2023-2024 NER-AMTAS Board
President - Leana Borsuk
Voice
Leana (she/her) is twenty-one years old and is from Los Angeles, California. She is studying Music Therapy at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. When she graduates in 2025, Leana would like to work in adolescent mental health, community Music Therapy, and NICU settings. She hopes to bridge her holistic approach and interest in alternative medicine to the practice of Music Therapy.
Fun Fact: Leana likes to practice Kundalini yoga, songwrite, spend time in nature, meditate, and read!
President-Elect - Alayah Tedder
Voice
Alayah (she/they) is a third year student and is from North Carolina. She is studying Music Therapy at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Post graduation, she would like to work in the NICU and practice Music Therapy assisted birthing.
Fun Fact: Alayah loves crocheting, reading, and playing video games!
Vice President of Berklee College of Music -Vaijayanthi Narendrakumar
Vaijayanthi (she/her) is twenty-one years old and is from Bangalore, India. She is currently studying Music Therapy with a minor in psychology at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. When she graduates in 2025, Vaijayanthi would like to work in the NICU.
Fun Fact: Vaijayanthi played basketball in high school andcan speak three out of four South Indian languages!
Vice President of Lesley College - Ying-Jung Chen
Piano
Ying-Jung (she/her) is third year student and is originally from Taiwan. Before coming to America, she worked in Taiwan as a special education teacher. Yang-Jung is currently working at her internship site, Franciscan Children's Hospital. After she graduates, Ying-Jung hopes to work with children with a variety of needs.
Fun Fact: Ying-Jung enjoys singing in choirs!
Vice President of Southern Connecticut State University - Gager Collier
Bass Guitar
Gager (he/him) is twenty-four years old and is from Mystic, Connecticut. He is currently studying Music Therapy at Southern Connecticut State University which is located in New Haven, Connecticut. Gager wants to work with neurodivergent youth and individuals who struggle with trauma once he graduates in 2026.
Fun Fact: Gager loves works of science fiction and fantasy as well as gaming with his friends!
Vice President of University of Rhode Island - Sam Shriner
Piano
Sam (she/her) is twenty-one years old and is from West Greenwich, Rhode Island. She is currently studying Music Therapy with a concentration in classical piano at the University of Rhode Island. After Sam graduates in 2024, she wants to work within a pediatric medical population or just general pediatrics.
Fun Fact: Sam loves to roller-blade and loves to spend time with her cat!
Vice President of Westfeild State University - Jenna Van Hyning
Voice
Jenna (she/her) is twenty-one years old and is from Franklin, Massachusetts. She is currently studying Music Therapy with minors in psychology and Spanish at Westfeild State University in Westfeild, Massachusetts. When Jenna graduates in 2024, she hopes to work with children in early intervention in a school or home setting or with children in a medical setting.
Fun Fact: Jenna likes tocrochet and has pet aquatic frogs and a betta fish at school!
Secretary - Alianna LeClair
Voice and Euphonium
Alianna (they/she) is twenty-one years old and is from Worcester, Massachusetts. They transferred from Anna Maria College to Westfield State University, where they is currently studying Music Therapy with a minor in psychology. Alianna would like to work with people who are experiencing substance and alcohol use disorders when they graduates in 2024.
Fun Fact: Alianna went to her first three concerts in the last three months and can make an incredible spanakopita!
Treasurer - Parvathy Menon
Voice
Parvathy (she/her) is twenty-one years old and is from Mangalore, India. She has finished her required coursework from Berklee College of Music in 2023 and is currently completing her internship at Hospice of Santa Cruz County in California. Once her internship is completed, Parvathy would like to work with children or stay in the field of hospice. She is also interested in pursuing a masters and/or PhD in clinical psychology.
Fun Fact: Parvathy is trained in Bharatanatyam, an Indian classical dance form and she hates cucumbers!
Public Relations Chair - Tessa Cacioppo
French Horn
Tessa (she/her) is twenty-two years old and is from Franklin, Massachusetts. She has completed her required course work from Westfeild State University in 2023 and is currently completing her internship at Berkshire Hills Music Academy in South Hadley, Massachusetts. While she is at BHMA, Tessa works with young adults in a post secondary school setting who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Fun Fact: Tessa will be the first graduate from Westfield State's Music Therapy Program!
Chair of Advocacy - Priscilla Olouokun
Voice
Priscilla (she/her) is nineteen years old and is from Ashland, Massachusetts. She is currently studying Music Therapy at Westfeild State University located in Westfield Massachusetts. After she graduates in 2026, Priscilla would like to work with older folks in hospice.
Fun Fact: Priscilla loves to read romantic novels, cooking meals to share, and making music with friends!
Parliamentarian - Ella Shalev
Bass Guitar
Ella (she/her) is twenty-five years old and is from Israel. She is currently studying Music Therapy at Berklee College of Music in Boston Massachusetts and also has a degree in Jazz Performance and Composition from the Rimon School of Music, which is a Berklee affiliated school. Ella would like to work in medical and psychiatric settings after she graduates in 2024.
Fun Fact: Ella can wave surf!
