The Music Foundation of Southwest Florida
Ruth Christman
Dorothy Rodwell
Dorothy Rodwell
(Executive Director) Ruth is very active as both a performer and teacher throughout South Florida.
She has performed with The Florida Philharmonic, the New World Symphony, the Palm Beach Opera Orchestra,
The Charlotte Symphony, Opera Naples and the Southwest Florida Symphony. She has also performed with Johnny Mathis,
Bebe Newirth, Bernade
(Executive Director) Ruth is very active as both a performer and teacher throughout South Florida.
She has performed with The Florida Philharmonic, the New World Symphony, the Palm Beach Opera Orchestra,
The Charlotte Symphony, Opera Naples and the Southwest Florida Symphony. She has also performed with Johnny Mathis,
Bebe Newirth, Bernadette Peters, Indina Menzel, James Taylor, Olivia Newton John, Clay Aiken and Michael Bolton.
As a teacher, she maintains a private studio of students and is an adjunct faculty member of Florida Southwestern State College.
She is also very active with The Music Foundation of Southwest Florida, of which she is the Executive Director. In 2010 she
was awarded the Angel of the Arts - Arts Organization Leader of the Year.
Ruth earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Concordia University and her Master’s degree in Oboe Performance
from Northwestern University. She also has a Professional Studies degree in Oboe Performance from The Harid Conservatory in
Boca Raton, Florida, new currently Lynn University. Prior to moving to Florida, Ruth was also active as a teacher and performer in
the Chicago area - where she was born and raised. She has performed all throughout the United States as well as in Germany,
Austria, Taiwan, and Japan.
Dorothy Rodwell
Dorothy Rodwell
Dorothy Rodwell
(President) Dorothy earned her BA from SUNY at Fredonia in Voice and has enjoyed singing in ensembles
and solo concerts in Miami (Miami Grand Opera) and Fort Myers. Music has played a key role in her life and that’s
why she is glad to contribute to the Music Foundation of SW Florida as a board member. She is a licensed psychotherapist.
drodwell@embarqmail.com 239-851-7166
Katherine Light
Dorothy Rodwell
Katherine Light
(Secretary/Treasurer) Katherine Light has a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from
Iowa State University and a Master of Music in Trombone Performance from the University of Michigan. She taught general and instrumental music in several school districts in central Iowa and was an adjunct professor of low brass
instruments at Drake U
(Secretary/Treasurer) Katherine Light has a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from
Iowa State University and a Master of Music in Trombone Performance from the University of Michigan. She taught general and instrumental music in several school districts in central Iowa and was an adjunct professor of low brass
instruments at Drake University in Des Moines.
She played trombone professionally in a variety of venues, including playing 2nd trombone in the Des Moines Symphony for 25 years.
Since moving to the Fort Myers area in 2002,
Katherine taught general music in the Lee County Schools for 6 years. She has continued to play the trombone professionally in Southwest Florida.
Patrick Neuman
Jason Thomashefsky
Katherine Light
(Past President) Patrick Neuman earned a Bachelors Degree in music from the University of Wisconsin, a Masters Degree in music from Northwestern University, and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University.
His accomplishments include:
*Middle and High School instrumental music teacher / director of bands
(Past President) Patrick Neuman earned a Bachelors Degree in music from the University of Wisconsin, a Masters Degree in music from Northwestern University, and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University.
His accomplishments include:
*Middle and High School instrumental music teacher / director of bands for 14 years in Elgin, Illinois and Delavan, Wisconsin.
*Principal trumpet, Milwaukee Civic Orchestra and Elgin, IL and Beloit, WI Symphony Orchestras and free-lance performer
in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Florida.
*Led / administered music and fine arts programs in the Benton Harbor and Kalamazoo Michigan schools for 22 years.
*Principal of the Benton Harbor, MI Creative Arts Academy Magnet School, a US Dept. of Education Exemplary School.
*Music Education Consultant for Kalamazoo and South Haven Michigan Schools and for the Kalamazoo County Education
*Regional chairperson for education programs sponsored by the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
Currently Patrick is a member of the Southwest Florida Symphony Education Committee, on the Board of Directors of the Southwest Florida Music Foundation, and President of the Island Towers Association Board of Directors. In addition he works for Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, a summer fine arts camp in Michigan.
Jason Thomashefsky
Jason Thomashefsky
Jason Thomashefsky
October 2020
Congratulations to Dr. Jason Thomashefsky on becoming the Fine & Performing Arts Coordinator for Lee County Schools.
On our board since 2017, you may know him from his involvement in our traveling instrument program, coordinator of our professional development program and 2020 summer camp, and/or from our benefit dinners.
J
October 2020
Congratulations to Dr. Jason Thomashefsky on becoming the Fine & Performing Arts Coordinator for Lee County Schools.
On our board since 2017, you may know him from his involvement in our traveling instrument program, coordinator of our professional development program and 2020 summer camp, and/or from our benefit dinners.
Jason received his undergraduate degrees in music education and jazz studies from Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. In addition, he received an M.S. in neuroscience and psychology and an Ed.D. in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
In 2014 the Fort Myers News Press wrote an article titled: “Young Educator Leaves Mark”. The event was Jason Thomashefsky being awarded the Lee County Teacher of the Year. In 2016, he became a Golden Apple Teacher awarded by the Foundation for the Lee County Public Schools. Jason was teaching at Rayma C. Page Elementary at that time. His enthusiasm/passion comes through with this comment.
“I tell everyone that I meet that I have the greatest job in the world, and many of them don’t even ask,” he said. “But it is true, I have the privilege to teach the joy and passion of music to over 800 students in Lee County.” (Fort Myers News Press, April 11, 2016)
That attitude now resides in the Fine & Performing Arts Coordinator chair as of October 2020 when Dr. Thomashefsky assumed that position in October 2020.
“I have the opportunity to help the arts thrive in Lee County.”
(Dr. Thomashefsky, Oct 12, 2020)
We wish Dr. Thomashefsky all the best!