Our Staff

JAZZ HOUSE KiDS has a tremendous band of professionals who keep the Jazz House humming. Meet the people who bring the Jazz House to life each and every day.

Melissa Walker - President + Founder of JAZZ HOUSE KiDS

MELISSA WALKER

FOUNDER + PRESIDENT

Christian McBride - Artistic Director at JAZZ HOUSE KiDS

CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Jamie Abbott

JAIME ABBOTT

Director of Development

Averett Darren - VP of Finance

Darren Averett

VP of Finance + Administration

Birsa Chatterjee

Birsa Chatterjee

Manager of Student Recruitment

Elle Chrampanis

Elle Chrampanis

Arts Associate Program Specialist

JOE COOPER

Arts + Events Coordinator

Mary Beth Cusenza

Interim Director of Marketing & Communications

Neal Day

NEAL DAY

VP of Operations

Chris Doyle

Chris Doyle

creative lead

John Gattis

JOHN GATTIS

Development Manager

Dan GettLER

Director of Event operations

Jennifer Grantham

Jennifer Grantham

Director of Music + Learning, JAZZ HOUSE NYC

Ana Hattler

Bookkeeper

Taraja Hudson

Manager of People + Culture

Galo Inga

GALO INGA

Associate Director of Jazz House Music Scholars + Career Development

Daniella Layseca

Daniella Layseca

Strategic Initiatives Manager to the President

Lucy Lynch

Development Associate

Lisa Mantone

DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

Myoshi Mitchelle

Myoshi Mitchell

Manager of Student Services, 
JAZZ HOUSE NYC

Lornaa Morales

In-Schools + Career Development Associate

Khalilah Sharif

KHALILAH SHARIF

BILLING + PAYROLL MANAGER

Darrell Smith

DARRELL SMITH, Ph.D.

Director of Jazz Education + Performance

Ariana Sowa

Mgr. of Student Services

Jennifer Verdonck - events

JENNIFER VERDONCK

Events Team

Mel Wall - Web Developer + Content Manager

Mel Wall

Web Master

Sherise Wenzel

Executive Asst. to the Founder + President

WEATHER ALERT Sunday, Dec. 14

Due to snow, JAZZ HOUSE Montclair will have a delayed opening for 2:30 pm. Concerts at Trend Coffee & Tea will start at 4:00 pm. Students, check your email for more details and updates.