Meet the Staff
Sommer Dawson, Executive Director
sdawson@accentpontiac.org
Sommer K. Dawson (Brock) is a dedicated servant leader with a passion for improving outcomes for disadvantaged groups. She has worked to fulfill this desire by serving in various fundraising capacities at several nonprofit organizations in southeast Michigan and by providing consulting services. Currently, Sommer serves as Executive Director at Accent Pontiac.
Mrs. Dawson has just completed a term as Immediate-Past-President of the Greater Detroit Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals where she has served in various roles including chair of the National Philanthropy Day committee and vice-chair of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) committee. In addition, Sommer is a member of the Community-centric Fundraising (CCF) Global Council, a past board member for Identify Your Dream Foundation, Pontiac Community Foundation, and The Art Experience. A Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Sommer holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Oakland University.
Sommer is the founder of No Nonsense Fundraising, LLC which helps to expand the reach and impact of small nonprofits, she is a graduate of Leadership Oakland XXVII (27) and a member of Oakland County Elite 40 under 40 class of 2018. She enjoys spending time with her children, Jacoya, age 24 and Trent Jr., age 11; and traveling with her husband, Trent, Sr.
Sommer has presented fundraising workshops for countless nonprofit organizations and for groups as large as 50. Satisfied workshop clients include Co.act Detroit, Pontiac Funders Collaborative, Micah 6 Community, and Leadership Oakland. Additionally, Sommer has presented for The Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Global Conference, AFP ICON in 2021 and 2022.
Dr. Tia Harvey, Education Director
tharvey@accentpontiac.org
Dr. Tia Harvey is the Education Director at Accent Pontiac and has been in this role since February 2023. Previously, Tia was the Program Director and founding bucket band teacher at Accent Pontiac. As a percussionist, she is building a career as a chamber musician, music educator and music activist. Tia is passionate about making music in non-traditional venues and commissioning new works as a creative with her musical colleague and flautist, Dr. Chelsea Koziatek, in their ensemble Consuming Arts. In music education, she practices increasing the agency of music creation for empowering students, specifically focusing on racial and gender based inequities in music and society.
In addition to Accent Pontiac, Tia is a percussion instructor at the MSU Community Music School, Detroit. She holds degrees (M.A., M.M., D.M.A.) from Michigan State University and the University of Central Florida (B.M.). Tia currently resides in Pontiac, Michigan, with her husband, Erik, and cat, Ezra.
Joshua Tobias - Operations Manager & Brass Assistant Teaching Artist
jtobias@accentpontiac.org
Joshua Tobias began his role as Operations Manager and Assistant Teacher in December 2024. Originally from Flint, MI, he first received his musical training in his hometown before continuing his studies at Oakland University (Rochester, MI) and Oklahoma City University. Josh has a deep passion for both contemporary music and exploring lesser-known works outside the standard repertoire. He thrives in collaborative settings and frequently works with composers, poets, and visual artists to craft unique concert experiences. While not working at AP, Josh is the artistic director of Bridge Ensemble, a new music group based out of Metro Detroit. He enjoys spending his free time hiking and camping, riding his bike, and hanging out with his wife Lily Tobias, along with their two cats, Wallace and George.
Nadia Calloway, Director of Development
ncalloway@accentpontiac.org
With seven years of experience in the nonprofit world and a background in political science, Nadia brings a heartfelt dedication to youth development. Beside her three children, you'll often find her connecting with young people through church programs, where she also shares her love of movement as a liturgical dance instructor. Outside of her work, Nadia loves expressing her creative side as a talented makeup artist and by putting her thoughts onto canvas through painting. Though she might not play an instrument or hit all the right notes when she sings (she loves to sing anyway!), Nadia deeply appreciates the beauty and power of all forms of art.
Jonathan Klar, Bookkeeper
jklar@accentpontiac.org
Jonathan Klar graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at Central Michigan University in 2014. After graduation he participated in AmeriCorps where he served for two service terms at Accounting Aid Society teaching financial literacy and assisting with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. In 2018, Jonathan became a program manager at the Community Music School - Detroit where he is in charge of managing the youth group music instruction and onsite music therapy programs. In 2024, Jonathan received his certification in bookkeeping from the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers.
