Program Staff & Teaching Artists

Our Staff

Kyla Pitts-Zevin, Northeast Community Center Executive Director
Kyla Pitts-Zevin has spent the past decade advocating for and serving children and families. A bilingual Spanish speaker, Kyla has a background in program management and grant writing. Kyla has served as the Community Center's Development Director since 2018, and stepped into the Executive Director's role in July 2021. She holds a Masters in Public Administration from Arkansas State University, a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University, and a Bachelors in Human Development & Social Relations and Spanish from Earlham College.

Casi Riegle, Development Associate of the Northeast Community Center
Casi, originally from Lee's Summit, MO, holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Point Park Conservatory of the Performing Arts and is currently pursuing her Masters in Public Administration. Before joining the Northeast Community Center, she was living in New York City performing in various musicals as a member of the Actors' Equity Association. Casi is ecstatic to be back in her hometown!

Dr. Jesse Henkensiefken, Harmony Project KC Program Manager
A Kansas native, Jesse Henkensiefken is an accomplished cellist, conductor and pedagogue. He has experience as the former Salina Symphony Assistant Conductor, Ars Viva Chamber Orchestra Music Director, Kansas Wesleyan University Director of Orchestras & String Studies and as the co-founder of the KWU International Music Festival. He holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from the University of Kansas and has a Masters of Music from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Currently he is the chairman of the Kansas Intercollegiate Orchestra and is excited to be the new Program Manager for the KC Harmony Project.

James Westbrook, Harmony Project KC Program Coordinator
James Westbrook is a teacher, performer, and Kansas City native. With over ten years of teaching experience, Mr. Westbrook is dedicated to providing quality music education to learners of all ages. As a performer, he has had the pleasure of performing works from both the classical and contemporary canon alongside phenomenal colleagues and musicians. James holds degrees in clarinet performance and music education from the University of Missouri - Kansas City, the University of North Texas, and the University of Central Missouri, respectively. He is also an advocate for contemporary music and musicians in the Kansas City music community and serves on the Board of Directors for newEar Contemporary Chamber Ensemble.

Liz Snow, Program Assistant
Liz is a certified Music Therapist with degrees in Psychology and Music Therapy from UMKC. Before her role as Program Assistant, Liz served as a violin and viola Teaching Artist at HPKC. She also has a private studio of over 20 students in violin, viola, voice, guitar, ukulele and piano. Liz recently completed her full-time Music Therapy internship at New Frontiers, an adult mental health day program at Truman Medical Center. During her internship, she gained valuable experience leading songwriting, mindfulness, and lyric analysis groups that gave the clients an expressive outlet through music. She is looking forward to incorporating her Music Therapy expertise into her work at HPKC!

Tamara Marler, Office Manager
Tamara Marler has worked as an executive level administrative assistant since completing her service in the US Army in 1993. A novice cellist, she was first introduced to her instrument as a fourth grade student through a music outreach program in Denver, Colorado. As a Northeast KCMO resident and enthusiastic proponent of music education for youth, Tamara is excited to be on the Harmony Project KC team.

Ximena Pecina, Student & Family Advocate
Ximena was born and raised on the Westside of Kansas City, Missouri, and her family is from Central Mexico. As the daughter of a musician, she grew up in a musical family and learned how to sing and play the flute at a young age. A graduate from UMKC, Ximena has worked in local non-profits in the field of community engagement and communications.

Our Teaching Artists

Rebeca Baquerizo, Musicianship and Violin Teaching Artist Aide
A native of Miami, Florida, Rebeca Baquerizo recently graduated from Boston University with a Master’s degree in Violin Performance. She has performed as part of the Alma String Quartet, Barron String Quartet, and was a winner of the Orfeo International Solo Competition in Vipiteno, Italy. Having seven years of teaching experience, Rebeca has taught with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra and St. Thomas More School in Sanford, FL. She is passionate about sharing music with others and worked for BU’s Outreach Program, expanding its concerts and partnerships. Rebeca is relocating to Kansas City this year and is excited to begin teaching with the wonderful team at HPKC.

Alyssa Bell, Viola Teaching Artist/Chamber Music Facilitator
Kansas City native Alyssa Bell has been playing viola/violin for 20 years, and teaching for since 2009. Her commitment to music education and music advocacy can be observed through her work with organizations such as OrchKids in Baltimore, Northwest Missouri State University, Classical Revolution KC, and now Harmony Project KC. She has performed at international music festivals as well as at home with the Kansas City Symphony and is excited to embark on a new chapter of music advocacy in Kansas City!

Valerie Bell, Orchestra Conductor/Double Bass Teaching Artist
Valerie is currently serving as a string specialist in the Kansas City area, and teaching double bass and strings at the Harmony Project KC. She retired from the Park Hill School District in 2011 as Director of Orchestras at Park Hill South High School and Lakeview Middle School. Prior to this Ms. Bell was Director of Orchestras at Raytown High School and Middle School. Other teaching experiences include string instructor in the North Kansas City School District (2013-2018), and adjunct instructor of String Methods, UMKC (2010-2014). Ms. Bell holds a BME and MA in Music Education (double bass emphasis) from the University of Central Missouri. Valerie has held the positions of KC Metro District III Orchestra V.P., MMEA Orchestra V.P., and is a Past-President of MoASTA (Missouri Division of the American String Teachers Association) where she is currently serving on the board and assists with the administration of the Missouri All-State Orchestra.

