MRC Cincinnati is run by a group of compasionate people foused on making a difference in our community and the people that live there.  Out team is dedicated to the goals set forth and tirelessly work toward achieving them.  There are many people that make MRC Cinci what it is, and here is just the start.

Staff

Karen D'Agostino - Executive Director

Bringing the Music Resource Center to Cincinnati has been Karen's passion for over two years. Karen believes "there are many programs out there for athletic kids, "smart" kids, artistic kids, but there are many teens that don't fit into these typical programs. These are the kids that are falling through the cracks, the kids that are teetering on the edge, and with one false move they could do something that could irreparably change their life. Regardless of where one lives, what color their skin is, or how much money they have, music is something that all teens can relate to" She did some research, and found the Music Resource Center located in Charlottesville, VA. She contacted their Executive Director, and shortly after made a trip to visit their center. Karen says "when I walked through the doors of MRC-C'ville, I knew this was it. This was the program Cincinnati needed."

She has since worked tirelessly on achieving her dream and says "I am so proud to be involved with bringing MRC to Cincinnati. We now have a fantastic board and committees in place and in ten years we'll be able to look back and know that hundreds of teens have had a safe and productive place to go after school because we worked collectively toward our mission."

Karen relocated to Cincinnati from the east coast seven years ago with her husband, Tony, and their four children. While she has yet to find her musical talent, music has always been a very important part of her and her family's life

Josh Elstro - Program Director

Has a BFA in Electronic Media from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati with a focus in audio production as well as new media design and production. He has been playing, writing, and producing music for several years and is very happy to be able to share these experiences through MRC.

Josh says he got involved with MRC because “As a teenager I never seemed to fit in or feel comfortable except when listening to or playing my favorite music, or seeing my favorite bands. These are the things that kept me driven and focused as a kid and my goal has always been to help save one kid through music the way it saved me. Now with MRC I’ve been given the opportunity to do that for every kid that might walk through our door! It’s practically a dream come true to have the opportunity to be involved with this program.”

Max Raphael - Studio Assistant

Growing up in Cincinnati, just blocks away from MRC, Max's passion for audio recording came to him by chance, with a neighbor donating some unused equipment to him.  From there, Max taught himself how to record music throughout high school, eventually moving on to earn his BS in Audio and Media Technology at The New England Art Institute in Boston.  After working as an engineer in Boston for a year out of school, Max returned home to Cincinnati, finding himself at MRC soon after.

"In college, I found I really enjoyed my work as a peer tutor and teaching assistant," Max says.  "I especially liked doing this with students for audio-related work.  But working at MRC has taken things to a completely different level.  At MRC, I've found a rewarding and meaningful potential for this work I never thought existed.  And as someone who took to music as a solo endeavor, I would have been thrilled if there was a welcoming, positive community like MRC while I was in high school."

Board Members

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Fritz Berry

He is President of Music Resource Center Charlottesville and has been in a leadership role with The Music Resource Center since 2001. During this time, MRC has become nationally recognized as one of the most appealing new programs for "at risk" youth in communities throughout the Nation. Fritz oversees all aspects of operations of the Charlottesville Program as well as National expansion. MRC National is currently acting on requests for assistance from communities scattered across the country.

Fritz is also a Founding Principal of Campbell, Berry, Colmery, Hague and Heneberry, a Wealth and Investment Management group located in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Ceci David

Married to Roger David and a mother of three who was introduced to MRC by my good friend and cousin who are involved in the Charlottesville, Virginia center. Ceci says she is involved with MRC because, “Music is such an important part of my life, as well as my family's and I want to help bring a positive outlet to the teens in our community.” She is also the Chairperson of MRC - Cinci's annual Party Like a Rockstar fundraising event.

Jim Ellis

The Senior Vice President of Investments with UBS Private Wealth Advisors. Jim A graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a B.S. in finance, Jim subsequently received his Series 7, 63, 65 and life insurance professional licenses. In his spare time Jim is involved in the Children’s Theater of Cincinnati and the Most Valuable Kids of Greater Cincinnati organization as well as MRC.

Jim is involved with MRC because, "I've been actively involved in a number of youth based charities for years.  MRC's vision of providing a safe, supportive environment for inner city children to explore the world of music is an absolute no-brainer.  The upside for this organization is outstanding.  I'm thrilled to be involved in MRC's introduction into our city."

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King Harrison

Married, father of two daughters, and a 5th generation Cincinnatian. He is vice-president of Schiff-Kreidler Shell. King is also a guitar player and collector who currently plays in a classic rock band for social events and fundraisers.

He says, “I have joined the MRC to help Karen with her vision to bring the magic of music to inner city youth and community through a fully functional and equipped recording studio and outreach programs.”

Mark Mayhall

He is an artist, freelance graphic designer, music archivist, internet radio station owner, and most importantly, husband and father of two boys. Mark has been involved with MRC Cincinnati since Karen first conceived the idea by taking over the duty of running the yearbook program at their kids school so she could dedicate more time to MRC.

After hearing more about the original MRC from Karen, Mark says, “this is just what we needed in Cincinnati – a place where kids could get off the streets and channel some of their energy into something creative and fun. After hearing this story, I knew I had to be involved anyway I could. I have two passions in life... music and my family. The MRC facility is going to be a place where I will be able to volunteer and still be able to hang out with Adam and Jacob - not to mention that all their friends can't wait for it open too.”

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Nichol Delk

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Jules Luniewski

Kat Pepmeyer

If you need something done, Kat makes it happen.  Founder of Non Profit fund raising and productions company Get Down Give Back, Kat channels her positive Karma and amazing abilitiy to recruit help into a company that helps non-profit organizations that don't have the resources to make these happen on there own
Get Down Give Back 
www.getdowngiveback.com

Hope Mendelsohn

Committee Members

Tony D'Agostino

While not an official board member it is difficult to ignore his involvement with, and contributions to MRC Cincinnati. He says, “In the spirit of full disclosure, I must admit that my initial involvement with MRC was to support Karen. I signed on to help her with this project back when it was only a vision of hers. Due to Karen's passion and the ground swell of support she received from everyone that was made aware of MRC, I quickly realized that this was not only a great idea, but something Cincinnati desperately needed. Since that realization, I have been involved as much as I could.”

Dan Marshall

Get Down Give Back 
www.getdowngiveback.com

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Jay Kruz

Named one of broadcasting's 30 Under 30 by Edison Media Research, Jay Kruz is the Program Director and Afternoon DJ at 97.3 The Sound. He has a diverse media background with previous experience at XM Satellite Radio and MTV Networks in New York and radio stations in Detroit, Toledo, and the Cayman Islands. He’s also a voiceover artist and enjoys learning to play the guitar in his spare time. 

Jay became a part of the MRC after meeting with Karen and Ceci about the program. “I instantly had the ‘I wish they had a place like this when I was in school’ feeling that many people experience when they hear about MRC for the first time. This was something I wanted to get involved with and help out personally as a music fan and professionally on behalf of 97.3 The Sound and Bonneville International Cincinnati.”

Missy Sturgeon

Advisory Board

Peter Frampton

Leslie Ghiz

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Steve Ray

A Partner in the Litigation Department of Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP., and practices general litigation and specializes in commercial disputes, transportation law, personal injury, toxic torts, and products. He has been an Assistant Scoutmaster for five years, head boys basketball coach for six years, and is member of many other professional and community organizations including MRC – Cinci.