Our Team
Board of Directors
Aaron Raus
Amanda Coray
Via Perkins
President + Founder
Director of Resource Development
Director of Marketing
Usha Venkat
Creative Director
Aaron Raus founded The FAM in an Entrepreneurship class at USC. As a Business and Music Industry student, he saw the value in community and collaboration. He has experience in event production from his time as the Social Chair and Philanthropy Chair of his fraternity (where he started Sammy Showcase - a talent fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association) and working on the VIP Headliner team for Insomniac. Additionally, he has managed artists both independently and with another manager.
Amanda Coray brings over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit industry to The FAM! She brings a diverse and dynamic background spanning education, social work, mental health, public health, and community advocacy. Her career includes a decade of senior leadership experience, during which she has honed her skills in organizational development, strategic planning, and resource mobilization.
Her experience extends to board leadership, where she has provided strategic guidance and oversight, ensuring the success of various initiatives. Her Sports Management degree from Saint Mary’s College, combined with specialized training and certifications, underscores her commitment to leveraging expertise and knowledge in all endeavors.
In addition to her nonprofit work, she has an extensive background as a small business owner and consultant, specializing in business management, development, project management, and event curation. She has had the privilege of working closely with renowned artists such as Too Short, E-40, G-Eazy, EDI Mean from 2Pac’s group The Outlawz, and Flo Rida, as well as emerging and independent artists. Her work has included managing diverse projects such as album release strategies, album and EP compilation, PR, advertising and promotion, tour management, music video casting and production, and other creative initiatives. Through these efforts, she brings a blend of creativity, precision, and strategic insight to every project.
As a highly skilled professional, she offers strengths in stakeholder engagement, program development, fundraising, and fostering collaborative partnerships. Her unique blend of expertise in nonprofit leadership, business, and creative industries equips her to approach challenges with innovative solutions and a results-driven mindset.
Via Perkins is an award-winning marketer with nearly a decade of experience across music, writing, strategy, management, and more. In her board-level Director of Marketing role at The FAM, she consults on organizational and creative strategy, supports ideation and marketing efforts for events, and sources partnerships and collaborations that push The FAM's mission and goals forward.
Usha Venkat is an Illustrator and Graphic Designer who recently graduated from CalArts. She worked as the Graphic Designer for the USC Chapter in 2021 and has since expanded her role to become the Creative Director for the entire FAM and our brand.
She is left-handed and loves making little clay sculptures.
Executive Committee
Fundraising Advisor
JP Kaya
Garrett Lofgren
J Cisneros
Creative Advisor
Nonprofit Advisor & Member at Large
Remy Ozer
Legal Advisor
Garrett Lofgren has founded production companies, recording studios and publishing companies. He has a Masters from USC in Music Industry, and is currently the Chief Vision Officer for Haven Recording in Los Angeles and the bassist for Two Smokin’ Barrels.
Jean-Philippe Kaya has been in LA for the past 6 years. Originally from Bordeaux, France, he moved to upstate NY at a young age and eventually completed his bachelors of Fine Arts at Concordia University in Montreal , Canada. Now based in LA, JP first started his career interning at Hans Zimmer’s remote control productions and later worked at William Morris Endeavor for over 2 years in the Electronic Music Department. After a stint working at Netflix and the pandemic, JP pivoted to pursue a full time career as a pianist / songwriter and DJ, under the name KAYA.
J brings 10 years of experience in non-profit governance through the Boys & Girls Clubs movement. They spent four years at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard & Port Hueneme as their Orchestra Leader. In 2012, they moved to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley to become the Performing Arts Director of the Richard & Mary Carpenter/Alliance for the Arts Music & Performing Arts Program.
They also run a successful Melodica page on Tik Tok.
Remy Ozer has played many roles as an Advisor to The FAM since its inception at USC in 2016. Currently, she is guiding the development of our programming and hopes to one day create a legal clinic to educate the young generation of artists and professionals about the basic legal aspects of the music industry so they can protect themselves.
She received her law degree in the accelerated program at Southwestern and currently serves as the Manager of Business Affairs at Capitol Records.
