At CMC, leadership means believing in the power of music, supporting the people who make it happen, and helping the community grow. As Debbie Chinn finishes her time as Board President, we thank her for all she has done to support CMC’s extraordinary growth. We are also thrilled to welcome her successor, Emily Berger, who began her service as Board Chair on July 1st.
Debbie Chinn: A Stronger Board and Growing Community
During her time as President, Debbie helped strengthen both the CMC Board and the entire organization. She’s especially proud of how the Board has grown into a thoughtful and diverse team. She shared that CMC is among the most high-functioning boards she has worked with in a 30+ year career, saying, “CMC is in that stratosphere. I have loved watching our board grow to become representative of so many dynamic thinkers and leaders. I feel as if I am attending a masterclass when I’m with my board colleagues.”
Debbie also praised the CMC staff and faculty for their hard work and excellence, especially during challenging times. “It is so hard to be an arts worker, especially in these times,” she said, “and the fact that we have been able to bring in some of the best faculty and administrators in the business speaks volumes for CMC as an employer.”
One of the biggest accomplishments under Debbie’s leadership was completing the capital campaign, which helped expand CMC’s campus and reach more students. “We did what most organizations only DREAM of,” she said, “and the fact that we have a campus alive with more music and connecting us with more students and families makes me incredibly proud.”
A key part of her success, Debbie said, was her partnership with Executive Director Julie Rulyak Steinberg. “The synergy between a Board President and the Executive Director sets an important tone for an organization,” she said. “I will be ever grateful to have had a partnership that fired on all cylinders, which put forth incredible positive momentum for CMC.”
When asked about her legacy, Debbie said she prefers to let others answer that question. “They are the best judges of my legacy, not me.”
Looking ahead, Debbie is working on exciting creative projects, including turning her 2022 book, Dancing in Their Light, into a limited film series. In May, she pitched the project at the Cannes Film Festival and is now developing a short, 10-minute version to help bring the full series to life. “I would like to let the CMC family be among the first to know that this version of Dancing in Their Light will have its film premiere at the Neu Wave AI Festival in Los Angeles next month,” she shared. Debbie is also finishing her third book, Polynesian Nights, which is scheduled to be published in Fall 2025.
Emily Berger: Looking Ahead with Passion and Purpose
Emily Berger is stepping into the role of Board Chair after nearly six months of onboarding and working diligently to prepare for the responsibilities of leadership. She brings a rich background to CMC as a lawyer and educator, currently serving as Legal Counsel for the University of California Office of the President and teaching at Santa Clara University School of Law. Emily’s professional journey has included work in private practice, public interest law, and in-house legal roles at Dolby Labs, Netflix, and Facebook.
However, music has always been an integral part of Emily’s life. “My journey with CMC began six years ago,” she said, “a natural step for someone with a lifelong love of music and a two-decade history playing the clarinet in everything from the Jupiter High School marching and jazz bands to my college orchestra.”
She joined the Board after being invited by CMC leaders, and for Emily, it felt like the perfect fit. “Being recruited by Cathy Kalin, then-Board President Barbara Kosnar, and Executive Director Julie Steinberg to join the CMC Board was the perfect chance to combine my passion with community service and connect with these inspiring women leaders,” she said.
As she prepares to step into her new leadership role, Emily has clear goals for CMC’s future. “My primary goals are centered on strengthening our long-term financial resilience and enhancing the structure and engagement of our Board,” she said.
She plans to focus on deepening support for CMC’s mission: “I plan to support our Executive Director in cultivating the vital support that allows us to continue offering accessible, high-quality music education.” Emily also hopes to grow and energize the Board by bringing in new voices. “This means actively increasing our recruitment efforts to bring in diverse talent and perspectives, fostering greater engagement among our current members, and refining our governance and operational efficiencies.”
Looking Ahead Together
We are grateful to Debbie for her caring and inspiring leadership, and we are excited for Emily’s fresh ideas and dedication to CMC. Together, we will keep working to make music education open and joyful for everyone!