Our team

We are a team of professionally trained and experienced performing artists, artisans, and creative visionaries—opera singers, musicians, dancers, costume designers, photographers, videographers, and writers—united by our passion for music and its power to heal. Grounded in OPERAnauts’ trauma-informed values, we recognize the profound impact of violence and poverty on mental and emotional well-being. Through artistic collaboration, cultural exchange, and compassionate engagement, we create transformative experiences that restore dignity, inspire resilience, and foster meaningful change in the world.

Dorcas Nende

Executive Director (interim)

Junior Yakusu Itambo

Legal Advisor, OPERANAUTS DRC

Diego Tara

President, OPERANAUTS DRC

Samuel Niaty

Treasurer, OPERANAUTS DRC

Joy Bechtler

Artistic Director

Craig Levesque, Music Director

Craig Levesque

Music Director

Katherine McClure

Opera Chamber Ensemble Coach

Niccolo Bechtler

Creative Artist, Editor & Manager

Cashor Farmer

Partnerships & Engagement Coordinator

Emmanuel Otieno

Projects Coordinator

“We are dedicated to bring music to the most despairing places to help bring peace and inspiration. We know music heals. Drastic times require artistic measures. If there is ever an opportunity, or need to present fine music for the people we will always be willing to go.”

Joe McKesson, Founding Member, Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees

Tony Gruenewald

Tony Gruenewald is the longest-serving board member of OPERAnauts, playing a vital role on both the executive committee and as treasurer. His deep understanding of OPERAnauts’ values, along with his keen awareness of the challenges of organizing events in Congo, has helped shape the organization’s direction. Tony works as an archivist for media organizations and is a widely published poet and writer. He has also served as a production manager for a nonprofit audiobook library supporting individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or have reading disabilities such as dyslexia. With experience in advertising and broadcast journalism, he is also the Production Manager for a critically acclaimed literary journal. Tony holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and a master’s in Library and Information Science from Rutgers University.

Joy Bechtler

Joy Bechtler has served in multiple capacities with the OPERAnauts organization since its incorporation in 2013 and currently serves as president on the board of trustees. With over 20 years of experience teaching vocal arts at various institutions—including universities, community music schools, private secondary schools, and her own voice studio—she has guided countless singers in developing their voices through customized exercises and curated repertoire. In addition to her teaching, Joy has produced operas for OPERAnauts and designed opera training curricula for young professional singers. She holds a master’s degree in Vocal Arts from the University of Southern California.

Vid Raturi

Vid Raturi has been involved with OPERAnauts since 2015, serving as the founder and president of OPERAnauts Youth, a program that connects secondary school students with OPERAnauts to support young choristers and musicians in Congo. She later served as Vice President of OPERAnauts, helping to guide the organization’s mission and initiatives. Passionate about the therapeutic power of music, Vid has spent the past four years researching its effects on executive function and neuroplasticity in the Colombo Laboratory. She is a member of the American Medical Women’s Association and founded the chapter at Tulane University, where she is currently completing medical school.

Joy Bechtler Founder (2013)
Racheal Boezi (2016–2019)
Tony Gruenewald (2017–2025)
Avdi Hamit (2014–2017)

Tina LaPlaca (2019)
Joe McKesson (2014)
Laurence Paverd (2024)
Vid Raturi (2017–2025)

Brendan Teeley (2014–2016, 2020)
Anne Trevisan (2015–2017)
Marcella Turk (2023)