2021-2022 Executive Board
Operations Directors
Hello everyone, my name is Ryan Lee! I am currently a third-year student studying Music Education, and I am thrilled to be one of the Co-Operations Directors for AMASE this year. AMASE was the very first organization that I joined my first year at Northwestern, and I knew immediately that it was something that I wanted to become more involved in. Being a part of AMASE has provided me the opportunity to give back to the community and be a positive, encouraging part of students’ lives on a weekly basis. I love being able to interact with the students, in collaboration with other amazing volunteers,, and use music as a source of joy. As a musician myself, it is a continuous reminder of how powerful creativity can be in our lives, and my favorite memories have been seeing the happiness on students’ faces when they are given this outlet for expression. I am honored to have the chance to help AMASE continue to be a thriving part of the community, regardless of how that may look in the midst of the pandemic. I am dedicated to serving this community that has given so much to me, and I can’t wait to get to work!
Hello hello! My name is McKenna Lanter (she/her), and I am a junior studying Human Communication Sciences and Psychology. I am so, so excited to serve as one of AMASE’s Co-Operations Directors this year! I have been involved with AMASE since fall of my first year, and I have learned so much about teaching, learning, community, and (dis)ability through this organization. Whether it’s through lessons, Saturday Ensemble, or Community Choir, my favorite part of AMASE is how the goal of our programming is to meet students where they’re at and amplify their growth and learning, rather than sticking to a strict lesson plan. I also love how my interactions with students, volunteers, and families continually challenge me to address intrapersonal, interpersonal, and systemic ableism and think about how to create more inclusive and accessible spaces within and outside our organization. As we navigate the COVID-19 landscape, I look forward to problem-solving with the exec board and community about how to continue our robust virtual programming as well as envision how to safely bring back students for in-person instruction. Whether you’ve been with us for a long time or are just hearing about us, we absolutely encourage you to contact us with any questions, thoughts, or concerns you have. I’m so looking forward to working with you all!
Volunteer Relations Director
Hi y’all! My name is Larry Wang, and I’m a junior studying Biology and Global Health. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to join AMASE my Sophomore year and I’m incredibly excited to serve as the Volunteer Relations Director! In my last two years, I’ve really enjoyed the community fostered by AMASE. Some of my favorite memories involve Saturday Ensemble and hanging out with students as they get into their crafts or let loose during the dance. I felt especially proud seeing my student showcase his hard work at the end of the quarter’s recital. Though I came into AMASE with little experience working with students with special needs, AMASE really showed me that despite feeling intimidating, I can still get involved in the community. As we move forward, I hope to encourage others who may feel the same way to join, and learn from our volunteers and students!
Curriculum Directors
Hi everyone! My name is Smitha Ramesh (she/her), and I am a sophomore studying Psychology and Cognitive Science. I am so excited to be a Co-Curriculum Director this year, as AMASE has been such an important part of my life here at Northwestern since the beginning of my freshman year. AMASE is such a wonderfully bonded community of eager students and dedicated volunteers that I am so lucky to be a part of. Whether we are together in our beloved Parkes Hall or Zoom, our students never fail to have beaming smiles on their faces, which absolutely melts my heart! As a Co-Curriculum Director, I am so excited to connect further with our students and families and make Saturday mornings as fun and engaging as they can be!
Hello! My name is Sophia Jean(she/her) and I am a junior studying Flute Performance and Cognitive Science. I am so excited to be serving as a Co-Curriculum Director this year! I joined AMASE the winter of my freshman year, and it has definitely been one of my favorite parts about attending Northwestern. As a musician, I am very passionate about how we can strengthen communities through the arts, and AMASE does exactly that. I love watching the students grow every quarter and have the chance to express themselves through music and art. It warms my heart to see the strong relationships that are formed between our volunteers and students and to watch everyone interact in a warm and welcoming environment. It is truly an inspiring and rewarding experience to work with everyone, and I am grateful to be a part of such an organization! As a Co-Curriculum Director, I am really looking forward to building a stronger connection with our students and families, and continuing to create a fun, creative, and engaging atmosphere every Saturday!
Hi! My name is Anne teeling (she/her), and I am a senior studying Voice and Opera Performance and minoring in Creative Writing. I am excited to be a Co-Curriculum Director this year and work for this incredible organization. I joined AMASE my Sophomore year, and it has been a constant source of inspiration for me. I love watching our students show their creativity and passion through their music. It challenges me to do the same when I perform. I am looking forward to creating a safe learning environment for our students and watching them excel every week!
Finance Director
Howdy! - My name is Christian Zbihley, and I am so excited to be the Finance Director for AMASE this year. I am a current Sophomore in Weinberg majoring in Economics and minoring in Chemistry. I started volunteering for AMASE my freshman winter and never looked back. Being a part of AMASE, to me, means being a part of a community of volunteers, students, and parents that inspire me every Saturday. The commitment from each member to enrich the lives of children with special needs through the joy of music is something truly amazing. I love to see the growth of our students and the meaningful relationships fostered between volunteers and families every week. AMASE has been an incredible community to be a part of, and I look forward to continuing to help AMASE be an engaging and fun experience every week!
Fundraising Chair
Hi everyone! My name is Tommy O’Brien (he/him), and I am currently a junior majoring in Biological Sciences and minoring in Human Communication Sciences. I first joined AMASE during the fall of my freshman year in order to stay involved in music and contribute meaningfully to the community around me. Joining AMASE was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and it has provided me with some of the most rewarding experiences of my time here at Northwestern. Saturday Ensemble and Community Choir have allowed me to be a part of such joyful and supportive communities, and getting to see the passion and dedication that both our students and volunteers bring to their lessons is the highlight of my week. AMASE has always been a warm and welcoming community, and I am so thankful to be a part of it. I am so excited to be able to further contribute to AMASE through this role, and I hope to help make it the best that it can be!
Community Outreach Directors
Hello there! My name is Rachel Chiu, and I’m a sophomore studying psychology, data science, and communication sciences and disorders. I joined AMASE in the fall of my freshman year, and it’s been one of the most rewarding experiences that I’ve had at Northwestern! I love AMASE because I have the opportunity to engage with and learn from all of the incredible students, and I also get to build close relationships with their parents as well as the other AMASE volunteers. This year, I’m going to be a Co-Community Outreach Director to connect AMASE with the greater Northwestern and Evanston community. I’m so excited to continue working with everyone, and I can’t wait to continue watching AMASE grow!
Hi everyone! My name is Alice Lee, and I am a sophomore studying biological sciences and psychology. I am super excited to serve as the Co-Community Outreach Director this year to give back to the Northwestern AMASE chapter and to connect with AMASE members on a greater scale. I joined AMASE in the fall of my sophomore year and fell in love with AMASE. It’s always great to see our students enjoying their times during Saturday ensembles and working hard towards their goals for the recitals at the end of the quarter. AMASE is such a warm and cozy community to be a part of, and I look forward to working with you all this year!!
Media Director
Hello! My name is Esther Chung and I am a sophomore studying neuroscience. I am so excited to be the Media Director at AMASE and be able to capture all the amazing moments we have with the students. I joined AMASE in the fall of my sophomore year and every lesson and ensemble has been rewarding and a joy as I really got to know my student and fellow volunteers. AMASE has been an amazing experience and I am so glad that I am able to be a part of this phenomenal community!
