Staff

 

Ron Clary, President Ronald Ben Clary is an attorney with a solo practice in Canoga Park, California. He is a graduate of U.C.L.A. and U.C.L.A. law school who has been an attorney since 1980. He opened his own office in 1987, and currently practices in the field of Wills and Trusts in Canoga Park, California. Ron assisted in the formation of the Canoga Park Neighborhood Council, and served as its first President. He served three years as President of the Canoga Park/West Hills Chamber of Commerce, where he currently is a Board member and legal counsel. In the past, He has served as Vice President, Central Valley for the United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley, and has been honored by that organization as “Small Businessman of the Year”. He has been twice been honored as a “distinguished” Lieutenant Governor and District Trustee of Kiwanis International California, Nevada, and Hawaii District. In addition to his private practice, Ron currently serves as Director for Estate Legal Services at Biola University, La Mirada California. Ron is a parent of three and a grandfather of four, and feels that the youth of our community need every educational advantage in order to compete and to lead. His experience in working with non—profit, "grass roots” organizations serves as an asset to the Foundation.

Mark D'Amato, Vice President As a professional drummer, Mark has played all over California with various acts in the fair and casino circuit as well as the local club scene. What better way to give back to the community than help provide a way to get young people involved in music. Mark worked for the Guitar Center Stores for 7 years as store management. He spent time in several local stores including the Sherman Oaks and Hollywood locations. When approached to get involved, Mark saw an opportunity to help the Music Foundation secure the instruments needed to get the program off of the ground in the San Fernando Valley. His knowledge of the industry and strong connections with Guitar Center enabled Mark to procure all of the instruments that the Music Foundation currently owns and employs in the program. Mark has lived and worked in and around the San Fernando Valley area since 1983. He is a member of the Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce and the North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce. Mark currently works as a licensed REALTOR® in California and is a member of the Southland Regional association of REALTORS, California Association of REALTORS and the National Association of REALTORS. Mark services include Residential, Investment and Commercial Real Estate Sales and Financing. Mark D'Amato, GRI, e-PRO, REALTOR®, Senior Loan Officer Multi Real Estate Services Office 818-999-3982 | Cell 818-424-1115 www.MarkD4re.com Mark@MarkDAmato.com

Robyn Lutsky, Secretary/Educational Consultant Robyn Lutsky is a recently retired education professional. She currently holds three valid California teaching credentials and has most recently served as Founder/Director of three Los Angeles nonpublic schools, schools providing specialized services to students with a range of learning disabilities and significant emotionally-based behavioral disorders. Robyn moved to California from Chicago in1969 to matriculate in a Documentary Film graduate program at UCLA. Subsequently she worked in the news and editorial media until feeling the pull to return to the field of education to underwrite best practices for her own children’s learning opportunities. For the next 25-plus years, Robyn served as a teacher, administrator and policy maker, attempting to create and implement systems that would aid children with a wide range of learning strengths and weaknesses to reach their cognitive and affective potentials. She got a government book grant to begin a library…and won 27 commendations from the state of California for the effectiveness of her program and her vision. She happened into the opportunity to experience some of The M.U.S.I.C. Foundations’ Classes in operation and was struck with the exciting possibilities of another avenue that should be available to children and their teachers to help them learn the skills they will need to succeed in life. As an education professional, Robyn immediately went into data research mode and found a broad-based body of research that absolutely detailed the benefits of music instruction in support of learning in reading, mathematics, cognitive reasoning skills and self confidence. Robyn states: “World-wide research shows that students dramatically increase their cognitive and affective skills by studying the discipline of music. I have worked in the field of education too long not to realize that we need to use all avenues and sensory learning channels to give our school children the opportunity to reach their individual potentials if we want them to have a chance to be successful and productive future citizens of the greater community.” Robyn has lived in California for 38 years. She lives in the San Fernando Valley with her husband Michael; she has two grown sons and two grandchildren. Robyn Lutsky Secretary/Educational Consultant The M.U.S.I.C. Foundation 818-345-9323 or rl@supporttmf.org

