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Meet the Krewe

Meet the Krewe
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the passionate team behind
NOLA Chamber Fest

NCF is proud to offer opportunities to young professionals through our NCF Krewe Program. If you are interested in getting involved in NCF as a team member, please contact Jaren at jaren@lyricabaroque.com

about the program

NCF Krewe is a year-long internship that immerses college students in every stage of producing a world-class chamber music festival. Throughout the academic year, interns participate in monthly planning meetings where they learn how a major arts event is developed—from early planning and logistics to artist relations and audience engagement. During the festival, they take on meaningful, hands-on roles in production, operations, artist services, competition management, hospitality, and event execution. After the festival concludes, interns participate in a structured debrief that encourages reflection, evaluation, and professional growth. 

NCF Krewe transforms classroom learning into real-world experience. Interns gain firsthand exposure to the professional arts industry by working alongside exceptional young musicians from leading conservatories and universities, communicating with artist managers and agents representing professional chamber ensembles, and learning how contracts, artist fees, and negotiations shape the business of the performing arts. They also build lasting relationships with nationally recognized chamber ensembles and New Orleans’ leading classical music presenters.

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Beyond professional experience, NCF Krewe provides sustained, individualized mentorship that often continues over multiple years. Interns receive guidance in professional communication, financial literacy, salary negotiation, self-advocacy, leadership, networking, and goal setting. These conversations help students build the confidence, knowledge, and professional skills needed to pursue meaningful careers in the arts while becoming thoughtful leaders in their communities.

what to expect

meet the 2027 krewe

success stories

NCF Krewe internships have launched students into meaningful careers, leading to real-world professional opportunities in the arts and beyond.

join the krewe!

Interested in becoming part of the NCF Krewe? 
We’d love to hear from you. Contact Jaren Atherholt at jaren@lyricabaroque.com to learn more about the program and start the conversation. We also encourage you to connect with current Krewe members to hear firsthand about their experiences and what it’s like to be part of the team.

sign up!

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Jaren Atherholt

NCF Founder and Lyrica Baroque Executive Director

The founder of Lyrica Baroque, Jaren Atherholt serves as the Assistant Professor of Oboe at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and Principal Oboe of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra. She previously served as principal oboist of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra for eleven seasons. A native of Alaska, Jaren has performed to stellar reviews as a featured concerto soloist and has been guest principal oboist with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Nashville Symphony, and International Chamber Orchestra of Puerto Rico, as well as guest associate principal oboist with the Pittsburgh and Atlanta Symphonies. Jaren spent four summers at the Marlboro Music Festival and currently performs each summer with the Grand Teton Music Festival. She has served on the faculty of John Mack Oboe Camp, Interlochen Arts Camp, the Wintergreen Music Academy, and the Vianden International Music School. Jaren plays Loree oboes. Contact Jaren at jaren@lyricabaroque.com

Sophia Dobbie

Production and Krewe

Flutist, Sophia Dobbie, is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in music performance at the University of Tennessee where she studies under the tutelage of Dr. Maria Fernenda Castillo. Sophia has attended summer programs such as Orford Musique, Domaine Forget, The Consummate Flutist, as well as performed in masterclasses for highly renowned flutists including Emmanuel Pahud, Jennifer Gunn, Marianne Gedigian, Sharron Sparrow, Leone Buyse, and more. Sophia was the winner of the University of Tennessee 2026 Concerto Competition and performed live with the orchestra that spring. Sophia enjoys a diverse performance career including symphonic, chamber music and solo playing. She wears many hats in the music industry as she is passionate about private teaching as well as advocating for the arts and arts education through her nonprofit work with Lyrica Baroque and her own personal entrepreneurial endeavors. sophia@lyricabaroque.com

Matthew Waymon

Production and Krewe

Conductor Matthew Waymon is an active music educator in East Tennessee. He earned his Master’s of Music in wind conducting from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), where he studied with Dr. John Zastoupil. Prior to his time at UTK, he earned his Bachelor’s of Music Education from the University of Central Arkansas. Matthew has participated in numerous conducting symposiums, learning from esteemed wind band conductors such as Michael Haithcock, Jeffrey Grogan, Steve Davis, and Dr. Sarah McKoin. 

