In a year where the Foundation will begin implementing its strategic plan, these Graduate Fellows will help the staff and Board carry out essential efforts to continue with our current work while also conducting research to shape and augment our understanding of Greater Philadelphia’s music landscape. We’re pleased to share their bios, introduce them, and share what they’re looking forward to.
Erica Breitbarth
Erica Breitbarth, the Graduate Research Fellow, will help conduct research on music and music education in Philadelphia. She is an active vocalist, conductor, clinician, music teacher, and education advocate, with degrees in music education from the Wheaton Conservatory of Music (BMEd) and Northwestern University (MMEd). She served for 14 years as choir director, musical theater director, and music chair in the Milwaukee Public Schools, building the music program at Reagan High School from 50 students to over 500, garnering local, state and national recognition for excellence in music education instruction to urban youth. A strong advocate for music education, Erica served as co-founder and President of the Milwaukee Music Educators Association (MMEA), which worked to restore 100+ music teacher positions to the Milwaukee Public Schools and increase access to comprehensive music education for students. In addition to teaching, she is an active soprano soloist. Erica served as the Diversity Initiatives Liaison for the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association (WCDA) and was named the WCDA Outstanding Young Choral Director (2018). She also garnered recognition as Civic Music Association’s Choral Music Educator of the Year (2013), Grammy Music Educator Finalist (2017) and Herb Kohl Teaching Fellow (2020) and received four Jerry Awards for Outstanding Musical Theatre Direction. She recently served as the Southeast Regional Vice President of the Wisconsin Music Educators Association (2024). Currently, Erica is a doctoral fellow in music education at Temple University with a research focus on urban education policy.
Jeremy Jefferson
Jeremy Jefferson, the Graduate Music Fellow, will focus on attending grantee performances and writing about them. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Jeremy began playing viola at age 12 and enjoyed success in Georgia’s All-State Orchestra and the Georgia Youth Symphony. At the Georgia Youth Symphony, he sat principal viola for their 2016-2017 season. Jeremy attended Columbus State University, studying with Dr. Katrin Meidell, where he also subbed for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Jeremy has performed in masterclasses with artists including Schmuel Ashkenasi, Todd Phillips, Melina Pájaro-van de Stadt, and Susan Dubois. He was named semi-finalist at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival Jaqueline Advent Concerto Competition. Jeremy loves to travel, having recently participated in the Collective Chamber Orchestra, where he went to Honduras and gave masterclasses at the National School of Music. While there, he participated in six concerts to give back to the community, most notably at the Christ of the Picacho and the Valley of Angels, one of which has been televised on Honduran television. He has also been faculty at the Festival Internacional La Centro in 2025 in Guatemala. Jeremy received his master’s degree from Lynn University in 2025. Along with the Resolute Quartet, he was a winner of Lynn’s 2024 Lyric Chamber Music Competition. Jeremy is also a composer and has had his “Fantasy for Viola and Piano” premiered at the 2022 International Viola Society Festival in Columbus, Georgia by Sheila Browne. When Jeremy is not playing viola or composing, he enjoys reading, and playing with his cat, Mira.
What motivated you to apply for the Fellowship?
EB: I knew about the legacy of The Presser Foundation through my studies at Temple [University] but was most excited to engage with the Foundation’s recent strategic efforts to expand equitable access to musical experiences and music education in the Philadelphia area. My doctoral research focuses on urban education and policy, so the research fellowship felt like a great opportunity to learn more about philanthropy’s role in a healthy arts ecosystem.
JJ: First and foremost, it was the Foundation’s mission. Now more than ever, it is very important that music is accessible to all, regardless of where they come from. Secondly, it gives me the opportunity to explore different avenues of expressing and showing music – I am primarily a performer, but I love to write!
What are you most looking forward to during your year at the Foundation?
EB: As a former urban public school music teacher, I recognize the need for philanthropy and arts partners to work together with educators to augment and enrich musical experiences for city youth. The Presser Foundation seeks to become an even stronger leader in this area, and I look forward to being a part of this important work!
JJ: I’m looking forward to exploring Philadelphia and the surrounding area. This city is a melting pot of culture, people, and personalities, and I want to explore every avenue I can! This Fellowship gives me the opportunity to integrate myself into Philadelphia’s vast ecosystem.
What do you hope to learn this year?
EB: As a new transplant to Philadelphia, I am most excited to get to know the Foundation’s local grantees and better understand their work to empower young musicians. I also look forward to learning more about the role philanthropy can play in increasing diverse arts opportunities for underserved communities in the Philadelphia area.
JJ: I hope to learn more about Philadelphia, the city drew me in when I first visited it, and I intend to stay here for a while! I also want to learn more about philanthropy. I truly believe in the Foundation’s mission and hope to do something similar later in my career. This gives me the perfect opportunity to learn about how it works and understand how to give back.
