WHO WE ARE ?
We are youth development advocates tapping into the power of music & art as a vehicle for social change. As community leaders and music educators, we put our skills to work so urban children and their families can experience the transformative power of orchestral music and art.
Our UCMP Team
Our staff and teaching artists are a dedicated group who share the collective mission of providing access to high quality music education and art to underserved children, regardless of income. Get to know us!
ADMINISTRATION
Katherine Luces
Program Director & Violin Teacher
Melina Garcia
Founder & Executive Director
Darling Comas
Site Coordinator
Judith Bro Pinhasik
President, Development & Grant Writing
Samuel Marchan
Artistic Director, Paper Orchestra, Violin and Viola Teacher
TEACHING ARTISTS
UCMP's Board of trustees
UCMP is guided and governed by a group of caring individuals who donate their time, resources and skills to help further the mission and growth of UCMP. If you would like to join our Board, please email us at info@ucmusicproject.org. Get to know our trustees here:
PRESIDENT, DEVELOPMENT AND GRANT WRITING
Judy Bro Pinhasik has twenty-four years’ experience in management and fundraising for health, education, environmental, and arts non-profit organizations....
SECRETARY
An active member of her community, Sandra has been UCMP’s board secretary for six years. She has also been a Board member for Union City’s Rent Stabilization Board for six years and a volunteer for the Brian P. Stack Civic Association for the last 10 years. She also served on…...
FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
mgarcia@ucmusicproject.org Melina García is a native Venezuelan and resident of Union City, NJ for the last 14 years. An active member of her community, she recognized the need to create a program that would enrich the lives of Union City’s children and families. She therefore founded the Union City Music…...
TRUSTEE
Donna Hochhauser is currently a Music Teacher/Director in the Weehawken, NJ Public School District, teaching elementary general music, recorder, and high school piano. She also directs the 5th-and 6th grade Chorus and Bell Choir and High School Mixed Chorus. A professional singer, pianist, actor and voiceover artist for more than…...
MEMBER
Thomas Zuppa, Jr. is an attorney at Chasan Lamparello Mallon & Cappuzzo, PC located in Secaucus, NJ, practicing in the areas of insurance defense and coverage, and civil litigation. Prior to joining the law firm, Tom served as an Assistant Prosecutor at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s office, where he prosecuted…...Read more
Volunteers and mentors play a key role in the success of our program. We rely on our volunteers to further our mission and help with different program activities. Student mentors serve as young role models for our children and also serve as teaching assistants. If you would like to be one of our volunteers or become a student mentor, please email us at: info@ucmusicproject.org.
