Our Administration

Christopher Schroeder

Executive Director

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Boston-based musician, educator, and advocate Christopher Schroeder is a catalyst for social change through music and arts education. With over a decade of arts leadership and teaching experience, he has successfully established programs and influenced music ecosystems within the Boston community and throughout the United States. Most recently, he was recognized as a Boston Future Leader by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and a quarter-finalist for the 2019 Grammy Music Educator Award.

As an experienced conductor and trumpeter, Schroeder connects and inspires musicians of all ages to achieve their highest level of musicianship, while instilling character traits that transcend rehearsal and performance spaces. As a nationally-recognized speaker and consultant, he works together with arts leaders and educators on organizational strategy, program development/implementation, interdisciplinary curriculum design, and community engagement.

Prior to this appointment, he was the Director of Community Engagement & Resident Artist for Conservatory Lab Charter School since the inception of its El Sistema music program in 2010; Music Director of the Cape Youth Orchestra with the Cape Symphony & Conservatory; Program Manager and Faculty for Longy School of Music of Bard College’s El Sistema Side-by-Side Program; and National Teaching Faculty with the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s YOLA National Youth Orchestra. He currently serves as a Module Director for the Global Leaders Program and is a guest conductor and clinician with Conn Selmer, Inc. throughout the United States, Europe, and South America.

Kathryn Pappalardo

Program Manager

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Boston-based violinist & arts administrator Kathryn Pappalardo received her Bachelor’s of Music in Music Management with a concentration in violin from the Hartt School, University of Hartford. Since 2012, she has worked for non-profit arts organizations throughout New England, including the Hartt School Community Division (CT), New Haven Symphony Orchestra (CT), Brookline Music School (MA), and currently serves as the Program Manager for Boston Music Project (formerly Josiah Quincy Orchestra Program). 

As a violinist, Ms. Pappalardo keeps an active performing schedule, appearing regularly as a chamber musician and orchestra member with ensembles across Connecticut and Massachusetts. She has also performed at music festivals in Germany and Italy. Currently, she is pursuing a Graduate Performance Diploma at Boston Conservatory at Berklee.