraising for the Sphinx Organization. In addition, Ms. Ilich serves as a contributing writer for the The Quarter Note. Previously working in Development Operations and Research at the Wildlife Conservation Society in Bronx, NY, Ms. Ilich helped to design and implement new processes for analyzing and reporting revenue for the department. She brings a range of experience to Sphinx including fundraising, research, budgeting, and a musical background as a saxophonist and drum major. She has also been a long-time proponent of youth development through work with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts organizations. A graduate of Hope College, Ms. Ilich holds bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and Political Science.
|
313-877-9100 x714 | Margaret Cassetto, Director of Corporate Partnerships
Ms. Cassetto oversees 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.
|
313-877-9100 x705 | Julie Renfro, Director of Design
Ms. Renfro is responsible for the design and maintenance of the Sphinx Organization's Websites and all printed materials for the organization. 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 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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
| FACULTY
DETROIT OVERTURE
Leslie DeShazor Adams
Christipher Burton
James Greer
FLINT OVERTURE
Renaudo Robinson
SPHINX PERFORMANCE ACADEMY
Faculty Quartet:
Ilmar Gavilan
Melissa White
Juan-Miguel Hernandez
Desmond Neysmith
Resident Quartet:
Jessie Montgomery
Jannina Barefield
Christopher Jenkins
Karlos Rodriquez
SPHINX PREP
Joyanne Amani, Piano
Shani Castle, Piano
Charles Garner, Piano
Leslie DeShazor Adams, Strings
Alicia Doudna, Strings
Martin Torch-Ishii, Strings
Matthew Leslie, Strings
Dennis Carter, Woodwinds
Christen Williams, Woodwinds
Otis Lockhart, Brass
Dane Crozier, Percussion
|
|
