Meet Our Board
Our board members work tirelessly to ensure that the MAF achieves its goal of “Changing Lives Through Music.” The board plans and implements fundraising events, develops new programs while fostering existing ones, engages in outreach throughout our community, and all share a passion for music education and the arts.
Dr. Peter Coco
Dr. Coco is the Founder and Executive Director of the Music Academy Foundation. He is responsible for designing, implementing ,and directing all MAF programs. Dr. Coco is also grant writer and marketing director for MAF. Under his guidance, MAF moved into a 4000 sq. foot facility and has a staff of over 20 serving hundreds of students each week. Dr. Coco is also an Adjunct Professor of Music at Hofstra University and holds a Masters degree in Jazz Studies, and a Doctorate in Classical Performance from Stony Brook University.
Deborah Coco
Deborah has a decade of experience in corporate management and brings her unique skill set to the MAF. Formerly a school teacher, she holds a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education and has taught third, fourth, and sixth grade. Deborah also previously served as Associate Director of the Children’s Ministry at Living Faith Church, and is no stranger to volunteering her time and energies for a greater cause. Deborah is currently billing manager at the Music Academy Foundation.
Jennifer Kightlinger
Jennifer-Ann Kightlinger is a freelance writer and editor, working in business, academic, non-fiction trade, and educational publishing for over 20 years. A former Assistant Dean of the Undergraduate and Graduate Divisions of St. John’s College at St. John’s University,
Dr. Kightlinger earned her Ph.D. in English Literature from Stony Brook University where she taught for over a decade, and was recognized for her excellence in teaching and service to students. Valuing her experience at SJU, Dr. Kightlinger continues to work with students as a writing mentor in preparation for college admissions. Jennifer spent her early years on stage at local theatres in her Brooklyn hometown, and continued performing well into adulthood. Her passion for the arts, advocacy for music education, and dedication to serving her community have come together in support of the Music Academy Foundation.
Gina D’Addario
Gina D’Addario, yoga teacher and philanthropist, has been involved in various aspects of the non-profit and charitable sector for almost 20 years, including work at Urban Gateways, an arts education organization in Chicago, several years of service as chair of the D’Addario & Co. Charitable Works Committee, as well as a variety of other volunteer work. In 2012 she received the Elena Perez award from the Pronto of Long Island organization of Bayshore. In addition to philanthropic endeavors, Gina teaches yoga and meditation, and tries to keep up with two active sons.
Danielle Genova
Danielle Genova is a Business Development and Networking professional who has dedicated the last 17 years of her life raising awareness and funds for charities and non-profit organizations closest to her heart.
In 2003 Danielle, along with her family, created “Jake’s Team” when her then 3yr old son Jake was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), an incurable, genetic disease that to this day still does not receive any government funding. Being that it fell upon the families of these children to raise money towards research for a cure, they engaged their local community and elected officials to generate awareness for CF. “Jake’s Team” became one of the largest annual fundraising teams for The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s (CFF) annual “Great Strides” Walk in Nassau County, raising hundreds of thousands over 10 years
Alongside working with CFF, Danielle actively serves/has served on other Boards over the years which include the Children’s Medical Fund’s (CMF)/Garden City Chapter, Garden City Friends of STEM (GCFS), The Johnny Mac Foundation (JMF), and she is also an active member of the Garden City PTA as well as the Garden City Chamber of Commerce.
Danielle was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and graduated from Pace University with a BBA in Finance. She resides in Garden City, NY with her husband Matt and 2 sons – Jake, now 20, a Junior at Florida Institute of Technology and Max, 17, a Senior at Garden City High School.
Matt Wilson
Grammy-nominated jazz drummer Matt Wilson serves as the Music Academy Foundation’s Artist in Residence. Matt brings a wealth of knowledge to our programs and helps connect our students with some of the best musicians in the world. His diversity and knowledge of music education is unparalleled.
Few musicians embody the spontaneous energy of jazz like Matt Wilson. The New York-based drummer combines buoyant zeal, idiosyncratic style, infectious humor, joyous swing and an indomitable spirit of surprise. Together, with his universally recognized personal warmth, these qualities have made Wilson one of the most in-demand players and educators on the modern jazz scene, both beloved and respected by his peers, elders and students. Not bad for a mischievous Midwestern boy from Knoxville, Illinois.
Wilson has released thirteen albums as a leader. His latest recording, Honey And Salt (Music Inspired By The Poetry Of Carl Sandburg), was recognized on over thirty worldwide “Best of 2017” lists, including Top Ten in the National Public Radio Critics Poll, JazzTimes, Irish Times, Boston Globe, Jazziz and All About Jazz. The album received a coveted 5-star review (masterpiece) in DownBeat. On his previous album, Beginning of a Memory (Palmetto), Wilson brought the musical and the personal together like never before, uniting the members of all his ensembles into one aptly-named Big Happy Family to celebrate the life of his wife Felicia, who lost her battle with leukemia in June 2014. This profound, yet playful, release also received a 5-star review in DownBeat and was selected as one of the top releases of 2016 by numerous publications, including DownBeat, JazzTimes and slate.com. It also cracked the Top Ten of the NPR Critics Poll. Wilson has made thirteen recordings as a leader for Palmetto Records since 1996, including acclaimed releases by the Matt Wilson Quartet, Arts & Crafts and the Christmas Tree-O.