Bobby Rooney is a K-12 music educator. He holds a bachelor's degree in music education from DePaul University and a master's degree from Vandercook College of Music. He is an Orff Schulwerk certified teacher and is also certified in John Feierabend's First Steps in Music and Conversational Solfege. Bobby started his teaching career in the Chicago Public Schools, but has been the general music teacher at Hanover Highlands Elementary School in Schaumburg School District 54 since 2015. An avid flutist and guitarist, Bobby enjoys sharing his love of music with students and parents alike. When not teaching music, he can usually be found watching Star Trek with his cat.

NICK GREANIAS

Judy Meyer Hays has been working with music and children in various capacities for 40+ years! She has presented on a variety of topics at state music conferences in Alaska, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin as well as at the MENC (now NAfME) National Conference. Ms. Hays is a National Board Certified Teacher and an inaugural member of the Illinois Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance Project. She retired from Schaumburg School District 54 in 2017 where she taught K-6 general and vocal music for 25 years and is founder of the Palatine Children’s Chorus.  She has taught elementary music methods classes at Carthage College and Illinois Wesleyan University.  When not playing with her eight grandchildren, Judy volunteers as a docent for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as well as writing curriculum for the Negaunee Music Institute, plans and leads Music Explorers classes, volunteer teaches general music given the opportunity and substitutes at weekend worship services.  Judy passionately believes in the power of music to make the world a better place!  

Ella Bender

Nicholas J. (Nick) Greanias is a foreign policy professional whose career spans law, the military, international diplomacy, university teaching, and religious ministry. As a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State he served overseas in Toronto, Bucharest, Athens, and Auckland. He has also served in various capacities in Washington D.C. While stationed in Auckland, Nick fulfilled a long-held ambition to unite his professional career with his faith. In 2008, he was ordained to the priesthood in the Greek Orthodox Church of New Zealand. After college Nick served on active duty for nine years as a military attorney in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps, retiring  from the U.S. Army Reserves with 24 years of service. After active duty, he practiced law and simultaneously founded and directed a theatre troupe in Chicago.  Nick also taught a course in American Foreign Policy at Loyola University. Born to Greek immigrant parents, Father Greanias grew up in Decatur, Illinois. He and his wife, Mary, share a passion for the performing arts and in 1998 were blessed with the birth of twin sons, Johnny and Theodore.

Jaimee Niles currently serves as Program Manager for the Illinois Secure Choice retirement savings program for the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office. Prior to this position, she spent over 20 years working in the financial services industry in marketing, communications, and relationship management roles. She has supported and participated in a number of arts and education non-profit organizations.
Jaimee has a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Drake University and attended Loyola University for post graduate work.

Make Joyful Sound BOARD

JUDY MEYER HAYS

​Director

BOBBY ROONEY

JAIMEE NILES

ELLA BENDER