Michelle Tolentino –  Program Director (Director of Marketing and Communications)

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Michelle joined NJIO as a member in 2016 and began working as the Program Director in 2021. Prior to NJIO, Michelle worked as an occupational therapist and, before that, a board-certified music therapist. She lives with her husband, jazz musician Julius Tolentino and her three children, Jacob, Alexis, and Anneliese.

Michelle began studying the piano at the age of 5 and is a Suzuki-certified piano instructor.  Michelle enjoys  playing the oboe and English horn in various local orchestras, chamber ensembles, and freelance work.  Michelle has an active teaching studio for piano and oboe students.  In 2019, she founded Park Chamber Society, which brings classical music to Roselle Park and surrounding areas. 

Mary Beth Sweet – Administrator

Mary Beth Sweet has been employed by NJIO since 2012, first as Administrator and then as Program Director and now has returned to an Administrator role. Prior to that, she had a long and varied career in the non-profit world. Most recently, Mary Beth was a volunteer parent manager for five different ensembles within New Jersey Youth Symphony, as well as serving as librarian, summer camp manager and parent manager of the 2012 tour of Austria. Mary Beth was also the Administrator and, later, Personnel Director of Fountain House, a psychiatric rehabilitation center in New York City, where she worked for fourteen years. She graduated from Smith College with a degree in Victorian Studies. Mary Beth lives in Union with her two children, Megan, a cellist and Roger, a violist.