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 K. Godfrey is an artist, cultural worker, and creative development professional based in Philadelphia. Her work focuses on the intersection of art, political education, and community power-building, using storytelling and cultural production to support identity formation and collective liberation. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies from Wesleyan University in 2019, with a concentration in Literature and Performance.

She has supported artist-led and youth-centered initiatives centered on narrative change and creative expression, with a focus on the relationship between local community work and global connection. Since the age of 18, her work has extended internationally, including leading create-to-heal workshops in Treasure Beach, Jamaica, and collaborating with youth organizers and peer facilitators in London, England. She is especially interested in connecting Black artists, educators, and cultural workers who use their work to support and sustain their communities across both local and international contexts.

Rachel has been with Rock to the Future since October 2021 and looks forward to continuing to create spaces where young people can develop their voices, explore their identities, and recognize their power through music.

MJ is a Philly native & Youth Engagement Specialist at Rock to the Future, where she has worked with youth & families since 2021. She is dedicated to creating safe, supportive spaces, with a focus on culture-setting & restorative practices. MJ holds a degree in Psychology from Penn State & is certified in Eco-Systemic Family Therapy (ESFT), bringing a trauma-informed, strength-based approach to her work.

She designs & facilitates social-emotional learning & wellness workshops for youth, including topics such as healthy boundaries & navigating nerves. MJ has supported the Instructor Training Program & led sessions on care in the classroom for Philadelphia educators, helping staff integrate trauma-informed & restorative approaches.

Certified in meditation, life coaching, & peer support, she incorporates mindfulness & positive psychology into her work with young people & their communities.

In addition to her role at Rock to the Future, MJ is the founder of MJMovementJourney, LLC, a wellness initiative centered on movement, emotional release, & holistic well-being. She is passionate about blending music, mindfulness, & movement to support healing & growth.

Dwight Olds Jr. is a South Philadelphia native whose work is deeply rooted in lived experience and a commitment to uplifting youth. Having navigated challenges including early incarceration, he brings authenticity and relatability to his role as Youth Justice Specialist at Rock to the Future, where he has worked since April 2025. Dwight is CPR and First Aid certified and has been recognized with a community service award for his impact.

Educated through the Philadelphia public school system and Job Corps, where he earned his high school diploma, Dwight maintains strong connections with Philadelphia City Council and the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center. His background in sports, music, and the city’s hip-hop culture allows him to connect with young people in meaningful ways, guiding them away from violence and toward opportunity, growth, and self-expression.

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.

Alex has been with Rock to the Future since Fall 2025 and is excited to bring her deep commitment to arts education and youth development to the students! As a product of the wonderful music education opportunities available to her in the public schools she attended, she understands first hand the transformative power the arts can have on one’s well being. Alex earned a B.M. in music business from Berklee College of Music and began her career as an AmeriCorps VISTA at a charter school in her hometown where she worked directly with students, families, staff, and community members to provide resources and enhance educational opportunities. These experiences equipped her with a solid foundation in guiding and supporting students through their own journeys. She has had the privilege of working in several arts communities within Philadelphia, with both youth and emerging artists.

Alex is inspired by the artistic and down-to-earth spirit of Philly. In her free time, she enjoys practicing her flute, cooking, dancing, gardening, and exploring the city and world around her.

Terrell has been involved in Philly’s art community for the last decade and looks to connect with others through his craft and the organizations he works with. A Temple University Film & Media Arts graduate and business minor, his time post-graduation has been spent developing his art and photography practice, helping in the classroom, and growing as an entrepreneur and arts administrator. He recently received his Master of Fine Arts degree from Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts. Commercially, Terrell has worked with Temple University, the African American Museum in Philadelphia, AFSCME, BlackStar Film Festival, Urban Movement Arts, and more. Before his role at Rock to the Future, he worked 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. He has been with Rock to the Future since July of 2024 and is excited to support their growing impact and help amplify their work.

Maria is a singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with a background in music education, arts admin, and project management. She joined Rock to the Future in 2024, bringing with her a passion for creating community through music and a belief that everyone should have access to music education. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in music ed from Temple University in 2014, Maria taught in the School District of Philadelphia, Settlement Music School, and PlayArts, where she also directed early childhood arts programming. With a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), Maria enjoys supporting the day-to-day operations at RTTF as well as bringing big ideas to life and moving projects forward together. When she’s not working, you can catch her playing shows around Philly and supporting the local music scene.

Artie Sadtler is a bassist, educator, and music producer living in Philadelphia, PA.

Artie has been teaching music since he was himself of school age, and has nurtured a lifelong passion for providing high-quality music education. Between teaching his orchestra classmates back in High School, tutoring his peers at alma mater Berklee College of Music, or now teaching dozens of different students in various Philly schools throughout the week, he has always been a believer in the power of Music Education.

When he is not teaching, you can find him playing bass with various bands or performing ambient music around Philly.

Derek is a musician and music educator that has been playing and teaching in the Philadelphia area for nearly two decades. A graduate from Philadelphia’s University of The Arts, Derek has performed and recorded with many of the region’s top artists. Derek has been an instructor with Rock To The Future since 2021 and has had the privilege of teaching music to hundreds of students each year while working with the organization. He looks forward to providing a top-tier, no-cost music education to Philadelphia’s youth.

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!

Nia is a vocalist and peer advocate born and raised in Philly. Starting from a young age, they began identifying music as a way to bridge differences and connect with loved ones in ways words could otherwise fail. Music became a tool for their intra-personal growth and later a link to discussions of mental health, not just from the perspective of artists, but the oftentimes invisible populations calling out resource disparities throughout our community.

A Rock to the Future student starting in 2017, and now a team member, Nia continues seeking opportunities to foster environments of reflection and provide resources needed to support healthy communities. Whether that be via emotionally charged songs and arts or their participation in trauma conferences and community workshops.

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.