Working Together to Make a Difference!
Staff Members, Faculty Members, Volunteers and Advocates Supported by Sponsors, Donors and Artists all make GITC into a Community Creating Change.
It is often said that "it takes a village to raise a child." Since GITC serves in many "villages," it takes everyone to bring music to learning. We are grateful for a very dedicated, capable and kind community.
If you would like to join us to open the door for music, literacy, learning and well-being, please drop us a line!
We look forward to hearing from you!
If you would like to join us to open the door for music, literacy, learning and well-being, please drop us a line!
We look forward to hearing from you!
Meet The GITC Staff!
Jess Baron
GITC Founder, Executive Director
jess@guitarsintheclassroom.org
Jess Baron founded Guitars in the Classroom and has served as its Executive Director since its inception in 1998. With multiple degrees and specialized training in music education, child development, educational therapy, and clinical psychology, plus a three-decade career as an author and teaching artist, Jess brings a multifaceted understanding of the human learning process to her work. She believes in the importance of expanding as well as documenting and evaluating the many roles music can play to advance cognitive, social and emotional growth in young people. She has published eight books in the field of music, creativity, and parenting. The most recent book is SmartStart Ukulele.
In addition to being the very appreciative mother of Elias Turner, she understands GITC to be her life's work and daily privilege.
Ms. Baron is grateful to serve with a truly remarkable Board of Directors. Together, they are responsible for the day to day management of GITC. She also works collaboratively with classroom educators and thought leaders in the fields of Literacy, Education and Arts Integration. She finds working toward their common goal to improve life and the quality of education for American students and teachers deeply inspiring. Jess is a literacy nerd (careful if you get her started), a lifelong musician, a passionate singer, a sometimes songwriter, and is genuinely inspired by everyone in the GITC community.
GITC Founder, Executive Director
jess@guitarsintheclassroom.org
Jess Baron founded Guitars in the Classroom and has served as its Executive Director since its inception in 1998. With multiple degrees and specialized training in music education, child development, educational therapy, and clinical psychology, plus a three-decade career as an author and teaching artist, Jess brings a multifaceted understanding of the human learning process to her work. She believes in the importance of expanding as well as documenting and evaluating the many roles music can play to advance cognitive, social and emotional growth in young people. She has published eight books in the field of music, creativity, and parenting. The most recent book is SmartStart Ukulele.
In addition to being the very appreciative mother of Elias Turner, she understands GITC to be her life's work and daily privilege.
Ms. Baron is grateful to serve with a truly remarkable Board of Directors. Together, they are responsible for the day to day management of GITC. She also works collaboratively with classroom educators and thought leaders in the fields of Literacy, Education and Arts Integration. She finds working toward their common goal to improve life and the quality of education for American students and teachers deeply inspiring. Jess is a literacy nerd (careful if you get her started), a lifelong musician, a passionate singer, a sometimes songwriter, and is genuinely inspired by everyone in the GITC community.
Gail Wingfield
GITC Director of Development and Programs Management
gail@guitarsintheclassroom.org
Gail Wingfield is GITC’s Director of Development and Programs Manager. She is also an outstanding leader in GITC’s DEI development and an active member of that board-run committee and assists the board with strategic planning.
Gail's long career in the nonprofit sector includes arts administration, dance, and choreography. She brings a well-rounded perspective and vast personal creative experience to her work in arts education administration. Gail has a B.A. in Performing Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles, and an M.A. in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego. She has consulted with nonprofits in San Diego, assisting with fundraising, grant writing and administration, marketing, financial assessment, and board governance.
Gail provided executive support, program management and development assistance to the California Ballet Association (CBA) from 2008 - 2018, stewarding donors and writing and administering grants. She launched CBA’s Sharing the Art outreach program for the purpose of creating more equity and inclusion in the performing arts sector. She taught ballet in San Diego to students ages 7 - adult for over 20 years, brought programs of creative dance to elementary schools, and coached Olympic figure skating medalists.
GITC Director of Development and Programs Management
gail@guitarsintheclassroom.org
Gail Wingfield is GITC’s Director of Development and Programs Manager. She is also an outstanding leader in GITC’s DEI development and an active member of that board-run committee and assists the board with strategic planning.
Gail's long career in the nonprofit sector includes arts administration, dance, and choreography. She brings a well-rounded perspective and vast personal creative experience to her work in arts education administration. Gail has a B.A. in Performing Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles, and an M.A. in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego. She has consulted with nonprofits in San Diego, assisting with fundraising, grant writing and administration, marketing, financial assessment, and board governance.
Gail provided executive support, program management and development assistance to the California Ballet Association (CBA) from 2008 - 2018, stewarding donors and writing and administering grants. She launched CBA’s Sharing the Art outreach program for the purpose of creating more equity and inclusion in the performing arts sector. She taught ballet in San Diego to students ages 7 - adult for over 20 years, brought programs of creative dance to elementary schools, and coached Olympic figure skating medalists.
Megan Donahue
GITC Financial Administrator
megan@guitarsintheclassroom.org
Bio coming!
GITC Financial Administrator
megan@guitarsintheclassroom.org
Bio coming!
Abby Dorsey
GITC Director of Media and Outreach
abby@guitarsintheclassroom.org
Abby Dorsey joined the GITC staff in 2019 and immediately began filling our office with warmth, creativity and a sense of peace. A native New Yorker, she brings her background in writing (she studied at Tufts) and her present day passion and talent for songwriting to her work with GITC and to the musical community. She also expands our community making soulful connections with other nonprofits with whom she volunteers. These include the Jason Mraz Foundation, San Diego Rock n' Roll Camp for Girls and Voices of Our City Choir. www.rockcampforgirlssd.org/
Abby creates GITC's e-newsletters, helps with social media, MCs GITC events, supervises student interns in creative media production, and sends out our media alerts and press releases.
GITC Director of Media and Outreach
abby@guitarsintheclassroom.org
Abby Dorsey joined the GITC staff in 2019 and immediately began filling our office with warmth, creativity and a sense of peace. A native New Yorker, she brings her background in writing (she studied at Tufts) and her present day passion and talent for songwriting to her work with GITC and to the musical community. She also expands our community making soulful connections with other nonprofits with whom she volunteers. These include the Jason Mraz Foundation, San Diego Rock n' Roll Camp for Girls and Voices of Our City Choir. www.rockcampforgirlssd.org/
Abby creates GITC's e-newsletters, helps with social media, MCs GITC events, supervises student interns in creative media production, and sends out our media alerts and press releases.
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Rodney Howard
Volunteer, Mentor, Classroom Angel and More!
Rodney Howard is GITC's Lead Volunteer. He wears the hats of Tuning Archangel, Mentor and Classroom Angel. Our organization is so fortunate to receive daily support from Rodney, who is a lifelong musician, guitarist, drummer, ukulele hound, and a friend to all, from students to teachers. Thank you, Rodney, for dedicating your precious retirement hours to GITC and being someone we can count on.
Volunteer, Mentor, Classroom Angel and More!
Rodney Howard is GITC's Lead Volunteer. He wears the hats of Tuning Archangel, Mentor and Classroom Angel. Our organization is so fortunate to receive daily support from Rodney, who is a lifelong musician, guitarist, drummer, ukulele hound, and a friend to all, from students to teachers. Thank you, Rodney, for dedicating your precious retirement hours to GITC and being someone we can count on.