Meet The Team

Founder, President

Ava Tillman-Schwartz

Ava Tillman-Schwartz is a high school senior passionate about investigating the neuroscientific basis underlying the profoundly healing effects of musical traditions from around the world. Ava enjoys playing the harp and the viola, serving as a co-president of her high school's orchestra program and the principal harpist in the Rivers Conservatory Youth Symphony Orchestra. In addition to playing music, her favorite activities include leading her high school's Debate Team and Girl Up chapter, developing new recipes, and starting crochet projects that she almost never finishes.

Director of Operations, Co-Advisor

Christopher Memoli

Christopher Memoli is the Music Director of the Rivers Youth Orchestras and conducts the Rivers Youth Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Memoli also serves as the Director of Music for the Weston Public Schools where he has overseen the development of what is now one of the most outstanding music programs in the State of Massachusetts. He currently serves on the Executive Board of the Massachusetts Music Educators Association-Eastern District and has also been a Head Director for American Music Abroad Honor Bands and Orchestras since 1995. Mr. Memoli is in demand as a guest conductor, adjudicator, freelance violinist and violin teacher.

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Vice Chair, Co-Advisor

Claire Nalven

Claire Nalven is a Music Educator, Conductor and Clarinetist. She holds degrees in Performance, Chamber Music and Anthropology from Northwestern University (BM/BA) and the University of Michigan (MM). Ms. Nalven currently teaches Band, Jazz Band, Chamber Music and AP Music Theory at Weston High School and Middle School in Weston, MA. She has previously worked as a band director, private clarinet teacher, and orchestral winds clinician.