Ian Taylor

Posted: Tuesday, May 2

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.

Amy Snyder

Posted: Monday, August 15

Director

Amy Snyder is a member in the law firm of Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC.  She works with public and private employers on a wide range of traditional labor and employment law matters, including representing clients before administrative agencies and in federal and state court litigation.  Amy frequently advises employers on issues related to leaves of absence, accommodating employees with disabilities, performance management, and discipline.  She also works closely with business leaders and Human Resource professionals to develop and implement employment policies and training tailored to their workplace needs. She is Co-Member-in-Charge of the Philadelphia office and co-leads the Women’s Initiative @ Eckert. Amy and her husband are the proud parents of three teenagers who appreciate listening to vinyl and enjoy playing the guitar, drums, and piano.

Charles McNeil, Jr.

Posted: Wednesday, July 6

POP Alumni & Baritone

Specializing in classical voice, Charles McNeil Jr. is a 24 year old Philadelphia born musician. With vocal qualities compared to Paul Robeson and Whitley Philips, McNeil uses his voice to reach a range of audiences, from summer camps to churches and centers up and down the east coast. Charles began studying piano and voice at a young age. He started playing the violin in 6th grade, and in 2010, Charles enrolled in Play On Philly.

POP’s transformative music education program kickstarted his instrumental life by challenging him daily in the fundamentals of musicianship in a group setting. Charles studied both violin and voice at Girard Academic Music Program (GAMP), where he discovered a love for opera, and went on to study at Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University.

Charles has performed with the Black Pearl Orchestra at the Mann Music Center in Philadelphia, with Showstoppers!, as part of the Kimmel Cultural Campus. He has also traveled through multiple cities in Italy with the All-City Orchestra as a violinist, while also performing classical duet in the Duomo di Lucca, in Lucca, Italy. Charles currently sings for St. Michaels Episcopal Church in Yeadon, PA, and Grace Temple Baptist Church in Lawnside, NJ.

Anna Negron

Posted: Wednesday, August 18

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.

Lee West

Posted: Monday, June 14

Vice Chair

Lee West has a decade of experience working in the non-profit sector specializing in alumni relations, leadership development, strategic planning, fundraising, and program management. Lee worked for four years at Eisenhower Fellowships (EF), one of the world’s premier international leadership exchange organizations, most recently as the Director of Global Network Programs. Before joining EF, Lee worked in development for the University of Pennsylvania, including the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Residing in Philadelphia, her experience extends to several local arts institutions, including InLiquid, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Lee is a graduate of The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History.

Samantha Butts

Posted: Monday, June 14

Director

Samantha Butts, MD MSCE is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Chief of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine. In this role, she specializes in treating individuals and couples who require fertility treatments to achieve pregnancy and treating hormonal disorders affecting reproductive functioning in women. She has also dedicated her research career to studying the impact of nutritional and environmental factors on fertility, factors associated with reproductive changes as women age, and the impact of race on reproductive functioning and access to care.

Sam relocated to Philadelphia in 1998 after graduating from Harvard Medical School to complete her medical training and earn a Master’s degree in clinical epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania. As a native New Yorker, her appreciation and love of classical music was cultivated at the Harlem School of the Arts where she studied piano along with her sisters (encouraged by gentle parental nudging at lessons and practice time). Sam attributes this early musical education with providing a skill set that has supported her in life and in her career in medicine. As a current resident of Philadelphia and Hershey, PA, she has supported the arts as a member of the Mann Center’s Chairman’s Council, the Philadelphia chapter of the Links, Incorporated, and was previously on the board of the African American Museum in Philadelphia.

Tiffany Newmuis

Posted: Monday, June 14

Director

Tiffany Newmuis presently serves as Director, Local Media Development, within Corporate Administration for Comcast NBCUniversal. Mrs. Newmuis’ skills and extensive experience in corporate community relations, business development, event management, diversity, equity and inclusion, have enabled her to thrive in each of her positions, making her an important voice in the Greater Philadelphia community.

Prior to joining Comcast, Mrs. Newmuis served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Directory of Diversity and Community Engagement for the Philadelphia 2016 Host Committee for the Democratic National Convention (DNC). During her tenure with the DNC, Mrs. Newmuis managed the strategy, process, and people while implementing and directing all diversity goals and initiatives with respect to workforce, supplier, and operational diversity.

Laura Kirk

Posted: Wednesday, November 25

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!

Bill Johnson

Posted: Wednesday, September 25

Secretary

Bill Johnson has worked in the non-profit sector for three decades. He’s held development and leadership positions in higher education, the arts, and public media. He is currently general manager of WRTI, Greater Philadelphia’s classical music and jazz public media institution. In this role he leads local and national efforts to strengthen public service through the power of music and public media.

Bill currently serves on the boards of Eastern Region Public Media, Jazz Philadelphia, Greater Public, the Station Resource Group, the noncomMUSIC Alliance Advisory Council, and “Play On Philly”. He holds a B.S. in Policy Analysis from Cornell University.

Ravonna Farrow

Posted: Wednesday, September 25

Director

Ravonna’s daughter, Akili, was a charter member of POP. Akili performed in several partner music organizations throughout Philadelphia, toured Asia with Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America in 2018. Ravonna has been a constant champion and advocate of POP speaking at several POP parent meetings, fundraising events and staff/Board meetings. She is a respected parent and mentor to many POP families.