Cindi Alpert is a native of New Jersey and graduated Ohio State in journalism. She joined the JoMS board 2014 and was president 2018-2019. Cindi started her broadcasting career as a TV reporter, later owning two area radio stations. Now semi-retired from broadcasting she performs as a vocalist. Cindi is also a television spokesperson, professional DJ, freelance model, and voice-over artist. She enjoys golf, wake surfing, scuba diving, hiking and spending time with her teenage daughter.

Louise Aponteis an attorney with the Knoxville law firm, Lowe Yeager & Brown. She graduated with a B.A. in English from Williams College and a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law. Early violin lessons shaped the lives of Louise’s three children who went on to perform with the National Youth Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, From the Top, and the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra. Her son, Colin, taught at the Joy of Music School from 2021-2022, as a high school senior. Her daughter, Rebecca, currently teaches violin at the School, as a high school sophomore. Louise is a proud supporter of the Joy of Music School and its mission to bring quality music education to children in Knoxville.

Tyler Boldin – Bio Coming Soon!

Rick Carl plays screaming big dawg daddy lead trumpet with Boys Night Out Band, and performs with various other legit and not-so-legit ensembles. He holds a B.S. in Music Education from Maryville College, an M.S. in Music Education from UT, and a J.D. from the UT School of Law. He recently retired as an attorney with the Baker Donelson law firm. Rick has been associated with the School since 2003. He chairs the JoMS Teaching and Learning Committee and is a two-time past board president of the Joy of Music School. Before entering law school, rick taught music in Knox County Schools and Webb School of Knoxville, where he was music department chair.

Trey Coleman is the regional president for HomeTrust Bank in Knoxville, Tenn. He is a past Joy of Music School board president. Prior to joining the board, Trey volunteered as a guitar instructor at the school, a role he continues to hold today. He enjoys chess, golf, mountain biking and fly fishing.

Mike Combs is Associate Principal Timpanist of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and, until his recent retirement, was Professor of Percussion at the University of Tennessee. He is the founding President of the Joy of Music School and has served as a Director on the Boards of several non-profit organizations. He is a member of the Leadership Knoxville class of 1998 and is recipient of the Tennessee Arts Academy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission’s Resolution of Commendation, the Tennessee Music Education Association Lifetime Achievement award, the Percussive Arts Society’s national Lifetime Achievement Award, and Phi Eta Sigma award for excellence in teaching.

Sarah Davis returns to the board, having served previously from 2015-2020. She served as Governance Chair from 2016-2020 and has returned to that role. Sarah has been a Knoxvillian for more than 50 years, moving here to attend graduate school at UT and never leaving. In 2011, she retired from Knox County Schools, where she taught elementary and middle school music. Since retirement, Sarah has kept busy with church, family, Choral Society, and her work with JoMS. She looks forward to working again with a board committed to the School’s mission, is and dedicated to providing the best music education possible for children and youth.

Rachel Ford is Chief Executive Officer of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. She serves on the boards of the Arts & Culture Alliance, Knoxville Rotary Club, and is a member of the Executive Women’s Association. Rachel has a piano performance degree from the University of Michigan and is a graduate of the League of American Orchestras’ Management Fellowship Program. She is a Leadership Knoxville graduate, and was a 2013 YWCA Tribute to Women honoree.

Jerry Greene, Board President, is the East Tennessee Market Executive and Middle Market Team Lead for Fifth Third Bank. He is a UT graduate a Tri-Cities area native. He is a drummer/percussionist and a member of the Johnson City Symphony (on whose board he also serves). and the Symphony of the Mountains. He has performed in over 30 shows at the Barter Theatre in Virginia. He is passionate about music and its impact on his life. He enjoys being part of an organization that makes the joy of learning and performing music available to those who may not otherwise have access.

Susan “Susie” Haas graduated from Trinity University in Texas majoring in International Studies with concentrations in Economics, Political Science, and German. She relocated to Knoxville moving to her husband’s hometown to start a family. She attended the UT College of Law, and had a solo practice while raising her two children. In 2013, Ms. Haas ventured into mediation, training in Family and Civil Litigation, and now volunteers with the Civil Mediation Center and General Sessions Court. She joined the firm of Banks & Jones as ‘of counsel’ in 2016. Susie was raised in a home with a love of all music from her German-born parents. She learned several instruments including the accordion, clarinet, and piano. Moreover, with her love of singing, she performed in area bands for several years. Susie discovered the Joy of Music School through friends in Knoxville, and has been an avid supporter ever since. Ms. Haas chairs the JoMS development committee.

Cathy Leach, Board Secretary, is Professor of Trumpet at the UT School of Music, where she has also served as Associate Director of both Graduate Studies and Undergraduate Studies.  She played Principal Trumpet with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for 31 years and is currently President of the International Trumpet Guild.  She happily offers her musical and administrative experience to JoMS.

Rob Masengill, is a Senior VP at Pinnacle Bank in Knoxville. In addition to chairing the JoMS Finance Committee , Rob leads the Latin American Missions Ministry at Two Rivers Church. A long time drummer, Rob has served on other community focused boards and committees including the Boy & Girls Club of East Tennessee Advisory Board, Morristown Chamber Board, the MATS Homeless shelter and United Way of Hamblen County.

Nancy Middlemas received her Music Ed. vocal degree from UT Knoxville and holds an MS in English from UT. For 34 years, she taught elementary and middle school choral and general music at Farragut Middle School. During part of this time Nancy was the Music Director at First Methodist Church, Knoxville. She has sung and soloed for many years with the Knoxville Choral Society. Over the years Nancy has served as their Membership Chair, Vice President, and President. She is a published composer of sacred music.

Cavanaugh Mims is a Nuclear Engineer and has a B.S. degree in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Tennessee with over 40 years of professional experience in the areas of transportation and logistics, radioactive waste packaging and disposition, environmental remediation, and special nuclear materials disposition. He new serves as the Vice President of Transportation of Turnkey Technical Services, LLC located in Oliver Springs, Tennessee.

Andrew Parrott has experience in strategic and tactical planning, contract negotiation, new business development, and acquisition, with digital & legacy media marketing expertise. Receiving multiple honors and awards throughout his career; Andrew has evolved into a sought-after professional, community leader, and overall badass. He brings positive energy into every moment as he’s focused on achieving the highest degree of success in every situation. Andrew co-chairs the JoMS PR/Marketing Committee.