Ms. Annie Sevelius, Principal
Ms. Annie Sevelius has worked at the Conservatory Lab for eight years. She received her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Lesley University, and her undergraduate degree, received at Indiana University, is in English Literature.
Andrés Cruz Torres, Director of School Operations and Music Programs
Mr. Andrés Cruz Torres was born in Sevilla, Spain in 1963. He grew up in Cordoba where he attended “Universidad de Filología de Córdoba” and “Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático de Córdoba” from which he obtained a degree in Scenic Arts. After teaching for several years in Spain, he moved to USA. In 1995, he was one of the teachers starting City on a Hill Charter High School in Boston. He worked there for 14 years in different capacities finishing with the role of Vice Principal. In 2009, he joined Conservatory Lab Charter School.
Suzy Spressert, Director of Human Services
Ms. Spressert received her BA in English from Davidson College in North Carolina and is currently completing her Masters in Education at Boston University. She taught for two years at Codman Academy Charter Public School in Dorchester, and prior to this worked as a youth minister. When she is not teaching, she enjoys walking and running outdoors with her dog Mack, doing pilates, and reading.
Cecilia Soriano, Director of Development, Communications & Marketing
Ms. Soriano is a veteran arts administrator who has dedicated the majority of her professional career to the two passions in her life – children and the arts. “Art is the signature of civilization” is a central belief for her. To this end, she has been successful in raising funds and developing supporters for each of the arts programs and the arts organizations with which she has worked. Among these were CITYDANCE, during her tenure as Director of the Center for Dance Education at Boston Ballet; DANCE FOR ALL as Executive Director of American Academy for Dance and Kindred Arts in Santa Monica, CA; MUSIC L.A.!, while at the Department of Cultural Affairs in Los Angeles; the 60th Anniversary Season for Starlight Theatre in Balboa Park, San Diego,CA while she was Executive Director; and the 45th season for Colorado Ballet in her role as Vice-President Development, Marketing & Sales. In each of these endeavors, along with others, she has been responsible for the planning and execution of the Development, Marketing and Communications activities.
Levi Comstock, Development Assistant
Mr. Comstock received his BM in Music Education from St. Olaf College in Minnesota, where he spent two years teaching strings in public schools. He performs in the Brookline Symphony, sings baritone in the Orpheus Singers, and can occasionally be seen moonlighting at bluegrass jams around Boston. He is in his second year at Conservatory Lab, working in the El Sistema program as well as the Department of Development, Communications, and Marketing. Together with Rebecca Levi, he codirects the Abreu Orchestra.
Adam Eccleston, Resident Artist (woodwinds)/Operations
Mr. Eccleston was raised in Bad Kreuznach, Germany and studied at Die Hochschule für Musik in Frankfurt. Outside of Conservatory Lab, he enjoys teaching electronic private lessons to young musicians around the world through YouTube. In addition to his role as a Resident Artist at Conservatory Lab, he also holds an administrative role, assisting with school operations.
Toni Jackson, Development, Communications, and Marketing
Christopher Schroeder, Resident Artist (trumpet)/Development, Communications, and Marketing
Mr. Schroeder is a Boston-based, freelance trumpet player and vocalist. An active music educator, Chris works with the North End Music and Performing Arts Center and teaches adult education courses at Brookline Adult and Community Education and New School of Music, Cambridge. In addition to his work with the El Sistema music program at Conservatory Lab, Chris also works in the Department of Development, Communications, and Marketing and will be coordinating the upcoming Picturing America Conference.