Administration
Central Administration
Executive Office
Helen Eaton
Chief Executive Officer
215-320-2680
helen.eaton@settlementmusic.org
Helen Eaton has served as Settlement Music School’s Chief Executive Officer since 2010, and during her tenure, Helen has grown programming, diversified funding sources, strengthened the balance sheet, and championed partnerships, both locally and nationally. In 2020, Eaton received one of the highest honors in the field – the Arts Leadership Award from the Americans for the Arts. The award recognizes transformational leadership through strategic planning, strong programming, and the engagement of partners to achieve community goals. Helen’s work at Settlement has been featured in Harvard Business Review and is featured as a case study in Scott Anthony’s book, Eat, Sleep, Innovate: How to Make Creativity an Everyday Habit Inside Your Organization, published by Harvard Business Review Press — both for her work in building systems of innovation at a legacy institution. In 2016 she was named one of the Top 30 Innovators by Musical America Worldwide.
Karin Orenstein
Dean
215-320-2681
karin.orenstein@settlementmusic.org
Teresa Thompson
Kardon Center for Arts Therapy
Zausmer Program Manager
215-320-2625
teresa.thompson@settlementmusic.org
Beth Dzwil
Program Coordinator
Adult Chamber Players
215-320-2698
beth.dzwil@settlementmusic.org
Advancement
Amelia Schmertz
Chief Advancement Officer
215-320-2682
amelia.schmertz@settlementmusic.org
Rebecca Dhondt
Individual Gifts Manager
215-320-2691
rebecca.dhondt@settlementmusic.org
Jefferson Grubbs
Development Communications Manager
215-320-2693
jefferson.grubbs@settlementmusic.org
Regina Haigh
Development Operations Manager
215-320-2684
regina.haigh@settlementmusic.org
Anne Henry
Director of Development Operations
215-320-2694
anne.henry@settlementmusic.org
Communications
Megan Looby
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
215-320-2685
megan.looby@settlementmusic.org
Simon Linn-Gerstein
Graphic Designer
215-320-2683
simon.linn-gerstein@settlementmusic.org
Andrew Scott
Communications Content Manager
215-320-2650
andrew.scott@settlementmusic.org
Finance & Administration
Veronica Plousis
Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer
215-320-2687
roni.plousis@settlementmusic.org
Cynthia Bird
Payroll/Accounts Payable Coordinator
215-320-2689
cindy.bird@settlementmusic.org
Jennifer Everham
Senior Accountant
215-320-2688
jennifer.everham@settlementmusic.org
Robert Giannone
Facilities Manager
215-320-2652
robert.giannone@settlementmusic.org
Patrick Leiter
Chief Information Officer
215-320-2692
leiterp@settlementmusic.org
Schae X. Montgomery
Human Resources Associate
215-320-2690
schae.montgomery@settlementmusic.org
Music Education Pathways
Evan Cannon
Director, Music Education Pathways
215-320-2686
evan.cannon@settlementmusic.org
Suzanne Sweeney
Manager, Music Education Pathways
215-320-2686
suzanne.sweeney@settlementmusic.org
Philadelphia Music Alliance for Youth (PMAY) Artists’ Initiative
Najib Wong
Director, PMAY Artists’ Initiative
215-320-2664
najib.wong@pmayartists.org
Kaleidoscope Preschool
Tarrell Davis
Executive Director of Early Childhood Programming
215-320-2670
tarrell.davis@settlementmusic.org
Candace Green
Assistant Director
215-320-2618
candace.green@settlementmusic.org
Karen Hines
Family Services Provider
215-320-2672
karen.hines@settlementmusic.org
Laura Ryan
Administrative Assistant
215-320-2671
laura.ryan@settlementmusic.org
Branch Staff
Mary Louise Curtis Branch
Our Mary Louise Curtis (MLC) branch is the oldest and largest branch of Settlement Music School. Each year, MLC hosts 65+ student performances, 150+ meetings and workshops, 120+ community partner events and 15 artist master classes. It is also the primary site for the Rhythm n’ Brews Community Drum Circle and Social Hour and it is home to our award-winning Kaleidoscope Preschool and After-School Program.
Visit the Mary Louise Curtis Branch Page
Kris Rudzinski
Branch Director
215-320-2602
kris.rudzinski@settlementmusic.org
Brigid O’Brien
Branch Manager
215-320-2605
brigid.obrien@settlementmusic.org
Jayne Surrena
Branch Coordinator
215-320-2603
jayne.surrena@settlementmusic.org
Germantown Branch
Our Germantown Branch is our second oldest site, after Mary Louise Curtis, and was founded in 1958. It is home to our award-winning Kaleidoscope Preschool program and it hosts an extremely eclectic mix of programming, which includes large string ensemble programs, as well as rock and jazz ensembles.
Visit the Germantown Branch Page
Sara Hiner
Branch Director
215-320-2610
sara.hiner@settlementmusic.org
Mervin Toussaint
Branch Coordinator
215-320-2613
mervin.toussaint@settlementmusic.org
Kardon-Northeast Branch
Our Kardon-Northeast (KNE) branch serves a diverse community within Northeast Philadelphia and is the main hub of Settlement Music School’s arts therapy program. Partnering with many off-site local institutions and facilities, the Branch strives to meet the various needs of our students with programs such as early childhood music classes to a variety of senior offerings.
Visit the Kardon-Northeast Branch Page
Matthew Clayton
Branch Director
215-320-2622
matthew.clayton@settlementmusic.org
Denise Pride
Branch Coordinator
215-320-2623
denise.pride@settlementmusic.org
Willow Grove Branch
Our Willow Grove Branch is housed in our most modern facility and boasts many chamber ensemble program offerings along with a thriving Adult Chamber Music program. Serving a fast-growing diverse population of students of all ages in Montgomery County as well as Bucks, Philadelphia and other neighboring areas, the Willow Grove Branch strives to support the programs already in place in local school districts, supplementing and partnering with local schools and organizations.
Visit the Willow Grove Branch Page
Kathleen Krull
Branch Director
215-320-2632
kathleen.krull@settlementmusic.org
Natalie Conover
Branch Coordinator
215-320-2633
natalie.conover@settlementmusic.org
Wynnefield Branch
Our Wynnefield Branch is a musical hub for students between the Main Line and Philadelphia. With programming offered to students as young as 6 months and as old as 98 years, Wynnefield has something for everyone. This Branch currently houses many of Settlement’s jazz ensembles, including two Advanced Study Jazz ensembles, coached by Tony Miceli.
Visit the Wynnefield Branch Page
Alex Serio
Branch Director
215-320-2642
alex.serio@settlementmusic.org
Annie Fortenberry
Branch Coordinator
215-320-2643
annie.fortenberry@settlementmusic.org
Camden Partnership Branch
Settlement is committed to bringing the arts to multiple schools and organizations in the Camden area through general music instruction, choirs, and much more. Contact us today to discuss what type of partnership might work best for you.
Visit the Camden Partnership Branch Page
Karin Orenstein
Director of Education
215-320-2681
karin.orenstein@settlementmusic.org
Settlement Music Online
Settlement’s accessible, creative arts education available online to everyone, everywhere.
Visit the Settlement Music Online Page
Chelsea Steinberg
Community Engagement and Virtual Learning Associate
215-320-2660
chelsea.steinberg@settlementmusic.org
What We Do
We designed our flexible, best-in-class programming in music, dance, and creative arts therapy with our students in mind.
History
Settlement has served as a community hub and trusted resource for music and the creative arts since 1908.
Our Branches
Our six branches serve the Greater Philadelphia region, ensuring that excellence in arts education is available to all, regardless of location.