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we are who

we are who

who we are

our team

Jaren Atherholt

Leda Hardesty

Jamalle Wilson

Erin Rogers

Kelly Connelly

Matthew Waymon

Caleb DeLong

Sophia Dobbie

our collaborators

Christ Church Cathedral
Pel Hughes Printing
N.O. Vative Printing
KID smART
New Orleans Friends of Music

The Tchoup Yard
Palacios House of Arts
University of New Orleans
Langston Hughes Academy
The Willow School

St. Katharine Drexel Prep
YAYA Arts Center
St. Katharine Drexel Prep
Mount Carmel Academy String Orchestra
Homer Plessy Community School
Longue Vue House and Gardens

our board

David Levy,
president
Loki Karuna
vice president
Rebeccah Fontaine,
secretary
Tyra Edmond
treasurer
Shelton Shugar,
immediate past president
Sharon Cassiere
Gloria Palacios
Christopher Pell
Blanca Rosa Maldonado
Kevin Fedelem

our advisors

Baty Landis
Melanie Fawer
Michael Harold
Robyn Schwarz
Ed Lewis
Kelly Harlan
Candace Crawford
Margaret Shields
Dwight McGhee
Althea Waites
Miriam Brown
Michele Brierre
Type to search

Jaren Atherholt

executive director

The founder of Lyrica Baroque, Jaren Atherholt is the newly appointed Assistant Professor of Oboe at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. 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 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

Leda Hardesty

graphic designer

Leda Hardesty is a Graphic Designer from New Orleans who believes design is more than a utility and can be superior in any art direction. Leda received her Bachelor’s of Art degree in Digital Design from Tulane University, where she combined her education in graphic design with her interest in community engagement and cultural diversity. She is passionate about sharing her artistic creation with others and spreading the importance of equity.

Leda brings experience working with other creatives in New Orleans and is excited about the opportunity to leverage her graphic design skills to make a positive impact on local communities. Leda enjoys spending her free time strengthening her art abilities such as photography, videography, and animation. She also enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and being surrounded by art, music and fashion.

Jamalle Wilson

information + technology

Jamalle Wilson is a family man, hardworking, creative thinking, with a passion for learning technology. In the IT field his position is Level 1 Help Desk Specialist which specializes in a different range of issues and experiences. In those experiences Jamalle has acquired certifications to master different aspects of IT. His current certifications include Azure Administrator, MCSA Windows 10, Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2016, and CompTIA A+. Jamalle is currently Studying Google Cloud and Amazon AWS to further establish himself as a relevant professional. The eyes of his passion look to ambitiously provide solutions creatively, illustrate his competency, and have fun.

Erin Rogers

Social Media Content Creator and Manager

Erin Rogers is a New Orleans–based content creator and public health leader working at the intersection of storytelling, equity, and systems improvement. On Instagram (@erin.on.the.geaux), she shares accessible wellness and travel guides that empower women to explore, reset, and glow up—without breaking the bank. She also founded Geaux Social, a boutique social media studio that helps mission-driven brands and cultural organizations sharpen their voice, build strategy, and turn engagement into real-world action. By day, Erin is a Special Projects Director with the Louisiana Department of Health’s Bureau of Chronic Disease and Public Health Access. Previously, she led Louisiana’s COVID-19 testing equity work and testing material distribution. Across platforms, Erin brings the same ethos: lead with compassion, and tell meaningful stories that move people and systems forward.

Kelly Connelly

Fundraising Manager

Kelly Connelly is a New Orleans-based fundraising professional with a passion for helping local nonprofits persuasively communicate their important work to new audiences who can support their missions. Her success includes raising $5.6 million over four years as a consultant. New funding partnerships catalyzed nearly a third of those gifts, demonstrating her skill at expanding donor networks as well as stewarding existing relationships. Kelly’s experience also includes roles in communications and journalism, and she views her work as a way to serve her community. She holds a Certificate of Fundraising Management from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and a Bachelor of Arts from Hendrix College in Conway, Ark.

Kelly enjoys playing piano, and her favorite composer is Béla Bartók.

Matthew Waymon

NCF 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.

Caleb DeLong

Development and NCF Krewe

Caleb DeLong is a passionate horn player, arts advocate, and dedicated chamber musician from Knoxville, Tennessee. He is currently pursuing music performance at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he studies with Dr. Katie Johnson-Webb. At UT, Caleb performs with the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and a variety of chamber ensembles, where he has discovered a passion for musical collaboration and storytelling. 

Caleb has performed in pit orchestras, chamber collectives, and summer festivals including the Saarburg International Music Festival in Germany. His musical interests span from classical and opera to pop and musical theater, and he is especially committed to exploring how chamber music can inspire younger audiences. Beyond performance, Caleb is interested in arts leadership and non-profit work, envisioning a career that blends performance, education, and community engagement.

Sophia Dobbie

NCF Krewe

Flutist Sophia Dobbie is currently studying at the University of Tennessee under the tutelage of Dr. Maria Fernenda Castillo. Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, Sophia has performed to stellar reviews in numerous masterclasses for highly esteemed flutists such as Trudy Kane, Alexa Still, Dr. Jennifer Grim, and more. Sophia enjoys a diverse performance career including symphonic, chamber music and solo playing. Equally passionate about teaching and giving back to the next generation Sophia is proud to offer lessons and instruction to beginner through advanced flutists. She is committed to her community at large, fiercely advocating for the arts and arts education through her nonprofit work with Lyrica Baroque and her own personal entrepreneurial endeavors.

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