Saxophonist Rex Amend grew up in Riverton, Wyoming where he began playing professionally at a young age in a variety of settings, including his father’s own band.

Los Angeles bassist and composer, Timothy Fenton, strives to play and write contemporary music based in the tradition of jazz.

Pablo Leñero is a composer, pianist, improviser, and creative producer from Mexico. Through the lens of decolonization, Leñero explores the integration of the Western Art practice with the folkloric and indigenous traditions of Mexico and the Americas. For Pablo “Music education is essential for the development of any human being.”

Spencer Lemann is an educator, multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, composer, and producer. He is a three-category YoungArts Merit Winner, a two-time Spotlight Semifinalist, a National Merit Semifinalist, an Eagle Scout, a recipient of the AFP Outstanding Young Philanthropist Award, and a 2021 graduate of the USC Thornton School of Music. Growing up in Los Angeles and taking an early interest in music, Spencer quickly took to learning multiple instruments and grew to value all aspects of the music-making process. This naturally developed into a passion for teaching and outreach. Lemann has supported Music Mends Minds – a nonprofit company providing resources to people with pre-cognitive diseases – almost since its inception, served as student advisor to the board, and is proud to have written their first theme song. “I am so thankful to have had patient, caring, and generous teachers and mentors throughout my life who have guided my music education from an early age and inspired me to reach my fullest potential. I aim to inspire that same confidence and joy through the sharing of music.”

Eloy Neira is a trumpet player, multi-instrumentalist, and philosopher. Born in Lima-Peru, he grew up learning popular South American music as well as Western classical music.

Diana Soto Teixeira is a percussionist, vocalist, dancer, and arts educator, specializing in music traditions from the African Diaspora in Latin America.

Stacey Wiren has been working as Outreach Manager with SJO for the past four years. She comes from a strong musical theatre background and has brought her talents into the classrooms over the past year.