Neil Trama
Neil Trama's career began as a deejay on college radio in Rochester, New York. While attending St. John Fisher College, he co-founded a 24-hour dance marathon to raise funds for children with cancer. This yearly event has since become the largest single donor for "The Teddi Project" which grants terminally ill children a final wish.
In the early 1990's, Mr. Trama moved to San Francisco and became a Talent Buyer and Promotions Director giving such artists as Train, Stroke 9 and Vinyl their first gigs in the city. These roles allowed him to hone his - A&R skills which helped him facilitate a seven record contract for Big Blue Hearts and led to his first job as an A&R scout at Geffen Records reporting directly the legendary A&R Director, Roberta Peterson.
He moved on to be the first A&R Representative hired by Mammoth Records in Los Angeles reporting to Jay Faires, President. Mr. Trama discovered The Elements (now known as Black Rebel Motorcycle Club ) who later signed with Virgin Records in 2000. Following that, he worked as an A&R Representative for then Madonna's imprint label, Maverick Records in Los Angeles reporting to Russ Rieger, Senior Vice President - A&R. In that role, he referred The Vines in 2000 that later signed with Capitol Records in 2002. He also showcased Rachael Yamagata in 2000 and she later signed with RCA/Private.
More recently, Trama founded his own Music Supervision Company and has worked for Bravo/NBC, Discovery International as well as -independent filmmakers. Today Neil finds his passion through the launch of OurConservatory
Jesse Herrera, Dean of Students
Jesse's music career began at an early age when his parents exposed him to the classical guitar, percussion and the saxophone. At the age of 20, he furthered his development at the Hochstein School of Music in Rochester, New York. In 1987, Jesse attended Berklee College of Music where he studied Performance and Jazz Composition with John Neves, John LaPorta, Bruce Gertz, Rich Appleman, John Rapucci, Dave Mash and Jack Kulp.
As a professional musician Jesse has worked throughout the New England area in General Business, Jazz and Blues Bands. In addition, he gained recording and engineering experience working on commercials and jingles in Boston and New York
Jesse is extremely community involved especially when the focus is on children in need. He annually sits on the board of The John V. Budney Golf Tournament and volunteers for the Golisano Children's Fund, The Serenity House, The Rodman Ride for Kids, The Tour de Cure, and Kids in Distress.
Dr. Heidi Horsley, Advisor
Dr. Heidi Horsley is an internationally known grief expert and Licensed Psychologist with a private practice in New York City. She has been working with adolescents and children for over fifteen years. Heidi hosts the syndicated internet radio show, Healing the Grieving Heart, which is one of the top ranked shows on Health Voice America. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University School of Social Work, specializing in clinical practice with children.
In addition, Heidi is a member of the Columbia University/FDNY research team which works with families who lost a firefighter in the World Trade Center. She also serves as a National Board Member and Vice President of the Open to Hope Foundation. Heidi uses music therapy in her practice, and has seen first hand the power that music has in building self esteem, and creating meaning, passion, and purpose in a kids life. She received her masters degrees from Columbia University and Loyola University in New Orleans, and her doctorate degree from the University of San Francisco.
Steve Boyack, Board Member
As the Vice President of Asset Management for the Laramar Group, Mr. Boyack is responsible for investor relations, portfolio and property performance, financial reporting, and asset strategy for a national real estate portfolio in excess of $1.4 billion dollars.
Prior to becoming the Vice President of Asset Management, Mr. Boyack served for 4-years as Regional Manager of the Northern California region for Laramar Management Services LLC, where he was responsible for the oversight of $220 million dollars worth of multifamily and commercial real estate.
In addition to Mr. Boyack's 14 years of experience in the management, renovation and repositioning of multifamily and commercial real estate, he has also held several board and chairman positions in both the Chicago and San Francisco areas. Most recently he chaired a committee to launch the Business Improvement District (BID) for the Fillmore Jazz Preservation District of San Francisco and was an active board member of the A2 area Mayor's Citizens Advisory Committee to the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency.
