MNS Team
Kiff Gallagher – CEO and Founder
 |
Kiff Gallagher served in the White House, on the legislative team that created AmeriCorps. At the Corporation for National Service, Gallagher ran a $15MM program portfolio in education, health, public safety and the environment. At night, he produced for and performed in a hip-hop, acid jazz project. Gallagher then joined Odwalla, Inc., where he was lead spokesman and advisor for brand strategy and corporate responsibility. Later appointed President of Social Venture Network, a national organization for CEOs and investors, Kiff was an early leader and public voice in the movements for social entrepreneurship and sustainable business. In 2002, Gallagher turned to his lifelong passion for music full-time. He wrote and produced two critically praised pop-rock albums, toured nationally, and received radio and TV placement for his songs. Gallagher has consulted internationally for the State Department and global NGOs. He recently served on Barack Obama's National Arts Policy Committee and as an advisor to the Presidential Transition. Kiff is an active equity investor, a 2008 Aspen Institute “Ideas Fellow,” and an honors graduate of the College of Letters from Wesleyan University in Connecticut.
Vanessa Morrison – Bay Area Program Director
 |
A musician and songwriter who has toured internationally, Vanessa Morrison knows first-hand that music transforms lives. In 2001, she founded Lyric House, a nonprofit organization devoted to improving the creative, academic and social performance of high-risk youth through songwriting and community service. She worked as a music education consultant, teaching in public schools for ten years and training teachers nationally on how to implement the Lyric House curriculum with behaviorally challenged students. Under her direction, Lyric House partnered with organizations like the SFAEP, YWCA, Scott Evan’s Foundation and Horizons Unlimited. Vanessa graduated from the University of Montana with Highest Honors in Religious Sociology and Theatre Arts Direction.
Brittany Redgate – Executive and Program Manager
 |
Prior to Joining MNS, Brittany Redgate served as Program Coordinator and Instructor for the Wildwoods Foundation, a nonprofit organization that delivers community-building programs to public schools in Los Angeles. As the lead instructor for the Full Circle Program, she worked with inner-city students to develop stewardship for the natural environment and their urban community by drawing lessons from nature to illustrate interdependency, sustainability and legacy. Brittany’s contributions to curriculum and program development enabled Wildwoods to expand significantly. She graduated from UCLA with Honors in American Literature and Culture and brings long-term experience in office administration and management to her role.
Sonya Robinson – Program Development, New Orleans
Sonya Robinson has 17 years experience in the field of arts learning, creating programs for educational, nonprofit, and corporate audiences. Her experience as a Corps member in the early years of Teach for America shaped her path as an educator and underlined her commitment to providing excellent educational opportunities to all children. An accomplished singer and actor, Sonya has conducted music and theater residencies with a wide range of students from early childhood through graduate level programs. As a Lincoln Center Institute Teaching Artist, she partnered with colleges and universities to introduce pre-service teachers to the pedagogy and integration of aesthetic education. Sonya designs and conducts professional development programs for educators throughout the United States, and she has overseen program development for Girl Scouting, the Better Decisions program for incarcerated women, City Lights Youth Theater and numerous national corporate training meetings. Sonya is a graduate of Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music and holds a degree in vocal performance.
Lauren Silberman – AmeriCorps*VISTA
 |
Lauren Silberman is an accomplished classical musician and San Francisco-based freelance music teacher. She teaches clarinet, flute, and saxophone to students of all levels, and is especially passionate about bringing music education to low-income communities. Lauren holds a BM in Clarinet Performance and Musicology from Boston University College of Fine Arts, where she also served as a Resident Assistant to arts communities for three years. During her time in Boston, Lauren gained non-profit experience with The Boston Harbor Association and helped them raise over $250,000 during their annual fundraising campaign. She is a graduate of the San Francisco School of the Arts High School.
Obhi Hazarika – Technology and Outreach Intern
 |
Obhi Hazarika formerly coordinated clinical research studies examining cerebrovascular imaging techniques and neurological urgent care. He has three years of experience in youth services, mentoring and teaching high school science, math and study skills both independently and through Tutor Corps. Obhi is also a semi-professional rugby player and captained the San Francisco-Golden Gate Rugby Football Club. A lifelong drummer, Obhi plays and performs in several San Francisco bands, and gives lessons on the side. Obhi earned his BA from Wesleyan University in 2005 with degrees in Biology and Philosophy. When not at work, Obhi loves manning the kitchen, touring on his motorcycle, rock climbing, and figuring out what life is all about.
Brighton Lynscot Kimbell - Social Media Intern
 |
Brighton Lynscot Kimbell is a UC Berkeley alumni dedicated to serving her community and creating open dialogues that are beneficial to the planet. Having interned with various education related non-profits such as Streetside Stories, Village Health, and Community Educational Services, Brighton understands first hand the need to furnish teaching artists and students with a solid foundation in order to maintain the mission of fostering educational equity, community, music literacy and performance skills. ‘Music Saves Lives’, for Brighton, is not merely an adage but speaks to the affect upon individuals who find communion, Reach: into themselves and outward to others, Teach: self-discipline, self-awareness and self-expression, and Heal: soul, heart, and purpose.
Alaia Zeno - Development Intern
 |
Prior to joining Music National Service, Alaia Zeno served as an AmeriCorps Member with Jumpstart for Young Children, a national early literacy non-profit. While at Jumpstart, Alaia spearheaded a new volunteer program and worked on the ground in high-need communities to bring information about quality early education to low-income children and their families in San Francisco. Prior to moving to San Francisco, Alaia expanded her experience in the music industry through an internship at Sony BMG and a summer program at New York University's Tisch School of Arts. She is a trained percussionist with expertise ranging from West African drumming to Japanese Taiko, Indonesian Gamelan, and Eastern European Klezmer. Alaia's enthusiasm for her role at Music National Service's stems from her long-term interest in pairing rich musical experiences with high-quality education for all children. Alaia graduated from Wesleyan University with a BA in American Studies with a concentration in Ethnomusicology and Music.
