Leadership

Board of Directors

Allen Spivack, President
Allen first learned about SMB when serving as director of two residential treatment programs at the Dimock Health Center in Roxbury. While Allen has retired from Dimock, SMB continues to perform monthly concerts there. Allen has had a varied career as a professional fundraiser, building contractor and clinical social worker (working in both public and private settings). He has served on a variety of boards and has a long history of involvement in volunteer and nonprofit organizations. Allen now spends his time as a sculptor in metal and wood.

Jessica Schmidt, Treasurer
As an arts administrator and consultant, Jessica holds special interest in amplifying the power of arts and culture to catalyze positive social change, connect individuals from diverse backgrounds, and draw focus to the existing strengths of communities. Since January of 2016, she has offered formal consulting services via Orchestrate Inclusion (orchestrateinclusion.com), serving as an external partner to orchestras and other performing arts organizations as they create and implement strategies toward greater diversity, equity and inclusion within their organizations. From 2012-2017, Jessica served as Director of Education and Community Engagement at the Boston Symphony Orchestra, providing internal and external leadership for BSO education and community engagement programs. She has also served as the Senior Director of Community Programs at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Education Coordinator at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

Virginia Sapiro, Clerk
Gina is Professor of Political Science at Boston University, recently completing 8 years as Dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. She came to Boston after 31 years as a professor at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where she also served as Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning and Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. She has always loved music, and attended the High School of Music of Art in NYC. She works in her gardens NH whenever she can.

Kenneth Blum, a neuroscientist and a physicist, is executive director of the Center for Brain Science at Harvard University and managing director of the NSF Center for Brains, Minds, and Machines. Music has been at the center of his life since a childhood singing with the Chicago Children's Choir — a great model of social change via classical music, and the model for the Boston Children's Chorus.

Julie Leven, Founder and Artistic Director, Shelter Music Boston founded Shelter Music Boston in 2010 to create a social service organization able to provide an immediate positive impact with classical music performances in environments of great need. Julie was named a Boston Neighborhood Fellow in April 2014, 2013 Social Innovation Forum Classical Music Innovator and is a 2012 graduate of the BU School of Management Institute for Nonprofit Management and Leadership. She is a member of the Handel + Haydn Society Orchestra and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra. When not playing concerts or dreaming up new projects for SMB, she is passionate about organic farming and an avid Argentine tango dancer.

Steven Levine
As a Boston-area executive, entrepreneur, attorney and investor with 30+ years experience developing energy management and renewable energy projects and technologies, Steve applies the business skills of governance, strategic analysis; legal and risk management, technology and finance to social change and environmental sustainability nonprofit board positions. Immediately impressed and moved upon first learning about SMB on National Public Radio, Steve is excited about joining the board and helping SMB expand its reach and impact.

Board Member Openings

Shelter Music Boston is seeking qualified Board Members to round out our Board of Directors. Candidates are professionals with diverse backgrounds (law, finance, development, marketing, entrepreneurship, technology). Candidates should have a passion for meaningful, high-quality art, music, and community service. An interest in the transformational power of classical music is a plus, but not a requirement. Board Members have the opportunity to help lead this growing organization, network, and be a part of our work to create social change. For more information, please contact erin@sheltermusicboston.org.

Administrative Staff

Julie Leven, Founder and Artistic Director, founded Shelter Music Boston in 2010 to create a social service organization able to provide an immediate positive impact with classical music performances in environments of great need. Julie was named a Boston Neighborhood Fellow in April 2014, is a 2012 graduate of the BU School of Management Institute for Nonprofit Management and Leadership, a member of the Handel + Haydn Society Orchestra and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra. When not playing concerts or dreaming up new projects for SMB, she is passionate about organic farming and an avid Argentine tango dancer.

Carrie Eldridge-Dickson, Managing Director, joined Shelter Music Boston as the Managing Director in July 2016. She brings almost 10 years of experience supporting people who are homeless from her previous work in fundraising and volunteer management at Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. Carrie has a master’s degree in public administration from Suffolk University and is grateful for the opportunity to serve such a dynamic nonprofit. While the Beatles are her favorite composers, Carrie enjoys classical music and is delighted to be a part of providing access to transformational music to those who otherwise go without.

Erin Merceruio Nelson, Director of Development and Operations, joined the Shelter Music Boston team as Director of Development and Operations in October 2014. She previously served as the Senior Program Administrator for the Free for All Concert Fund, and as Development Assistant at Hebrew SeniorLife. As a classical singer, Erin performs actively throughout New England on both the operatic and concert stage. She is grateful for the opportunity to share her love and passion for classical music with Boston area homeless citizens.

Rebecca Miller, Administrative Assistant, joined the Shelter Music Boston team as Administrative Assistant in February of 2016 after completing a year as SMB concert production intern. Rebecca is a violist in Boston, currently attending the Boston Conservatory for her Bachelor of Music degree. She performs throughout the Greater Boston and New England areas in many genres, with a focus on classical and contemporary classical repertoire. Rebecca is excited to expand her role with the Shelter Music Boston team, and is passionate about making classical music more accessible to under-served audiences.