Welcome to Beat 4 Beat, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Beat 4 Beat is currently providing music education for Austin area school districts and private schools.
Our Vision
Is to provide music educational opportunities to all at-risk students that desire more learning opportunities, to provide supplemental income for local music professionals pursuing their careers.
Mission Statement
Beat 4 Beat develops confidence and community in underserved youth in Central Texas through after school music education. Taught by local musicians, our curriculum is inspired by students’ interests, providing opportunities for expression and empowerment.
Founder and Executive Director/Treasurer – Mark Turk
Born and raised in rural Alice TX, Mark Turk had spent his early years studying and performing music. Mark left Alice in 1995 to attend Texas State University in San Marcos TX. He studied business at the University, however he could not escape the allure of music. He began performing with local bands. Upon graduating, Mark moved to Austin Texas to be in the middle of the live music capital of the world.
For the next 10 years, Mark performed, recorded, and toured with local musicians. In 2007 Mark enrolled at MediaTech where he was certified in audio engineering and began music engineering. Since then, Mark has been teaching music classes for public and private schools, as well as private music lessons on bass, guitar, piano, and voice.
Beat 4 Beat IS BORN!
Having experienced being near poverty growing up and after working with at-risk students in AISD, Mark discovered the needs of music education in public schools. Mark saw how beneficial music was to these children. The students gained new friendships, attended classes more regularly and showed more interests in academics.
Beat 4 Beat was started by Mark in 2014, formerly known as “Beyond the Grade”, to support the needs of his at-risk students in the Austin area. As the organization grew, Mark hired his musician friends, giving them supplemental income while chasing their musical aspirations.
Development Director – Rhanda Luna
Rhanda Luna holds a bachelor’s in music business from West Texas A&M University and a master of nonprofit management from Our Lady of the Lake University. She has been involved in the Association of Fundraising Professionals for several years and is currently pursuing her CFRE.
After more than a decade fundraising for Texas opera companies, Rhanda joined the Beat 4 Beat team and officially made the Austin area her home. Rhanda is a music lover and arts advocate who holds a fierce passion for making positive impact in her community. Rhanda is also mother to one son, Adam, and one labrador-beagle mix, Kai.
Board Members
Board Chair, Nicole Cimo – Nicole is a teacher at Spicewood Elementary in Austin, Texas. In her current role as the Talented and Gifted (TAG) Specialist, Nicole often leads presentations and coordinates large-scale events for parents, students, and staff. She serves on the TAG leadership committee as well as the district’s Gifted/Talented advisory board. Nicole began working with Beat4Beat during the organization’s rebrand to provide marketing and graphic design support. She is proud to be serving on the board of a nonprofit that has such a powerful mission: giving kids a voice and musicians a purpose. Nicole is a strong advocate of the arts in education and sees how music directly promotes creativity, confidence, and a greater sense of well-being. She is always looking for ways to help expand Beat4Beat’s impact both personally and professionally.
Board Chair Emeritus, Colleen Bell – Colleen has over 15 years of experience leading nonprofits and businesses focused on music, entertainment, education, and sports. Colleen brings a history of creating systems and developing excellence for the School of Rock’s international afterschool music program, and building foundations, fundraising, and networking for the nonprofit Women’s Flat Track Derby Association franchise, to the Beat for Beat Board of Directors. Colleen received a BA with Distinction from UW-Madison, and completed post-graduate work with Harvard Business School.
Board Member, Jennifer Davis – Coined “The Document Diva”
Experienced TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION Professional with over 13 years experience in the
Document Management and Business Equipment industry.
She has combined her 18 year background in Graphic Design and Printing with the knowledge gained by
working in the Document Management industry to add a new perspective on Document Workflows. She
has a strong understanding of the entire life-cycle of a document and a passion for sharing that
knowledge.
Jennifer enjoys spending time with her 2 daughters, playing with (all) her animals, gardening and cooking. She
loves networking both professionally and for personal connections. Always love meeting new people
and adding to her network!
Board Secretary/Programs/Instructor Michael Bahan Michael began a lifelong love of percussion at the age of nine when he began learning snare/drumset at Kirk Scott’s Drum City in San Antonio, Texas.
Michael attended Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri, where he performed regularly in school and local events. Upon his return to San Antonio he began working/recording with multiple artists and continuing his education as a percussionist.
His greatest personal teaching achievement came between 2013-2016, when he was taken to Uganda on four separate occasions to teach percussion sections in band programs in various regions of the country.
He currently resides in Austin, Texas, where he keeps a full gig and private teaching schedule, while also operating Cascade Studios Austin.
Michael is endorsed by: Bopworks Drumsticks, Soultone Cymbals, Aquarian Drumheads, and Concho Leatherworks.
Board Vice Chair – David Ancira David has over 20 years of banking experience. During college, he started his banking career as teller in South Austin working for a large bank, during that time, David realized he wanted to have a career in banking. After graduating from St. Edward’s University in Austin, TX with a degree in Finance in 2003. He accepted a credit analyst position within the commercial banking group. After three years in the position, David was promoted to a commercial lender, where he has been a lender since 2006.
David enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife & 3 boys. When he is not spending time with his family, he enjoys playing golf, fishing and grilling.
Board Member – Jeff Hefler – Jeff’s first love of music came from mooching his much cooler older brother’s CD collection in the mid 90’s. That love of music prompted a career in music education, providing support for students lacking the privileges taken for granted as a student.
Jeff has served as an educational & instructional leader in Title 1 Central Texas schools for more than fifteen years. A majority of that time was spent as a director of bands at Cedar Creek Middle School (2007-2016) and Paredes Middle School.
Much of Jeff’s greatest efforts have been in providing opportunities & support for traditionally marginalized students. He has been the recipient of 12 unique local, state, and national grants and founded the Puma Pride Scholarship Fund, sending more than 50 students to University summer band campus. Jeff currently works as a Grant Specialist and Project Manager in Austin.
Board Member – Michael N. Weaver, Jr. is native of Kansas City, MO by way of St. Louis, MO. Weaver is the first
in his immediate family to graduate from a 4-year university, attend an historically Black
university, and obtain a graduate degree. Michael earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music
Performance from Kentucky’s preeminent HBCU, Kentucky State University. Following, he
earned his Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from The University
of Wisconsin-Madison and plans to pursue a doctoral degree in the near future.
Michael is an entrepreneur and is the Founder and CEO of DreamWeaver
Motivation, a company that provides motivational speaking, consulting, and life coaching.
Present day, Weaver serves as the Associate Director of Donor and External Relations for the
Black Studies Collective at The University of Texas-Austin. He is also the online campus minister
for Growth Point Church in Lexington, KY.
Advisory TEAM
Russell Williamson – Russell has been heavily involved in music, technology, and entrepreneurship since a very young age. His life was heavily influenced by playing and listening to music, including teaching peers while in grade-school. Companies he has launched include Thomas & Darden consumer audio products and other technology firms, carrying with him decades of experience. Since then Russell has been passionate about philanthropy by mentoring students, industry professionals, and colleagues while serving as advisor on several company boards. Music is such an emotional experience that connects all of us across the world – and providing children that opportunity is instrumental in growing that lasting experience for generations to follow.
Grants Intern – Michael Cordova is an undergraduate in the Black Studies department at UT Austin. He is intent on pursuing graduate school, Michael’s research focuses on differing (and trippy) aesthetic forms and how they interact with the culturally produced understanding of blackness. In that, his research also turns to music as an important avenue for thought, invention, and reflection. In the future he hopes to continue his work with nonprofits as a means of supporting various communities situated in conversations that might be undervalued. In his free time Michael enjoys reading, writing, taking photos, and baking.
Advisory – Jo James -Jo comes from a low-income community in Kentucky where the music teachers happened to be top-notch. She credits her band, chorus, and piano teachers with helping her excel and develop in ways that got her into MIT back then and continue to bring her creative and spiritual gifts now. Having traveled many places and learned many lessons over a twenty-year career in Corporate America, she left her technology management role during the Great Resignation of 2022 to become a life coach. She enjoys leading individuals and groups through their problem solving and decision making processes. She is thrilled to be supporting Beat4Beat, helping musicians find purposeful jobs and helping kids find their voices.
Jo lives in Austin with her husband, two kids, and two cats. She knows enough to be dangerous on piano, trombone, and bass.
Keli Marks – Beats and Podcast consultant
K.Lee Marks is a multi-instrumentalist, touring professional, electronic music teacher, and music producer who has been working with artists of diverse genres and styles for nearly a decade. He started Septima Studios, a cooperative record label in Mexico, training under several audio engineers, and music producers, before moving to Austin, TX. He is the product manager for Gravitas Create, produces tutorials for the youtube channel, tours with his band Bassline Drift. He’s released music on Gravitas Recordings, Heroic Recordings, and Outtalectuals. He enjoys traveling the world, collecting sounds and samples, and re-interpreting those into his own creations. Listen to his music here: https://soundcloud.com/basslinedrift
Alberto Chapa – Ableton ConsultantAlberto Chapa is a musician, producer, audio consultant and Ableton Certified Trainer with a passion for helping artists and organizations turn their ideas into reality. Alberto is a natural teacher with a relaxed and upbeat approach to sharing his experience using Ableton Live, Push and Max to create in the studio and perform on stage. Check him out here: https://www.musicalguest.net/
Instructors
Layla Murray-Schroeder – Instructor/Program Quality specialist
Layla has had the privilege of being with this organization for 5 years. Having graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in all-level instrumental, she has been able to transfer what she learned to her classes. Layla is a singer/songwriter, professional flautist, and performs in musical theatre productions. She loves being able to bring the joy of music to others!
