Maggie Frederick

Research and Development Coordinator

Resume

Maggie is a recent graduate of the University of St Andrews, where she earned a Master of Letters in Modern History with Distinction. At St Andrews, Maggie studied the intersection of American religious history and capitalism. This research culminated in a dissertation on gender roles within the Nation of Islam, as seen through the women’s section in the Muhammad Speaks newspaper. Maggie holds a bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College, where she majored in History and Religion. Maggie also competed on the field hockey teams at Bowdoin and St Andrews. Maggie is passionate about transferring her academic background into mission-driven work. She believes in the power of community and human connection to foster positive change. 

Catherine Cox

Brand Marketing Intern

Catherine Cox is a sophomore at the College of the Holy Cross, majoring in sociology with a minor in urban studies. She is also enrolled in the Social Entrepreneurship Certificate Program. Outside of the classroom, Catherine is involved in a number of activities that connect her to the larger community. She hosts a weekly radio show on Holy Cross WCHC-88.1 FM and serves as art director on the WCHC-88.1 Executive Board. Catherine plays alto saxophone on the Holy Cross wind ensemble, jazz ensemble, and jazz combo, and serves as social media director on the Wind Ensemble/Orchestra Executive Board. In addition to her passion for the arts, Catherine is also an advocate for inclusion, volunteering for Eye-to-Eye, a program where she mentors neurodivergent middle school students. 

A longtime resident of Boston, Catherine is a 2025 graduate of the Boston Latin School, where she developed her passion for the arts. She played alto saxophone and clarinet in Big Band, wind ensemble, and symphonic band. Her involvement in the music program afforded her the opportunity to perform in the Charles Mingus High School Competition in New York City, on stage at the Hatch Shell, and at numerous MICCA festivals where her band earned gold medals.

In her free time, Catherine enjoys reading, traveling, attending concerts of any kind, and collecting vinyl of all genres.

Janna Hindawi

Brand Marketing Intern

Janna Hindawi is a rising junior at the College of the Holy Cross, majoring in music and political science. She is enrolled in the Entrepreneurship Certificate Program and serves as secretary for the Arab Student Association, marketing and advertising coordinator for the Residence Hall Council, and associate editor for The Purple Literary Magazine. Janna is a volunteer at Why Me & Sherry’s House through Student Programs for Urban Development (SPUD) and was awarded the Richard M. Long Esq. ‘57 Merit-Based Scholarship in January 2025, given to one student attending Holy Cross from her high school. 

Janna is involved in many clubs at Holy Cross, including The Agency (a marketing club), Women in Business, and College Choir. She works part-time as an online tutor for WorldTutorsAcademy and participates in business workshops, including the 2026 Non-Profit Career Conference (NPCC).  This fall, Janna will take on new roles. She will be an orientation leader for the incoming Class of 2030 and a Writer’s Workshop consultant. She will also start as a social media manager for her all female a cappella, The Delilahs, before departing for a semester abroad in Spain for the spring semester.  

Janna attended Lawrence Academy, where she was awarded the Kaitlyn Nguyen Community Service Society Award for being the only fourth year student to complete over 100 hours of community service and the Francis A. Head Award for Excellence in Journalism. Outside of school, Janna enjoys singing, playing the piano, traveling, swimming, reading, writing, and spending time with her friends and family.

Catie Verostick

Teaching Artist/Youth programs

Catie Verostick is a music therapist, educator, and performer dedicated to helping students build confidence, discover joy through music, and express themselves creatively. She earned her degree in Music Therapy from Anna Maria College in 2022. Catie first joined OpporTUNEity in 2019 during her undergraduate studies, and she’s thrilled to be part of the program again.

Her clinical background includes work in Hospice and Pediatric Palliative Care, as well as Early Intervention services. Catie has also facilitated music groups in daycare settings and assisted living communities, using music to promote connection, development, and emotional expression across age groups.