Carolyn Sliger, Treasurer Carolyn Sliger, Treasurer, has served as the principal owner of Sliger and Associates, a bookeeping and income tax firm for 27 years. Her civic leadership includes three years as President of the Juniper Hills Community Association, in which she led the establishment of the Juniper Hills Town Council. Carolyn served as treasurer of the Reseda Chamber of Commerce for ten years, and as treasurer of the Canoga Park/West Hills Chamber of Commerce for three years. Carolyn has served as a Lieutenant Governor and District Trustee of the California Nevada Hawaii District of Kiwanis International, and has been selected President of the Canoga Park-Reseda Kiwanis Club four times. A parent and grandparent, Carolyn has spent a good portion of her life providing service to groups and organizations serving the educational needs of youth. She personally recalls how learning a musical instrument strengthened her poise and helped her overcome shyness. She strongly believes in the work of the Foundation to supplement the learning skills of our children. Her financial expertise provides a strong guiding hand assuring prudence and stability in the management of the organization. Carolyn Sliger Treasurer The M.U.S.I.C. Foundation

Kjrste Hillig, Music Teacher A native of Southern California, Kjrste Hillig moved to New York City in 1997 to attend the prestigious Manhattan School of Music (“MSM”), where she graduated in 2000 with a Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance and a Professional Studies Diploma. While at MSM, she was a member of the Opera Studio and the Opera Outreach Program. As a member of the Opera Outreach Program, she performed in a number of New York City public schools, introducing opera to the students. While living in New York City, she worked as a Teaching Artist and Associate Staff Developer for Education Through Music (“ETM”) teaching keyboard to Pre-K through 2nd grade, and general music to grades 4-6. In addition to her teaching, she performed with such ensembles as the Bronx Opera and the New York City Opera. Since returning to California, she has joined the staff of the M.U.S.I.C Foundation, teaching all K-2nd grade students as well as the volunteer chorus at the New Academy Canoga Park. She continues to perform locally in solo concerts and with the Intimate Opera Company. She believes that all students should have the opportunity to learn music as a part of their basic school curriculum. Not only does it promote advancement of academic subjects, it is an important part of developing a sense of self-expression and creativity. She is very excited to be a part of the M.U.S.I.C Foundation and brings this wonderful program to the students of the San Fernando Valley. Kjrste Hillig Music Teacher The M.U.S.I.C. Foundation

Kristin Thibideau, Community Liason & Fundraising Kristin arrived in the San Fernando Valley in June ’04. She learned about Education Through Music (ETM), a New York City program from a former ETM teacher, Kjrste Hillig, who had recently moved here from New York. The program has successfully changed the academics of 15 low-income schools in New York through providing music education to every student in a school weekly. Ms. Hillig’s desire to bring this program to S. California inspired a community effort to establish The Music Foundation as a non-profit. Since then key Valley leaders Gloria Pollack, Rose Goldwater, Bill Vanderbok and Kenn Phillips helped Kristin to make the contacts necessary to be able to share the program with this community.   Kristin is a member of the Woodland Hills-Tarzana Chamber of Commerce and the Canoga Park Chamber of Commerce. With contacts from this groups, a board has been formed of stakeholders who are committed to the education of children. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Kristin has worked in a variety of settings and developed many programs to benefit young people. In 1971 in North Chicago, Illinois, she planned and carried out a Summer Teen Program for 1000 teens. In 1987, she was one of six women who began the Redlands Educational Partnership Foundation that continues to this day after twenty years. Under the auspices of REP, Kristin led the effort to develop a science program (SATTOS) that brought science equipment to elementary students. Kristin says, “it is worth my time and effort if I can get young people off to a good start academically and help them see themselves as able to succeed.” Kristin has lived in California for twenty-nine years. She has been married to her husband Richard for 35 years and has two children and one grandchild. Turning Point Counseling employs her with a current office in Canoga Park. Kristin Thibedeau, LCSW Community Liason & Fundraising The M.U.S.I.C. Foundation 818-705-1754 or kt@supporttmf.org

Kurt De Vinney, Advisory Council As a senior graphic designer, I design printed advertising and marketing materials for Kim Lighting, an architectural lighting manufacturer in the City of Industry. Recently, I have been taking classes in web design and development at Santa Monica College to expand my skill set. Why am I involved with the Music Foundation? It feels good to give back to community. It was a real treat to visit Ms. Hillig in the classroom. Her love and joy of music is contagious, and readily apparent to the students.     Kurt De Vinney Advisory Council The M.U.S.I.C. Foundation