Our Team
Ray Mahar - Executive Director (he/him)
Ray believes in the power of music and its ability to build community. He comes from several years working at different nonprofits while pursuing his own musical endeavors. Now he helps run program development, budgeting, music education, and more for LSC.
Jon Lewis- Music Education Coordinator (he/him)
Jon Lewis is a Rochester, NY–based children’s musician, singer-songwriter and childcare provider with over 10 years of experience creating joyful, high-energy musical experiences for kids. Performing at local parks, music festivals, and birthday parties, Jon brings a silly, creative, and interactive style that gets children laughing, moving, and fully engaged.
Jon is excited to step into his new role as Music Education Coordinator with the Local Sound Collaborative, where he looks forward to combining his passion for children’s music with meaningful community impact. With over a decade of experience engaging young minds through creativity and play, Jon is eager to help expand access to music education, nurture young musicians, and inspire kids to see themselves as creators. He believes deeply in the power of music to strengthen communities and support children’s confidence, connection, and lifelong development.
Aubrey Baldauf - Program Director (she/her)
Aubrey is a bad ass who gets things done. With a Masters in Social Work and an extensive resume of playing upright bass in the Rochester music scene, she sees not only the systemic challenges in front of us, but also the tangible ways we can start to do better. She drives our Artist Grants Program, graphic design processes, and more.
Malikk Truitt - Community Engagement Coordinator (he/him)
A foundational piece of music is connection, and while Malikk may not be a musician, he deeply understands how powerful it can be when people come together for a cause. He has a variety of experience ranging from property management to consulting work in the nonprofit sector. Now Malikk spear heads donor engagement, event set up, and often has hands on a mic helping to direct a show.
Allegra Whiting- Music Education Facilitator (she/her)
Allegra is a supremely talented cellist and charms everyone she meets. When she isn’t playing in one of her many bands you can find her shredding on her roller skates. She will be running music maker sessions for LSC.
Jessica Panuccio - Music Educator (She/Her)
Jessica is a multi-instrumentalist performing piano, guitar, saxophone, and vocals throughout New York State — both solo and with her jazz combo The Jive. A Long Island native and RIT graduate, she is overjoyed to be part of the Local Sound Collaborative community and Music Makers program!
Rissa Williams - Program Assistant (She/Her)
Rissa has been making music since the third grade. She started out playing violin, then learned the cello in 9th grade, and between now and then, has taught herself to play the electric guitar and the piano. She began writing poetry and music in 5th grade and has been doing it ever since. Her poetry mainly focuses on black history and struggles of being black In America, and we have had the privilege of watching her grow in so many ways since first being a grant recipient in this organization’s infancy in 2022.
Her ability as a community activator is unparalleled and any school she goes to for music programs always begs to have her back - Rissa’s ability to connect to the community no matter where she is has been and will continue to be a massive boon to The Local Sound Collaborative!
Elaina Alston - Program Coordinator (She/Her)
Elaina Alston is a musician, singer-songwriter and DJ based in Rochester, NY. She emerged on the scene in the post-pandemic era and has quickly built a reputation for her versatility, performing in multiple styles and genres. Her band Stunt Double has been making waves in the area performing at events including the Lilac Festival, the Corn Hill Arts Festival, Fairport Music Festival and more. Elaina is thrilled to step into her new role as Program Coordinator with the Local Sound Collaborative. Working alongside students across all backgrounds is an experience she knows well with teaching at the intermediate age. She’s worked alongside this group for years and becoming a full time member felt like a step into the right direction.