27 March 2024
Those on board helping Chibuike learn and raise funds are excited about where this is all headed and welcome all our donors in contributing to his basic needs. This team is helping and coaching Chibuike without compensation. (Read about how this all started and how connections were made.)
First on the team was Grace Tin-Yen Christus, now working with Chibuike on his piano skills and music theory knowledge. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, USA, Grace is a graduate of the University School of Nashville and studied at The Juilliard School of Music. She has taught piano and composition at Calliope Music Studios in Aurora, Colorado, USA, since 1990 and teaches from home as well. Grace is a frequent adjudicator for piano and composition festivals and competitions and frequently performs as a soloist and collaborator. She has performed often as a pianist and accompanist and is a past president of the Aurora Music Teachers Association. She is the founder of Jade Press Music Publishing with most of her compositions now available on Sheet Music Plus and many can be heard on Soundcloud.
“Working with Chibuike has been a delight. His responsiveness, innate talent, and humility has been inspiring. It has given me much to think about.”
Grace Tin-Yen Christus
Born in the United Kingdom and now living in Madrid, Spain, Michael Kevin Jones, cello, is responsible for the initial fundraising to assist Chibuike and for coaching him. Michael has studied at the Royal College of Music in London and Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf, Germany. He has performed globally as a soloist and in musical ensembles of varying size, including the much heralded Jones Maruri Duo. He has recorded numerous award-winning tracks including the complete J.S. Back Cello Suites on a 1667 Stradivarius Cello. Michael has toured extensively across the USA, Canada, Europe, Africa, and Asia. He is currently collaborating with New Zealand pianist Henry Wong Doe preparing for a tour in 2025 that will include the United States. He is an avid teacher and coach.
“Chibuike has the maturity of character, modesty, and determination and the concentration skills necessary to become a professional cellist.”
Michael Kevin Jones
The latest addition to Team Chibuike is Hank Knerr, providing marketing and fundraising consultation. He has been professionally engaged in the arts for over 40 years, most recently as an arts administrator at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in Indiana, Pennsylvania, USA. Retiring from IUP in 2017, he started his own arts consulting business, Raising Arts. He has worked with arts organizations, major touring artists, arts managers and agents, and producers and has served on numerous boards related to the arts as well as community interests. He first met Michael Jones in 2015 when he presented the Jones-Maruri duo in concert on the IUP campus, staying in close contact over the years. Hank graduated from Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, USA, with a B.A. in music and theater performance and Penn State University with an M.F.A. in arts administration.
“My life’s experience and goals to raise the arts as a critical contribution to our world has led me to helping this young talent. I can’t wait to see how positively, with everyone’s help, when he is finally able to escape the crime, pollution, and poverty that now surrounds him and can begin to contribute to our global society.”
Hank Knerr
Raising Arts ... Serving the Arts Community 