Our Team

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Sophia is passionate about working to create a significant impact on the Philadelphia community. With a BA in Education from Albright College and a background of seven years in education, Sophia strives to work in organizations that are dedicated to supporting the holistic child through both student-centered and student-driven programs. Growing up as both a dancer and actor in theater productions, Sophia recognizes and embraces the positive impact that Arts Education has on a child’s life.

Rachel is a passionate advocate for accessible arts education. After earning her B.A. in African American Studies from Wesleyan University, she began her career as a teaching artist, guiding students through the intersections of identity formation, community advocacy, and the arts. Her work with the Encampment for Citizenship, the Highland Park Arts Commission, and the Urban Technology Project has deeply informed her approach, enabling her to contribute to impactful, community-centered initiatives.

Her commitment to exploring the heart of art extends seamlessly from her professional work to her personal practice. As a multimedia producer and host of City Rhythms, Rachel celebrates local musicians and the landmarks that inspire their creative journeys. As a singer-songwriter, she collaborates with fellow Black and Brown artists who are dedicated to community development, weaving wellness into every step of the songwriting process. Through all her pursuits, Rachel aims to strengthen the connection between music and community, showcasing the transformative power of the arts.

Born and raised in South Philadelphia, Dwight brings a deep passion for working with youth, especially those navigating transitions he personally understands, such as facing incarceration at a young age. He loves sports and enjoys teaching them to others, believing in their power to inspire and unite people. Cooking is another creative outlet he enjoys, allowing him to bring people together. Additionally, music has been a big part of Dwight’s life, and he’s been involved in the Philadelphia hip-hop scene since the early 2000s. He’s excited to be part of Rock to the Future, a nonprofit that uplifts and empowers young people.

Jaylen’s life and career have been dedicated to empowering the voices of the marginalized. With a history of working in underfunded communities and schools, their focus has been on conflict resolution techniques and redirection strategies in regards to socio-emotional learning. Their dedication and passion to eradicating systemic inequities is a personal mission.

Terrell is a Philadelphia-based artist and art administrator who seeks to help others through his craft and the organizations he works with. With a BA in Film & Media Arts from Temple University, his time post-graduation has been spent pushing forward in the Philadelphia art and photography community, helping in the classroom as an educator, and growing as an entrepreneur and marketing professional. Commercially, Terrell has worked with Temple University, The African American Museum In Philadelphia, AFSCME, BlackStar Film Festival, Urban Movement Arts, and more. Most recently, he served as the marketing director at TILT Institute for the Contemporary Image. He enjoys connecting with people, whether it be through art or human interaction in general.

Maria has dedicated her professional career to supporting arts organizations that positively impact communities in Philadelphia. As an arts administrator, music educator and musician, Maria understands the importance of providing access to quality music education programs. Having a degree in Music Education from Temple University, she has taught in various settings throughout the School District of Philadelphia and at Settlement Music School. In administration, she has directed early childhood arts programming, after-school arts programs, summer camps, and she played a key role in opening an arts-immersion preschool at PlayArts in Fishtown. With certifications in Project Management, Maria has a passion for bringing people together to work towards positive change!

Artie Sadtler is a guitarist, bassist, producer, and music teacher currently living in Philadelphia, PA.

Beginning his study of music at the ripe age of three years old, Artie has been devoted to creating music for what feels like his entire life. While ultimately settling on the bass as his primary instrument, he has spent a great deal of time on other instruments, such as the piano and the guitar, on his musical journey. However, it has always been the bass on which he feels the most at-home.

Going to college at the Berklee College of Music was a life-long dream come true, as many of Artie’s heroes were teaching and performing there every day! He studied or performed on the bass with established players such as Victor Bailey, Mark Giulianna, and David Fiuczyinski.

Artie has toured and performed extensively since 2017, playing close to one hundred shows a year with his band STIG, as well as performing in local bands and venues off the road.

Jack attended Temple University in Philadelphia with a focus on Music. Since then, he’s heavily toured the United States and Europe as a touring bassist for multiple groups throughout the past decade. In addition to performance, Jack has a revolving ensemble of musicians that he performs his original work with. He composes, produces and engineers all aspects of the project. Jack has an extensive background in production and performance and he is excited to teach the Rock to the Future students a curriculum that is not only fun but academic as well!

Nehemiah Lee, Rock to the Future Alumni and aspiring musician, born and raised in Philadelphia Pa. Nehemiah was an educator at the Academy of Natural Sciences, dock hand and educator at the Independence Seaport museum, but when quarantine hit, it was a change of direction. 

Out of sheer boredom, and nothing more, he decided to pick up the guitar in the summer of 2020. Fueled with ambition, he desires to turn his dream of being one of the greatest musicians into a reality. Determined, he spent almost every waking moment honing his tecnhquie, studying music theory, and getting as much class as he could get his hands on, even if it meant traveling from one side of the city to the other to get it (it did!) 

In the span of only four years, Nehemiah quickly become an exceptional guitar player, taking part in the Rock to the Future’s Ambassador band where he learned performance skills, played in three professional shows, and became the representative of the student body of the program where he led both virtual and physical tours of the program’s site of Kingsington. 

After graduating high school, Nehemiah enrolled into the Community College of Philadelphia where he double majors in Sound Recording Technology and Music Performance with the intent to perform music and inspire others to do so as well. And as the days go on, his ambition only burns ever brighter! 

Keven is a Rock to the Future alumni student and a passionate musician that has carried their love of Rock to the Future beyond just being a student. Originally a volunteer, he is officially a member of the team and he is  currently pursuing further education at the Community College of Philadelphia

Joie is a boundary-pushing artist and producer whose work blends irresistible grooves, immersive soundscapes, and raw, emotional lyricism. A trained tap dancer and creator of the Not Just Noise curriculum, she brings rhythmic precision and depth to every track—crafting music that moves both the body and the heart.