JAMM's team-teaching model is practiced both in-school and after-school for a reason: it encourages creativity, builds community among teachers, and ensures accountability. JAMM classrooms pair a certified teacher with a community artists. Each provides a different strength while learning from one another. This model serves as embedded professional development and models to our students the importance of collaboration.
JAMM AFTER-SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS Executive Director/ After School Instructor
Meghan Johnson has been part of the JAMM family for 12 years. She has a private string studio and teaches orchestra at Floyd Dryden Middle School. Meghan holds a Bachelor's and Master's in Performance from the University of Idaho and a Master's in Education, with a K-12 Music Endorsement, from the University of Alaska Southeast. In 2020 Meghan also participated in the Foraker Group's Executive Leadership Intensive. When Meghan is not teaching strings, she enjoys performing; Meghan has served as principal cellist of the Juneau Symphony for 14 years.
Founder/ Sit Éeti Shaanax̱ Lead Instructor
Lorrie Heagy is the music teacher at Sítʼ Eetí Shaanáx̱ Glacier Valley Elementary School. In 2010, she created/founded Juneau Alaska Music Matters (JAMM) after completing the Sistema Fellowship at the New England Conservatory. In 2014, Aanyaanáx̱ (Ray Wilson) adopted her into the Tlingít Kiks.ádi clan. She holds up the Ancestors name of his sister, Gax̱.áan.san and her memory by using it. In 2018 Lorrie completed her PHD in Education with a concentration in Learning, Instruction and Innovation and was awarded an honorary doctorate in education from the University of Alaska Southeast that same year. In 2019 Lorrie received the Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching to study in the UK and research global music education models that support student creativity, agency and identity. Lorrie completed an Indigenous Language Teaching Certificate at the University of Alaska Southeast and a Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization at the University of Victoria in 2023. Lorrie is also faculty at the Longy School of Music.
Community Engagement Coordinator/ Auke Bay After School Lead Instructor
Meg Rosson moved to Juneau in 2019. Originally from the UK, Meg’s musical journey includes performing on four continents, and she loves the power of music to bring people together across cultures. Meg plays viola in the Juneau Symphony, and also enjoys hiking and skiing with her husband and three kids.
Youth Leadership Coach
Aliciana Zamora has been part of the JAMM program since its first year in 2010, when she was five years old. She started off on violin and now plays double bass and cello. After working for the program throughout high school as a teaching assistant, she is now enrolled at UAS to earn a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Aliciana has performed with many musical groups such as the Student Symphony and Aurora Strings, and is now part of The Juneau Symphony. She has also traveled for her musical career and has participated in Alaska All State and placed 1st chair for Bass in 2022. She has also been part of the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles Summer Festival for two years, in 2022 and 2023. Aliciana hopes to one day teach music like many of her role models, and share her love for music with many students in the future.
Juneau School District Instructors
Lindsay Clark (Auke Bay), a Juneau local, returned home in 2015 to pursue a Master's in Education. Lindsay holds a Bachelor's in Performance and a Master's in Education, with a K-12 Music Endorsement. Lindsay currently teaches general music at Auke Bay during the school day. In addition to teaching music, Lindsay serves as Principal 2nd Violin of the Juneau Symphony Orchestra.
Franz Felkl (Kax̱dog̱oowu Heen) was born and raised in Juneau where he started the violin with local teacher Mr. Guo-Hua Xia. He continued his studies with Linda Rosenthal in High School and went on to receive two Bachelor Degrees in Violin Performance and Music Education from the University of Alaska Fairbanks where he studied with Dr. Kathleen Butler-Hopkins. He received his Masters at Lynn University Conservatory of Music in Boca Raton, FL under the tutelage of Elmar Oliveira. Mr. Felkl is the Concertmaster of the Juneau Symphony and has previously held positions with Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet, Palm Beach Symphony, and was second violinist of the Amernet String Quartet, Ensemble-In-Residence at Florida International University
Sam Roberts (Sitʼ Éeti Shaanax̱) is a certified music teacher and double bass player with a background in jazz and improvisation. He earned his Bachelor's of Music from Humboldt State University and his Master's of Art in Teaching from the University of Alaska Southeast. Sam has performed on bass and percussion in a variety of contexts and styles including jazz, classical, Afro-Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, and Javanese gamelan. He aims to inspire students to work hard, be creative, take risks, and have fun (and loves when his students inspire him to do the same). When not hanging out with kids or playing music, Sam is usually reading, writing, baking, running, or splashing around in a creek somewhere.
Teaching Artists
Elena Levi (Violin) Elena began studying violin at the age of 5, and went on to receive two bachelor degrees from Boston University College of Fine Arts in violin performance and music theory/composition. While studying in Boston, Elena participated in the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Intensive Community Project, a program which provides free private instruction for underprivileged youth orchestra members. She went on to study under Missy Mazzoli and Nancy Wu (assistant concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera House) in New York City. After spending a year studying and teaching private and group violin, viola and piano lessons in NY schools, Elena came to Juneau to continue her teaching career and to share her compositional works with a more intimate, tight-knit community. Elena manages to include much of her music theory training with even beginner students, allowing even her youngest students to analyze a musical structure and overall form. Elena is currently building a reputable private studio and performs with numerous local musical organizations.
