Associate Board

Whether you’re a musician, concert-goer, or avid music listener, Merit’s Associate Board welcomes young professionals who believe in the transformative power of music education.

The Merit Associate Board (Merit AB) is committed to furthering the Merit School of Music’s mission to remove barriers to high-quality music education. We are a group of Chicago-area young professionals who volunteer our time, expertise, and resources to support Merit and its students. Associate Board members strive to develop themselves as model philanthropic leaders and next-generation advocates for the musical arts.

Members support the school by:

Collaborating with students to enhance their personal growth and help prepare them for the future
Growing our Associate Board by bringing diverse perspectives and skills to Merit
Working to develop new sources of support to meet Merit’s mission and provide financial aid to students
Increasing public awareness of Merit by serving as ambassadors for its mission and impact

Support the next generation of musicians. Click here to learn more and join the board today! →

Get Excited about Supporting
Music Education by:

Fundraising

Help host the Associate Board’s annual fundraising event that helps keep the cost of programming affordable for all Chicago families.

volunteering

Volunteer with Merit students to support music learning, enhance personal growth, and prepare students for the future.

Networking

Work with a diverse group of Associate Board members at regular meetings, participating in a committee, and building your network through board social events throughout the city.

Meet the Associate Board Executive Committee

What I love about Merit:
As a sophomore in high school, I got to play principal in an orchestra for the first time. I played the clarinet solo in Verdi’s Overture to “La Forza del Destino.” I’ll never forget the exhilarating, nervous feeling I got when the harp hummed its accompaniment and I fell into focus mode to play my part with as much technical mastery and expression as I could muster. Once the last notes of the piece had resonated in Gottlieb Hall, then-conductor Robert Hasty smiled and gestured toward me to acknowledge my solo. I stood to thunderous applause and couldn’t stop smiling. For the rest of my musical career, I chased that exhilarating feeling, which was replicated several times in my experiences playing on the radio or in Gottlieb Hall or with my colleagues in rehearsals.

What I love about Merit:
The incredible talent that exists in each student and the happiness music education brings to them. It is palpable in the students’ energy in and around the school.

I would love to have dinner with:
Elvis

What I love about Merit:
Merit provides opportunity for Chicago students – and it’s an opportunity to learn and grow and engage in a powerful medium that can enrich a young person’s life.

I would love to have dinner with:
My favorite violinist, Hilary Hahn

My favorite Associate Board Event:
Play On! I am so excited to bring back this event in person this year at my favorite music venue, City Winery!

My favorite Merit experience:
Interviewing prospective Conservatory families during their audition process. I got to see both the parents and the students’ viewpoints while welcoming new students into Merit.

My favorite thing about Merit:
Merit has always felt like a home away from home every time I walk in the building. I love the fact that there is an open arms feeling with both the students and staff. It’s very warm and welcoming.

Associate Board Members

Alexandra Demers

Ketchum

Bethany Evon

Self-Employed

Natalie Gewargis

Paul Hastings

Anne Glaza

Grenzebach Glier and Associates

Aaron Madura

Wintrust Bank

Annie Mercadoᴬ

Kopano Muhammadᴬ

Self-Employed

Nic Noland

Armakuni

Julian Reidᴬ

Self-Employed

Andy Scroggins

Seyfarth Shaw

David Ubriaco

Building Automated Solutions

Thomas Weinheimer

Catholic Extension

Darren Williams

L.E.K. Consulting

Sustaining Members

Adam Birnbaum

ClearPath Group

Peter Buse

William Blair

Angie Chiesa

Chamberlain Group

Arianna Halpert

McDonald’s Corporation

Jacob Henry-Camille

Ronald McDonald House Charities

Jerald Garyᴬ

Community Capital Investment Partners LLC

Vincent Lin

New Harbor Capital

LeRoy Ousleyᴬ

Wells Fargo

Tammy Ousley

Guidestone Financial

ᴬ Merit Alum

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the commitment for being on the Merit Associate Board?

All Merit Associate Board members are required to attend monthly board meetings, serve on a committee, act as an ambassador for Merit, volunteer with Merit students, attend Merit fundraising events, go to social events and Merit concerts as available, and fulfill the annual $500 board member give/get commitment.

How can I find out if the Merit Associate Board is a good fit for me?

Fill out the Merit Associate Board interest form to learn more. Someone from the Associate Board will reach out to you to talk with you about your interest in joining, answer your questions, and connect you with a current Associate Board member who can tell you more about their experience on the Merit Associate Board.

Do I have to be a musician in order to join?

No, you do not need to be a musician or a classical music expert to join! The Merit Associate Board is open to young professionals who love music and have a desire to meet like-minded individuals, are interested in giving back to the community, and are eager to spread awareness about the importance of making music education accessible to all.

Is there a deadline for applying?

No, there is no deadline to join the Merit Associate Board. Our membership is rolling, so you can join the Merit Associate Board at any point during the year.

The Merit Associate Board sounds awesome! How do I join?

Start by filling out this short form. We’ll follow up with more information on joining the Associate Board and to get to know you better. The final step will be to complete the full member application and make your new member donation of $100 upon approval to join the board (which counts towards your annual $500 give/get commitment).

Music Classes & Lessons

Community Programs

Selective Programs

About

Impact

Support Merit

Associate Board

Get Excited about SupportingMusic Education by:

Fundraising

volunteering

Networking

Meet the Associate Board Executive Committee

Kamila Muhammad​ᴬ

John Kalil

McKay Harline

Maureen Miller

Tom Seversonᴬ

Jamal Elam

Eduardo Lopezᴬ

Katie Schmelzerᴬ

Associate Board Members

Alexandra Demers

Bethany Evon

Natalie Gewargis

Anne Glaza

Aaron Madura

Annie Mercadoᴬ

Kopano Muhammadᴬ

Nic Noland

Julian Reidᴬ

Andy Scroggins

David Ubriaco

Thomas Weinheimer

Darren Williams

Sustaining Members

Adam Birnbaum

Peter Buse

Angie Chiesa

Arianna Halpert

Jacob Henry-Camille

Jerald Garyᴬ

Vincent Lin

LeRoy Ousleyᴬ

Tammy Ousley

Frequently Asked Questions

Join Our Board!

Locations

Make Music

Merit School of Music

Get Excited about Supporting
Music Education by:

Kamila Muhammadᴬ