Ebony Simms, Program Assistant
Ebony Simms is the Program Assistant at Accent Pontiac and began this role in September 2018. Ebony is a para-professional at Pontiac Middle School and has been employed by the Pontiac School District for 22 years. She is a proud parent of 3. Her daughter, De’Onnie, was an original member of Accent Pontiac, joining the program in September 2016. Ebony began her journey with Accent Pontiac as a parent, transitioned into a parent volunteer, and is now proud to call herself an employee with the Accent Pontiac family. She greatly looks forward to new beginnings of working with students, parents, and volunteers.
Norbert Burrows Jr., Program Assistant
With a passion for creative expression and community empowerment, Norbert Burrows Jr. brings energy and dedication to my role. Outside the office, he expresses his creativity through music production, writing and videography. He is driven by a vision to establish a foundation supporting young men from underprivileged backgrounds, providing them with opportunities for growth and success.
Rolando Ybarra, Music Production and Percussion Teacher
Rolando Ybarra is the Music Production Teacher and Percussion Teacher with Accent Pontiac. Rolando is a graduate of Flashpoint College where he studied audio engineering with a focus on music recording. He started out playing the drum-kit when he was 9 and has been playing music ever since. Currently he is the percussionist playing cajon in his Pontiac based Mariachi-Punk band, Pancho Villa’s Skull. In his band Rolando has spent time touring and playing the cajon, amongst other percussive instruments, all over the U.S. He also records, mixes and masters all of their releases. Outside of percussion, recording and touring, he likes to sing and dance cumbias with his mom, is a dog lover, Pit Bull advocate, and active member of the Pontiac community.
Sarah Cracknell, Lead Brass Teacher
Sarah Cracknell is the Lead Brass Teacher at Accent Pontiac and began this role in September 2022. Previously, Sarah served as the Assistant Brass Teacher since January 2018 while attending Oakland University. Sarah graduated from Oakland University in the spring of 2021 with a Bachelor's in Instrumental Music Education and a minor in Jazz Studies. While at Oakland University she served many roles, such as the music librarian, assistant manager to the Golden Grizzlies band, and equipment manager for multiple ensembles. She received a Matilda award for her Service in Music from the School of Music, Theatre and Dance in the spring of 2021. She has taught 5th Grade Band for Gardens and Washington Elementary in Marysville MI, and taught Elementary Music K-5 at Whitman Elementary and the International Language Academy in Pontiac MI. She currently serves as the Band and Choir Director for Pontiac Middle School.
Chase Meister, Lead Woodwind Teacher
Chase Meister, is the Assistant Woodwind Teacher at Accent Pontiac. Chase is dedicated to teaching the young musicians at Pontiac Schools. Currently pursuing a music education degree at Oakland University, Chase's passion for woodwind instruments is contagious. Proficient in Saxophone, Clarinet, and Bassoon, Chase guides students through developing their musicals skills that will last them a lifetime.
Clark Floer, Percussion Teacher
Clark is a musician and a native of Pontiac helping percussionists and performers. Recently he has worked with local area front ensembles in award winning drum lines. Sharing his knowledge from percussion performance ensembles, he specializes in mallet percussion. Clark is excited to join Accent Pontiac as program assistant and assistant percussion instructor.
Tyler Rupert, Woodwind Assistant Teaching Artist
Ty Rupert is the Assistant Woodwind Teacher at Accent Pontiac. Originally from Jackson, Ty moved to Auburn Hills and is now in his third year studying Music Education at Oakland University. With a focus on clarinet and bass clarinet, Ty also brings knowledge in flute, saxophone, and many other instruments to his teaching. Dedicated to more than just music, Ty is passionate about fostering social change in his community and strives to create inclusive, positive learning environments for his students. Through his work, Ty aims to inspire and empower the next generation of musicians, helping them thrive both musically and socially.
Jaylen Gill, Brass Assistant Teaching Artist
Jaylen Gill, current music teacher at Pontiac, Academy for Excellence for the 2024-2025 school year. With a Bachelor’s degree in Multimedia Arts Technology and double minor in Africana Studies and General Business from Western Michigan University.
