CHOPS' STAFF
Executive Director
MEGAN O'LEARY (she/her)
Megan joined the Chops team in 2020 and brings with her a long history of successful organizational development in both nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Learn more about Megan »
CHRISTOPHER BELICH (he/him)
Pan-handlers Steel Drum Band Director
Chris has been performing with the Pan-handlers Steel Drum Band since 2014, and has traveled to Trinidad on several occasions, resulting in firsthand experience of steel pan in its original soca and calypso styles. Learn more about Chris »
KATHY LISKA-JACKSON (she/her)
Charitable Gambling Manager
Kathy is a professional artist and has owned her own studio art business for nearly 30 years. Her current artistic focus is on functional and decorative fused-glass fine art pieces. Learn more about Kathy »
DEONDRE' CARTER (he/him)
Director of Drumline Programs
Deondre Carter is a drummer, educator, clinician, composer, and director from Richmond, Virginia. Deondre marched with Virginia State University’s Marching Trojan Explosion drumline. Learn more about Dre »
D'SHONTE CARTER (she/her)
Fiscally Sponsored Program Director: All City Music
Shonte is a music educator, cultural and youth program director, drumline clinician, and Director of All City Music. Chop has served as All City's fiscal sponsor since 2022. Learn more about Shonte»
OLIN EDWARDS (he/him)
Development Manager & Summer Pan Program Director
Olin Edwards is an active performer and educator across the Twin Cities area. A recent graduate from the University of Minnesota, Olin studied percussion with Fernando Meza. Learn more about Olin»
EVAN ESPINOZA ROBLES (he/him)
Educator, Youth Drumline Residencies
Member, ChopsLIVE Drumline DJ Band
Evan is a music educator based out of the Twin Cities and an avid performer in the local music scene. He has more than five years of experience in educating and empowering youth communities in Minnesota. Learn more about Evan»
JOE HOLMES (he/him)
Educator, Youth Drumline Residencies
Member, ChopsLIVE Drumline DJ Band
Joe Holmes is a full-time dad and music teacher in the Twin Cities. He has educated students of all ages through private instruction for more than two decades. Learn more about Joe»
JEREMY KUNKEL (he/him)
Director, Pan Outreach Program
Founder of Chops' Steel-pan Programs
Jeremy is the founder of the Pan Outreach program and Pan-handlers Steel Drum Band, and is thrilled to be leading a program that combines music education and pan. Learn more about Jeremy »
MICHAEL OLIVE (he/him)
Operations Manager
Michael Olive supports Chops' performing ensembles with logistical and operations expertise. He has been part of the Chops team since 2022. Learn more about Michael »
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LANCE POLLONAIS (he/him)
Instructor, Pan Outreach Program
Lance Pollonais was born in Trinidad and Tobago and attended Fatima College, Port of Spain as an honors student. He moved to Minnesota at a young age, started out assisting Cliff Alexis at Central High School in St Paul, building steel pans and performing. Learn more about Lance »
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AMANDA RICE (she/her)
Instructor, Pan Outreach Program
Amanda Rice was born in Trinidad and Tobago and moved to Minnesota in 2016 to attend graduate school at the University of Minnesota - Duluth. Learn more about Amanda »
ALIX STUART (she/her)
Instructor, Pan Outreach Program
Alix Stuart is an Ohio native with a passion for teaching music. Her holistic approach leaves room for a variety of learners while she focuses on skills that lead to a life-long enjoyment of music. Learn more about Alix »