



Ani DiFranco
Director
Ani DiFranco
×DiFranco supports many social and political movements by performing benefit concerts, appearing on benefit albums and speaking at rallies. Through the Righteous Babe Foundation, DiFranco has backed grassroots cultural and political organizations supporting causes including abortion rights and LGBT visibility. She counts American folk singer and songwriter Pete Seeger among her mentors.
DiFranco released a memoir, No Walls and the Recurring Dream, in 2019, via Viking Books and made The New York Times Best Seller List.
In 2021, DiFranco released the album Revolutionary Love. She has been a board member since ???


Arkesha Baquet
Director


Bryant Watson
Music Instructor
Bryant Watson
×After moving to Cleveland in 2013, he gained experience playing in Greek and Chinese ensembles while obtaining a BA in Music Education at Cleveland State University.
In 2017, Watson moved to New Orleans where he plays with many musicians, including Daria and the Hip Drops, NOLA Dukes, and Michael Watson and the Alchemy.
When Watson is not performing, he teaches at The Roots of Music and The Roots of Music Studio Academy. His lessons span music production, musicianship, drum set, piano, music theory, and music history. He finds great joy in passing down his knowledge and tools to future artists


Carmelitia Agee
Director
Carmelitia Agee
×

Chris Rankins
Music Instructor


Daniel O. Conwill
Director


Derrick Tabb
Founder / Executive Director
Derrick Tabb
×Derrick believes strongly that music is a powerful force for good. By instilling invaluable skills and self-discipline, music education can provide youth with the foundation to make positive life choices. He has extensive experience with our city’s school marching bands having served as the marching band drum instructor at both high school and middle school levels.
Derrick’s belief in the future of New Orleans and to the preservation and celebration of its great cultural and musical heritage led him to found the Roots of Music. His commitment to improving the life choices of youth in New Orleans and to the success of the program have led to national recognition for the Roots of Music and its leader:
- In 2009, Derrick was named a Top Ten CNN Hero
- In 2010, Derrick was an Energizer Bunny Hall of Fame Top Ten Finalist
- In 2011, Derrick won a Blue Cross Blue Shield Angel Award for outstanding volunteer services on behalf of Louisiana’s Children


Dr. Matt Sakakeeny
Director
Dr. Matt Sakakeeny
×

Ed Johnson
Music Instructor
Ed Johnson
×

Erica Spruille
Director of Development
Erica Spruille
×

Jade Brown Russell
Director


Jaron “Bear” Williams
Music Instructor


Jeffrey Seymour
Treasurer


Julian Herbert
Director


Karon Reese
Director
Karon Reese
×Source:
https://www.realtor.com/realestateagents/567ff4d47e54f701001ec4f5


Lawrence Rawlins
Artistic Director
Lawrence Rawlins
×From decades of work as a band director and music educator, as well as decades of engaging with some of the most important cultural institutions of New Orleans, Mr. Lawrence brings a wealth of experience and deep connections to Louisiana’s music, student musician and cultural communities to the ROM team.


Mary McCullough
Secretary


Patrick Bordnick
Director
Patrick Bordnick
×Dr. Bordnick is a pioneer in the use of virtual reality for substance abuse assessment and intervention. From 2007-2016, Dr. Bordnick was the Director of the Virtual Reality Clinical Research Lab (VRCRL) at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. The VRCRL under Dr. Bordnick’s direction developed virtual environments for alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, heroin and other behavioral disorders. The hallmark of his work has led to improvements in teaching, research therapies and integrated healthcare.
Dr. Bordnick envisions a world where humans interact seamlessly with technology, to improve teaching, research, therapy, and aid in knowledge building. Using technology to solve real world problems has been the hallmark of his work. VRCRL Projects included: Virtual reality systems for assessing drug use triggers and craving, Virtual reality treatment software for nicotine and alcohol dependence, Virtual reality programs for studying drug use contexts, and clinical teaching systems based on artificial intelligence platforms.


Shoan Ruffin
Senior Music Instructor
Shoan Ruffin
×

Veronique Dorsey
Music Instructor


Will Snowden
Director


Windi Sebren
Marketing and Social Media Manager
Windi Sebren
×

We Believe music has the power to transform lives

