WHO WE ARE

Kaitlyn Korogy-Guarneros (she/her/hers) is a nonprofit arts leader working to cultivate authentic and affirming spaces for youth to create music. At the helm of The Opus Project at the San Diego Youth Symphony, she leads the vision, strategic design, execution, and expansion of community-based programming. She is also proud to serve on the El Sistema USA Board of Directors.

Born and raised in San Diego, California, she grew up in one of the largest public school systems in California at a time when the arts were seeing drastic cuts in public funding. Her career in leadership and advocacy unofficially began in her Sophomore year, when she successfully sought the restoration of her high school’s orchestra program.

She began her career as a private cello teacher and teaching artist. After joining SDYS’ faculty in 2012 to teach at the Opus Project, she ultimately found her biggest passion in arts administration and creative youth development. Kaitlyn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from San Diego State University and a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from University of San Diego.

Ivelisse Dominguez is an administrator, proud San Diego native, and firm believer in the power of community organizing whose work centers critical social justice.

She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at CSU San Marcos while working as a Project Manager at local tech startup, Jamiak Inc. Upon returning to higher academia, Ivelisse taught as a Teaching Associate at Cal Poly Humboldt. She also worked as Managing Editor at the Humboldt Journal of Social Relations where she edited her first academic journal publication.

Ivelisse is completing her Master of Arts in Public Sociology at Cal Poly Humboldt, and her thesis highlights the works of local social organizers. Ivelisse is excited to offer administrative support to the Community Opus Project in providing our students with quality music education.

Mimi Wisdom (she/they) is a music educator and music history enthusiast. Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at San Diego State University, she plays flute with SDSU’s bands and orchestras. She also plays other instruments such as the alto flute and the euphonium. Mimi is passionate about her studies on the Baroque era and is currently continuing her studies in this area by learning the Baroque Flute. She also studies the development of musical instruments and their practices and roles in the ensemble. In her free time, she dabbles in creative writing, research, and spending time with her friends.

Prelude Level: Beginning Strings Class

Marife Biares was born in the Philippines and grew up in a family of musicians. Her experience in orchestra performance began at the age of six as a violinist in the children’s orchestra Pasaknungan Philippines, and she is a graduate of the University of the Phillipines College of Music with a major in music education.

From 2000 to 2014 Marife taught violin at the University of the Philippines, College of Music extension program. She also taught violin class for beginners at the International School Manila. She was a mentor at the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth “Ang Misyon”, was is inspired by El Sistema with the vision of excellence in music performance.

In 2015, Marife joined the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) led by Musical Director Robert Shroder, with which she has performed at many venues and events across California.

For the past twenty-two years, Marife has been shaping the lives of children and young adults through music. She has been a long-time teaching artist with San Diego Youth Symphony, working with students throughout SDYS’ programs. In addition to her work with SDYS’ Opus Project in Chula Vista, Marife teaches at Sunnyside Elementary School. She is an advocate for all students to receive high-quality music education including students who attend school online.

Nasim Khorassani is an Iranian composer, sound artist, educator, founder of MOAASER, a free online music academy to support Persian students, and thrilled to become a part of the KeyNote team. Nasim’s music takes various approaches to visuality, emotional connection, and language. Her works have been performed by No Exit New Music Ensemble, Del Sol String Quartet, Patchwork Duo, Zeitgeist, OCAZEnigma, Loadbang, International Contemporary Ensemble, in^set trio, Silkroad Ensemble, Thin Edge New Music Collective, Cepromusic ensemble, and La Jolla Symphony Orchestra across the United States, Europe, Canada, and Mexico. Composers Now has also featured Nasim in the IMPACT Series in January 2023. Nasim is currently a PhD candidate in music composition at UC San Diego, working with Prof. Rand Steiger.

Born and raised in the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming, Charles Grosjean Perkes came from a strong musical family. While still in high school he auditioned and was accepted into the United States Army Band as a bassist. While in the Army he studied at the Department of Defense School of Music. After completing four years in the Army Band, he joined his wife in the Navy Band, where they completed a four-year tour of duty performing all over Europe and Africa. His next tour to Japan was for four years, performing all over Southeast Asia. Now settled in Chula Vista with his wife Laura and two daughters, Sofie and Pepper, he enjoys making art of all types. He has a unique and charismatic personality and is currently focusing on being a good dad, a good teacher, and a good friend.

Brooks T. Salloum (he/they) is a double bassist and music educator. Brooks attended the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music and holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in double bass performance. Brooks was a teaching artist at MYCincinnati youth orchestra for four years before working with KeyNote and is an avid freelance performer of a variety of genres.

Greg Perrin enjoys a versatile career as an orchestral and chamber musician. Currently a member of the South West Florida Symphony Orchestra, Miami City Ballet Opus One Orchestra, and Palm Beach Opera, he also served as Principal Viola of the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra for four seasons and has performed as Acting Principal for the Miami City Ballet. In addition, he has performed with The Florida Orchestra, Mobile Symphony Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Sarasota Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, California Chamber Orchestra, and San Diego Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he has performed with the Palimpsest Ensemble, Classics 4 Kids, as well as performed in La Jolla Playhouse’s premiere run of the musical Lempicka.

A devoted teacher, Greg taught students of all ages at the Eastman Community Music School, where he also conducted the New Horizons Orchestra. As a teaching assistant at Florida State University, he taught music majors and minors in private and chamber music settings. He was a Guest Viola Faculty at the 2018 Miami ViolaFest where he gave a masterclass at the New World School of the Arts. In the summer of 2022, Greg taught at the International Youth Symphony. Currently, he is a Teaching Artist for the San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory.

Greg began his musical studies on violin at the age of 12 and later earned degrees in both viola and violin. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance from the Eastman School of Music, a Master of Music from Florida State University, and a Professional Performer’s Certificate from Lynn Conservatory of Music. In addition, Greg also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Rochester.

Alissa Maushardt is a Southern California based performer, educator, and writer adept on clarinet, saxophone, flute and piano. She studied classical and contemporary music at UCSD and since graduating, She has branched out into R&B, funk, big bands and jazz ensembles. Alissa has done musical theater, festivals and corporate gigs throughout the region. In her free time, Alissa enjoys skating, surfing and connecting with friends.