Meet the Camp Crescendo Staff
Veronica is a board-certified music therapist who joined the Augusta Symphony in 2019 when she developed and implemented the Symphony’s Community Chords Music Therapy program. In 2022, she became the Program Director for Community Chords and she leads all of the Symphony’s education programs, community engagement initiatives, and music therapy services. Veronica has been a music therapist for over 20 years and finds joy and meaning in being in music with people from all walks of life. Outside of work, Veronica is the mom of three kiddos, a Girl Scout leader, a church musician, and a wanna-be homesteader.
Veronica is especially excited to welcome all of the Upside of Downs families to Camp Crescendo at the Augusta Symphony so that we can sing, play, create, learn, and grow together!
Shannon (she/her) is a music therapist currently working in the CSRA. She’s been a music therapist for 8 years and enjoys working with folks with a variety of ages, strengths, and abilities. Shannon is proficient with guitar, piano and singing. When she’s not making music, she enjoys gardening, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. Shannon is excited to work with everyone at Camp Crescendo and cannot wait to help support new relationships amongst the participants.
Kaia (she/her) is a rising junior at Furman University studying psychology and German. The arts have always been an important part of her life — she danced ballet for 14 years, played piano for 6, and have been in 2 of Furman’s theater productions so far. One fun fact about Kaia is that Weird Al is one of my favorite singers, and she got to meet him at one of his concerts! She is excited to meet everyone and make music together at Camp Crescendo!
Jonas is a rising junior attending Augusta University studying Music Education with a concentration in violin. His career goal as a music educator is to teach all students no matter the circumstances. Jonas grew up in Augusta and learned strings in school as a part of Richmond County’s Orchestra Program. A fun fact about Jonas is that he can learn music completely by ear!
EJ is a rising sophomore at the University of South Carolina Aiken. He is passionate about music, video games, and making a difference. Currently EJ is working toward an undergraduate degree in sociology with the goal of becoming a family lawyer. Whether it’s through creative expression or critical thinking, he’s always looking for ways to grow.
Camilia has performed violin with the Augusta Symphony for ten years. She also worked as Marketing Manager of the Symphony for nine years. She frequently plays with the Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra and for weddings and church services around the CSRA. Camilia has taught private violin lessons at the Augusta University Conservatory Program and Callanwolde Fine Arts Center in Atlanta. She graduated from Emory University with a double major in Music and Economics, where she was concertmaster of the Emory University Symphony Orchestra and earned Highest Honors for her senior recital. A lifelong musician, Camilia began her violin studies at age five and has loved the opportunities music has afforded her, including touring China and Italy with youth symphonies, performing the national anthem at a Braves game, and studying at Brevard Music Festival. Camilia also enjoys kayaking, attending operas and concerts, and, most of all, raising her daughters: a three-year-old cellist and a one-year-old who has not yet chosen an instrument but makes excellent duck sounds.
Joy Hoffman is a freelance bassoonist and teaching artist. She graduated summa cum laude in bassoon performance, both with her B.M. from Florida State University in 2009 and her M.M. from University of Maryland in 2011. She graduated with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Georgia in December 2020.
Joy performs regularly throughout the southeast. Since moving to Evans, Georgia in 2014, she plays regularly with the Augusta Symphony and Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra.
In addition to serving as the bassoon instructor at Augusta University, Joy has taught lessons through their Music Conservatory Program. Joy maintains a private teaching studio from her home, where she also spends a lot of time chasing after her toddler Gus.
Kate is originally from Vermont but has lived in the South for over 20 years. She received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY and her Master of Music in Trombone Performance from University of Georgia. Kate has performed with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, the Augusta Symphony Orchestra, the South Carolina Philharmonic, and has been a member of the King’s Brass, Eurobrass and the Crescent Brass. When not playing music, Kate enjoys spending time with her husband Todd, a trumpet player, and their son Will, a French horn player. She also enjoys mountain biking and hiking.
Will is from North Augusta, SC and is the principal horn in the South Carolina Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. In 2023 and 2024, he was the winner of the Augusta Symphony Youth Concerto Competition Junior Division. Will is currently a 9th grader at Liberty University Online Academy. Will studies horn with Dr. James Naigus at the University of Georgia and hopes to one day play in a professional orchestra. Will’s other interests include piano, soccer, and mountain biking.
Alissa Castro-Evans is a freelance performer and music educator currently based in Columbia, SC. Alissa had a unique upbringing in a musical family and is most known for percussion and singing, but plays a lot of other instruments as well. Alissa is a graduate of the University of South Carolina (MM,’17), Columbus State University (BME,’12), and Middle GA State (AA,’09), studying with Dr. Scott Herring, Dr. Paul Vaillancourt, and Mr. Miguel Castro. She is Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Benedict College, Allen University, and USC-Aiken. She maintains a private lesson studio and has been teaching music for 18 years!
In addition, Alissa is a Percussion section member of the Augusta Symphony and the Aiken Symphony. Alissa is a mom to a 4-year-old son, loves family time, gardening, and is passionate about health and wellness, incorporating it into her teaching and everyday life.
