Meet our new 2023 Board Members!

Heather Eyerman: 

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background? What motivated you to become a board member? 

I have worked in Executive Leadership with an emphasis in Human Resources/People Operations for the last 10 years.

After having my daughter in 2020, I have a new outlook on what is important and how we can contribute to making this world a better place.

Knowing the opportunities afforded to my daughter are not necessarily the same opportunities for the vast majority of students in the Phoenix metro area, I am all the more committed to the goals set forth by SOUNDS Academy and the need to remove any barriers students may have in receiving music education opportunities.

How did you get involved with SOUNDS Academy?

I was introduced to SOUNDS Academy (more specifically, Kirk) through my husband. He and Kirk taught for Teach for America and made the cross-country trip to Arizona together from Ohio (along with Vic, Kirk’s dog) for their first teaching assignment in Phoenix. Over the years, we’ve witnessed Kirk’s commitment to SOUNDS Academy and have been fortunate enough to be able to support SOUNDS Academy through various events. Kirk is always willing to watch any NBA game with my husband, especially if the Celtics are playing.

What do you think about the current state of music education?

Given the unceremonious and routine budget cuts across Arizona and this country, music is often the first item removed from a school’s budget. Aside from the obvious advantages and opportunities music education can bring to students, I believe more schools need to reinvest in the arts and make music a mandatory part of every student’s academic experience.

Why is music education important for children? Why are programs like SOUNDS Academy important?

Music supports the developmental growth of children to learn how to express themselves. It provides a cultural understanding at an early age and can foster some of the most important values that SOUNDS Academy has defined such as discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. SOUNDS Academy is an integral piece to music education as they create access to these opportunities.

Between the characteristics of creativity, leadership, perseverance, resilience, and teamwork; which speaks the most about your journey so far and why?

Teamwork. I am a firm believer that you are only as strong as your team. (I know, I know… I could rattle off a few more “Teamwork” quotations, but it’s true). Teamwork is the backbone for inclusive leadership. By acknowledging the importance of diverse perspectives, you are promoting an environment of respect and collaboration.

You have lots of leadership experience, one of our most important character values is leadership, how has leadership helped you professionally?

Leaders have the ability to influence others allowing them to make a meaningful impact on their work and the people around them. Leadership has challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone, fostering personal growth and placing significant value on diverse interactions.

If you were to tour with a musician or a band, which one would it be?

It is difficult to pick just one. If it were a historical tour, I would say Elvis Presley. For the present day, I would have loved to be behind the scenes of the Hollywood Bowl for Encanto. I will also never miss a P!nk performance, but I don’t know if I am cool enough to hang with her on tour. I’d like to think that in my retirement years, I will volunteer at the Musical Instrument Museum to ensure I never miss a performance.

What title would you give your autobiography?

“I can’t make this up.”

As you may know, our founder believes that we will make a significant impact and that there will be a Netflix or Hulu documentary on SOUNDS Academy. Which actor would you want to play you in this documentary and what would you want your part to be remembered as?

Mindy Kaling – She is bright, hilarious, and always dressed to impress. Most importantly, she is a fierce advocate for children and a generous philanthropist.

Devonte Cummings: 

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background? What motivated you to become a board member? 

I am currently a Vice-President/Commercial Relationship Manager at PNC Bank here in Phoenix. My role is to seek and cultivate strong banking relationships with privately held companies with revenues between $5MM to $50MM.  

Originally my banking career started in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where I was a Management Trainee fresh out of college. Then I was promoted 13 months later to join the bank’s Baltimore commercial team in an expansion market. There I worked with small business owners/companies for 4 years before deciding to relocate to Phoenix, AZ.  

My birth/hometown is Bronx, New York but I spent my adolescent years in Pennsylvania. During my academic career, I also ran track and field for 13 years and I am a former school record holder at Kutztown University of PA. 

Boards were instrumental in helping me expand my network when I moved to Baltimore in 2017. The ability to work with career professionals and local business owners was a great experience. I believe non-profit boards are a great way to give back to the community in many different ways. To help raise money and expand the organizations donor base, helps all constituents get the resources they need. 

How did you get involved with SOUNDS Academy? 

My path to SOUNDS Academy was meeting the CEO at a restaurant one evening and Kirk overheard I was from the east coast. We quickly got to know each other, and he mentioned the organization he runs. Given my background personally and professionally, I felt joining SOUNDS Academy’s board would be a great way to give back to the PHX community. 

What do you think about the current state of music education? 

