Teachers & Staff
Harlan Kesson: Harlan first joined the Taos Youth Music School as a student in 2004 in the garage band program. Since graduating in 2010, he has worked his way through the music industry, performing and producing alongside such Titans as the Wailers, Rakim, the BoDeans, Los Lonely Boys, and many more. Now, Kesson aims to bring his knowledge of music, both technical and professional, to the youth of Taos, so that they may pursue their own dreams of being rock stars!
Michael Virga joined the Taos Youth Music School for the Spring Semester of
2024 as one of the instructors for the 6-12 Garage band Class. He first learned to
perform as a singer and guitarist in a band through a similar program with the
youth group of the church where he grew up back in Maryland. After moving to
Taos in April 2017, he has been performing locally as a solo singer-songwriter
and as the lead singer/guitarist for local band Second Wind Endeavor. Michael is
honored to work with the Taos Youth Music School and loves working with the
kids on growing their musical skills and creativity.
Board of Directors
Valerie Davis – Chair: Valerie holds K-8 degrees in both regular classroom education and music education. She began her teaching career in 1987 and is currently teaching general music at Ranchos Elementary (here in Taos). Valerie taught the first class of Taos Youth Music School in 1999 with Penny Voss. Since that time, she has taught classes at most levels of the Music School. Although Valerie felt a need to retire from teaching classes at TYMS she is pleased to help guide the school by serving on its Board of Directors.
Rachael Penn – Treasurer: is completing her Master’s in Clinical Mental
Health Counseling with a Specialization in Music Therapy at Lesley University
and will graduate in May 2025. She is passionate about supporting the creative
process and artistic expression of individuals of all ages and skill levels.
Rachael believes that music has long served as a vital force across cultures —
fostering community vitality, individual belonging, and bridges of understanding.
An active member of the local music community, Rachael regularly performs as
a violinist and singer with several groups and collaborates with a wide range of
songwriters and musicians. She currently teaches the Violin class for TYMS and brings
additional professional experience in accounting to her role as Treasurer on the
Board.
Robert Quijano - Member - has been a professional performing musician and composer
for nearly two decades. A private instructor of many years, he has taught Guitar,
Singing/Songwriting, and General Music at Roots & Wings, TISA, and Peñasco
Middle schools. He joined the TYMS Board of Directors in 2023, and is currently
on faculty teaching General Music for 2nd-3rd gr. In 2024, he was awarded
a Community Arts Fellowship by the TCA, as well as a New Mexico Music
Commission Grant for his music-educational exploratory project Just Play.
Robert is an active participant in the local Taos music community: as a co-
founder of the Taos Songwriters’ Guild, and as a member of The Arcane
Ramblers, Noble Rider, Second Wind Endeavor, Roots & Wires Allstars, and
other ensembles. He is a proud father of two trickster fairies.
Susan Potter - Member - Susan Potter is a stylist and owner of ‘Salon Sage’ here in Taos. She has such a keen interest in music that she holds events at her salon featuring
singer/songwriters. Susan enjoys being on the board of TYMS. The gratification
she receives from watching all the kids learn about music, as well as perform,
has been wonderful.
Brian Uerling - Member and St. James Liason - is a music instructor with 39 years of successful instruction in the public schools (Master of Music Education, ENMU). In K-1 Music, we move, we sing quietly (or NOT), we use different types of voices, we pat the beat, we clap the rhythm, we dance. Foundational concepts of understanding loud/soft,
fast/slow, high/low and beat/rhythm are experienced and explored. We play Orff
(mallet) instruments and handheld instruments of many types. We use dancing
scarves. We go on journeys and tell stories with music. K-1’s are funny, joyful,
and ready to learn. Since Mr. Uerling knows how to think like a kid (just ask his
wife, Jude!), he guarantees that, through Folk Song and Classical Music
concepts, YOUR child will have a wonderful early music education.
Audra Rodgers is the Executive Director of Taos Youth Music School. She’s
A multi-instrumentalist who plays 13 instruments and performs in two bands,
writing and playing her own compositions. Combine that with years of
experience in business management, and you get a perfect fit for an organization
as unique as TYMS. She’s a passionate advocate for making music education
accessible and inspiring for all kids in the Taos County community.
Anna Mae Patterson - Secretary