Rachael Berg, Viola Teaching Artist
Rachael was born and raised in Georgia where she received her musical training and teaching credentials. She has been playing the violin for twenty years and teaching for nearly as long. She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Georgia. Rachael was co-director of one of the largest high school orchestra programs in Georgia before switching gears to solely teaching private lessons for violin, viola, cello, and piano. Since moving to Missouri in 2018, Rachael has enjoyed playing with the KC Civic Orchestra and other local ensembles, teaching private lessons, and teaching online English lessons to children in China. When she isn’t teaching or playing she enjoys spending time with her husband and four boys. Sharing music with others has been one of the greatest joys of Rachael’s life and she is excited to be a part of the wonderful program at Harmony Project KC.

Gözde Çakır, Woodwinds Teaching Artist
Gözde Çakır, a native of Turkey, is a third year DMA student in Flute Performance at the Conservatory at UMKC. She is a member of Plaza Winds, the UMKC Graduate Woodwind Fellowship Quintet. She also holds the second flute position at the Topeka Symphony Orchestra. She holds a Bachelors degree in Flute Performance from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University State Conservatory in Istanbul. Following graduation, she accepted a teaching assistant position at Central Michigan University in order to pursue a Master of Music in flute performance. She has received recognition at various competitions including second prize in the Izmir International Flute Competition, the Yamaha Scholarship Award, honorable mention at the Nixon Woodwind Competition at CMU, and winner of the concerto competition at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Istanbul State Conservatory. Gözde has performed throughout Turkey, United States, France, Switzerland and Kosovo.

Victor Diaz, Violin Teaching Artist
Victor began his musical training in Bogotá, Colombia at the National Colombia Conservatory. He was a four-time winner of The Young Performer Competition from the Colombian Republic Bank. On several occasions, he has travelled the world with the sponsorship of orchestras and organizations such as Colombian Youth Philharmonic, Orchestra of the Americas, Sphinx Organization. Victor has been part of numerous international tours and educational programs such as the Mahler Chamber Orchestra Academy, Allegro Vivo Festival in Austria, and the National Alliance of Audition Support training program. Currently, Victor plays with numerous regional orchestras and is completing his master degree in violin performance with Benny Kim at UMKC.

Adee Dancy, Cello Teaching Artist
Adee was born and raised in the KC area, and has spent all of her career working in the music and theatre scene within the city. She has been a music director, a director, an actress, a singer, a pit orchestra cellist, an orchestral cellist, a teacher, and an arranger, each inspiring her in a different way! She has worked with ensembles and organizations such as Faust Theatre, Artist Community Project, The Arts Asylum, Shawnee Mission Theatre in the Park, Music Theatre Kansas City, Musical Theatre Heritage, and the Midwest Chamber Ensemble.

Larry Hernandez, Cello Teaching Artist
Larry is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Cello Performance at the UMKC Conservatory studying under Michael Mermagen. He obtained a double degree in BM Cello Performance and Music Theory at the UMKC Conservatory 2018, cum laude. He was a participant at the Miami Music Festival (MMF), the Innsbrook Music Festival in St. Louis, and the Frostburg Summer Music Academy (Frostburg, MD) where he was a Fellow and coach for students. Hernandez has played in the Topeka Symphony Orchestra, the MMF Symphony and Opera orchestras, the Midwest Chamber Ensemble, and the Youth Symphony of Kansas City. Hernandez has performed in master classes for Hans Jørgen Jensen, Michael Stern, Keith Robinson, Emilio Colón, and Nathan Cole. Other influential cello teachers include Carter Enyeart, Alexander East, and Emilio Colón.

Selene Hernandez, Violin Teaching Artist/String Ensemble Conductor/Advanced Technique Teaching Artist
Selene is currently a middle and high school Orchestra teacher for the Independence School District. In the past, Selene interned with the Youth Symphony of Kansas City and the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles at Heart of Los Angeles. She received her Bachelor of Music Education from William Jewell College.