Matthew actively seeks out conducting opportunities both in large ensemble and chamber ensemble settings. An advocate for the educational merits of musical collaboration, Matthew utilized his time at UTK to participate in and conduct a variety of chamber ensembles, building his pedagogical knowledge of chamber ensembles and their repertoire.
matthew@lyricabaroque.com

Ellie Grossman

Krewe

Ellie Grossman is a flutist from Nashville, Tennessee, currently pursuing degrees in Flute Performance and Music Education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she studies with Dr. Maria Fernanda Castillo. She has performed in masterclasses for distinguished flutists including Michael Cox, Linda Chesis, Sharon Sparrow, and others, experiences that have shaped her artistry. She believes music has the power to inspire, connect, and uplift communities. Through her work with the organization, she is committed to expanding access to music education, encouraging young musicians, and helping create meaningful musical experiences for people of all backgrounds. ellie@lyricabaroque.com

Travis Irizarry

Krewe

Travis Irizarry is an active performing clarinetist in Knoxville, Tennessee. He is currently attending the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, as an Artist Certificate student and the Graduate Teaching Assistant of the clarinet studio. He obtained his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Oklahoma, and his Master of Music degree at Florida State University, while also being a Graduate Teaching Assistant. Travis currently substitutes with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, the Oak Ridge Symphony, and the Symphony of the Mountains, while taking Military Band Auditions. travis@lyricabaroque.com

Caleb DeLong

Development & Krewe

Caleb DeLong is a versatile french horn player with a diverse performance background spanning classical, pop, and jazz genres. Currently based in Bloomington, Indiana, Caleb is a graduate student at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. A seasoned collaborator, Caleb has performed in various types of ensembles, sharing his artistry through chamber music. He has also presented on topics relating to the important role of chamber music in the undergraduate curriculum at the Southeast Horn Workshop and International Horn Symposium. In addition to performing, Caleb is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of musicians through private instruction, offering lessons catered to each student’s needs. caleb@lyricabaroque.com

Brayden Payne

Krewe

Brayden Payne is a junior pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Performance at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he studies under Dr. Victor Chavez. Originally from Seaside, Oregon, he enjoys performing in a wide range of settings, from solo to chamber ensembles, wind ensemble, orchestra and pit orchestra. He has participated in masterclasses with renowned musicians, including Claire Chenette and members of Akropolis, earning high praise for his performances. Brayden has also participated in and performed at conferences such as the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) with UT’s wind ensemble, and the International Clarinet Association (ICA) in Dallas/Fortworth, Texas. Outside the stage, Brayden enjoys engaging in community outreach, performing at local schools and public venues where he advocates passionately for the arts. brayden@lyricabaroque.com

Grace Waymon

Social Media & Krewe

Oboist Grace Waymon is a musician and educator with a growing interest in arts administration. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Arkansas Tech University where she studied with Ken Futterer and Leanna Renfro, and she received her Master of Music in Oboe Performance in May of 2026 from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville as a student of Jaren Atherholt.

Grace has served as principal oboe with the University of Tennessee Symphony Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Arkansas Tech University Wind Ensemble. She has also performed as a substitute oboist with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Her performance experience also includes performances at Carnegie Hall and the College Band Directors National Association Conference in Dallas, TX.

Alongside her performance and teaching work, Grace is developing her skills in arts administration, driven by the curiosity about the behind the scenes work that sustains music and arts organizations. Grace worked as an Administrative Assistant for the Marlboro Music Festival Summer 2025 season and is excited to start with the Nola Chamber Fest team.

As an educator, Grace is passionate about mentoring students and fostering an encouraging, inclusive environment that supports personal growth. Across all areas of her work, Grace is guided by a belief in the life-changing power of music and a commitment to service of the arts.
grace@lyricabaroque.com