Board of Directors

The board of directors of the Joy of Music School is comprised of individuals who support and sustain the mission of the organization. They give of their time and resources in order to preserve a healthy future for the School, and utilize their networks to create and maintain beneficial relationships for this institution. Oversight and advancement are central to their volunteer work.

Tyler Boldin is Chief Executive Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee. He has a special interest in helping create intentional and impactful collaborative partnership opportunities and plan innovative programming. He is a member of the board’s advocative committee.

Volunteering in non-profit organizations has been fulfilling and important to Susan Brackney since 1961 when she became a member of the Knoxville Junior League. Since then, she has been active in organizations such as the Old Gray Cemetery, the National Society of Colonial Dames of America in Tennessee, and the Dogwood Arts Festival, which organized the first House and Garden Show. Susan has held many leadership positions including Chair of the annual Joy of Music Holiday Sparkles and Spirits fundraising event, State President of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America in Tennessee, and as a member of the national board of Dumbarton House. In addition to serving on the Joy of Music School Board of Directors, Susan was selected to serve as a member of the School’s Advisory Council.

Rick Carl plays screaming big dawg daddy lead trumpet with Boys Night Out Band, and performs with various other legit and not-so-legit ensembles. He holds a B.S. in Music Education from Maryville College, an M.S. in Music Education from UT, and a J.D. from the UT School of Law. He recently retired as an attorney with the Baker Donelson law firm. Rick has been associated with the School since 2003. He chairs the JoMS Teaching and Learning Committee and is a two-time past board president of the Joy of Music School. Before entering law school, rick taught music in Knox County Schools and Webb School of Knoxville, where he was music department chair.

Trey Coleman, Treasurer, is the regional president for HomeTrust Bank in Knoxville, Tenn. He is a past Joy of Music School board president. Prior to joining the board, Trey volunteered as a guitar instructor at the school, a role he continues to hold today. He enjoys chess, golf, mountain biking and fly fishing.

Mike Combs is Associate Principal Timpanist of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and, until his recent retirement, was Professor of Percussion at the University of Tennessee. He is the founding President of the Joy of Music School and has served as a Director on the Boards of several non-profit organizations. He is a member of the Leadership Knoxville class of 1998 and is recipient of the Tennessee Arts Academy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission’s Resolution of Commendation, the Tennessee Music Education Association Lifetime Achievement award, the Percussive Arts Society’s national Lifetime Achievement Award, and Phi Eta Sigma award for excellence in teaching.

Sarah Davis, Secretary, returns to the board, having served previously from 2015-2020. She served as Governance Chair from 2016-2020 and returned to that role until 2025. Sarah has been a Knoxvillian for more than 50 years, moving here to attend graduate school at UT and never leaving. In 2011, she retired from Knox County Schools, where she taught elementary and middle school music. Since retirement, Sarah has kept busy with church, family, Choral Society, and her work with JoMS. She looks forward to working again with a board committed to the School’s mission, is and dedicated to providing the best music education possible for children and youth.

Rachel Ford is Chief Executive Officer of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. She serves on the boards of the Arts & Culture Alliance, Knoxville Rotary Club, and is a member of the Executive Women’s Association. Rachel has a piano performance degree from the University of Michigan and is a graduate of the League of American Orchestras’ Management Fellowship Program. She is a Leadership Knoxville graduate, and was a 2013 YWCA Tribute to Women honoree.

Jerry Greene, Board President, is the Commercial Banking Team Leader for FirstBank. He is a UT graduate a Tri-Cities area native. He is a drummer/percussionist and a member of the Johnson City Symphony (on whose board he also serves). and the Symphony of the Mountains. He has performed in over 30 shows at the Barter Theatre in Virginia. He is passionate about music and its impact on his life. He enjoys being part of an organization that makes the joy of learning and performing music available to those who may not otherwise have access.

Susan “Susie” Haas graduated from Trinity University in Texas majoring in International Studies with concentrations in Economics, Political Science, and German. She relocated to Knoxville moving to her husband’s hometown to start a family. She attended the UT College of Law, and had a solo practice while raising her two children. In 2013, Ms. Haas ventured into mediation, training in Family and Civil Litigation, and now volunteers with the Civil Mediation Center and General Sessions Court. She joined the firm of Banks & Jones as ‘of counsel’ in 2016. Susie was raised in a home with a love of all music from her German-born parents. She learned several instruments including the accordion, clarinet, and piano. Moreover, with her love of singing, she performed in area bands for several years. Susie discovered the Joy of Music School through friends in Knoxville, and has been an avid supporter ever since. Ms. Haas chairs the JoMS development committee.

Marsha Hollingsworth is a very active community volunteer having served on a number of non-profit boards including the YWCA Knoxville, Sertoma of Knoxville, and the American Red Cross of East Tennessee. In addition, she is a member of the class of Leadership Clinton and is currently very active as a member of the Knoxville Symphony League. Marsha previously served two terms on the Joy of Music Board and served on several committees. She is returning as a new board again and is serving on the especial events committee.

Carolyn Martino is an Occupational Therapist with over 25 years of experience, specializing in mental health. She has worked in Toronto, Chicago, London, New York, and Bangkok. Her other activities include being a founding member of Music and Change (MAC-UK), volunteering at the Baan Dek Foundation, and serving as a board member for Steps Community. She has also recently served two years volunteering at UT Medical Center. Carolyn has a passion for theatre and live music and loves spending quality time with her friends and family.