In addition to her clinical work, Catie teaches private voice, piano, and guitar lessons at The Complex Performing Arts & Creative Centre, where she works with students of all ages and skill levels.

Above all, Catie is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student feels encouraged to explore their unique voice and grow at their own pace.

Jeff Conner

Artistic Director/Summer Music Institute

Jeff Conner is the only original member of Boston Brass. He founded the group with some fellow Boston musicians while a student at Boston University and has engineered the meteoric rise of this ensemble’s fame in the world of popular chamber music. Jeff received his master’s degree in Music from Boston University and his bachelor’s degree in music from Boston Conservatory of Music. Jeff is a Yamaha Performing Artist, bringing 36 years experience of building and branding the Boston Brass name in the world of chamber music. He is also on the Artistic Advisory Committee for Mahidol College of Music in Bangkok, Thailand.

In 2020, Jeff was awarded the National Distinguished Eagle Scout Award for Eagle Scouts who achieve extraordinary national-level recognition, fame, or eminence within their profession and/or service to the nation.

His entrepreneurial clinic, "The Portfolio Musician" is designed to challenge, engage and assist young musicians conceptualize their potential in the music industry. He is co-author of “The Portfolio Musician, Case Studies in Success” with Grammy Nominated Musician John Laverty.

Rhiannon Hurst

Teaching Artist/Youth programs

Award-winning Jazz vocalist, arranger, and educator Rhiannon Kaela Hurst has earned recognition on both national and international stages. Rhiannon recently earned her Master's degree in Jazz Studies, Jazz Vocal Performance, from the New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) after completing her undergraduate studies at the College of the Holy Cross as both the Brooks Scholar and Fenwick Scholar. Rhiannon was also the first 4+1 graduate from the joint Holy Cross + NEC BA/MM program.

At NEC, she was awarded the honor of being an NEC Community Outreach Fellow for 2025-2026, where she bridged and enriched the connection between NEC and the Boston community through her musical performances. She was selected to represent NEC's Jazz Studies Department for the Conservatory's prestigious Commencement Concert in Jordan Hall for 2026. A YoungArts Winner in Jazz Voice, she also performed both as a lead performer and as an opener internationally at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, Ireland's biggest jazz festival. Her recent artistic work has centered on New Standards: 101 Lead Sheets by Women Composers, championing the music of women composers through performance, research, and education. Alongside her performance career, Hurst is a passionate educator whose work focuses on jazz education, vocal pedagogy, and community engagement.

"I am incredibly excited to join the OpporTUNEity team and contribute to its mission of making music education accessible and engaging for students of all backgrounds. The organization's commitment to creativity, collaboration, and community closely aligns with my own approach to teaching. I am grateful for the opportunity to become part of the team and look forward to supporting the meaningful work OpporTUNEity continues to do."

Dennis Vanasse

Teaching Artist/Hip Hop/WCHOC

Dennis Vanasse is an educator, author, and podcast host who has dedicated more than 30 years to serving others. Throughout his career, he has worked in an urban high school and at Anna Maria College, where he has devoted his life to mentoring at-risk youth, including many affected by gang involvement. His passion is helping young people recognize their potential, develop confidence, and believe in the possibility of a brighter future.

As the host of the Apex Lifestylepodcast, which has attracted more than 200,000 subscribers, Dennis has interviewed an impressive lineup of influential figures, including Lil Flip, EPMD, Arrested Development, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run DMC, and Cappadonna from WuTang, along with numerous other celebrities across a variety of industries. A seasoned author, he has written several self-help and children’s books that inspire resilience, purpose, and personal growth. In the fall, he will release two highly anticipated books, including collaborative works with Cappadonna and Parrish Smith.

