Administration

MICHELE COLOPY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Michele brings 27 years of nonprofit leadership experience and a Master’s degree in Arts Administration from The University of Akron. She has worked with various nonprofits at the local, state, and national level in fields such as crisis intervention, arts and culture, social justice, and environmental issues. She has also co-founded and managed several arts organizations, including the Wolf School of Music and the Crooked River Women’s Chorale. Colopy is passionate about furthering artists and arts organizations, effectively managing nonprofits, and creating positive social change. Contact the Executive Director at ed@rootsofamericanmusic.org

MORGAN MECASKEY, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Morgan Miller Mecaskey is an accomplished performer, recording artist, composer, and educator. Though trained in both classical and jazz traditions, Morgan performs a wide variety of musical styles. Morgan serves as Artistic Director for Roots of American Music, a Northeast Ohio non-profit whose mission is integrating music and education in Northeast Ohio to create vibrant communities through art and vibrant art through community (www.rootsofamericanmusic.org). Morgan is also the Music Director for the Abundant Table service at Trinity Cathedral (www.trinitycleveland.org) in the Central neighborhood of Cleveland. For over fifteen years, Morgan has taught private music lessons, both in-home and at Musicologie in Cleveland Heights (https://musicologielessons.com/locations/cleveland-heights/). Bring live music to your senior community, group home, neighborhood event, or fundraiser contact the Artistic Director at AD@rootsofamericanmusic.org

BETTYJEANE QUIMBY, EDUCATION PROGRAM DIRECTOR

(April 18, 2024) Roots of American Music is excited to welcome Bettyjeane Quimby as our first Education Program Director.  Our education programs are poised to expand and need the singular focus of this new position.   Bettyjeane holds a Master’s degree in Music Performance from Cleveland State University graduating Summa Cum Laude.  She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Cleveland State Univ., graduating Magna Cum Laude.  She has 18 years of experience as a music teacher from K-12 to the college level.

She has music performance experience including with the Sammy DeLeon y Su Orquestra, Great Lakes Theater Festival, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, and with local bands, as well as touring shows performing in Northeast Ohio.

Bettyjeane will take the lead to expand our successful Blues is the Backbone program, craft our music education programs to compliment academic core standards and collaborate with our Teaching Artists to continue to provide excellence in music education connecting history, culture, and social and emotional learning through music. 

If you are interested in bringing Roots of American Music education programs to your school contact Bettyjeane Quimby at education@rootsofamericanmusic.org

TAM SIVERTSON, ACCOUNTING

As the Roots of American Music Project Manager, Tam coordinates the implementation of residency programs and serves as the primary point of contact between the partner schools/program sites and ROAM. He arranges project schedules with schools/sites and ROAM teaching artists, assists with program evaluation and tracks project expenses and artist payroll. Tam earned a Bachelor of Music – Percussion Performance Major from Berklee College of Music in May 1985. He continued his studies in music education and taught elementary music Preschool-Grade 8 for nineteen years. He continues to teach preschool music part time and plays drums professionally in the greater Cleveland area. Tam has completed three levels of Orff Schulwerk teacher training and one level of Kodaly teacher training. Contact the Bookkeeper at accounting@rootsofamericanmusic.org

JUSTIN TIBBS, SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING Contractor

Justin joined Roots of American Music in 2019. To support Social Media & Marketing, he holds the responsibility of running and maintaining the ROAMs social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Youtube, Twitter, and Squarespace site. Justin holds a B.A in Mass Media Communications Radio & TV, Public Relations, and Jazz Saxophone Studies. Justin Tibbs is a multi-genre saxophonist from Akron, OH. A native of Akron, Justin attended Firestone High School and was part of their Visual and Performing Arts program. After graduating from Firestone High School, Justin attended The University of Akron. Justin is a former member of Acid Cats. Currently, Justin is a leader of his group JT’s Electrik Blackout and performs with Angie Haze, Bethany Joy, and many others in the N.E Ohio area. Justin released his first EP titled "JT's Electrik Blackout: EarthQuaker Devices Live Session" and his first self-titled album, "JT's Electrik Blackout” marketing@rootsofamericanmusic.org