Staff & Board
Michael Jones
Executive Director
Mike's involvement in music began in the 3rd grade, where he played clarinet for the school orchestra and kindled a lifelong passion for music. Since then, his music career has spanned 30 years and has encompassed everything from performing, concert promoting, and producing to work as an audio engineer and casino entertainment director. He is honored to have had the opportunity to work with many well known musicians in the industry.
Along with music, a theme central to Mike's life is community service. As a teenager he served on a volunteer search and rescue team in Southern California. While attending college at Eastern Michigan University, he served both as an Emergency Medical Technician and as a Red Cross volunteer. With the Red Cross he helped found a specialized disaster response medical team. A few years later in Northern Nevada, Mike served as a firefighter for the East Fork and Central Lyon County fire districts. He was Chief of the Moundhouse Volunteer Fire Department. In 1999, Mike received a prestigious Senatorial Recognition award from Nevada Senator Richard Bryon for his outstanding community service.
In 1994, drawing upon his experiences as a child of having difficulty obtaining a musical instrument, Mike founded Music for HOPE. After years in the music industry he sought to use his experience and talents to give back to the community. Music for HOPE remains his primary focus today.
E-mail: mike@musicforhope.org
Anna Eppink
Operations Director, Director of Southern California Chapter
Anna came to Music for HOPE in July 2010. Her musical experiences began at a young age tinkering away on the family piano—at first not the most harmonious sound, but laying the roots for a love of music. Music continues to shape her life. She currently focuses on both bass guitar and upright bass, playing with groups that range in styles from rock and progressive rock to folk and classical. She has performed with multiple Charlottesville rock groups, the Charlottesville University Symphony Orchestra, and the Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra.
Anna is a graduate of The University of Virginia, where she studied philosophy and ethics. She is a proud Phi Beta Kappa honor society member. Upon discovering Music for HOPE, Anna jumped at the opportunity to share her love for music. She looks forward to helping to increase Music for HOPE's reach.
In early 2011, Anna relocated to San Diego, California. She is continuing her responsibilities as Operations Director and expanded the organization's reach by establishing a Southern California chapter.
E-mail: anna@musicforhope.org
Ginger Reed
Director, Las Vegas Chapter
Ginger started her love for music at an early age. She began her musical journey by singing with the church choir at 5, then started learning guitar and piano at age 7, then went on to play the clarinet starting in the 6th grade until she graduated from high school. Since being grown she has been a music teacher, performer and songwriter. Music has been an integral part of her life and she has joyously shared that with many along the way. She has worked with many at-risk and under privileged youth for many years. She started with Music for Hope in 1999 when she met Michael Jones. "It has been a great ride with many loops and curves along the way, and when you see the light that comes on in a child's eyes that you have just given an instrument to, you know that you have passed on what was given to you.....HOPE."
E-mail: ginger@musicforhope.org
Blue O'Connell
Community Outreach Director (Charlottesville)
Blue O'Connell (www.blueoconnell.com) is a uniquely compelling singer/songwriter, guitarist and composer based in Charlottesville, Virginia. Originally from Chicago, Blue got her start in musical performance over 25 years ago accompanying professional singers. She is currently recording a new CD of her own original compositions of as songs and instrumentals.
In addition, she is a Certified Music Practitioner and works at the University of Virginia Hospital playing therapeutic music for patients. She is also employed with VSA Arts in Charlottesville, which is an organization dedicated to promote experiences in the arts for individuals with disabilities.
E-mail: blue@musicforhope.org
Mike D'Antoni
Music Education Coordinator
Mike D'Antoni grew up in New Orleans, where he played music in Dixieland Bands, pop, rock and jazz combos. He moved to Charlottesville 20 years ago, and is a full-time music teacher, specializing in bass, guitar, piano, mandolin, ukulele, banjo and violin. You might see him playing classical guitar at a wedding, bass with a combo, or piano and percussion with the local Beatles' Band "Abbey Road". Music For HOPE is a cause close to Mike's heart.
E-mail: mdantoni@musicforhope.org
Board of Directors
Michael Jones, President
Dan Trinter, Vice President
Lori Karsemyer, Secretary/Treasurer
David Taylor, Director
