Center for Music National Service

The AmeriCorps*VISTA program has been integral to the growth of the Music National Service movement and organization. From grant-writing to web design, each VISTA brings a unique set of skills to the table, and they are drawn together by their passion for music and service. In addition to working full time with MNS, many of the VISTAs are deeply engaged in their own community projects. Here is just a glimpse of some of their exciting work.

Alaia Zeno - Program

Alaia has been a VISTA at MNS for nearly two years now. In the office, she helps lead program evaluation, volunteer coordination, local community relationships and professional development. Outside of work, Alaia is involved in the independent film scene in San Francisco. She recently acted in an independent short film, Fluid, which became an official selection of the 2011 San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival (see trailer here http://on.fb.me/qjBqg4).

Coffee shop scene from the short film "Fluid"

Chris Howarth - Social Media & Communications

Chris started working for MNS in January of 2010, creating video content from footage of MusicianCorps Fellows in action. His role has expanded into being MNS's guru for all things media. Chris maintains and updates the MNS website, creates graphics for online and print media, supports the accounting team, captures media for live events and manages the organization’s social media outlets. Outside of the office, Chris is involved with the Bay Area’s independent film scene, recently winning the East Bay Express 24-Hour Film Festival in Oakland (see video at http://bit.ly/qsbIUI). He also plays guitar and bass with three different music groups and manages a website about outdoor activities (www.adventurefist.com) in his spare time.

Chris' short film "The Solution" is screened at Berkeley's Trumer
Pilsner USA Bike-In Movie Night

Alexandra Anaya - Program

Since beginning her VISTA term in November of 2010, Alex has worked on a range of program-related projects at MNS. She has a hands-on role, gathering student and administrative testimonials to be used for program evaluation, as well as capturing and documenting MNS events and programs. Alex is very involved in her community. She plays oboe, pan pipes and sings with the Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church choir; paints images with 53 other muralists for a new neighborhood board game in San Francisco called "Porto-Loteria" which you can see at http://bit.ly/p7I2lu; and is currently training with the Golden Gate Triathlon Club to compete in the Olympic course at the Santa Cruz Triathlon in September.

Alex and her pan pipes

Eliot Winder - Development

Eliot joined MNS as a VISTA in August of 2010. In the office, he works on the development team writing grants, creating marketing materials, and generating content for ServiceArtist.net. Outside of work, Eliot regularly gigs with his trombone in the San Francisco funk band Sex With No Hands, described by the SF Bay Guardian as “the best erotically named, dueling-accordion, polka-funk party band to ever come out of the City by the Bay” (see more at http://sexwithnohands.com/). Eliot frequently attends local shows and also writes a music blog.

Eliot (far right) singing harmony in Sex With No Hands

Meredith Storton - Development & Communications

Meredith began her VISTA term in August 2011 and plays a key role on the development and fundraising team at MNS as well as assisting on communications projects.  Meredith is still exploring the rich San Francisco arts scene and hopes to join a classical music ensemble as a violinist. In the past she was a part of her university orchestra and served as a tour guide to elementary students at a local art museum.

Meredith performing at Vista Verde Ranch in Colorado

Beth Montroy - Development

Beth joined the development team at MNS as a VISTA in August 2011. Some of her projects include writing and researching grants, managing proposals and assisting with MNS fundraising. Outside of her role at MNS, she is a member of the San Francisco handbell group, Bell Appeal, a 10-15 member handbell group that performs at events throughout the Bay Area.  

Beth with her trombone