GTCYS Staff Update: Harmony Manager Transition
We are tremendously grateful to outgoing Harmony manager Naomi Schroeter who announced her departure earlier this spring. In Naomi’s five years with GTCYS she helped expand the Harmony program at Riverview, creating incredible experiences for young musicians. We wish her luck as she pursues a master’s in music education at the Longy School of Music at Bard College in Boston!
We are excited to announce that GTCYS has hired our new Harmony manager. Please join us in welcoming Teo Crespo-Carrión to the Harmony team! As Harmony manager, Teo will oversee all aspects of the Harmony program, working closely with students, teachers, and staff to ensure a high-quality experience for everyone involved.
Teo brings a wealth of experience in administration and management, making him an excellent fit for this role. His passion for fostering musical talent and creating inclusive learning environments will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success of the Harmony program.
Teo is a violinist and teacher based in the Twin Cities. In addition to teaching violin and viola in his private instructional studio, he works as a freelance musician performing at weddings, fundraisers, religious ceremonies, and other celebrations, such as quinceañeras and community chamber music concerts. In the past, he has also performed with the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra, the University Symphony Orchestra, and the Oratorio Society of Minnesota. Principles of language learning, literacy, and intellectual development inform his teaching methods and philosophies, and his private students play and compete in youth ensembles throughout Minnesota. As Harmony manager, Teo is responsible for program operations, student progress and development, family communications, community outreach, and partnership building.
Teo received his Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Minnesota, where he also studied Music and Violin Pedagogy under Mark Bjork. His past teachers include Karen Moon and Lorie Hippen. Before studying violin at the U of M, he received music instruction at MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis. He’s passionate about Suzuki Pedagogy, having learned from this method in childhood. In addition, his experiences as a first-generation immigrant to the United States and his previous work in community advocacy inform his commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and cultural competency. Before joining GTCYS, Teo worked in communications and administrative roles in nonprofit and for-profit institutions, developing consumer research and relationship and program management skills. Teo enjoys plant-keeping, learning six languages simultaneously, and struggling to learn the piano during his downtime.
Teo shares, “I’m thrilled to join the GTCYS team in providing invaluable programming for our community and further contribute to the Harmony program’s tenacious pursuit of accessibility, support, and participation within music education. I’m excited about all our upcoming events, but I’m especially looking forward to the start of the next academic year so that we may welcome new and returning families to the program.”
Welcome to GTCYS, Teo!