Many school districts unfortunately are cutting music/art programs out of their fiscal year budget. This affects so many intelligent and gifted students who enjoy learning about music. These students indeed do have tangible skills to be employed in the future in a variety of industries. 

Why is music education important for children? Why are programs like SOUNDS Academy important? 

Music education harnesses the skill sets of children in many ways. It is usually noted that someone who is gifted musically demonstrates a high degree of intelligence. SOUNDS Academy is able to give those children an outlet for their passion but also help to improve their skills for any future opportunity that arises. 

Between the characteristics of creativity, leadership, perseverance, resilience, and teamwork; which speaks the most about your journey so far and why? 

The traits/characteristics that served me well in my life journey are Leadership, Perseverance and Teamwork. This holds true for me personally and professionally to date because the ability to empathize, communicate and work with different sets of people helps you become a contributing member of society. I credit my personal background and struggles growing up for molding me today. There are so many ways I had to be a leader of my household, study groups at school and even as a member of my track teams respectively. They say without managing conflict, there is no compromise! 

How has being a board member affected your perspective on social issues or community engagement? Has it changed your outlook in any way? 

From past board member experience, being involved helps to tackle social issues or community problems that are not addressed on a macro-economic scale. This taught me at a younger age why non-profits are important in our society and how their resources truly do impact the lives they serve. 

You completed two internships during your career, SOUNDS Academy connects students to internships in areas of interest. How did being an intern help you as a professional? 

I was blessed to have two paid internships in college and they both covered my field of Finance. During the internships, both business owners (one a Financial Advisor and the other a former bank CEO/Consultant) taught me how to truly conduct business with clients and as a professional, how to truly show value, care for your customer and be a “trusted advisor”. I quickly learned how to introduce myself with confidence, network with accountants, attorneys and other business owners through both internships.  

I truly call both individuals mentors to this date and will occasionally reach out to check in on them. As well, these internships taught me how to communicate with internal members of an organization. It really helped me to advance early in my career. 

If you were to tour with a musician or a band, which one would it be? 

Alicia Keys- Some of her original music has great backup singers, musicians and so forth who are very skilled at what they do! 

What title would you give your autobiography? 

Slip Through the “Cracks” 

As you may know, our founder believes that we will make a significant impact and that there will be a Netflix or Hulu documentary on SOUNDS Academy. Which actor would you want to play you in this documentary and what would you want your part to be remembered as? 

Unsure, I’d rather be a random “actor” or “support” character who says something/helps the protagonist. The scene that usually foreshadows how the movie will go or end. 

Jamie Halavais: 

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background? What motivated you to become a board member? 

I am originally from Illinois but have moved 38 times. I have lived in California, Washington, New York, Japan, and finally Arizona since 2012. I love Arizona and like to say I am solar-powered! 

I was motivated to join the board by all the great work SOUNDS Academy does, which I learned about through attending SOUNDS Academy events, from hearing about SOUNDS Academy in the arts community, and through my friend and colleague, Ian Fischer. 

How did you get involved with SOUNDS Academy? 

I have been interested in SOUNDS Academy for years. When I finished my last term on another arts organization board, I was excited to get involved to see how I can help. 

What do you think about the current state of music education? 

I think music education is often overlooked in a misguided mad dash to teach solely, or at least mainly, to testing standards. I am also very lucky that my sons are able to attend a charter school that believes in music education (Arizona School Arts) and want to do what I can to help make that possible for others. 

Why is music education important for children? Why are programs like SOUNDS Academy important? 

Music education teaches children a new way of looking at the world and expressing themselves. It gives them a voice they might not otherwise feel empowered to use. 

Programs like SOUNDS Academy are important to help meet these crucial needs where the standard education systems can’t or won’t. 

How has being a board member affected your perspective on social issues or community engagement? Has it changed your outlook in any way? 

Being a board member has reinforced my belief that everyone can give and help support a mission – each in their own way – the challenge is in helping them find the way they will be comfortable giving, or in helping them learn accept a little discomfort if it will result in change for the greater good. 

If you were to tour with a musician or a band, which one would it be? 

It would have to be my sons – most likely on a school trip! 

What title would you give your autobiography? 

I don’t have time to write about myself, but if I did it might be called “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger.” 

You have a Bachelors in Theater, drama, fine art, how has your experience in the arts helped you as a lawyer? 

I think the ability to take on a role is a big part of being a litigator – whether it is champion or underdog, acting comes in very handy in the courtroom and with opposing counsel. Although with so much on Zoom these days, I really wish I would have paid better attention during lighting class.