Meet Our Teaching Artists
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Sara Petokas
PEDAGOGY LEAD - IPS 87 UKULELE, IPS 43 UKULELE AND INDY PARKS
An active performer and educator based in Indianapolis, Sara Petokas performs regularly on both modern and historical instruments. Sara holds a Bachelors in Music Education from Mansfield University, a Masters in Horn Performance from the Eastman School of Music and is currently finishing her Doctorate in Horn Performance and Literature from Indiana University. Sara is formerly the Horn Instructor at Marian University and maintains an active Private Lesson Studio on Lessonface.com where she teaches horn, piano, music theory and ukulele. She is also currently the the lead teaching artist for El Sistema Indianapolis which provides music education to underserved students. https://sarapetokas.com/
"For the past four years, El Sistema Indianapolis has been a deeply meaningful part of my life. It has been a privilege and an honor to serve these communities and help provide access to quality music education for students in underserved areas. Being part of this mission has not only allowed me to grow as an educator, but also reaffirmed my belief in the transformative power of music. Throughout my time with the program, I‘ve witnessed remarkable growth in our students not just musically, but emotionally and socially too. Many begin with little to no musical experience and, through dedication and support, develop into confident, expressive young musicians. More importantly, they gain a sense of belonging, resilience, and pride in their accomplishments. It’s incredibly moving to see how music becomes a source of joy, identity, and empowerment for them."
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Julian Orem
PEDAGOGY LEAD - LA PLAZA, ENLACE ACADEMY, ALLEGIANT PREP, COMMUNICATIONS LEAD IPS 87 UKULELE AND INDY PARKS
Julian Orem is an active multi-instrumentalist and music educator in the greater Indianapolis area. Julian currently holds teaching positions at Cathedral High School, Butler Community Arts School, and El Sistema Indianapolis.
Julian holds B.A and M.M. degrees in music from Butler University, where he also studied Neuroscience. He is the founder of Ripple Duo, The Sunset Syndicate Saxophone Quartet, and a Saxophone Artist with the new music collective, Sound Ecologies.
Outside of music, Julian enjoys visiting local record stores, trying new restaurants, and traveling on historic national roads!
“My work with El Sistema allows me the opportunity to share my passion for music with children who may not have the same opportunities that I grew up with. Everyone has the ability to be musical and artistic!
El Sistema Indy is a positive and energetic community of students, teachers, and community leaders! We bring about social awareness through music and mentorship!”
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Sharon Weyser
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT LEAD - IPS 87 UKULELE AND INDY PARKS
Originally from New York, Sharon Weyser resides in Indianapolis where she maintains an active career as a performer, educator and administrator. She has taught throughout the Indianapolis area in Perry township, Washington township, Lawrence township, Carmel and Zionsville. She joined ESI as an assistant teaching artist in the fall of 2024.
Sharon has been on the faculty of IU Indianapolis since 2015 serving as instructor of Horn, Music Theory and World Music. She has also served on the faculty of Indiana State University as a Music Theory Instructor and Visiting Professor of Horn and Music Theory.
Sharon holds a DMA from Stony Brook University, an MM from Indiana University and BM from the Eastman School of Music.
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Veda Scholle
PEDAGOGY LEAD - IPS 87 RHYTHM
Veda Scholle is a passionate and dedicated music educator with over 20 years of experience in elementary music education. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, with a specialization in arts integration. Certified to teach K–12 music in both Indiana and Nevada, she also holds advanced certifications in Orff-Schulwerk (Levels I–III) and Modern Band (Levels 201 & 202).Ms. Scholle believes that music is for everyone and strives to create a joyful, inclusive classroom where students can explore rhythm, melody, movement, and creativity. Her instruction is grounded in the Orff approach and incorporates singing, instruments, body percussion, and improvisation. She has led choirs, recorder ensembles, ukulele and drumming clubs, STOMP-style groups, and numerous school musicals. Her greatest joy is helping students discover their unique musical voice.
Beyond the classroom, Ms. Scholle is active in community programs such as Girls Rock, Little Kids Rock, and El Sistema Indy. She is a proud member of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, Kodály Educators of America, Percussive Arts Society, and Modern Band. She frequently presents professional development for music educators at both local and national levels.