Rob Masengill, is a Senior VP at Pinnacle Bank in Knoxville. In addition to chairing the JoMS Finance Committee , Rob leads the Latin American Missions Ministry at Two Rivers Church. A long time drummer, Rob has served on other community focused boards and committees including the Boy & Girls Club of East Tennessee Advisory Board, Morristown Chamber Board, the MATS Homeless shelter and United Way of Hamblen County.

Cavanaugh Mims is a Nuclear Engineer and has a B.S. degree in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Tennessee with over 40 years of professional experience in the areas of transportation and logistics, radioactive waste packaging and disposition, environmental remediation, and special nuclear materials disposition. He new serves as the Vice President of Transportation of Turnkey Technical Services, LLC located in Oliver Springs, Tennessee.

Andrew Parrott has experience in strategic and tactical planning, contract negotiation, new business development, and acquisition, with digital & legacy media marketing expertise. Receiving multiple honors and awards throughout his career; Andrew has evolved into a sought-after professional, community leader, and overall badass. He brings positive energy into every moment as he’s focused on achieving the highest degree of success in every situation. Andrew co-chairs the JoMS PR/Marketing Committee.

Clay Prewitt is a Group Creative Director at The Tombras Group and co-chairs the JoMS PR/Marketing Committee. A native of Virginia, he graduated from Emory & Henry College with a double major in Art and Communications. Since moving to Knoxville in 2010, he’s led advertising and marketing initiatives for clients in Food & Beverage, Healthcare, Insurance, Sports and Tourism, and also serves on the board at the Knoxville Family Justice Center. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar, writing songs, and attempting to learn the banjo. Thus far, progress has been very slow.

Mick Reed, Board President-Elect, is the Loan Manager for TNConnect Credit Union. He has many years working in the banking and credit union world as well as having a sustained involvement in various non-profits throughout the Greater Knoxville area. Most recently, he was the Executive Director for Random Acts of Flowers. Mick learned to play the trumpet and guitar in his early years, and still enjoys playing his guitars every day. He is excited to be back involved with JoMS and looks forward to being part of the effort to deliver music education and its overall benefits to underserved youth.

Frank Robinson is retired from the City of Oak Ridge and the Tennessee Valley Authority where he served for many years in high-level management positions. Born in Harriman, Tennessee, Frank graduated from the University of Tennessee with Bachelor of Science and M.B.A. degrees, focusing on finance and economics. He has participated in extensive community service in the Knoxville area for many years. He is a past Vice President of the Oak Ridge Rotary Club and past Board Chairman of the Knoxville Area Urban League. In addition, Frank has served on he Board of Junior Achievement of East Tennessee. Frank is an avid supporter of opportunities for youth and is enthusiastic about helping young people achieve success through music.

John Rosson graduated from Western Kentucky University. He served in the Army Reserves, specializing in communications. John received his Juris Doctorate at the UT Law School. He was admitted to practice law in 1976 and has been a sole practitioner since that time. He is a member of the Knoxville Bar was the VP of the Barristers. He is a member of the American Bar Association, serving on several committees. John is a member of the American Judges Association and was on its Board of Governors. He was the Knoxville City Municipal Judge from 1986 to 2023. John is a Board Member of the Community Action Committee, and has served on the Board for the Office of Aging, was a Board Member of Sertoma. John is on the Board of James White Fort, and the PJ Parkinsons Foundation. John is a fan of Tennessee sports and is a member of the Quarterback Club/Tip-Off Club, and plays duplicate tournament bridge.

Jennifer A. Sepaniak is President of The Bill Kitt Trust Company, LLC, a private family trust company. She is a Certified Public Accountant and holds Master of Accountancy and Bachelor of Business Administration degrees from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Jennifer has been active in community service for many years. She currently serves on the boards of the Rotary Club of Knoxville and East Tennessee Foundation, and she is a member of Executive Women’s Association. She is a 2016 graduate of Leadership Knoxville and is a member of the 2012 class of the Knoxville Business Journal “40 Under 40.” While not a musician herself, Jennifer and her husband have a shared love of music and try to attend as many concerts and performances as possible. Sometimes they’re fortunate enough to convince one of their three daughters to tag along!

Frank Venable had a 39 year career as a Financial advisor here in Knoxville. He started his career with J.C. Bradford & Co. in 1985. After the sale of that company, he joined Hilliard Lyons for 10 more years where he became a Chartered Wealth Advisor. In 2008, Morgan Stanley acquired his team. Frank worked at Morgan Stanley for the next 16 years. He is now retired and spends his time in the great outdoors, and working to help several nonprofit organizations. He and his wife Lisha both are committed to doing all they can for Knoxville’s local charities. Frank has three children and three grandchildren. He has had a love for music and children his entire life, and has served off and on the JoMS board for decades.

Shawn White is Director of Commercial Affairs for 560 Media and executive consultant for several global media companies in the television and music sectors. Previously, he was head of rights management and music for Scripps Networks/Discovery for over 25 years. In addition, he plays trumpet in the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held since 1995. He has degrees in music and business from the University of Tennessee and Ithaca College.

WELCOME TO THE JOY OF MUSIC SCHOOL