2022-2023 Executive Board
Operations Directors
Hi everyone! My name is Smitha Ramesh (she/her), and I am a third year majoring in Psychology. I am so thrilled to be AMASE’s Co-Operations Director with Esther this year! I joined AMASE my freshman fall, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. It is an incredibly supportive and meaningful community that continues to inspire me almost three years later. Being able to provide a space for both our students and volunteers to grow as musicians and individuals has been very rewarding, especially being able to witness their growth over the years. AMASE means a lot to me, and I am so excited to continue developing this wonderful organization this year!
Hello! My name is Esther Chung (she/her), and I am a third-year student majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Psychology. I am so excited to be a part of the exec team again and be Co-Operation Director with Smitha! I joined AMASE my sophomore year and it has been such an enriching experience. AMASE has such an amazing community and extremely supportive volunteers as well such talented students. Watching the students engage in the arts and grow through them has been extremely rewarding and brought so much joy to my life. I am so excited to continue to be a part of this vibrant community and work towards making it even better!
Volunteer Relations Directors
Hey everyone!! My name is Rachel Chiu (she/her), and I’m a junior studying Psychology, Data Science, and Communication Sciences & Disorders. I joined AMASE in the fall of my freshman year, and it’s been one of my favorite activities at Northwestern! I love AMASE because I have the opportunity to engage with and learn from all of the incredible students, and I’ve also gotten to build super close relationships with their parents as well as the other AMASE volunteers. This year, I’m going to be a Co-Volunteer Relations Director to help manage and foster relationships within the AMASE volunteer community. I’m so excited to work with everyone, and I can’t wait to continue watching AMASE grow!
Hi! I am Abigail (she/her). I’m a first year dual degree in Voice & Opera and Biomedical Sciences. I will be serving as your Volunteer Relations Director, and I am looking forward to bringing together our volunteers and the AMASE community. It has been a very rewarding experience teaching my student, and watching their love for music grow. I’ve also become a better musician through this program and hope to continue being a part of AMASE throughout my years at Northwestern. Excited for this year!
Curriculum Directors
Hi everyone! My name is Jessica Jang, and I am a second-year student majoring in Cognitive Science. I’m very excited to serve as a co-curriculum director, along with Grace and Ila this year! I joined AMASE two years ago, and it’s been such a great place to meet other volunteers who are passionate about community service, take part in fun events, and most importantly, witness our students’ growth. I am extremely grateful for this community and am thrilled to see what the future holds for AMASE!
Hello everyone! My name is Grace Johnson (she/her) and I am a sophomore studying Neuroscience and Global Health. I’ve been so, so grateful to be an AMASE volunteer and am incredibly excited to take on a Co-curriculum director position. I joined AMASE the fall of my freshman year and found a diverse community of music-lovers who want to make a difference in the Evanston community. What I love about AMASE is that the student community makes just as much of an impact on the volunteers as the volunteers do to the students. I have loved watching students develop a passion for music and grow more confident in their playing along the way. I am beyond excited to continue working with everyone in the AMASE community and can’t wait to see what this year has in store for our students!
Hi everyone! My name is Ila Gupta (she/her), and I am a sophomore studying Saxophone Performance, Economics, and Italian. I’ve loved teaching lessons for the past two years and am so excited to now be serving as a Co-Curriculum Director! AMASE is such a beautiful community for students to grow in their creative interests and to engage with one another through the arts. The relationships which form between students and volunteers are so supportive and caring, and seeing them develop over time is such a blessing. I am so looking forward to getting to know each of our students better this year and continuing to be a part of the AMASE community!
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 Junior in Weinberg majoring in Economics. I started volunteering for AMASE my freshman winter, and I fell in love with the organization. To me, being a part of AMASE 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 disabilities 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!
Community Outreach Directors
Hi everyone! My name is Natalie Chirinos De Leon (she/her), and I am a second-year student majoring in Biological Sciences and Global Health Studies. I am honored to serve as Co-Community Outreach Director this year, helping to connect AMASE with not just the community here at Northwestern, but the greater community of Evanston. It’s been incredible being a volunteer for AMASE for the past two years! As a freshman, I knew that AMASE was the perfect organization for me because I can actively contribute to my community through the astonishing power of music and creativity. Working with my student and my fellow volunteers has shown me how music can truly bring a community joy and growth. Watching our students engage in their creative outlets, whether it be through playing an instrument, dancing, or making a beautiful craft, continues to be an especially rewarding experience in my college career. I am extremely thrilled to work with everyone this year and to continue to help our AMASE-ing community thrive!
Hi! My name is Alex (she/her), and I’m a first year student studying biomedical engineering with a minor in Spanish. I’m Co-Community Outreach Director for AMASE, and I teach on Saturdays. AMASE has provided a great experience for me to engage with the Northwestern and greater Evanston community. The highlight of my time has been weekly lessons with my student. It’s been amazing to watch their progress and to have the opportunity to see their enthusiasm for learning. AMASE brings together a wonderful group of NU volunteers, dedicated to providing a positive experience for their students, and it also allows me to continue to pursue my own musical interests while teaching others. I look forward to another fantastic year!
Media Director
Hello! My name is Michelle Kee, and I am a sophomore studying Neuroscience and Data Science. I joined AMASE this past year, and it has been an amazing and rewarding experience sharing in the joy of music and arts. Coming to AMASE is a highlight of my week, where I enjoy building close relationships with the students and fellow volunteers. I love the warm and inclusive AMASE community that celebrates one other’s learning. This year, I will serve as the Media Director, where I am excited to document and share the special moments with our community!
