Our CMD staff members are committed to the community music school philosophy and are available to assist you on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Staff members and contact information are listed below.
Susanne Baker, Director
Phone: 773-325-4390Email: sbaker@depaul.edu
B.S., Bucknell University; M.M. (Music Education), University of Wisconsin; M.M. (Piano Performance),The American University; D.M., (Piano Performance and Pedagogy), Northwestern University; studied with Alan Mandel, Charles Crowder, Carroll Chilton, Donald Isaak; masterclasses with John Browning; former faculty member and Director of Preparatory Department, The American University; Suzuki pedagogy studies with Doris Koppelman; frequent adjudicator and workshop clinician in Chicago area; serves on the Committee of School Directors for the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts; Coordinator of Class Piano program, lecturer (Piano Pedagogy), DePaul School of Music
James DelFosse, Accounts Manager
Phone: 773-325-7262
Email: jdelfoss@depaul.edu
Jim DelFosse received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition from Columbia College Chicago. He was awarded a commission from the Chicago Composers Forum to write a three-movement work for the Noble Street Charter High School concert band. He has composed works for chamber ensemble, various instrumental combos, solo piano, as well as music for several short films. In 2005 he founded the rock-based group Cruciforms who perform regularly around the city.
Katherine Walsh, Educational Programs Coordinator
Phone: 773-325-7262
Email: kwalsh20@depaul.edu
Kate Walsh serves as the Educational Program Coordinator in the Community Music Division, overseeing the on-site group programs and the off-site programs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Individualized Study with a concentration in Music and Cultural Studies from New York University and is interested in empowering girls through music creation in her other non-profit work with Girls Rock! Chicago and the Girls Rock Camp Alliance. Kate has played saxophone and keyboards in various bands and enjoys writing about the city of Chicago, playing softball, and ethnomusicology.
Jeffrey Levine, Marketing/Events Coordinator
Phone: 773-325-7262
Email: jlevin12@depaul.edu
Jeffrey Levine does all of the Community Music Division’s marketing and coordinates special events such as the Concerto Festival, Performathon and Adult Chamber Music Workshop. He holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in English/Applied String Bass Performance and a Masters of Arts degree in Literature and Cultural Studies from Carnegie Mellon University. Jeff has performed throughout the greater Chicagoland area with the Peoria, Kenosha, and Northbrook Symphony Orchestras. Also working as a freelance writer, Jeff is an editor for a sports magazine and a classical music critic.
Cheryl Parkes, Administrative Assistant
Phone: 773-325-7262
Email: cparkes@depaul.edu
Cheryl Parkes works as an assistant in the Community Music Division office where she helps to manage various on-site programs, recitals and special events. She holds a Bachelors of Music in Composition from DePaul University. She is an active chamber musician, accompanist and freelance pianist in Chicago, and has performed in theatrical productions at the Apollo Theater and American Theater Company. In addition, Cheryl teaches group piano classes to children at a local community center and its affiliate charter school.
Adrien Phipps, Student Assistant
Phone: 773-325-7262