Outside of teaching, she enjoys playing guitar and piano and spending time outdoors with her husband and children. Ms. Scholle is a passionate advocate for music education and its power to build confidence, collaboration, and joy in every learner.es here
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Rio Garza
COMMUNICATIONS LEAD - IPS 31
Rio Garza is a recent graduate from Butler University with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. During their time at Butler, they were an active and passionate member of multiple musical ensembles, those being Butler Chorale, Chamber Singers, and Butler Opera Theater. They also care deeply about promoting music written by composers from historically underrepresented groups, and were recently awarded the Efroymson Prize for Diversity in Vocal Performance. Additionally, they are currently an invaluable member of the Zionsville United Methodist Church’s musical ministries, and have been leading musical worship for 3 years at this congregation. Whether singing with the Chancel choir in the traditional services or rocking out on the guitar with the Praise band in the contemporary services, they love sharing their musical talents in any genre. They are excited to join ESI as a teaching artist in the fall of 2025!
“I believe that every kid deserves the opportunity to experience quality music education, especially because music education often provides more than just musical proficiency. The experience of being in a musical ensemble helps a child’s development into a more well rounded individual overall, in that it teaches children how to collaborate, builds their confidence and social skills, and most of all, allows space to express themselves. I’m more than grateful to be working with El Sistema to share the joy of music with our students”
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Vesemir Morhen
COMMUNICATIONS LEAD ENLACE ACADEMY AND IPS 87 RHYTHM
Vesemir Morhen is a recent graduate of Butler University and holds Indiana State Teaching Licensure in P-12 Choral/General Music and P-12 Instrumental/General Music. Since graduation, he has performed with Elevate Winds and Geeks & Grooves Sax Ensemble, conducted the choir at Zionsville UMC, worked with the Chinese University of Hong Kong in their 2025 masterclass, and competed in the 2025 CS Vocal Competition in Chicago.
Ves currently works with Decatur Central High School’s marching band as a woodwind staff member and is building a recorded audition package of classical solo repertoire for vocal competitions and universities. He hopes to pursue his art as a singer and instrumentalist through lifelong learning and teaching
Meet Our Leadership Team
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Dana Zenobi
DIRECTOR
Associate Professor of Voice - Butler UniversityDana Zenobi teaches voice, pedagogy, diction, and vocal literature courses at Butler University, where she enjoys working with students who are committed to becoming passionate future Music Educators. She also directs the Butler University Vocal Competition and Singing Beyond the Binary. Prior to moving to Indianapolis, she founded and directed BELTA (Building Empowered Lives Through Art) a nonprofit that provided free crowdfunding and fiscal sponsorship to fine artists for over 10 years.
Dr. Zenobi is a nationally-recognized interpreter of Art Song by women and voice pedagogy scholar. Her 2022 album and score anthology Joys Abiding: Duets by Historical Women Composers (Navona Records/Classical Vocal Reprints) was warmly received. Performance credits include Austin Opera, Lyric Opera Cleveland, and Opera in the Heights, as well as accolades from The American Prize. Recipient of the 2020 National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Voice Pedagogy Award, Dr. Zenobi has presented at NATS, International Music By Women Festival, Voice Foundation, Voice Study Centre, and Pan American Vocology Association (PAVA). She earned degrees from The University of Texas at Austin and Duke University. www.danazenobisoprano.com
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Dana Stone
BOARD CHAIR
Executive Director, Indianapolis Chamber OrchestraDana Stone is actively involved in musical arts community of Indianapolis. Dana has served as the executive director of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra since 2020.
Dana is deeply committed to expanding music education programs in schools, community centers, and through virtual applications at the ICO and was immediately captivated by the work of El Sistema Indianapolis. She is advocate for access to music education and classical music in both her personal and professional career.
Ms. Stone holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and Spanish from DePauw University and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Washington University in St. Louis.
