Staff & Board of Directors

Dr. Patrick Tuck

Executive Director

Patrick Tuck, Ph.D. serves as Executive Director of Kids’ Orchestra. He recently served as Director of Revenues for The Walls Project and prior to that as Executive Director for the Louisiana 4-H Foundation where he administered policy and procedure for a statewide network of 4-H nonprofits and led fundraising efforts that doubled the private assets of the Louisiana 4-H program.

Dr. Tuck has spent much of his professional career raising funds for music education programs. He serves as partnership committee chair for the Louisiana Center for Afterschool Learning Advisory Council (LACAL), who nominated him to participate in the 2021 White-Riley-Peterson (WRP) Afterschool Policy Fellowship program at Furman University. A partnership with the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, this Fellowship is a 10-month national program designed to equip participants with a real-world understanding of policymaking for afterschool and expanded learning.

Before joining Louisiana 4-H, Patrick served as director of the United Way of the Bluegrass RSVP Trailblazers K-12 education volunteer program. He worked with federal support staff and United Way leadership to triple volunteer engagement and develop policies and procedures to ensure effective management of that federal grant initiative.

A Canadian by birth with two advanced degrees from Louisiana universities, he first came to the U.S. in 1996 to complete a master’s degree in trumpet performance at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Patrick had been a freelance trumpet player and a music education sales professional in Toronto. His work with music educators to help them develop diverse revenue streams fueled his desire to learn about nonprofits and philanthropy in the U.S. He served on the music faculty at Southeastern Louisiana University while completing his doctorate in music theory from LSU, which he received in 2007. He and his family then spent eight years in Kentucky where he served as a music theory and high brass professor. His undergraduate music degree and performance diploma are from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Dr. Brian Gallion

Operations Director

bgallion@kidsorchestra.org
225.922.4656 ext. 106

Oversees logistics for all program sites and manages organizational operations.

Dr. Brian Gallion holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in tuba performance from Louisiana State University (LSU), a Master of Music in tuba performance from LSU, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. As the Operations Director with Kids’ Orchestra, Brian oversees logistics for all program sites, manages organizational operations including payroll, human resources, student application and enrollment, and assists with fiduciary duties.

In addition to working with Kids’ Orchestra, Brian was recently appointed to the Business and Memberships Manager position with El Sistema USA, a nonprofit supporting a network of music education programs throughout the country with staff development and training, research and data, student leadership programs, and advocacy for the field. Dr. Gallion is also an active performer, holding the position of principal tuba with the Rapides Symphony Orchestra, the Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra, and the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra. He is also a lifetime member of, and the Advertising Coordinator for, the International Tuba Euphonium Association.

He currently resides in Zachary with his wife, Sarah, and their three children, Renée, Liam, and Claire.

Samuel Trevathan

Education Director

strevathan@kidsorchestra.org
225.922.4656 ext. 103

Oversees the content, quality, and implementation of music curriculum for all program sites.

Sam holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Murray State University and a Master of Music in percussion from Louisiana State University. He has studied percussion with Tom Vanarsdel, John Hill, Jim Corcoran, and Brett Dietz.

Sam currently serves on the Advisory Council for the Louisiana Center for Afterschool Learning and previously served as the Afterschool Ambassador for Louisiana with the Afterschool Alliance (2018).

In addition to his work with Kids' Orchestra and afterschool programming throughout the state, he performs as a freelance percussionist in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, specializing in contemporary percussion, drum set, and chamber music. He also teaches privately throughout the region.

Sam enjoys spending time with his wife, Alicia Monroe.

Erika Richardson

Development Director

erichardson@kidsorchestra.org
225.922.4656 x 110

Erika Richardson is a dedicated professional with an enthusiasm for both nonprofit development and music. As the Development Manager at Kids’ Orchestra, Erika focuses on researching opportunities and securing funding, supporting fundraising initiatives, and enhancing social media campaigns that align with KO’s mission. Prior to joining Kids’ Orchestra, Erika owned Propagation Coffee Co. in Denton, TX where she combined her passions for community connection and quality coffee. Her approach to marketing and development is centered on fostering authentic relationships and creating meaningful experiences within the community.

In addition to her marketing and development work, Erika is an accomplished flutist, performing with local orchestras and freelancing. She holds a Master of Music in Flute Performance from the Boston Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from Louisiana State University.

