Executive Director

Clarinetist and educator Jessica Zweig believes that all children deserve the opportunity to benefit from the highest quality music education. Prior to being selected as Executive Director in July of 2023, she served as POP’s Director of Education Programming where she oversaw all aspects of the music education experience for close to 400 young people in West Philadelphia. An educator and community builder at heart, Jessica has crafted engaging curriculum, led professional development for talented teaching artists, and cultivates partnerships with local, national and international artists to ensure young musicians learn from the best of the best. Jessica is equally committed to teacher training within POP and across the country and served as the founding Director of Programming for the Teaching Artist Training Institute, created to prepare a new generation of El Sistema-inspired educators.

Jessica formerly served a multitude of roles at POP since joining in 2016, including running our Music Center at St. Francis de Sales School. Prior to POP, Jessica served as Program Manager at Harmony Program in New York City. As a Board Member of El Sistema USA, Jessica served as the chair of the 2018 Symposium focused on collective impact and racial equity and currently chairs the Membership and Engagement committee.

As a trained, professional clarinetist, Jessica has performed extensively throughout the Washington, DC area as well as in Perigord, France and Vienna, Austria. As the Founder and Artistic Director of All Points West chamber music collective, she collaborated with notable institutions such as the Woodrow Wilson House, the Sackler Gallery, the Atlas Performing Arts Center and the National Trust for Historic Preservation to create innovative classical music programming in unusual spaces. As an educator, Jessica taught elementary school music at the Sheridan School (Washington, DC) and served as clarinet faculty at Suitland High School for the Performing Arts. Jessica received her B.M. and M.M in Clarinet Performance from the University of Maryland, School of Music.

Associate Director

Elizabeth started her career in the nonprofit world while attending the University of Pennsylvania; one summer she tried her hand at face-to-face fundraising and never looked back. During her tenure she had the privilege of campaigning for Children International, Plan International and CARE, which provided an excellent perspective of how generous her fellow Philadelphians can be. Other nonprofit experience includes the Office of the Secretary of the University of Pennsylvania, The Benefit Bank and the Walnut Street Theater. Most recently, she worked in administration, marketing and development at Federation Early Learning Services.

Director of Education

Diego Villamil Gómez is a violinist who is devoted to teaching, especially young artists. He believes in the transformative role of music in the improvement of social justice. He is currently the Director of Education at Play On Philly. Before that, Diego was the Orchestra Teacher at New Brunswick Middle School and adjunct faculty at Rowan University. In addition to his teaching activities within the United States, Diego was violin lecturer at the Escuela Superior de Música of UJED (México) and chamber music coordinator at the Austria Music Festival. He also has been invited to collaborate with Colombian organizations that strive for social impact through music such as Batuta and Alla Corda. Diego is also an active performer who has served as concertmaster in several ensembles including The Center City Chamber Orchestra (Philadelphia), the Vienna Summer Music Festival Orchestra, UNT Concert Orchestra, USM Symphony Orchestra, and the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra of Colombia. As a baroque violinist, Diego was principal violin and soloist for the UNT Baroque Orchestra and Fantasmi Baroque Ensemble and played with the baroque ensembles of the Dallas area, including American Baroque Opera Co. and the Orchestra of New Spain. Diego holds a B.A in violin performance from the National University of Colombia and M.M in violin performance from the University of Southern Mississippi and Rowan University, and DMA from the University of North Texas. 

Executive Assistant

Patty has spent the majority of her career focused on helping nonprofits reach new audiences, connect with their current community and organize to reach their goals. Whether volunteering at Abington Friends School or planning conferences for the Philadelphia Area Council for Excellence, she excelled at engaging communities of like-minded people to work together towards one purpose. Most recently, she served as Executive Assistant to the President and Assistant Secretary to the Board of Directors at Forest Incentives. Patty and her husband have two fabulous children; seeing them develop into successful and confident young adults inspires her to help other children experience the same advantages in life.

