Board of directors
PRESIDENT
Margaret Knoerzer serves as President of Litha Symphony, having previously held the role from 2016 to 2018 in addition to serving in multiple board positions, including Director of Events and Vice President. She joined the orchestra in 2014 after answering a call for violists on Facebook, and over the past decade it has been a vital source of joy, connection, and artistic expression in her life. Professionally, Margaret is a Media Education Program Manager for the Public Programs Unit of New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and has built her career in the arts nonprofit sector. She earned her BA in Film Studies from Mount Holyoke College and her MA in Media Studies from University at Buffalo. A lifelong ensemble musician, she plays violin and viola and sings soprano, and has been featured in CNN as an expert on J.R.R. Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings.
Margaret Knoerzer serves as President of Litha Symphony, having previously held the role from 2016 to 2018 in addition to serving in multiple board positions, including Director of Events and Vice President. She joined the orchestra in 2014 after answering a call for violists on Facebook, and over the past decade it has been a vital source of joy, connection, and artistic expression in her life. Professionally, Margaret is a Media Education Program Manager for the Public Programs Unit of New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and has built her career in the arts nonprofit sector. She earned her BA in Film Studies from Mount Holyoke College and her MA in Media Studies from University at Buffalo. A lifelong ensemble musician, she plays violin and viola and sings soprano, and has been featured in CNN as an expert on J.R.R. Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings.
VICE-PRESIDENT
Eugene Chen serves as Vice-President of Litha Symphony, where he combines his lifelong passion for music with extensive leadership experience. A violinist since the age of five, Eugene joined Litha Symphony in 2017 and previously served as Vice-President of the Board from 2022 to 2024. Professionally, he is a researcher and analyst specializing in United Nations peace operations, financing, and institutional reform, and is currently pursuing a PhD in the Department of War Studies at King's College London. He holds both a BA in Government and an MPA in Government, Politics, and Policy Studies from Cornell University. Eugene has also managed board relations at the Metropolitan Opera and served as a docent at the New York City Ballet. He has a special fondness for Mahler and Rachmaninoff, whose works he has performed with Litha.
Eugene Chen serves as Vice-President of Litha Symphony, where he combines his lifelong passion for music with extensive leadership experience. A violinist since the age of five, Eugene joined Litha Symphony in 2017 and previously served as Vice-President of the Board from 2022 to 2024. Professionally, he is a researcher and analyst specializing in United Nations peace operations, financing, and institutional reform, and is currently pursuing a PhD in the Department of War Studies at King's College London. He holds both a BA in Government and an MPA in Government, Politics, and Policy Studies from Cornell University. Eugene has also managed board relations at the Metropolitan Opera and served as a docent at the New York City Ballet. He has a special fondness for Mahler and Rachmaninoff, whose works he has performed with Litha.
TREASURER
Diana Bilbao serves as Treasurer of Litha Symphony, bringing deep expertise in nonprofit financial administration and a lifelong dedication to the arts. A cellist since age eight, she joined Litha in 2017 after reconnecting with Board President Margaret Knoerzer, with whom she played in college. Professionally, Diana is a Senior Financial Maintenance Lead at ArtsPool, where she supports small arts organizations through outsourced financial management—experience that directly informs her work helping Litha grow sustainably. She holds a BA from Mount Holyoke College and an MA in cinema studies from Tisch School of the Arts. Her career has spanned Off-Broadway theater and the broader nonprofit sector. A devoted lover of the Romantic composers, Diana treasures the communal tapestry of orchestral playing and lives in New Jersey with her wife and four cats.
Diana Bilbao serves as Treasurer of Litha Symphony, bringing deep expertise in nonprofit financial administration and a lifelong dedication to the arts. A cellist since age eight, she joined Litha in 2017 after reconnecting with Board President Margaret Knoerzer, with whom she played in college. Professionally, Diana is a Senior Financial Maintenance Lead at ArtsPool, where she supports small arts organizations through outsourced financial management—experience that directly informs her work helping Litha grow sustainably. She holds a BA from Mount Holyoke College and an MA in cinema studies from Tisch School of the Arts. Her career has spanned Off-Broadway theater and the broader nonprofit sector. A devoted lover of the Romantic composers, Diana treasures the communal tapestry of orchestral playing and lives in New Jersey with her wife and four cats.