Harman Kaler

Teaching Artist/Wchoc/songwriters circle

Harman first began studying music at the age of 11. Throughout middle and highschool, he pursued extracurricular studies in guitar and piano. His sophomore year atCatawba College in Salisbury, NC, he elected to begin collegiate level studies in music,and for the first time considered higher level music education as a career path. Duringhis time at Catawba, Harman performed in R&B, funk, rock, and jazz ensembles underthe instruction of Dennis Reed, Jr. and Jeff Little, where he was inspired by both hiseducators and peers—who were sincere, skillful, and personable musicians—to pursuea career in music education. Since receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Music in 2022,Harman has enrolled at Boston University College of Fine Arts to obtain his Masters of Music in Music Education, with a goal of conducting doctorate research in musicology ormusic psychology.

When not engaged in his academic pursuits, Harman teaches private lessons forguitar, piano, and bass guitar. His diverse assemblage of students provides him withfresh perspectives on music and fuels his desire to do research. He enjoys studying jazz guitar in his free time.

Kevin Williams

Teaching ArtisT/wchoc/songwriters circle

Kevin Williams has had a life in music that’s led him down myriad roads as educator, director, conductor, composer, performer, and journalist; each of these sharing the common elements of music, creativity, and a high standard of excellence. He has led choral programs in public and private schools, recorded and toured internationally with original rock acts, and currently works both as a gigging guitarist with a popular wedding/event band throughout New England, and as a media composer writing and producing cinematic underscore for film and television documentaries from his home studio. He holds two Master’s Degrees that support this colorful career with a strong academic background; a Master of Music in Composition from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Music Education from Boston University.

Dan DeCristofaro

Teaching artist/wchoc

Dan DeCristofaro is a singer, songwriter, producer and arranger based in Massachusetts. His recent “genre bending” content series has pulled in over 50k followers across multiple platforms. He is also a founding member of Blue Light Bandits, an award winning, 4-piece independent groove rock band from Worcester, MA that has amassed over 3 million streams on Spotify over the course of 3 full length albums, 2 EP’s, and an array of singles. They recently made their festival debut at Boston Calling in May of 2023. In 2022 he formed quiet thrill, a singer / songwriter super duo along with long time friend and collaborator Joel Ansett. They released their debut self-titled album in July ‘22 and their song “Grace” was featured in Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlist. In 2024, they were awarded the Jon Lennon Songwriting Contest Song of The Year for their song “Lost For Now”. Whether Dan is performing with the band or as a solo artist, Dan has been a staple of the New England music scene for over 10 years and stays busy with local showings and record production from his home studio in Northbridge, MA.

Dan Thomas

teaching artist/Songwriting instructor

Dan Thomas is a composer, bandleader, educator and internationally touring freelance guitarist based in Western Massachusetts. He holds a M.M. in Jazz Composition and Arranging from the University of Massachusetts. Since 2008, Dan has taught privately and in classroom settings from preschool through college. Dan is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience with students and believes that music education is a vital part of any well-rounded curriculum. Since 2019, Dan has worked with the OpporTUNEity Music Connections program, providing guitar, piano and songwriting instruction to inmates at the Worcester, Hampshire and Franklin County correctional facilities. In an effort to continue offering music education post-incarceration, Dan also teaches guitar and songwriting classes for returning citizens at Clark University. On the stage and in the classroom, Dan fosters collaborative community-based work and encourages an open mind and an eagerness to explore a diverse range of musical influences.

Outside of the classroom, Dan has built a diverse career as a multi-genre performing/recording artist. He is the leader of the Valley Moonstompers Society, a western Massachusetts based collective of musicians and fans celebrating the legacy of Jamaican jazz and ska. Dan has worked with many regionally, nationally and internationally recognized artists including Jon Carroll (Starland Vocal Band), Mitch Chakour (Joe Cocker), Mystic Bowie (Tom Tom Club), Cappadonna (Wu Tang Clan), Jim Belushi (Blues Brothers), Ali McGuirk, Jamie Kent, Denroy Morgan, and Peter Blanchette and the Happy Valley Guitar Orchestra, to name a few.