2019-2020 Executive Board
Operations Directors
Hi! I’m Eugenie Bang, and I’m a junior majoring in Biological Sciences and minoring in Creative Writing, serving as one of the Co-Operations Directors for 2019-2020! AMASE has easily become one of my favorite parts about Northwestern, because it is a place where students, families, and volunteers can all feel a sense of belonging. From seeing the parents sharing their experiences with one another in the hallways, the volunteers getting excited over the first time their students ever hug them, and the students running into group ensemble to start making art, I knew that this was an organization that was providing a space not solely to learn music, but also to connect with others on a deeper level. I love seeing our students grow musically, emotionally, and even physically in some cases (kids grow up so fast), and am always grateful to be a part of something that is as inspiring as this organization.
Hi! My name is Mira Vanchiswar and I am a senior in the Bienen/Weinberg double degree program studying horn performance and neuroscience, currently serving as co-operations director. My role is to serve as one of the main contact people between our students, volunteers, parents, and the Evanston and Northwestern Community. I’ve been in AMASE since my freshman year, and in addition to loving to see how our students grow and evolve as musicians over time, one of my favorite things is to see them grow as people, and evolve in their relationships with our volunteers. AMASE is so much more than a music school- it’s a community where our students feel free to express themselves and have fun, and that probably my favorite thing about it! I love building relationships with our students, and that’s why I look forward so much to each Saturday morning.
Volunteer Relations Director
Hello! My name is Kyoko Kohno and I am currently a sophomore majoring in Piano Performance and Biological Sciences. As the Volunteer Relations Director this year, I get to witness students and volunteers (new and old) who are excited to be a part of this positive, tight-knit community. I joined AMASE during winter quarter of freshman year, and it was definitely one of the best decisions I’ve made since coming to Northwestern. It’s a joy to see students enjoy the arts and excited to see their teachers, and witness their growth every Saturday morning. It’s truly inspiring learning how much each student is capable of achieving in their own creative way. I have met some of my closest friends in AMASE, and I encourage other Northwestern students to join this amazing organization for a rewarding teaching/learning experience!
Curriculum Directors
Hi! My name is Antonia Young, and I am a sophomore psychology major and music cognition minor. I am one of the co-curriculum directors this year, and AMASE has been one of the most important parts of my college experience. When I joined AMASE fall quarter of my freshman year, I just wanted to see what it would be like to teach music to someone with special needs, but I realized that AMASE means a lot more to me than just teaching music. It is a wonderful community of students and volunteers who come together every Saturday morning to enjoy themselves, and it is great to see and hear about how much they love AMASE. I am always proud to see our students have fun musically and artistically, and I hope to keep seeing AMASE grow!
Finance Director
Hi! My name is Evan Woo, and I am a sophomore majoring in neuroscience and minoring in mathematics, and I am this year’s financial director for AMASE. I joined AMASE last spring because I wanted to find a way to use my piano knowledge to help others, and AMASE was the perfect fit for me. By joining AMASE, I found a community of volunteers who care deeply about the happiness and success of their students and students who love learning and connecting with others just as much. I’m so grateful to be part of AMASE, and I look forward to working with my student and interacting with the community every week!
Community Outreach Directors
Hi! My name is Tommy O’Brien, and I am a first year student, majoring in Biological Sciences. I am so excited to be serving as one of the Co-Community Outreach Directors this year! When I first came to Northwestern, I wanted a way to stay involved in music while doing so in a meaningful way, and AMASE has given me a wonderful opportunity to do this. Saturday Ensemble and Community Choir have been some of my best experiences at Northwestern, and I love being able to connect with our students each week. It is so much fun to see how excited and passionate our students are every week, and it is very rewarding to watch them grow through both music and in their relationships with our volunteers. AMASE is truly a community where everyone can feel like they belong, and I am so happy and thankful to be a part of it!
Hello! My name is McKenna Lanter, and I am a Communication Sciences and Disorders major who is serving as one of the Co-Community Outreach Directors for 2019-2020! To me, AMASE is a welcoming, safe learning space that’s made possible by our incredible community. Not only are our students learning how to play instruments, but our volunteers are learning positivity, creativity, and resilience from our students as well. Through Community Choir and Saturday Ensemble, I’m always blown away by what our students create and how supportive the AMASE family is, and I can’t wait to continue building this community through Exec!
Media Director
Hi! My name is Yichen Wang, a freshman majoring Psychology and Economics. I am media director this year for AMASE! I joined AMASE in my first quarter here at Northwestern and the reason was quite simple: I wanted to do some volunteering work in college and I really liked the music aspect AMASE has. After being in the AMASE community for a year, I would say I have gained experience better than I expected and this decision to join AMASE was one of the best things I have done in college. Not only did I get to teach the students and befriend with other volunteers, I also learned a lot from our amazing students who are always passionate about music and life. As the media director, I hope to let more people know the love we share within our community and how amazing our students are. And in the upcoming year, I look forward to meeting with our community every Saturday morning!
