JODY HANET – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Oversees all departments and executive decisions for the organization. 

Jody Hanet has spent over 25 years working in music education and arts administration in New Jersey, Arizona, and Louisiana. She has been a public and private school teacher and children’s choir conductor, including work with the Phoenix Boys Choir, East Baton Rouge Parish Junior Choir, St. James Cherub Choir, St. Bernard’s Children’s Choir in Scottsdale, AZ, and the Corpus Christi Children and Bell Choirs in Chatham, NJ.

Since 2013, Jody has served as Executive Director of Kids’ Orchestra. Under Jody’s leadership, Kids’ Orchestra has grown from serving 65 children to now serving over 300 students across East Baton Rouge Parish. In addition to her work with Kids’ Orchestra, Jody has served on numerous nonprofit boards in Baton Rouge, including the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce and the A. C. Lewis YMCA.

Jody holds a Bachelor of Music Education in vocal music from Louisiana State University and a Master of Education Leadership from Bank Street College in New York City. She is also a Kodaly Specialist, certified from the Kodaly Musical Training Institute in Hartford, Connecticut, and is also certified to teach Kindermusik Beginnings. In her spare time, she continues to sing in her local church choir. Jody has been married to her husband, Michel for 34 years and their two sons, Nathan and Sebastian, are their pride and joy.

Contact Jody at jhanet@kidsorchestra.org or 225.922.4656 ext. 102.

SAMUEL TREVATHAN – EDUCATION DIRECTOR

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.

Contact Sam at strevathan@kidsorchestra.org or 225.922.4656 ext. 103.

ERIKA L. LADD – PROGRAM MANAGER

Manages the afterschool music program at Baton Rouge Foreign Language Academic Immersion Magnet, The Dufrocq School, and LaSalle Elementary alongside providing support to enrolled students and their families.

As a Program Manager, Erika is responsible for providing leadership in creating an inviting and safe environment for music students at Baton Rouge Foreign Language Academic Immersion Magnet, The Dufrocq School, and LaSalle Elementary program sites. She is also a liaison for Kids’ Orchestra and East Baton Rouge Parish schools.

Erika brings an abundance of experience to the Kids’ Orchestra team. With 17 years of experience as an English teacher in Louisiana and Texas, classroom management is a part of her area of expertise. While working as an Educational Specialist with the U.S. Dream Academy in Houston, TX and the Boys and Girls Club of Franklin, LA, Erika discovered her passion for community education.

She is delighted to have the opportunity to combine her knowledge and experience in service of music education and is pleased to be developing strong relationships with the Baton Rouge community at large. Erika is a 1997 graduate of Grambling State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Liberal Arts with a concentration in English.

Contact Erika at eladd@kidsorchestra.org or 225.922.4656 ext. 108.

BRIAN GALLION - OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

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. Prior to joining Kids’ Orchestra, Brian held various teaching positions in secondary and higher education throughout Georgia and Louisiana.

In addition to working with Kids’ Orchestra, Brian holds the position of principal tuba with the Rapides Symphony Orchestra, the Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra, and the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, as well as principal trombone with Theater Baton Rouge. He is also an active chamber musician, performing regularly with the Chimes Street Brass Quintet and Rouge Collective, a newly formed tuba and euphonium octet.

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

Contact Brian at bgallion@kidsorchestra.org or 225.922.4656 ext. 111.

LARRY HEARD – PROGRAM MANAGER & INSTRUMENT INVENTORY MANAGER

Manages the afterschool program at Park Ridge Academic Magnet, Westdale Heights Academic Magnet, and Zachary Elementary School sites as well as the care, maintenance, and distribution of the instruments and musical equipment used at all program sites.

Dr. Heard holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Tuba Performance and a Master of Music in Music Education from Louisiana State University as well as a Bachelor of Music Education from Southeastern Louisiana University.

Larry previously taught in the public school system as an Assistant Director of Bands for Fontainebealu High School. He plays regularly as a member of the Northshore Orchestra and Northshore Brass and also performs as a freelance musician on piano.

Since 2017, Larry has worked with Kids’ Orchestra, serving as a Teaching Artist and an Office Manager. He recently moved into a new role as Program Manager and Instrument Inventory Manager and is excited to further his involvement with KO. Larry lives in Baton Rouge with his wife and son.

Contact Larry at lheard@kidsorchestra.org or 225.922.4656 ext. 105.

ANGELA LABORDE – OFFICE MANAGER

Manages office communications and general administrative operations in addition to providing executive assistance to our Executive Director.

Angela Laborde holds a Master of Science in Human Resource and Leadership Development and a Bachelor of Arts in History, both from Louisiana State University (LSU). Prior to joining Kids’ Orchestra, Angela worked for LSU in the higher education advancement offices.

In addition to her work, Angela is a member of the Greater Baton Rouge Society for Human Resource Management and serves on the board for the LSU Colorguard Alumni Chapter. Angela and her family reside in Baton Rouge.

Contact Angela at alaborde@kidsorchestra.org or 225.922.4656 ext. 104.

KRISTINA PEPELKO – ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Oversees the development and implementation of marketing, communications, and public relations strategy, campaigns, and initiatives.

With over 8 years of experience in writing, editing, and communications, Kristina has held professional roles across the philanthropic and business sectors, serving organizations such as the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, One Green Planet, and Croatia Times, among others. She has run her own creative services business, managed international teams of writers, published over 400 articles online, ghostwritten for changemakers, and taught English in Croatia.

Committed to making a difference and being involved in her community, Kristina is a member of Forum 225 and volunteers at Cat Haven, a no-kill cat shelter. She is also a graduate of the 2019 John W. Barton Sr. Leadership Program. A daughter of immigrants, Kristina was born and raised in Michigan by way of Croatia. She currently resides in Baton Rouge with her husband, David and two former shelter cats, Stella and Luna.

Contact Kristina at kpepelko@kidsorchestra.org or 225.922.4656 ext. 110.

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