Equal Voices: A Podcast with Music Leaders
Hosted by Lia Rujipornwasin
Jee-Hoon Krska / Founder of Keys 2 Success
Dr. Jee-Hoon Krska is the founder of Keys 2 Success, a Newark-based music education program that provides free, high-quality piano instruction to children in underserved communities. Born in Malaysia, she immigrated to the United States at age eleven and continued her piano studies as a scholarship student in Juilliard’s Pre-College program. Although she was a gifted pianist, Dr. Krska later earned a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from MIT and spent about twenty years working in the semiconductor industry. Her path changed after becoming involved with youth in Newark’s Pennington Court public housing community, where she saw how deeply access, opportunity, and mentorship could shape a child’s future. In 2016, she founded Keys 2 Success to make classical music education available to students who might not otherwise have access to private lessons, instruments, or consistent arts programming. The program now serves students from Pre-K through middle school through free, daily group piano lessons and community-based support. Dr. Krska is also active in Arts Ed Newark and broader diversity and inclusion efforts, using music as both an educational tool and a way to build confidence, discipline, and belonging. Before listening to our conversation with her, it is important to understand that Dr. Krska’s work is not only about teaching piano; it is about opening doors for Newark’s youth through music, mentorship, and community.
Lou Chen / Founder of INTEMPO
Lou Chen is the Chief Executive Officer of INTEMPO, a nonprofit organization that provides high-quality music education to children from immigrant and underserved communities throughout Connecticut. A graduate of Princeton University, Chen has spent his career combining music, education, and community engagement to expand opportunities for young people. Before joining INTEMPO, he founded the Trenton Youth Orchestra, where he worked to make music education more accessible while connecting students with mentors and meaningful artistic experiences. In 2024, he became CEO of INTEMPO, continuing the organization’s mission of using music to foster confidence, leadership, and a sense of belonging. Before listening to our conversation with him, it is important to understand that Lou Chen’s work is not only about teaching music; it is about creating opportunities for children to develop academically, socially, and personally through the power of music.
Walker Beard / CEO of Orchestra LUMOS
Walker Beard is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Orchestra Lumos, the professional orchestra serving communities across Fairfield County, Connecticut. An experienced arts administrator, Beard previously held leadership roles at The Dallas Opera and worked with major performing arts organizations including Lincoln Center, while also maintaining ties to Connecticut through graduate studies at the University of Connecticut and teaching at Sacred Heart University. Orchestra Lumos was formerly known as the Stamford Symphony, but rebranded in 2022 as part of a broader effort to move beyond a single-city identity and better represent the geographically and culturally diverse communities of Fairfield County. The organization has since expanded its performances into schools, libraries, museums, community centers, and other venues while building a robust education and community-engagement program designed to reach students and audiences who may not traditionally encounter orchestral music. Before listening to our conversation with Walker Beard, it is important to understand that his leadership of Orchestra Lumos is not only about presenting outstanding performances; it is also about continuing the orchestra’s transformation into a more accessible, community-centered institution that uses music to connect people across Fairfield County.
Kirk Johnson / CEO of SOUNDS Academy
Kirk Johnson is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SOUNDS Academy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to music education for underserved youth across the Phoenix metropolitan area in Arizona. A musician, educator, and nonprofit leader, Johnson began his musical journey through Project STEP in Boston, a program dedicated to providing classical music education to underrepresented students, before studying at the New England Conservatory and earning degrees in Viola Performance and Education from Indiana University. Drawing on his experiences as both a student and teacher, Johnson founded SOUNDS Academy in 2013 to address the financial and structural barriers preventing children from accessing quality music education. Since beginning its programming in 2014 with just ten students and one teacher, the organization has expanded its reach through school-based instruction, individualized lessons, instrument donations, scholarships, and community performances. Beyond developing musical skills, SOUNDS Academy emphasizes five core character values: creativity, leadership, perseverance, resilience, and teamwork, preparing students for opportunities extending beyond music itself. Through partnerships with schools, community organizations, and professional arts institutions, Johnson has worked to ensure that a child's socioeconomic background or ZIP code does not determine their access to musical opportunities. Before listening to our conversation with Kirk Johnson, it is important to recognize that his leadership of SOUNDS Academy extends beyond teaching students how to play instruments; it reflects a broader commitment to educational equity, youth development, and using music as a pathway to personal growth and long-term opportunity.
Nathan Hetherington /Â Founder of Praxis Youth Leadership Orchestra & Conductor at Manhattan School of Music
Nathan Hetherington is a New York City–based conductor, composer, vocalist, and educator dedicated to developing the next generation of musicians. He is the founder of Praxis Youth Leadership Orchestra, an ensemble designed to cultivate musical excellence alongside leadership and social responsibility. Since 2006, Hetherington has served on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division, where he conducts the Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also taught at Horace Mann School, Lucy Moses School, and Special Music School. A graduate of Vassar College, Hetherington earned two master's degrees from Manhattan School of Music in jazz vocal performance and classical composition. Throughout his career, he has championed contemporary music, conducting numerous premieres and collaborating closely with composers. Drawing on his diverse background in classical music, jazz, and education, Hetherington emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and personal growth in his teaching. His work reflects a commitment to helping young musicians develop not only their artistic abilities but also the confidence and leadership skills that extend beyond the concert stage.
DoYeon Kim / Cellist & Teaching Artist at Paterson Music Project
DoYeon Kim is an award-winning cellist and music educator dedicated to expanding access to quality music education for students of all backgrounds. An accomplished soloist and chamber musician, she has performed throughout North America and South Korea, making her New York debut at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall after winning the 2016 American Protégé International Strings and Piano Competition. Beyond her performance career, Kim's belief in educational equity has led her to serve as a teaching artist with the Paterson Music Project and New Jersey Symphony Youth Orchestra, providing young musicians with opportunities for artistic development, mentorship, and ensemble collaboration. She has also taught at the Berkshire High Peaks Music Festival and Ocean County College, working with students across different ages and experience levels. Kim holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati and Eastman School of Music, including a doctorate in cello performance. Through her work in both community-based music programs and professional performance, Kim demonstrates how music education can transcend socioeconomic barriers, empower young musicians, and foster a lifelong sense of belonging. Her commitment to making musical opportunities more accessible reflects a broader belief that every child, regardless of background, deserves the chance to discover their potential through music.