SECRETARY
Gary Shur serves as Board Secretary of Litha Symphony and has been a member of the orchestra since 2018, joining the Board of Directors in 2020. A dedicated music educator and freelance musician based in Northern New Jersey, he teaches in the Bayonne Public School system as an elementary and middle school band director, high school jazz band director, and assistant marching band director. Gary holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education from Montclair State University and a Master’s in Music Performance in Woodwind Doubling from New Jersey City University. An active performer throughout the tri-state area, he plays flutes, clarinets, saxophones, and recorders across concert band, orchestral, jazz, Latin, and musical theater settings. Outside of music, Gary enjoys cooking and spending time with his wife and two sons.
Gary Shur serves as Board Secretary of Litha Symphony and has been a member of the orchestra since 2018, joining the Board of Directors in 2020. A dedicated music educator and freelance musician based in Northern New Jersey, he teaches in the Bayonne Public School system as an elementary and middle school band director, high school jazz band director, and assistant marching band director. Gary holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education from Montclair State University and a Master’s in Music Performance in Woodwind Doubling from New Jersey City University. An active performer throughout the tri-state area, he plays flutes, clarinets, saxophones, and recorders across concert band, orchestral, jazz, Latin, and musical theater settings. Outside of music, Gary enjoys cooking and spending time with his wife and two sons.
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Brandon Manning serves as Director of Marketing for Litha Symphony, where he combines his passion for music with a strong background in higher education and organizational leadership. A higher education professional, Brandon holds an MS in Student Affairs from Binghamton University and a BM from the Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam. He joined Litha after being invited to fill a need for trumpet on a single concert and quickly became a valued member of the rotating roster. Having served in leadership roles across professional organizations, Brandon believes deeply in giving back to the communities that shape him. Music has guided his life since his early days in the Baptist church, and he continues to perform with various ensembles. His favorite work is Bach’s Mass in B Minor, especially the “Sanctus,” whose brilliance he imagines as the soundtrack to the afterlife.
Brandon Manning serves as Director of Marketing for Litha Symphony, where he combines his passion for music with a strong background in higher education and organizational leadership. A higher education professional, Brandon holds an MS in Student Affairs from Binghamton University and a BM from the Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam. He joined Litha after being invited to fill a need for trumpet on a single concert and quickly became a valued member of the rotating roster. Having served in leadership roles across professional organizations, Brandon believes deeply in giving back to the communities that shape him. Music has guided his life since his early days in the Baptist church, and he continues to perform with various ensembles. His favorite work is Bach’s Mass in B Minor, especially the “Sanctus,” whose brilliance he imagines as the soundtrack to the afterlife.
DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL
Luz Colón serves as Director of Personnel for Litha Symphony. A New York City–based multi-instrumentalist, she performs as a violinist in orchestral ensembles and as an alto in choral groups, with a strong focus on collaborative musicianship. She earned her BA in Music from Hunter College and has been active in community ensembles including the BMCC Community String Ensemble and BMCC Downtown Chorus. Luz was introduced to Litha through colleagues in the New York music community and became increasingly involved through personnel coordination and musician communications. Managing outreach, performance sign-ups, and ensemble inquiries deepened her commitment to supporting the orchestra’s structure and sustainability. For Luz, music is both a creative outlet and a source of connection, shaping her dedication to strengthening New York City’s cultural community.
Luz Colón serves as Director of Personnel for Litha Symphony. A New York City–based multi-instrumentalist, she performs as a violinist in orchestral ensembles and as an alto in choral groups, with a strong focus on collaborative musicianship. She earned her BA in Music from Hunter College and has been active in community ensembles including the BMCC Community String Ensemble and BMCC Downtown Chorus. Luz was introduced to Litha through colleagues in the New York music community and became increasingly involved through personnel coordination and musician communications. Managing outreach, performance sign-ups, and ensemble inquiries deepened her commitment to supporting the orchestra’s structure and sustainability. For Luz, music is both a creative outlet and a source of connection, shaping her dedication to strengthening New York City’s cultural community.
