Board of Directors

Julia O’Toole — Founder, Music Director, and Board Member

As founder and Music Director of Calliope, Julia delights in an opportunity to lead musicians from a variety of Boston area choruses and orchestras. Having worked with several of these organizations previously in the capacity of vocal and performance coach, familiarity with the passion of their members inspired the dawn of Calliope. Since graduating from Boston University with a BFA in vocal performance, she has studied conducting with Scott Allen Jarrett, and voice with Brett Johnson, Daniel Wyneken, Sharon Daniels and Jonathan Barnhart. Julia is a voice teacher who instructs singers of all ages. Her studio includes adults and students at several private area high schools. She also substitutes as conductor for local organizations. She is currently pursuing an advanced degree in Musicology at Brandeis University.

Ara Stepanyan - Board Member

Dr. Ara Stepanyan is a Director at PwC LLP. Ara has over ten years of experience in economic research and consulting and advises clients on a variety of transfer pricing, valuation, and global restructuring matters.

Robert C. Adams — Board Member, Treasurer

Robert Adams has spent his career in non-profit management, including positions in project management, marketing, and strategic and business planning. He now works as a consultant to non-profit organizations. Bob sang as a chorus member and soloist with the Dedham Choral Society for 13 years, serving also as Vice President and President. He currently sings with Boston's Back Bay Chorale as a chorus member and soloist, and sang in Calliope's pilot concert in 2006.

Nathaniel Adams — Board Member

Nathaniel currently serves as a judicial clerk in Boston, and in earlier times he worked as a copy editor at the Improper Bostonian magazine. He studied music theory and composition as an undergraduate at the University of Virginia, and is an alumnus of the Boston Archdiocesan Choir School, where he took instruction in voice, piano, and saxophone.

John Kalish - Operations Committe Liaison

John sings tenor with Calliope, and is an active member of the a cappella group RedLine. One of two Board positions designated to be held by a performing member of Calliope, John leads the membership in operations activities, and recruits and coordinates volunteers for day-to-day operational responsibilities.

Sharon Greene - Operations Committee Liaison

Sharon sits on the Board as a performing member of Calliope, one of two such designated Board positions. She works primarily behind the scenes operationally, ensuring that the membership and Board communicate and follow through on key operations intitiatives. Sharon plays clarinet with Calliope.

Margaret Sullivan - Board Member

Margaret is someone for whom, as a result of the sound, the beauty, and the emotion, music creates an elemental “feel” that is appreciated on a number of levels. Her background in German studies, history, and education inspired her while in Europe to explore music first as a listener, and then as a participant in choirs sacred and secular. She shares her interest in all aspects of instruments and singing with her sons Daniel and William, who are also very musical. She has worked at Milton Academy directing Understanding Differences, a program that teaches fourth graders about individuals with learning and living challenges. In addition to her participation on the Board of Calliope, she sits on the Board of the Maria Droste Center, which supports recovering individuals who capitalize on their talents such as music, ultimately playing a significant role in redirecting their lives. She was a vibrant part of Calliope’s pilot season.

Aurelien Ngonga - Board Member

Lawyer and CFO for international organizations, Aurelien advises the Board in all legal matters, and provides counsel in key negotiations. His expertise in global innovations insures a proactive approach to arts management for Calliope.

Robert W. Green - Board Member

MFS Investment Management, Boston

Erin Herbst - Board Member

Erin is Director of Marketing at McKINSEY & COMPANY, in Waltham MA. Her expertise in marketing and promotions supports the Calliope Board and Operations Committee to continue to grow and manage our presence in Boston.

David McSweeney — Advisor

David is president and founder of Tenor Technologies (www.tenortech.com), a consulting company that provides new-media solutions for arts organizations. Before forming Tenor Technologies, he held numerous executive positions in Massachusetts high-tech companies, and he has 20 years’ experience in the technology sector. As a freelance singer, David appears regularly with several local ensembles, including Boston Baroque, Emmanuel Music, Blue Heron Renaissance Choir, and the Handel & Haydn Society. He has also appeared as a soloist with the Arlington Philharmonic Society, Boston Cecilia, Monadnock Music, and the Wellesley Choral Society.