Zachary Merkle, Woodwind Assistant Teaching Artist
Zachary is a senior at Oakland University studying Flute Performance with a minor in music theory. He is one of the Assistant Woodwind Teachers at Accent Pontiac and a flute teacher in the Southeast Michigan area. Zachary loves to play the flute and has performed with the Oakland Symphony Orchestra, Macomb Symphony Orchestra, in addition to playing for events such as churches, musicals, and operas.
Raashan Giles, Behavioral Interventionist
Raashan Giles serves as Accent Pontiac’s Behavioral Interventionist and has been in this role since September 2022. He served as a Police Officer for over 18 years before coming to Pontiac Schools, with over 10 years dedicated to working with urban youth in Detroit Public Schools. Specializing in gang intervention, he successfully negotiated peace treaties between several rival neighborhoods resulting in a decrease of violence in both schools and the community. In addition, having worked closely with school administrators throughout the district, he, along with his unit, conducted regular peace initiative assemblies addressing the causes and consequences of violence in the community and introduced alternative methods to address conflict peacefully.
Raashan is a native of Detroit, having attended both primary and secondary school there before attending Saginaw Valley State University where he received a bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology and Sport Management.
His hobbies include spending time with his children, coaching and training kids, and playing sports.
Deja Rubio, Student Teaching Assistant
Deja Rubio is a sophomore at Pontiac High School (PHS) where she plays clarinet in the Varsity band program. She has also been playing other woodwind instruments in Accent Pontiac (AP) since fall of 2021, but specializes on clarinet. She became a Student Teaching Assistant in the Fall of 2023 and is very excited to be growing her teaching skills in this role. Deja has won two awards since she began learning music, an Outstanding Mentor at AP and The Directors Tempo Award at PHS. In the summer of 2023, Deja had an exciting opportunity to participate in Sistema Ravinia’s Orchestras For All program in Chicago. As a young latina woman in Pontiac, Deja is wanting to learn more about her Mexican culture and is wanting to learn music from her culture. She is very excited to find more about her Mexican side through music and is very thrilled to grow from it.
De’Onnie Peoples, Student Teaching Assistant
Onnie Peoples is a 14 year old living in Pontiac Michigan attending International Technology Academy. She has been playing low brass and percussion for 7 years at Accent Pontiac. She has had many wonderful experiences performing, traveling, and leading at AP. Most recently, Onnie was selected as a Student Teaching Assistant in the Summer of 2023, and continues to be in this role currently. Additionally, she received an Outstanding leadership award in 2022-2023. Onnie enjoys helping younger kids in music because she remembers coming up and learning herself and wants to be a strong advocate for the younger musicians. She believes being close to their age range is something that's important because the kids need to have leaders who have more of an understanding of their lived experiences. Onnie prides herself for being an multi-instrumentalist who plays both percussion and brass. As a freshman, Onnie is excited for what the future has in store for her.
Malcom Shirley, Student Teaching Assistant
Malcolm Shirley is a 15 year old who now lives in Pontiac but is originally from Detroit, MI. He plays the trumpet. He has his ups and downs, but he loves his instrument and is very competitive and confident. Although he gets ahead of himself, he can recognize others' talent and is helpful to others when he is needed. Currently in his freshman year at Pontiac High School, Malcom has been in Accent Pontiac for 6 years. He’s a leader at AP, someone people can look up to and admire. As a student teacher he will do whatever he can to help and make sure people are satisfied. He’s been to many places like a jazz camp and to different cities with his music. Due to those “adventures,” and meeting new people, he is a better person and more reliable. Throughout the time he spent with new people and in new environments, he’s becoming a better Malcom than he was before.
Board of Directors
Claire Devlin, President
Wendy Metzger, Secretary
Jayne Zellers, Treasurer
Robin Brinks
MiVida Burrus
Dr. Jaronique Devezin
Rev. Edwin Estevez
Bob Heuer
Elisabeth Hoegberg
Colleen Schmerheim
Marcus Terry
Caroll Turpin
Barbara Littleton, Honorary Advisor
Sommer Dawson, Executive Director