Mary Beth Sweet – Program Director through June, 2021

Mary Beth Sweet has been employed by NJIO since 2012, first as Administrator and then as Program Director. 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. In June, 2021 Mary Beth will move to an Administrative role.

Michelle Tolentino – Marketing Director/Incoming Program Director

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 in Roselle Park 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. She began studying the oboe at the age of 38 and joined NJIO nine months later. Michelle has since enjoyed playing the oboe and english horn in a variety of local orchestras, chamber ensembles, and freelance work. In 2019, she founded Park Chamber Society, an organization that brings classical music to Roselle Park and surrounding areas. In June, 2021 Michelle will take over as NJIO Program Director.