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.

Executive Assistant and Office Manager

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.

Program Manager

Davi has been working in education for 14 years and counting, all with a focus on creating opportunities for traditionally underserved students, developing engaging programming, and building relationships with students and families. Having grown up just outside of Philly, Davi earned her M.S.Ed from the University of Pennsylvania in Secondary Education, and has worked exclusively in Philly-based education programs throughout her career. Davi has experience in both the traditional educational spaces, as well as afterschool programs; she has taught in the School District of Philadelphia, worked in a non-profit college access organization, and helped international students earn research opportunities with top-tier U.S. universities and colleges. Her belief in education as a pathway to success for traditionally underrepresented communities is at the core of all the work she does. She is excited to be the Program Manager for POP and to help students and families embrace all POP can offer.

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!

Grant Writer

Christopher Santantasio has built his career on the premise that all children deserve an education rich in the arts. An award-winning writer and educator, he has held teaching positions at the Syracuse City School District, Gateway Lab School (Wilmington, DE), The Ohio State University, and The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth. Before rejoining POP as grant writer, he previously served as the first conductor and musical director of the POP Symphony Orchestra. As a musician, Chris has performed as principal euphonium with the New York Wind Symphony and the First State Symphonic Band. His writing can be found in several publications including Music Educators Journal and One Story Magazine. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education and performance from the Crane School of Music, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from The Ohio State University.

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.

Program Coordinator, St. Francis De Sales School

Allison is a vocalist by training and a longtime advocate of arts education. She holds performance degrees from Gettysburg College (PA) and Georgia State University in Atlanta, and has worked with kids in musical settings for almost a decade. A New Jersey native, Allison spent three years at the Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts, where she worked in several departments, serving children from 13 counties across Northern New Jersey. Allison’s most recent work with the Paterson Music Project inspired her to advocate for music education on a larger level, and she is thrilled to be a part of the team at POP.

Program Coordinator, St. Rose of Lima School

Jason knows first hand how much youth benefit from creative and rigorous spaces. Growing up, in the art room he learned freedom, in the wrestling room he learned how to work hard, and being a member of the first two Philly Youth Poetry Slam Teams taught him about what he wanted to do with his life.

He Graduated from Brandeis University with Honors in Creative Writing, English, and Theater, and received his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from UMass Boston. Jason is a multi-disciplinary writer and performer who has taught high school english, college creative writing, middle school wrestling, and more, for organizations like Philly Young Playwrights, the Boston Institute of Contemporary Art, and Harvard University.

Jason believes in making safe spaces for youth to be challenged and supported as they grow. He is excited to be able to bring his previous experiences as a state-wide youth poetry slam festival organizer, a restaurant manager, and a veteran teaching artist, to his work with Play On Philly.

Program Coordinator, Independence Charter School West

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. Having recently returned home to the Philadelphia area, Anna is excited to continue supporting students and families at Independence Charter School West to provide enriching musical opportunities and create a network of support for some of Philadelphia’s brightest students.

Program Coordinator, Roman Catholic High School and Chamber

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.