She previously worked as executive/administrative director of Anderson Symphony Orchestra, Union Avenue Opera in St. Louis and the St. Louis Women’s Chorale. Stone is also a former board member of the Anderson Noon Rotary and the Noblesville Cultural Arts Commission. -
David Mason
FOUNDER AND BOARD VICE CHAIR
Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Butler UniversityDavid Mason taught political science and international studies at Butler University for 33 years, where he served as chair of the department of political science and director of the global studies core course. He published books and articles on the history and politics of Poland, of Europe and of the United States; and was the director of a 13-nation collaborative research project called the International Social Justice Project.
“I initiated El Sistema Indianapolis after learning about the international El Sistema model of “social change through music” and discovering that there were no such programs in central Indiana. It combined my love of music with my commitment to social justice, and my wish that all children could experience the joy of music in community. We now see that joy in every performance of our young ukulele musicians!”
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Lynn Gibboney
BOARD TREASURER
Owner, Universal Fluid Equipment LLCLynn Gibboney owns a local business - Universal Fluid Equipment LLC - providing fluid handling equipment and packaged systems to industrial, commercial and institutional markets.
“El Sistema's free, after-school music education program provides valuable opportunities for children, fostering their social-emotional growth and building community. As a local business owner, I believe an enriched community is vital to business development and growth.”
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Ward Logan
BOARD MEMBER
Vice President of Finance & Operations, Christian Theological SeminaryWard Logan earned a BS in Business Administration/Economics from Erskine College and an MBA from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, and, in 2019-2020, he was a NACUBO (National Association of College and University Business Officers) fellow. After graduating from Erskine, Logan began his career by serving his alma mater in admissions and financial aid. He then moved to The Citadel where he worked for 23 years, eventually serving as its Associate Vice President for Finance before coming to Christian Theological Seminary.
“I believe in the mission and vision of El Sistema. The winning point was to see the children when they performed at the Harrison Center. They lit up the room and showed so much hope, pride and promise.”
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Kristie Johnson
BOARD MEMBER
Vice President of Development & External Affairs -The International CenterAs the Vice President of Development and External Affairs at The International Center, Dr. Kristie Johnson enjoys supporting her organization by identifying external funding opportunities and organizing collaborative initiatives. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 15 years raising funds to support low-income, first-generation, and immigrant students. As a former Peace Corps Volunteer and Fulbright Scholar (both in China), Dr. Johnson enjoys serving on boards that focus on improving the lives and experiences of immigrants, refugees, and celebrating the Black Diaspora. Some of these organizations include the Immigrant Welcome Center, El Sistema, the Indiana Chapter of the Fulbright Association, and the Indianapolis Black Documentary Film Festival.
Dr. Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree in Asian studies from Florida State University, her master’s degree in international development and social change from Clark University (Worcester), and her Ph.D. in Leadership in Higher Education from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky where she researched foreign-born college and university presidents.
She is the proud wife to Dr. Michael Shawn Johnson, Senior Pastor at Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church (Indianapolis) and to her adorable eight-year-old son, Sean Michael Johnson.
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Hannah Derleth
BOARD MEMBER
Marketing Programs Manager at iA, a pharmaceutical automation company and Freelance Piano Teacher.“I remember how much I looked forward to piano lessons every week in elementary school. Looking back, much of my excitement was because my piano teachers were another person who saw potential in me and chose to be in my corner, so to speak. My experience with piano lessons grew into a passion. Now, I spend my evenings teaching piano to elementary and middle school students and being their biggest cheerleader when they're at the piano bench.
That’s why I volunteer as a board member with El Sistema Indy – to help more kids experience that same sense of support and excitement through music. I believe every child deserves the chance to explore music and discover their own potential, regardless of their background. I hope to make music education accessible to more kids and give them a space where they can feel seen, encouraged, and inspired.”
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Dhara Marquez
BOARD MEMBER
Freelance Violinist and Caseworker, Church World ServiceDhara Marquez is a freelance violinist and an alumna of two international El Sistema youth programs.
“In my personal experience, I have witnessed the power of music in children and youth; through the implementation of multifaceted music programs, they can develop skills that will help them throughout their lives.
I am involved in El Sistema Indy because of their dedication to providing comprehensive music programs and learning experiences for younger generations. I believe in the power music has to change a child's life.”