Greg Fair has a BA from the University of California-Berkeley and a Master’s in Music from San Jose State University. He is currently Product Manager with Google, with expertise in product development and integrations. Other experience includes technical writing and editorial work on the Beethoven Journal. Greg also has a background in classical vocal performance and has developed curriculum in music, math, and science for children ages 5-14. Greg joined the Board in 2014.

Liz Rome earned a BS in Zoology at UMass Amherst and a Master’s in Biology from Harvard University (Ext.). She worked in the biotech field before raising two boys; she also volunteered 19 years with the Los Altos Art Docents, serving in many board positions, including chair. Liz has volunteered for other nonprofits including MVLA Scholars (board, scholar selection) and Global Fund For Women (advisory committee); helped in fundraising events for El Camino Hospital Foundation, Family and Children Services of Silicon Valley, the Cantor Museum of Art, and the Friends of Westwind Barn. Currently she creates jewelry with proceeds on sales going to various local nonprofits. Liz initially joined the Board in 2011, and then re-joined in 2018.

Bill Johnston attended San Diego State University, where he earned BAs in Physical Education (Kinesiology) and Mathematics, as well as a secondary teaching credential. After graduation, he taught junior high school and coached high school football in San Diego until the passage of Proposition 13 terminated both contracts.

Bill then moved into the banking industry, and served as Senior Corporate Training Officer for the largest privately-owned bank in California. In 1981, he attained the Certified Property Manager (CPM®) and Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM®) designations, and worked in the the field of property management for 40 years, including as CEO of his own company. Bill joined the Board in 2022.

Gretchen Gelke has a BA in Experimental Psychology from the University of California-San Diego and a MS/PhD in Cognitive Psychology from UMass, Amherst focused on Reading Comprehension and Attention. She is currently Head of Research for Privacy with Google. Gretchen began her career in academia and continued adjunct teaching for many years. She has worked as a researcher in academic, healthcare, government and industry settings throughout her career. She has played trumpet and french horn since high school. Gretchen joined the Board in 2019.

Jerry Brown has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford and an MS in Electrical Engineering Communication Theory from the University of Utah. After starting his career as an engineer at General Motors, Jerry became a commercial pilot and now flies the 787 Dreamliner for American Airlines. He is an avid tango dancer and is learning to play the Bandoneon (an instrument descended from the concertino used in tango music). Jerry joined the Board in 2019.

Cathy Combs is a former Music for Minors Volunteer Educator (1988-1996 at West Valley, Montclaire, and Bullis Elementary Schools) who also served on the Board from 1990-2000, and 2011-2019, including two years as President. In addition, Cathy has been a member of the MFM Advisory Board and People of Note. She holds a BA in Spanish and an MA in Education from Stanford, and taught high school Spanish in local schools for many years. She has sung as a first soprano with Schola Cantorum since 1977. Cathy re-joined the Board in 2020.

Dr. Andre Cooper holds a PhD in Linguistics from Yale University and a Master’s degree in education. As an undergraduate, he majored in linguistics and German while also studying piano, voice, and music theory and composition at the Eastman School of Music. During his university career he was an administrator and taught courses in linguistics, educational technology, Black studies, women’s studies, German, and speech and hearing science at leading universities in the USA and the Caribbean. After retiring, he and his wife, Dr. Denise Thompson, worked to mobilize volunteers across the Caribbean to be effective leaders in their communities.

Andre and his wife moved to the Bay Area in 2017 where he began subbing in schools in his spare time. After subbing in over 90 area schools, he developed a love for teaching elementary school in underserved communities, and now joyfully teaches first grade at KIPP Excelencia in Redwood City.

Music is one of Andre’s passions and he is proud to share that passion with young people. He joined the Board in 2021.

Lee Danforth is an experienced trial attorney who has spent most of his career as a founder and partner at Coddington, Hicks & Danforth in Redwood Shores. He represents a broad range of clients in business, commercial, contract, personal injury, and real estate disputes. Lee has a BA in political science from California Lutheran University and a law degree from University of the Pacific. Lee joined the Board in 2014.

Michelle Quilantang has a BA in Anthropology from UC Riverside and MA in Instructional Leadership from National University. She has been an educator in San Jose since 2005. Michelle has served many roles in education including teacher, instructional coach and principal. Currently, she serves as principal of Captain Jason M. Dahl Elementary School in the Franklin McKinley School District. Her main areas of interest in education include working with English learners and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Michelle joined the Board in 2022.