VYMA’s Board of Directors and Advisory Board are comprised of dedicated VYMA parents and musicians, teachers, conductors and community leaders who share VYMA’s vision of enabling children to discover the dedication, teamwork and joy of making music together.

Board of Directors

Samvel Chilingarian, Artistic Director

Monica DeFrancisco, Chair/President

Trish Martin, Vice Chair/Vice President

Renee Hansen, Seasoned Officer/Treasurer

Lindsey Hansen, Seasoned Officer/Secretary

Ruth S. Lam, Seasoned Officer

Ara Amirkhanian, Officer/Project Manager

Lucine Mirzakhanyan, Officer/Fundraiser

Advisory Board

Brenda Barnes, KUSC President

Karla Berglund Hughes, Pasadena Suzuki Music Program

Mark Churchill, El Sistema U. S. A. Director

Fritzie Culick, Pasadena Old Town Music & Community Leader

Kevin Fitz-Gerald, Ph. D, USC Thornton School of Music

Louise Ghandhi, Chair Emeritus

Kay Ladanyi, Ph. D, Music Teacher

Marjorie Lindbeck, LA Master Chorale

Billy Mitchell, SAPPA President, Musician & community leader

Frank Ticheli, Ph. D, Music Professor, Composer

Benjamin Zander, Boston Philharmonic Conductor, Author