our staff

NOYO's administrative and artistic staff are among the most experienced and dedicated music educators in northeast Ohio.

Antoine T. Clark

Philharmonia Orchestra Conductor and Music Director

The founding Artistic and Music Director of the Worthington Chamber Orchestra, Dr. Antoine T. Clark was named Associate Conductor of West Virginia’s Wheeling Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Symphony’s 2022 MAC Music Innovator. He has also served as cover conductor of the Lancaster Festival Orchestra and conducted orchestras throughout the country. He is the recipient of the 2024 Columbus Symphony Orchestra Music Educator Award in the private/community educator category. Dr. Clark holds a Master of Music degree in orchestral conducting and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in clarinet performance from The Ohio State University. He also holds a Master of Music degree in clarinet performance from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Peggie Willett

Sinfonietta Strings Conductor

Peggie O’Neal Willett is retired Director of Middle Orchestras for Avon Local Schools. She has taught strings in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. She brings to the classroom and podium a wealth of experience gained from her work as an orchestra director, teacher, adjudicator, clinician and conductor. Mrs. Willett holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Baldwin Wallace University and a Master of Music Education from West Chester University.

Lelauni McKee

Amati Strings Conductor

Lelauni McKee is a local musician, teacher, singer, and roller skater. Born in Dayton, Ohio, Lelauni traveled to Bowling Green State University to pursue her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. Miss McKee is the orchestra director at Amherst Junior High School, with a rich history in teaching music. She first began teaching as a 13-year old student with beginners while also learning as a student herself at The School of Strings, where she learned how to be a leader and how to play alternative styles of string music in a small orchestra. Miss McKee has a background in performing in the styles of bluegrass, celtic, jazz, and bebop. In her free time, she enjoys roller dancing at skating rinks in the area.

Rachel Boettler

Wind Symphony Conductor

Mrs. Rachel Boettler is an active music educator in Northeastern Ohio. She taught beginning and middle school bands for seven years, and teaches private instrumental lessons. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from The University of Akron where she participated in numerous performing ensembles including the Symphonic Band, Marching Band, and the Flute and Guitar Festival Musicians in Assisi, Italy. Mrs. Boettler is a recipient of the American School Band Directors Association Outstanding Potential Award. Mrs. Boettler is passionate about teaching music and providing a safe and rewarding environment for her students to learn and grow as musicians.

Brett Benzin

Symphonic Band Conductor

Brett Benzin currently serves as the Assistant Band Director at Berea-Midpark High School in Berea, Ohio, where he directs the BMHS Symphonic Band, teaches 5th grade brass, and assists with the Titan Marching Band. He previously taught seven years in the Keystone Local School District in Lagrange, Ohio, preceded by four years as band director in the Northeastern (Tinora) Local School District in Defiance, Ohio. Mr. Benzin received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Bowling Green State University in 2011. Mr. Benzin’s groups have consistently participated at the state level for large group adjudicated events. In 2014, he received the “Outstanding Potential Award” from the American School Band Directors Association and was inducted into the group in 2016. In 2018, Mr. Benzin was awarded the “Educator of the Year” in the Keystone Local School District. He was awarded the Ohio Music Education Association’s “Outstanding Young Educator” in 2019. Mr. Benzin is active in OMEA, and currently serves as the District 4 Past-President.

Nathan Holaway

Executive and Artistic Director, Vanguard Jazz Combo Director

Nathan Holaway believes that music has the power to transform lives, cultivate opportunities for collaboration, foster engaging discussions, and spark community building. It is his mission to instill a lifelong passion and appreciation for music in all students. An accomplished musician and an energetic educator, Nathan has taught middle school through collegiate coursework in Alabama, South Carolina, and Ohio. Most recently, Nathan spent the last five years as Artistic Director with NOYO. Nathan holds degrees from the University of Alabama (B.A. in Music, M.M. in Jazz & Arranging) and the University of South Carolina (M.A.T. in Music Education).

Amanda Anderson

General Manager

Amanda Anderson has a passion for bringing excellent music education to the youth of Northeast Ohio. Amanda studied music education and vocal performance at Cleveland State University and has sung most recently with Musical Union in Oberlin and Civic Chorale in Elyria. With over a decade of experience in arts non-profit management and concert production with Oberlin Choristers, and many years of being a “NOYO parent”, Amanda is thrilled to join the NOYO team. In her free time, she enjoys singing and travelling the world with her partner.