Meet our New 2024 Board Members!

Meet our Newest Team Members!

Posted by Jackie Marotta on November 20, 2024 in board members, Uncategorized

Justin Hockemeyer:

Can you tell us a little about yourself and what motivated you to become a board member?

I’m originally from rural Indiana. I did my undergrad at Butler University where I majored in Math, Computer Science and Spanish. I had the fortunate opportunity to study abroad in Salamanca, Spain for my junior year which was especially impactful in the trajectory of my life. After working for a few years in Indiana post-undergrad, I moved to Michigan where completed my MBA at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Eventually I made my way to Arizona where I’ve lived for the last 10 years (and plan to retire here!). I started my own music timeline at 8 years old when I began piano lessons, I added to the repertoire when I joined our middle school band class and played the French Horn which I carried with me all the way into my first year of college. While I’m certainly not a concert pianist, I still get the chance to play for my own enjoyment and relaxation!

My “why” for joining the board of SOUNDS Academy is that I’ve spent many years on non-profit boards for small music organizations. I’ve seen the impact that music makes for those performing and for those who have the privilege to hear the performances. While some people do indeed take up music later in life, the majority have had some exposure to music at an earlier age. I had a chance several years ago to become acquainted with SOUNDS Academy at a fundraising event facilitated by an employee resource group at my company. That experience, the impact of music on our youth, as well as the leadership skills that SOUNDS promotes encouraged me to get involved and help to keep the organization growing!

2. How did you get involved with SOUNDS Academy?

It’s a funny story actually. I’m friends with two of the current board members, both of whom have said at sometime that it’d be great to get me involved with SOUNDS Academy. I didn’t think too much of it until I recently concluded my responsibilities with another organization and had my employer recommend me for the board of SOUNDS Academy. Sometimes the universe works to put us in the right place at the right time!

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

I think it’s unfortunately very easy to underfund the arts in school systems when there are many items competing for resources. It can disproportionately affect areas already impacted by less resources, and therefore becomes necessary for organizations like SOUNDS Academy to help fill the gap for students who are willing to put in the effort to learn music.

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

Music has been researched and it well known to provide a solid foundation for success in life. Providing ways to learn about other cultures, experience the joy of solo and ensemble performance, and to help students understand that there are countless avenues open to them as they look to their futures. I think SOUNDS Academy does an admirable job of also equipping their students with additional leadership skills which will serve them well beyond the scope of music education.

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

Great question – I’d probably have to say Manheim Steamroller, the Canadian Brass, or even a vocal ensemble such as Chanticleer as they all have something special in their music that moves me.

6. What would the title of your autobiography be?

“The Infinite Explorer: A Life of Languages, Learning, and Adventure”

Mary Larson:

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself and what motivated you to become a board member?

We moved to the valley 17 years ago. I came from Chicago with my husband and our 2 young children. SOUNDS has been great for each of my kids. For the past 9 years, I’ve watched SOUNDS help many kids achieve their dreams and set their goals. I am honored to continue to be a part of that.

2. How did you get involved with SOUNDS Academy?

My daughter, Erin, wanted to play the violin. We met Mr. Kirk at her school. It all came together from there.

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

Music education is severely lacking. It is staffed by underpaid teachers that are overworked, if a school has a program at all. Without SOUNDS my kids would have had very little music education. Music appreciation would have come from home but not theory or skills.

4. Why are music education and programs like SOUNDS Academy important for children?

Every kid is different. Some benefit just from the joy or creativity music brings. For others it might be the one thing they excel at and it gives them confidence. The addition of the character values is something that sets SOUNDS apart.

5. Between the SOUNDS Academy Character Values of creativity, leadership, resilience, perseverance, and teamwork, which one speaks to you the most and why?

Perseverance. We need to keep gong when things get tough.

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

7. What would the title of your autobiography be?

Out of the Forest.

That’s a reference to my love of trees and the family I come from that is more of a forest than one family tree.

Hector Ramirez:

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself and what motivated you to become a board member?

My formal music education since elementary school through college was formative in who I am today. As a musician and music teacher today, I want to be a part of making music accessible to all and so SOUNDS Academy’s mission resonated with me as I sought out ways to support access to music education.

2. How did you get involved with SOUNDS Academy?

The principal at St. John Paul II Catholic High School, was a Piper Fellow with Kirk and introduced us. After looking more into what SOUNDS Academy does, I was especially drawn by the desire to bring music to underserved communities.

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

It’s hard to define the state of music education… The United States as a whole is unique in that music education is traditionally part of the school curriculum or at a minimum an extracurricular within a school–this is very different from other countries around the world where music education typically happens apart from school. I think this makes it challenging for music education to really flourish everywhere because within a school setting that means it is always fighting for funding, support, student’s time (from other sports, clubs, electives, etc.). This means music education flourishes in some places and in others it struggles or is even non-existent.

On the other hand an organization like SOUNDS Academy, able to partner with schools, but also separate, can focus all of its resources in providing a music education.

4. Why are music education and programs like SOUNDS Academy important for children?

I believe music awakens in children the innate desire for greatness: we want to be a part of something good and beautiful. Music is naturally moving and so when we create it–whether it be through performance, composition or otherwise, we want to give our best–we want it to be great and in turn, we learn to channel that desire for greatness both into our musical endeavors but also other areas of life. This is especially important for underserved children where that desire for greatness is not always cultivated–SOUNDS Academy, by seeking to serve these underserved communities especially, helps to find ways of awakening that desire.

5. Between the SOUNDS Academy Character Values of creativity, leadership, resilience, perseverance, and teamwork, which one speaks to you the most and why?

It’s hard to choose one…

All of these go hand in hand! If i really have to choose it would be leadership. Leadership consists of two virtues: humility and magnanimity. Humility is that self-awareness of who we are before others; magnanimity is that desire for greatness in self and others. These two virtues paired with music means that I know where I stand as a musician (humility–I know my weaknesses, what I need to practice, etc.) but simultaneously I want to be better (great!) but part of that journey, especially in an ensemble setting, also means wanting the whole of the ensemble to be great! This awareness and desire in turn set the foundation for leaders to emerge, leaders who will help bring about that self awareness and desire to be better.

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

The Beatles

7. What would the title of your autobiography be?

From Coast to Coast, Settling in the Desert

I was born and raised in California (west coast), moved to New Jersey/Philadelphia area after college (east coast), and have now settled/found my home in the desert.