Dr. Sinella Aghasi - Director of Grants and Community Partnerships
Dr. Sinella Aghasi is an arts administrator, educator, and violinist. As an arts advocate, Dr. Aghasi is committed to making arts education accessible to a diverse community. In her role as the Director of Grants and Community Partnerships at Kids' Orchestra, she seeks to advocate for equitable access to the arts and to establish partnerships for bringing music education to a diverse community. Dr. Aghasi holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Louisiana State University, Master of Music from San Francisco State University, and Bachelor of music education and violin performance from California State University Stanislaus.
As an active performer, she plays with several local orchestras, such as Baton Rouge Symphony, Acadiana Symphony, and Rapides Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Aghasi currently serves as the Vice President of Corporate Sponsorships at Forum 225, Baton Rouge's largest young professionals' leadership organization.
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.
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.
Micaela Chrisentery - PROGRAM MANAGER
Micaela Chrisentery is originally from Los Angeles, California. As a seasoned professional she has experience working with families and students to align their goals, coordinating projects with multiple stakeholders, and developing long-term programs involving local community members.
She is excited to bring her talents to the Program Manager position at Kids’ Orchestra. She believes the true power and promise of Kids’ Orchestra is — a place that lifts up students of all backgrounds, shepherds their development as people and as scholars, and helps put them on a path toward reshaping the world.
Erika Richardson - Instrument Inventory Manager
Erika holds a Bachelor of Music in flute performance from Louisiana State University and a Master of Music in flute performance from The Boston Conservatory. She has a passion for cultivating positive learning environments and aspires to convey her fervor for music with students of all ages. Prior to joining Kids’ Orchestra, Erika taught a private flute studio in Dallas, owned a coffee business, and worked as a baker. She previously served Kids’ Orchestra as a teaching artist during her time at LSU. Erika currently resides in Baton Rouge with her husband, Austin, and their two Australian shepherds, Nova and Remy.
