A.J. Merlino, Dma Email & Phone Number

Salt Lake City, UT, US

Providence, Rhode Island, US

Spearheading strategic growth initiatives and cultivating transformative partnerships to bridge education and industry within the 2-year college ecosystem. Tasked with identifying high-potential prospects, initiating impactful engagements, and facilitating partnerships that align with Wingspans’ mission of fostering equitable workforce development through.

Lead Learning Innovation & Workforce Solutions at ThinkingThrough.aiIn this role, I drive the development and implementation of AI-powered learning initiatives aimed at enhancing workforce capabilities and addressing skill gaps. My responsibilities include managing strategic partnerships, overseeing program development, and ensuring that our learning.

Harrisburg, PA, US

• Serve as Program Lead for the Entertainment Technology Certificate and the Learning Technology & Media Systems graduate program, overseeing instructional quality, curriculum development, and the effective delivery of.
• Developed the Entertainment Technology Certificate which included two industry-recognized credentials and professional development opportunities through partners such as TAIT, Rock Lititz, and Clair.
• As Program Lead for the Learning Technology and Media Systems graduate degree, improved course fill rates, developed key industry partnerships, and added current professional education programs to Commonwealth ACT 48.

Harrisburg, PA, US

• Directed the operations of the Career Services and Experiential Learning Office, focusing on creating new programs and partnerships that expand opportunities for student professional development throughout the academic.
• Developed and formalized new experiential learning opportunities at HU, including service learning, micro-internships, residencies, and apprenticeships, leading to increased student employment opportunities, improved.
• Developed partnerships with industry leaders, government agencies, community partners, EdTech companies, and HU Centers to connect students across platforms and locations to real-world projects and research, ensuring.
• Transformed HU’s entire catalog of learning objectives into workforce-ready skills by leveraging artificial intelligence and multiple APIs, aligning each objective with the Lightcast Skills Taxonomy and O*Net database.
• Successfully wrote and secured RFP/grant funding for workforce development initiatives through South Central Workforce Development Board and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania focused on closing regional skill gaps.
• Developed programs to maintain active engagement with the community and alumni, offering non-credit courses, workshops, and seminars that deliver professional upskilling in line with workforce demands.

Touring Musician and ClinicianLocations: Scotland, Croatia, Greece, Thailand, Canada, Australia, ArgentinaRole: Presented as a touring musician and clinician, delivering performances and educational sessions globally.Music Director, Composer, and PerformerVenues: The Venetian, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Cosmopolitan (Las Vegas)Projects: Notable work includes.

Reading, Pa., US

• Lead departmental and mentored a team of 10 direct reports and 20 employees working to improve experiential learning opportunities, including volunteerism, internships, research, and study abroad. Develop articulation.
• Established strategic local and national partnerships, diversifying revenue streams and delivering over 4,000 hands-on learning opportunities. Increased student positive outcomes from 84% to 91% and achieved a 100%.
• Optimized departmental performance through management of $250K annual budget, improving efficiencies and capabilities to serve the student population while investing in professional development activities for staff.
• Implemented data-sharing systems to provide real-time student and alumni outcomes to stakeholders, enhancing data-driven decision-making campus-wide.
• Created a tailored advising system to support students seeking postgraduate scholarships and grants, including Rhodes, Marshall, Dept. of Energy, and NEH Scholarships.
• Led efforts to earn national recognition for career development, positioning the department as one of the "Best Colleges for Career Development" by Colleges of Distinction.

Reading, Pa., US

• Developed Music Industry Studies major, provided instruction for seven in-person, online, and hybrid courses for the Traditional Day Program and School of Professional Studies (Adult Education), and advised 30-80.
• Created and launched full Music Studies major for college, coordinating recruitment efforts for department through social media, outreach, and special events to increase student population from 12 to 75 students in.
• Served as Chair and Interim Chair of Music Department, onboarding new faculty (two tenure track) and staff to ensure departmental goals were communicated and tasks effectively delegated to meet college objectives.
• Planned and led annual Music Business Forum, educating students on career opportunities in the music industry and providing networking and information sessions with professional partners.

• I founded and managed a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing high-quality music education to students unable to afford private instruction or without access to related musical resources. I oversaw scheduling of.
• Identified unmet need for music education in the community, developing and implementing business strategy from the ground up to successfully execute on program outline and deliver new resource to expanded student.
• Created collateral and marketing material across media platforms to ensure communication of program offerings and drive alignment across the region.
• Grew organization to support over 50 regular members and five staff.
• Collaborated with local arts organizations, including Reading Musical Foundation and Berks Arts Council, to present education workshops to Reading School District.

Kutztown, PA, US

• Serve as an instructor for percussion lessons, percussion ensembles, music business courses, chamber music, and front ensemble tech for Kutztown University Marching Unit
• Manage the Percussion Studio budget to maintain percussion instruments for the university.

Music instructor

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, US

Instructor/Coordinator

• Serve as the ensemble director for NYYM Mexican Marimba Ensemble, and perform at the quarterly showcase at Carnegie Hall

Los Angeles, California, US

Serve as project manager for music/entertainment productions held throughout Las Vegas.

Serve as project manager for music/entertainment project held throughout Las Vegas.

Las Vegas, Nevada, US

Serve as a contract-based project manager for music and entertainment productions held throughout Las Vegas.

Las Vegas, NV, US

Instructor: Percussion Ensembles, History of Rock and Roll, and Steel Band

Las Vegas, NV, US

Instructor for UNLV Steel Band, and History of Rock n’ Roll.

Kutztown, PA, US

• Manage the percussion studies area to ensure instruments are well-maintained
• Schedule equipment moves to various venues on-campus to ensure the proper instruments are available to all ensembles

Neptune, New Jersey, US

• Catalogue music owned by Marimba Production Inc. and conduct outreach to composers to update sales records
• Coordinate cross-country shipping of instruments to consumers and conferences
• Assemble instruments prior to sale to conduct final quality-control evaluations

Dma, Music

Master'S Degree, Music

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Music

High School Diploma

Experiential Education Academy Certificate