Jaye Maverick – Instructor
Jayé is a late bloomer, starting music in 2020, she discovered a new love. Now she is a part of a few bands doing vocals, bass, guitar and drums. She’s very excited to be teaching music, especially to kids that look like her. She’s looking forward to hopefully being a role model to them.
Meg Sheehy – instructor
Meg is a multi-instrumentalist and new to Austin. She will be teaching guitar, bass and vocals! She has also played in jazz ensembles and bluegrass groups. Some of her favorite Rockers include Pavement, Japanese Breakfast, Sheryl Crow etc – just to name a few.
Sahara Smith began her professional music career in 2003 when, at the age of 15, she placed second in A Prairie Home Companion’s ‘Talent from 12-20’ contest. Sahara went on to win Best Female Vocalist, Best Folk Act, and Best Songwriter and the 2010 Austin Music Awards after the release of her debut album Myth of the Heart. Today, Smith continues to work as a performing and recording musician, in addition to composing soundtracks, working as a music instructor, and raising her daughter.
Program Management/Instructor – Laura MattinglyLaura has over 10 years of experience working with children earning her Child Development Associates. She has over 5 years of combined managerial experience making her well rounded in various fields. Growing up as the daughter of a professional musician and a singer, Laura has always believed in the importance that music can have on a child’s social emotional development. Laura’s mission as a program manager with Beat 4 Beat is to be a liaison of support for the directors, instructors, administrators, and guardians. Laura is originally from California and moved to the Austin area to be closer to the outdoor activities and live music. Laura is married to her high school sweetheart and they share two boys, Miles and Ezra. Laura spends her free time roller skating at the rink and swing dancing!
Justin Garrett – instructor
Justin is a veteran educator of national youth programs and schools. Today the challenges facing education have changed. One of the most valuable overlooked skills is creativity.
Justin uses music coaching programs that help musicians and students reach their potential and be the success they’re meant to be.
Chris Turvill – guitar instructor/quality control
Chris grew up taking lessons on bass, guitar and piano in Houston. While his piano lessons were more formal, his guitar and bass lessons with Dave Carey were an improvisational expedition in rock and jazz classics, leading into high school jazz band and a trip to Jamey Aebersold’s summer workshop. During his college years in Austin, he gained live experience playing around town, while also writing and recording his own experimental rock compositions. After college, he began to teach private/group guitar lessons and rock band classes through Boys and Girls Club and Instrumental Music for Children in California. His musical excursions led to gigs at a variety of venues from wineries to art collectives in Napa to a week-long course with Robert Fripp’s Guitar Circle to learn how physical disciplines like Tai Chi and Alexander Technique benefit performance.
Jazz Sanabria- Instructor
More than just a name…
Jazz plays multiple instruments, is proficient in multiple digital audio and video editing software.
Jazz teaches Beats, Podcasting and private music instructor for Beat 4 Beat.
Paul Rabin – piano instructor
My passion is music; I’ve played piano since a youngster, currently playing Level 4 Intermediate common piano pedagogue. I read music well, and enjoy study, theory, and jazz- from Chopin to Correa. Interest now in accompaniment.
My professional passions are around communications technology, sales, marketing and customer success.
Sean Kohler – Instructor – Sean was born into a family of musicians and music-lovers, with whom he grew up
singing and playing on the instruments in his family home. For over 20 years Sean
has been performing in bands, composing original music, recording and releasing
albums, and touring nationally. He still answers to his muse, but on a more intimate
level with his voice, ukulele, and harmonica, writing and recording songs at home.
Sean’s passion for early childhood education started when his son was born in 2009.
Later, volunteering at his son’s elementary school sparked a career in education and
eventually into creating his own successful (and well loved!) group music classes for
primary-aged children.
Sean is originally from Montara, California, a small beach town where his favorite
childhood memories are of being surrounded by mountains and ocean while playing
and composing music with his friends.
Sean earned his Music Together training certificate in October 2019 and completed
the international online teacher training refresher in the Summer of 2022. He is
excited to share his lifelong love of music with families all over Austin!
Mike Wade – Instructor
Mike studied bass at the University of Kansas in the Jazz Studies program, and formerly classical piano during undergrad. He’s performed in groups ranging from singer-songwriter, folk, rock ‘n’ roll, bossa nova, carnival, jazz, and chorro. Mike currently plays locally in the bossa nova band Nossas Novas, as well as indie rock band, Bridey Murphy.
Connor Torres- Instructor
He came to Austin at 2 years old and been here ever since!
Connor learned my percussion fundamentals in the middle school band, and subsequently started a band with my friends called Vision Arcade. I’ve been lucky enough to continue gigging with them to this day. I love music and art, and they have been an outlet for me all of my life. To be able to spread that love is an absolute joy.
Shanna started off as a violinist at the age of 5 and quickly discovered their passion for playing music. That quickly transitioned and expanded into a love for vocals and a piano. Being a multi instrumentalist gives them the freedom to join bands and have a solo project. All this experience gives them the knowledge to share and help evoke a passion for music amongst the younger generation.