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 with the Phoenix Boys Choir and the East Baton Rouge Parish Junior Choir. 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.
Since 2013, Jody has served as Executive Director of Kids’ Orchestra. Under Jody’s leadership, Kids’ Orchestra grew from serving 65 children into one of the largest afterschool music programs in the country, currently serving nearly 350 students across East Baton Rouge Parish. In addition to her work with Kids’ Orchestra, Jody serves on the Board of Directors for the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce and for the A. C. Lewis YMCA in Baton Rouge. Jody has been married to her husband, Michel for 33 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, and Jim Corcoran. Sam is currently studying with Brett Dietz while finishing his Doctor of Musical Arts in percussion performance at Louisiana State University.
Sam hails from Kentucky where he was active with the Kentucky Center for the Arts and the Governor’s School for the Arts as the Western Kentucky recruiter and as a teaching assistant. He currently 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.
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 currently holds the position of principal tuba with the Rapides Symphony Orchestra, the Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra, and the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra. He is also an active chamber musician with the Chimes Street Brass Quintet. He currently resides in Zachary, LA with his wife, Sarah, and their three children, Renée, Liam, and Claire.
Contact Brian at bgallion@kidsorchestra.org or 225.922.4656 ext. 111.
MELISSA PARMELEE – DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Oversees the Development & Communications Department and manages corporate, foundation, and individual giving.
Melissa has over a decade of nonprofit experience and has worked for a number of organizations, including Capital Area United Way, Baton Rouge Epicurean Society, and Audubon Louisiana. Her roles have included annual giving, special events, management, and major gifts.
In addition to working for nonprofits, she has served on the boards of Forum 35, Junior League of Greater Baton Rouge, Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Manship Advisory Board, and Maison Des Ami. She was recognized as Baton Rouge Business Report’s Forty under 40, Forum 35’s Member of the Year. and Forum 35’s Inaugural Young BR Original Award.
Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts in mass communication from Louisiana State University. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive and has participated in the Baton Rouge Leadership Program and Next Wave Program for nonprofit leaders.
Contact Melissa at mparmelee@kidsorchestra.org or 225.922.4656 ext. 106.
KRISTINA PEPELKO – MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Oversees the development and implementation of marketing and communications campaigns and initiatives.
Kristina brings 8 years of experience in the areas of writing, editing, communications, and development to Kids’ Orchestra. She has run her own creative services business, managed teams of writers, spearheaded creative project collaborations, crafted viral content, and ghostwritten for changemakers. She has also published over 400 articles and has worked for both philanthropic and for-profit organizations, including the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, One Green Planet, Croatia Times, and Ulix Foreign Language School.
In addition to her professional work, Kristina is committed to making a difference and being involved in her community. She is a member of Forum 35 and volunteers with Baton Rouge’s no-kill cat shelter, Cat Haven. She also recently graduated as a member of the 2019 John W. Barton Sr. Leadership Program. Kristina holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in English and writing, both from Grand Valley State University.
Contact Kristina at kpepelko@kidsorchestra.org or 225.922.4656 ext. 110.
ERIKA L. LADD – PROGRAM MANAGER
Oversees the afterschool music program at the 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 insight 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. Being a part of bringing music to the children of East Baton Rouge Parish with the Kids’ Orchestra team is a true pleasure.
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.
WILBERT GILLEY – PROGRAM MANAGER & INSTRUMENT INVENTORY MANAGER
Oversees the afterschool program at Park Ridge Academic Magnet, Westdale Heights Academic Magnet, and Zachary Elementary School sites and manages the care, maintenance, and distribution of the instruments and musical equipment used at all program sites.
Wilbert holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music in Clarinet Performance from Louisiana State University. He has studied the clarinet primarily with Deborah Chodacki.
Before accepting his position as Instrument Inventory Manager, Wilbert worked as a clarinet and flute Teaching Artist for Kids’ Orchestra. Wilbert currently works as both a Program Manager and Instrument Inventory Manager in addition to managing Kids’ Orchestra’s Zachary Elementary School, Park Ridge Academic Magnet School, and Westdale Heights Academic Magnet program sites.
Wilbert is an active performer in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas, performing with Versipel New Music Ensemble as well as several other chamber ensembles. He also teaches clarinet privately in Baton Rouge.
Contact Wilbert at wgilley@kidsorchestra.org or 225.922.4656 ext. 104.
LARRY HEARD – OFFICE MANAGER
Maintains and organizes administrative services and procedures to ensure organizational effectiveness, efficiency, and safety.
Larry holds a Master of Music in Music Education from Louisiana State University (LSU) as well as a Bachelor of Music Education from Southeastern Louisiana University. He previously taught in the public school system for several years as an Assistant Director of Bands for Fontainebealu High School. He is currently working on a Doctor of Musical Arts in tuba performance at LSU, studying under Dr. Joseph Skillen. Larry plays regularly as a member of the Northshore Orchestra and Northshore Brass while also performing as a freelance musician on piano.
Now in his third year with Kids’ Orchestra, Larry has enjoyed the privilege of working as a trombone Teaching Artist. He loves interacting with his students and sharing his enthusiasm for music with them. Larry has also joined the administrative staff as the Office Manager, assisting with duties that help carry out the responsibilities of the office personnel. He is excited to further his involvement in Kids’ Orchestra through his new role working behind the scenes at this valuable and enriching organization. Larry lives in Baton Rouge with his wife and son.
Contact Larry at lheard@kidsorchestra.org or 225.922.4656 ext. 105.