ORCHESTRA MANAGER
Liz Ionescu-Schatz serves as Orchestra Manager of Litha Symphony, bringing a lifelong love of music and a collaborative spirit to the organization. She joined the orchestra nine years ago at the encouragement of her best friend and credits Litha with helping her rediscover her passion for music. A violist and singer who grew up in a family of musicians, Liz believes music fosters joy, discipline, and teamwork—and even met her husband through the orchestra. Professionally, she works as a corporate recruiter in the fashion industry, specializing in marketing, finance, and design roles. She earned an AAS in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology and a BA in English from Queens College. With prior nonprofit experience, Liz is proud to support Litha’s continued growth while giving back to a community that means so much to her.
Liz Ionescu-Schatz serves as Orchestra Manager of Litha Symphony, bringing a lifelong love of music and a collaborative spirit to the organization. She joined the orchestra nine years ago at the encouragement of her best friend and credits Litha with helping her rediscover her passion for music. A violist and singer who grew up in a family of musicians, Liz believes music fosters joy, discipline, and teamwork—and even met her husband through the orchestra. Professionally, she works as a corporate recruiter in the fashion industry, specializing in marketing, finance, and design roles. She earned an AAS in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology and a BA in English from Queens College. With prior nonprofit experience, Liz is proud to support Litha’s continued growth while giving back to a community that means so much to her.
ORCHESTRA LIBRARIAN
Grammy® award-winning drummer and percussionist Angelo Antinori serves as Orchestra Librarian for Litha Symphony. A New York–based freelancer and Long Island native, Angelo is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music (Class of 2023), where he earned a performance degree in Orchestral Timpani and Percussion Performance. He previously served as Principal Timpanist of The New York Youth Symphony from 2019 to 2021, contributing to the ensemble’s recent Grammy® award-winning album. Angelo joined Litha 9 years ago through connections with colleagues in the percussion community and brings a keen interest in score and parts preparation to his first librarian role. A versatile musician on timpani, percussion, and drumset, he performs across multiple genres with a wide range of ensembles. For Angelo, music is not only his profession, but his lifelong passion and calling.
Grammy® award-winning drummer and percussionist Angelo Antinori serves as Orchestra Librarian for Litha Symphony. A New York–based freelancer and Long Island native, Angelo is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music (Class of 2023), where he earned a performance degree in Orchestral Timpani and Percussion Performance. He previously served as Principal Timpanist of The New York Youth Symphony from 2019 to 2021, contributing to the ensemble’s recent Grammy® award-winning album. Angelo joined Litha 9 years ago through connections with colleagues in the percussion community and brings a keen interest in score and parts preparation to his first librarian role. A versatile musician on timpani, percussion, and drumset, he performs across multiple genres with a wide range of ensembles. For Angelo, music is not only his profession, but his lifelong passion and calling.
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Conrad Chu serves as Member-at-Large of Litha Symphony and is a versatile conductor, educator, and performer. He is Orchestra and Chamber Music Coordinator at Bloomingdale School of Music, where he teaches ensembles across age groups, and Music Director of the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music Chorale, in addition to leading community choruses in New Jersey. Conrad holds degrees from Yale University and Mannes School of Music, and completed doctoral studies (ABD) at Bowling Green State University. He first collaborated with Litha in 2015 after conducting La Traviata with the New York Opera Exchange and has been a frequent guest conductor ever since. A Taiwanese American pianist, clarinetist, and lyric baritone, Conrad finds deep sustenance in performance and treasures the orchestra’s welcoming community.
Conrad Chu serves as Member-at-Large of Litha Symphony and is a versatile conductor, educator, and performer. He is Orchestra and Chamber Music Coordinator at Bloomingdale School of Music, where he teaches ensembles across age groups, and Music Director of the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music Chorale, in addition to leading community choruses in New Jersey. Conrad holds degrees from Yale University and Mannes School of Music, and completed doctoral studies (ABD) at Bowling Green State University. He first collaborated with Litha in 2015 after conducting La Traviata with the New York Opera Exchange and has been a frequent guest conductor ever since. A Taiwanese American pianist, clarinetist, and lyric baritone, Conrad finds deep sustenance in performance and treasures the orchestra’s welcoming community.
