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 launch in 2000. 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 for Beginners, co-authored by Tiffany Stalker and produced by Korg/Soundtree. Jess enjoys training teachers during the year, processing the teaching experience with GITC's faculty trainers and teaching artists, and she does her best to sneak away to make music with students every once in a while.
She is especially 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 launch in 2000. 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 for Beginners, co-authored by Tiffany Stalker and produced by Korg/Soundtree. Jess enjoys training teachers during the year, processing the teaching experience with GITC's faculty trainers and teaching artists, and she does her best to sneak away to make music with students every once in a while.
She is especially 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 Director of Programs
gail@guitarsintheclassroom.org
Gail Wingfield is GITC’s Director of Development and Director of Programs. She is an outstanding leader in GITC’s DEI development and an active member of that board-run committee. She also assists the board with strategic planning.
Gail brings a well-rounded perspective and vast personal creative experience to her work in arts education administration. Her long career in the nonprofit sector includes arts administration, dance, and choreography. 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, operations and 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 Director of Programs
gail@guitarsintheclassroom.org
Gail Wingfield is GITC’s Director of Development and Director of Programs. She is an outstanding leader in GITC’s DEI development and an active member of that board-run committee. She also assists the board with strategic planning.
Gail brings a well-rounded perspective and vast personal creative experience to her work in arts education administration. Her long career in the nonprofit sector includes arts administration, dance, and choreography. 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, operations and 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.
Stiina Luedtke
GITC Finance and Operations Administrator
Stiina Luedtke, GITC’s Finance and Operations Administrator, is originally from Wisconsin. She moved to San Diego in 2010, after living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for ten years. Stiina has a deep love for music, which stems from her experience in an after-school strings program at her elementary school. She performed in her school orchestra, was a member of the Oshkosh Youth Symphony for seven years, and also held a coveted spot in the Wisconsin Honors Youth Symphony during her senior year of high school. During her years at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh she performed in several group ensembles and the UWO symphony.
Stiina learned to make electric guitars in 2019. She participated in the international guitar building competition, The Great Guitar Build Off, where she received an honorable mention for her guitar, Tiamat. She is also a master drum maker, with over 200 natural hide hand drums created and sold both within the US and internationally. She is also a 3rd generation artist with a wide focus on painting, photography, ceramics, fiber arts and woodworking. Stiina loves to support small businesses, women-led organizations, and education of music and the arts to all ages.
GITC Finance and Operations Administrator
Stiina Luedtke, GITC’s Finance and Operations Administrator, is originally from Wisconsin. She moved to San Diego in 2010, after living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for ten years. Stiina has a deep love for music, which stems from her experience in an after-school strings program at her elementary school. She performed in her school orchestra, was a member of the Oshkosh Youth Symphony for seven years, and also held a coveted spot in the Wisconsin Honors Youth Symphony during her senior year of high school. During her years at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh she performed in several group ensembles and the UWO symphony.
Stiina learned to make electric guitars in 2019. She participated in the international guitar building competition, The Great Guitar Build Off, where she received an honorable mention for her guitar, Tiamat. She is also a master drum maker, with over 200 natural hide hand drums created and sold both within the US and internationally. She is also a 3rd generation artist with a wide focus on painting, photography, ceramics, fiber arts and woodworking. Stiina loves to support small businesses, women-led organizations, and education of music and the arts to all ages.
Debra Cavataio
GITC Bookkeeper
Debi Cavataio has been a part of Guitars in the Classroom for over a decade. She loves the mission and works very hard to keep our information clear, our numbers correct, and everyone on the same page, financially. there is so much more a person has to understand and track when working with a 501c3 organization. The task is daunting! We are grateful for Debi's deep dedication, tireless work ethic and willingness to help, no matter what.
GITC Bookkeeper
Debi Cavataio has been a part of Guitars in the Classroom for over a decade. She loves the mission and works very hard to keep our information clear, our numbers correct, and everyone on the same page, financially. there is so much more a person has to understand and track when working with a 501c3 organization. The task is daunting! We are grateful for Debi's deep dedication, tireless work ethic and willingness to help, no matter what.
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Rachael Holmes
GITC Program Administrator
Rachael Holmes joined GITC in early summer, 2021 and immediately became indispensable coordinating the logistics of 16 GITC Summer Strummers Clubs on seven different school sites throughout San Diego Unified School District. Motivated by her love for the arts, music and learning, she brings creativity and dedication to our team. She excels at organizing behind the scenes and keeping things running smoothly. A native of Canada, Rachael enjoys living in San Diego. She studied at Grossmont College and plans to pursue her education while she helps to make a difference to children and teachers through GITC.
GITC Program Administrator
Rachael Holmes joined GITC in early summer, 2021 and immediately became indispensable coordinating the logistics of 16 GITC Summer Strummers Clubs on seven different school sites throughout San Diego Unified School District. Motivated by her love for the arts, music and learning, she brings creativity and dedication to our team. She excels at organizing behind the scenes and keeping things running smoothly. A native of Canada, Rachael enjoys living in San Diego. She studied at Grossmont College and plans to pursue her education while she helps to make a difference to children and teachers through GITC.