Meet the People Behind the Music

Executive Director

Taylor is an accomplished singer-songwriter and teaching artist who brings deep mission awareness and genuine passion to her work. Over the past several years, Taylor has participated in all of ROOTS’ core programs as both a performer and an educator.

With experiences ranging from Director of Marketing at a tech start-up to Director of Summer Programs at School of Rock Cleveland to a Program Manager at West Park Kamm’s Neighborhood Development to her current work with Guitar Riot, Taylor leads ROOTS with both perspective and a broad range of skills.

Program and Education Director

Charlie uses his music as a vehicle to build a better world through storytelling, performance and education. Charlie has been a Blues is the Backbone Teaching artist for five years and has performed in many other ROOTS events.

Charlie is the President of Folknet, a traditional music and dance society in Northeast Ohio and Board Vice President of Folk Alliance International, an organization engaging, educating and strengthening the global folk music ecosystem. Charlie was the 2025 recipient of the Folk-Alliance Region Midwest Lantern Bearer Award. Congratulations Charlie!

Operations Manager

Tam is our longest serving team member, dedicating himself to ROOTS for over nine years.

A graduate of Berklee College of Music with a degree in Percussion Performance, Tam spent nearly two decades teaching music to elementary school children.

Tam’s deep love of rhythm and education keeps ROOTS’ operations in perfect tempo.