Mr. Boyack has a B.S. in Economics with a double emphasis in math and psychology from the University of Iowa.
Todd Maxwell, Board Member
Maxwell is currently Vice President of Technology for a boutique hotel company based in San Francisco. He has been a member of the San Francisco community for the past 15 years organizing numerous benefits, managing bands, and promoting many successful events. Maxwell has a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Syracuse University and is passionate about helping the children discover their passion through music.
Olson Martinez, Instructor
Olson Martinez was born in Honduras. As a child Olson did not have access to music instruments but his passion for music could not be suppressed and his hands became his vehicle taking him to his musical destiny. Olson incarnated into a percussionist playing music on the walls and tables in his school, using his hands as percussion mallets. At age thirteen Olson moved to the United States. As a young adult, in New York City, Olson began formally approaching percussion and began expressing his rhythmic talents on the djembe drum and the bongos. It was at this time that Olson began to collaborate with other musicians, and developed into an accomplished percussionist. In addition to being a musician Olson also was and is an avid athlete, excelling in soccer. Olsons travels also afforded him the privilege of learning to speak three languages fluently: French, Spanish and English. Throughout Olsons life he has always felt the need to use his talents to help children. He has volunteered as a soccer coach, a percussion instructor and member of the Health and Safety Program in New York, at the Ulster County College. Olson currently resides in San Francisco
Advisors
Steve Wallace
Steven W. Wallace is Director of Major Gifts for the Little Company of Mary Community Health Foundation supporting hospitals in Torrance and San Pedro, California. He has been working with institutions of higher learning for over 21 years and recently served as director of development for the College of Humanities at California State University, Northridge. Steven has spent time as Director of Donor Relations and later as Senior Associate Director of Development for the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. Prior to Chicago, Steven was Director of Donor Relations for Columbia University in New York and held administrative positions at Hunter College's School of Health Sciences in New York and the UC San Francisco School of Dentistry. A frequent presenter at Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) in Donor Relations conferences, Steven received his Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications from the University of California, Berkeley and Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco.
Robert Curran
Robert Curran is vice president of development and production for Discovery Networks International. Based at the company's global headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, Curran is responsible for developing original, brand-defining programs and series for Discovery Channel, Discovery Travel & Living, Discovery Home & Health, Discovery Realtime and Discovery Turbo. Curran works closely with production teams across the globe to identify and create programming that resonates with diverse audiences worldwide. Curran joined Discovery Networks in 2005 from Scout Productions in Boston, Massachusetts where he was head of production. In this role, Curran oversaw the development and production of a full slate of television series including the Emmy winning series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. In addition, Curran developed and produced Queer Eye for the Straight Girl, Knock First, Pop Illustrated and Space Race.
Helen S. Park
Helen S. Park is a marketing executive who has held director-level positions at Forbes Inc. NY, The Los Angeles Times and Pepperdine University. She is currently teaching Greek tragedy in Seoul Korea, and loves working with kids. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Greek and Latin from UCLA and has studied at the University of St. Andrews.
Ted Volk
Ted Volk is an accomplished and experienced Music Industry Executive with an outstanding record of success and an impeccable reputation within the industry. He is responsible for breaking some of the biggest bands in the business, and has a renowned expertise in forecasting trends in music and developing launch plans around those forecasts.
Ted was most recently at Capitol Records where in addition to managing the staff he developed and oversaw launch and marketing plans for Coldplay, Yellowcard, Beastie Boys, Radiohead and Jane's Addiction.
Ted lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three children. In his spare time he's a tennis player, thoroughbred horse fan and coaches kids basketball, soccer and baseball.
Caroline Rustigian Bruderer
Caroline is the Founder and President of K-LINE Publicity, an independent public relations and marketing agency that specializes in the fields of music, film, media, lifestyle and philanthropy. With a long history of working for some of the biggest brands in these industries, Caroline's diverse experience and broad contact base is key to her success in providing exceptional representation and promotion for her clients which have included most of the major record labels, film studios, as well as fine-dining restaurants and many charity organizations.