Rosalinda ramirez

Program Manager, Event Coordinator

rramirez@kidsorchestra.org
225.922.4656 x 108

Rosalinda Ramirez is a performer and music educator from Brownsville, Texas. She earned her Bachelors in Music Performance from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley where she studied with Dr. Joe W. Moore III, Dr. Mark Joseph Ramirez, and Dr. Marco Schirripa. She received her Masters of Music in percussion performance from Louisiana State University where she studied with Dr. Brett W. Dietz. Prior to Kids Orchestra, Rosalinda was a percussion teacher in South Texas at several high schools and a consultant to different middle schools in the region. Outside of this she was a drum set teacher at Little Mozarts Music Academy and front ensemble technician for Genesis DBC. Currently she is a freelance musician in Baton Rouge and private lesson instructor.

Dr. Rebeca Lemos González

Program Manager, Instrument Inventory Manager

rlemos@kidsorchestra.org
225.922.4656 x 105

Dr. Rebeca Lemos González, a cellist, singer, and educator from A Coruña, Spain, is committed to making a positive impact on the community through music. Recognized for her organizational skills and proficiency in social situations, Dr. Lemos began her work in music education and administration to support and nurture the musicians' community, fostering enduring connections. She is a staunch advocate for diversity in music education, with her research focusing on women and Hispanic composers.

She is also an active performer, playing regularly with the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra and the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, she collaborates with her fiancé, Ronald Rodriguez, on the chamber music project Guayaba Duo, where she sings and plays. Their concert programs are based on her research focused on diversity.

Dr. Lemos holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in cello performance from Louisiana State University (LSU), dual MM degrees in cello performance with a minor in voice performance from the Conservatorio Superior de Música "Oscar Esplá" in Alicante and Southeastern Louisiana University, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance from the Conservatorio Superior de Música de A Coruña.

Dr. Kristyn Van Cleave

Program Manager, Private Lessons Coordinator

kvancleave@kidsorchestra.org
225.922.4656 x 102

Dr. Kristyn Van Cleave, a proud native of the vibrant California Bay Area, earned her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Collaborative Piano and Pedagogy from Louisiana State University and a Master of Music in Collaborative Piano from New York University. At LSU, Kristyn excelled as a graduate assistant, serving as a versatile pianist and vocal coach, accompanying a variety of musical and educational activities for both undergraduate and graduate students. At NYU, she made significant contributions as the assistant music director for student cabaret showcases, as well as Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute. Kristyn also served as an adjunct faculty member, teaching Keyboard Skills and private piano lessons, and working as a dedicated staff accompanist for the Vocal Performance department.

With over 15 years of teaching experience, Kristyn has passionately nurtured young musicians through her private piano studio, where up to 40 students have achieved prestigious accolades in the Royal Conservatory Music Development program and regional awards through the Music Teachers Association of California’s Certificate of Merit. In San Jose, California, she imparted her expertise in general music to elementary students and spent three fulfilling years teaching music and musical theatre at a private high school. Kristyn has a particular fondness for engaging with junior high and high school students, finding immense joy in fostering meaningful connections and encouraging their musical growth in a supportive and inspiring environment.

When not immersed in music, Dr. Van Cleave enjoys exploring French Impressionist collections at art museums and discovering new restaurants with friends!

Dr. Natalie Stepaniak

Office and Program Manager

nstepaniak@kidsorchestra.org
225.922.4656 x 107

Dr. Natalie Stepaniak, originally from the Denver-Boulder area of Colorado and now based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a dedicated violist, scholar, and arts administrator. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts with a minor in Arts Administration from Louisiana State University. Her work focuses on interdisciplinary collaborations that bridge art forms across mediums, making the arts more accessible to diverse communities.

Natalie has performed works by renowned composers such as Garth Knox, Ken Ueno, and Anna Thorvaldsdottir, and has closely collaborated with emerging composers. Her extensive experience includes performing with fixed media and live electronic processing, pushing the boundaries of traditional viola performance.

She has been recognized with awards like the UNCO Arts Innovation Award for her innovative piece "Enigma for solo viola and electronics triggered by tarantula." Natalie is committed to fostering a vibrant cultural ecosystem and inspiring others to engage in transformative experiences of the arts.

Board of Directors

The Kids' Orchestra Board of Directors meets at 647 Main Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801 at noon on the third Thursdays of the month (September, November, January, March, May) and at noon on the fourth Thursday of July for our annual meeting.

Lauren Fowler, Board Chair
Exit Realty

Katie Schellack, Immediate Past President
Writer & Volunteer

Christina Davis, Secretary
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana

Adam Beary, Treasurer
CEO/President, Bear Process Safety

Trang Phuong Huynh, MD
The Women's Services, LLC

Kelly Hurtado
Bank of St. Francisville

Marvin Broome
Retired Professor/Community Volunteer

Veronica Husak, CPA
Faulk & Winkler

Layne McDaniel, CPA, Advisory Board

John Gray, Advisory Board

Meredith Hathorn, JD, Advisory Board

Marie Powell, Advisory Board