Jemima Verebasaga (Violin and Family Classes) began her journey as a violinist in kindergarten 14 years ago; she was a student in JAMMʼs first kindergarten cohort. Jemima has always shown leadership through her willingness to help other students and participate in community activities. Jemima has continued to participate in JAMM as our first middle school mentor and as a high school teaching assistant. Along the way, Jemima has taught ukulele, mandolin, guitar, and folk singing. In March 2023, Jemima was a National Youth Ambassador at the El Sistema USA symposium. This year Jemima has returned to JAMM as an alum, leading family classes and violin classes with confidence and a unique insight into what it is like to grow and develop through JAMM. Jemima is a freshman at the University of Alaska Southeast, pursing a degree in elementary education.
Jinkase.ee Rose Willard ( Língit Dance and Drumming) is the Cultural Specialist with the Indian Studies Program at Sítʼ Eetí Shaanáx̱ Glacier Valley Elementary School, where she creates Lingít language curriculum resources and teacher training for the Indian Studies Program. She is a lead drummer withWoosh.ji.Een Dance Group. One of 16 heritage language scholars, Jinkasee.ee received a full scholarship to participate in a unique program offered through a partnership with Sealaska Heritage Institute and the University of Alaska Southeast calledHaa Yoo X̱ʼatángi Deiyí (Our Language Pathway). Jinkasee.ee started JAMMʼs Lingít Dance & Drumming group, which is now 65 students strong!
Josh Labocca (Music Tech)
Luciano Barreras (Guitar) was born and raised in Chile surrounded by wilderness and ocean life. As a child he arrived in MA. This year he made the trip to Juneau to continue his teaching career in a place he could enjoy the outdoors further. He began playing guitar in middle school. Throughout his educational career he took the opportunity to play for local bands and professional ensembles. While guitar is his primary instrument, he has learned to play other instruments to implement their methods of study and practice into his own guitar stylings. You can find him in Floyd Dryden as the TED teacher.
Roby Littlefield(Língit Langauge) has been teaching the Tlingit language at the secondary and college level for over 20 years in Sitka Alaska. She learned Tlingit from fluent speaking Elders and lived at the family fish camps doing traditional activities in the summers. Roby joined the JAMM team in 2020 to help develop the language curriculum to be used in the Tlingit violin program. She has since continued to participate in the JAMM classrooms through Zoom. She monitors, reviews, adds to and supports the teachers “live” in the classroom.
Samantha Georg (Guitar) teaches 2nd grade at Sitʼ Éeti Shaanax̱ Glacier Valley. She is new to JAMM and the Juneau area, and is thrilled to be part of such a great program that empowers the youth. “JAMM combines so many things I love: teaching, music, and feeling like part of a community. Music brings people together.” Samantha and her husband moved to Juneau from Florida and have enthusiastically traded in their sunscreen and sandals for hiking boots and raincoats.
Sharon Seim (Cello)
Susie Denton (Staff Coach) is the former P.E. teacher at Sitʼ Éeti Shaanax̱ Glacier Valley. Ms. Denton has a BSEd and certificates in K-8 special education and physical education. Ms. Denton enjoys integrating reading skills and math concepts through movement. Ms. Denton has offered dance and creative movement classes in JAMM; she is currently coaching new staff and pre-service teachers.
Taelyn Coffee (Beginning Violin) is a 2/3 teacher at Kax̲dig̲oowu Héen Elementary School. Taelyn is a long time Juneauite and avid music lover. She played the flute for over 12 years, sang in my school choir; as well as the Alaska Youth Choir for a few years. "I think music is an important part of our self expression. I'm excited to be part of this amazing program again and watching our youth grow their musical skills!"
Taisha Fermin (Cello) is a cellist and teaching assistant at Kax̱dog̱oowu Heen. Born in Juneau, she learned how to play cello through the Juneau School District’s music programs. Throughout high school Taisha was involved in orchestra, musical theater, and choir. Music always led her to new and exciting experiences, and she hopes to share the opportunities that music gave her and extend that passion to students. She is a full-time student at UAS and enjoys her free time animating characters, listening to Tatsuro Yamashita, and tide pooling.
Yux̱gitsy George Holly (Língit Dance and Drumming) is a Deg Xitʼan songster and educator. He works to uphold his own language of Deg Xinag from Western Alaska while supporting the revitalization of the indigenous languages of the places he lives. George was adopted into the Tlingít Kaagwaanaan clan of Southeast Alaska in support of his work and life and presently is using his talents to lift the Lingít language in Juneau, Alaska.
High School Teaching Assistants
Jacquelyn Davis is sixteen years old and a high school junior; she is new to Juneau but has lived in Alaska for about four years now. JQ has been playing the cello for nearly five years, and she absolutely adore music. JQ has previously played the piano, and taken numerous voice lessons. This year she will start learning how to play the double bass!Some of her hobbies include making earrings, reading books, writing stories, and hiking around outside with my family. JQʼs favorite trail here so far has to be the Ice Cave Trail; she has hiked with her dad all the way to the glacier together and that was really cool!
Maya Breedlove Being a part of an orchestra is so important to Maya. It gives her a chance to listen to and learn from other musicians and become part of a community. Maya has also been taking Lingít for a few years and appreciates how it is incorporated in the JAMM program and into music. Music is such a great opportunity especially in elementary school; she hopes many students decide to continue it throughout their career.
Warren Koski was once a JAMM student at Sitʼ Éeti Shaanax̱ Glacier Valley; he is exited to help current JAMM kids who want to purse a further career in music. Warren plays the fiddle and banjo. He has performed with the Koski Family Band at the Alaska Folk Festival.