Brett Jackson, Woodwinds Teaching Artist
Stepping between genres, Brett’s performance and recording credits include Bobby Watson, Cyrille Aimée, Johnny Mathis, Michael Feinstein, Roy Hargrove, Jerry Bergonzi, Jaleel Shaw, Sean Jones, Tech N9ne & Krizz Kaliko, Kelly Finnigan, Josh Heinrichs, Monophonics, The Project H, Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Repertory Theater and the Broadway tours of Chicago, Motown and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. He currently teaches woodwinds at KCKCC Jackson can be heard on “We Live Among The Lines”, “Become Light” and “Everyday, Forever” from The Project H, “Soul Jazz Fridays” and “The Basement Beat” from Chris Hazelton’s Boogaloo 7, “Make It Right” and “Perseverance” by the Zack Mufasa Band, “Rhapsody” by the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, “Go” by Krizz Kaliko and “The Storm” by Tech N9ne. More information on Brett can be found at: www.brettjacksonmusic.com

Dr. Ezgi Karakus, CelloTeaching Artist/Chamber Music Facilitator
Turkish cellist Ezgi Karakus began her cello education at the age of eleven in her native Izmir, Turkey. Later on, Ezgi completed her Master of Arts at Marshall University, where she was awarded first prize in the Jackson Balshaw Music Competition, and the Marshall University Concerto Competition. She has performed with several orchestras, including the Dokuz Eylul Symphony Orchestra, the Ohio Valley Symphony, the Medical Arts Symphony, and the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra. Ezgi recently received her D.M.A. in Cello Performance at the UMKC Conservatory of Music & Dance.

Kristen Nall, Woodwinds Teaching Artist
Kristen received her Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. She currently teaches K-5 Music at Lewis and Clark Elementary School in Liberty, MO. Kristen plays the trombone regularly with two ensembles in the Kansas City area - Moon City Big Band and the Northland Symphony Orchestra. Kristen is passionate about children receiving opportunities to make music and is thrilled to be a part of Harmony Project KC!

Sheila A. Pycior, Musicianship Teaching Artist
Born and raised in Michigan, Sheila has been calling the Kansas City area home since 1987. Sheila has been teaching private and group music lessons for 30+ years. Music was a way of life in her family growing up and continues to be today. She has performed in many different groups as a vocalist, pianist, flutist, and clarinetist. Sheila is passionate about the importance of music theory. She wants her students to understand the science and math behind the feeling that is music. She loves to see her students be successful and watch them get excited when they have mastered a task. Sheila is dedicated to the success of each student and loves being a part of the HPKC team.

Hillary Sametz, Violin Teaching Artist
Originally from Regina, SK, Canada, Hillary has been in Kansas City since 2011. She completed a Masters of Music in Viola Performance at UMKC and is now finishing up a Master of Arts in Music Therapy. She loves working with young people and has seen firsthand how the benefits that come with music making, including discipline, teamwork, empowerment, pride, and a sense of achievement, serve to bind communities and contribute to the improvement of society at large. Hillary strongly believes that music should provide a joyful and fun experience for all, and that access to music should not limited by socio-economic status. A certified yoga teacher, Hillary encourages her students to develop a relationship between body and mind, and to be mindful of their behaviors and feelings. In her spare time, Hillary enjoys making music, dancing, hiking, and spending time with her beloved dog, Dexter.

Ashley Stanfield, Violin Teaching Artist
A native of Kansas City, Ashley Stanfield has been teaching and performing locally for over ten years. She is an Alumni of both the Interlochen and Idyllwild Arts Academies and holds a Bachelors Degree in Viola performance as well as a Teaching Licentiate from the Royal Academy of Music, London. In addition to her positions as Principal Violist of the Kinnor Philharmonic and violist of the Opus 76. Quartet, Ashley performs regularly with the Saint Joseph Symphony and is a substitute musician with the Kansas City Symphony. She has also appeared as a guest artist with the Bach Aria Soloists, Spire ensemble and the KC Baroque Consortium. Ashley has extensive teaching experience at the beginner through to collegiate level. She currently teaches violin for both the KC String Sprouts (pre-school age) and Harmony Project programs (K-12) and formerly served as a teaching artist on the faculty at Drake University.

Helena Vasconcellos, Musicianship Teaching Artist
Helena received her Master of Music in Chorale Conducting and her Doctorate of Music in Music Education from the UMKC Conservatory of Music, both with emphasis in Choral Conducting. Helena is currently the Music Director of the Jacomo Chorale (a community chorus) and the conductor of "Bells of Joy" (a hand bell choir at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish in Lenexa). She was formerly a Choral Music teacher in several Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Saint Joseph-Kansas City, the Associate Director of the KC Children's Chorus, and the Music Director of the Nativity of Mary Parish in Independence, Missouri.

Brittany Wasko, Violin Teaching Artist/String Ensemble Conductor
Brittany is a senior at the UMKC Conservatory of Music pursuing a Bachelor of Music Education. She is currently an intern with the Youth Symphony of Kansas City and performs in several local ensembles including the Lee's Summit Symphony and the Midwest Chamber Ensemble.

Jason West, Cello Teaching Artist/String Ensemble Conductor
Jason recently finished his undergraduate studies with degrees in Cello Performance and Music Education at the UMKC Conservatory. He is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Cello Performance from the conservatory as well. He has a great devotion for both teaching and performing to help improve the lives of others through music. Jason has performed in various recitals and music festivals of solo and chamber music across the country, and locally with the Midwest Chamber Ensemble. He is delighted to be a part of Harmony Project KC to encourage growth and influence young musicians in this program.