Music Director

Andrés is one of the young talents who emerged from the renowned social and musical program known as El Sistema. He began his musical studies at the age of 2 in the Jacinto Lara Conservatory and at only three years old, he raised the baton for the first time to conduct Ode to Joy along with the Children’s Orchestra and Choir of the Lara State. Andrés has devoted most of his musical career to the academic education of Venezuelan children and young musicians, always committed to the deep progress of culture through communities. He is Principal Trumpet for the Miami Symphony Orchestra.

Operations Manager

It has always been a passion of Laura’s to work with children and families, particularly in underrepresented communities. She believes that all children should have access to high-quality education, including the opportunity to pursue their interests and express their creativity through the arts. Laura is a graduate of La Salle University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education. Throughout her career, she has worked in a variety of settings in the education, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors. Laura has an amazing son who inspires her every day and reaffirms her mission to help children grow and succeed. Although she does not play an instrument, Laura believes in the transformative power of music and is excited to be helping POP serve the Philadelphia community!

Marian Anderson Young Artist Program Manager

Dr. Anna Meyer manages the Marian Anderson Young Artist Program. She is also on faculty at Temple University and plays with several of the region’s orchestras, including the Reading and Delaware Symphonies. Anna has her DMA in Flute Performance from Temple and has recently published The Monster Flute Method Book: A Beginner’s Guide to Learning the Flute. She maintains a thriving performance career with her husband Erik and a private studio out of her home. She is a founding member of the Lyra Ensemble.

Community and Teacher Engagement Manager

Anna Negron has spent her professional life working with and learning from children throughout the country. After graduating from Gettysburg College with degrees in English and Spanish, Anna moved to Tulsa, OK as part of Teach for America to teach pre-K students in East Tulsa. Her passion for early childhood education, a deep interest in linguistic accessibility, and a willingness to learn from those around her has made her a fierce advocate for educational equity for some of our nation’s youngest learners. Upon completing her Teach for America corps commitment, Anna worked as an education specialist for a family childcare network in Brooklyn, NY helping at-home daycare providers hone their practices around lesson planning, curriculum implementation, and data collection to best serve the children in their care. Anna joined Play On Philly as the Program Coordinator at Independence Charter School West and is excited to expand the ways she can support our students, families and teachers in her new position.

Roman Catholic Program Manager

After spending formative years immersed in a robust public school music program, Ian has built his career around bringing rich musical experiences to students in spaces that have historically had fewer such opportunities. He has taught instrumental music at various schools in New York, Connecticut, and the US Virgin Islands. Most recently, he was a founding member and eventually rose to the role of Executive Director of Project Music, an organization that brings out-of-school-time music education programs to underserved communities in Stamford, CT. He received his B.M. and M.M. in Music Education from the State University of New York College at Fredonia and Boston University, respectively. Ian also holds a certificate in nonprofit management from Duke University as well as an executive certificate in social leadership and teaching artistry from the Global Leaders Program of Youth Orchestra of the Americas. Ian has had the great pleasure of working alongside likeminded educators across the United States and internationally, including partnerships with music programs in Chile, Honduras, Bolivia, and Mexico.

Program Coordinator, Impact Charter School West

Program Coordinator, St. Francis de Sales School

Alex Nguyễn is a strong advocate for DEI initiatives in the musical rehearsal room and performing stage. As a musician of Vietnamese descent, he has spent time working with diaspora communities through research, presentation, and repertoire diversification to tackle issues of representation in the music education ecosystem. Alex earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from Cal State Los Angeles and his master’s degree in choral conducting from Temple University. His commitment to equitable practices has led him to work closely with many nonprofit organizations such as the Academy of Special Dreams – dedicated to increasing support and appreciation for artists with special needs, the Singing City Choir of Philadelphia – dedicated to social justice through choral artistry, and Elevate Vocal Arts – dedicated to elevating performance and education opportunities for historically marginalized vocal artists. Alex’s excitement for POP is based on its service and dedication to the Philadelphia community.