Membership Committee
Madelyn Bradley
TJ Cho
Jaja Tong
Venues & Partnerships Manager
Membership & Events - LA
Membership & Events - LA
Luis Hermida
Venues & Partnerships
Membership & Events - LA
Matt Ruggiero
Noah Ruben
Jia Su
Membership & Events - NY
Membership & Events - LA
Madelyn is from Los Angeles and works as a behavior therapist, while also studying sociology and psychology in school. She plans to dedicate her future to academic pursuits and advance her career as a therapist, as well as live out her passion for performing and music. She’s been immersed in the music world her whole life, as she grew up playing various instruments, and she now plays live shows at famous venues in LA. She has been volunteering with The FAM since early 2024, and during her time with The FAM, she has helped organize events and contribute ideas to fulfill the organization’s mission. She loves being able to help musicians do what they love and blossom their careers.
TJ is experienced in ticketing production for festivals with Goldenvoice, See Tickets, and Koncept. His day job is in project management in real estate and construction. But his love for music has me pursuing ticketing for music festivals in his free time. TJ has been with The FAM for a year and wants to give back what was given to him.
JaJa Tong is a long-time member of the FAM, having joined in her freshman year at USC, and served years in eboard of the USC chapter. Originally from South Carolina, JaJa is a songwriter and producer who goes by the artist name Goldlove and specializes in pop. She also enjoys working on many other genres such as indie and electronic. Having studied accounting and music in college, JaJa hopes to use her business background to positively influence the music industry.
Matt Ruggiero (aka Rugireo) is a hip- hop artist, actor, director and producer. The New Jersey born artist started making music at thirteen years old after creating video content and skits with his friends at the time and ever since then he fell in love with rap and music as a whole. Graduating from Delaware State University earning his bachelors in Music Industry in 2023; Matt moved to New York City to continue his pursuit of the music industry creatively.
Noah is a singer, vocalist, musician, songwriter, and composer. He is currently gaining experience within the area of vocals and music composition. He has written, produced, and composed his own music since his early teen years. He has taken a music production class this past year and will be singing in the “One & All” church choir this year. Music is an innate and natural talent of his and always has been. He strives to develop and strengthen his musical talents which will turn into stable skills through hard work, self-discipline, and dedication as well as focus. The musical arts are his forte as well as his home in a way and it is and always will be his focus and foundation.
Hi my name is Jia, and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I’m currently a Freshman at UCSB, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychological and Brain Sciences. Some of my hobbies are traveling, dancing, and reading, and my biggest goal right now is to gain ten pounds. LOL
Luis Hermida has a background in construction as a general contractor, where he developed strong social, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Outside of work, he creates social media content with his family, sharing funny and wholesome videos with over 850K followers across all social media platforms.
He is also passionate about supporting his daughter, Hailey Hermida, a singer-songwriter, by producing her shows and assisting with marketing her music. In his free time, he enjoys playing racquetball and hiking, which help him stay active and balanced.
Creative Committee
Vilona Trachtenberg
Mario Hernandez
Andrew Rudy
Content Strategy & Creation
Content Strategy & Creation
Content Strategy & Creation
Zaria Fenderson
Kaylei Grijalva
Emily Jedell
Content Strategy & Google Ads
Content Strategy & Creation
Content Strategy & Creation
Hi! My name is Kaylei Grijalva and I'm based in Los Angeles, CA. I've been working in the Music Industry for a little under 10 years, and have done everything from Artist Management, Touring and Marketing. Outside of work, I'm passionate about fitness, the book club I'm part of, and spending time with friends, family, and my cats.
Zaria Fenderson, from Chicago, IL, is pursuing a degree in Mass Communications with a Business minor at Xavier University of Louisiana. With a deep passion for music and business, she has gained years of hands-on experience in music, music production, video and photography, media, graphic design, and creative direction.
Growing up in a city full of culture and innovation has influenced her creative outlook and encouraged her desire to succeed in the industry. Zaria is eager to advance in her career and is passionate about using her experience to make a meaningful contribution while also growing personally and professionally.
Emily Jedell is a student at Ramapo College of New Jersey studying music with a concentration in the music industry. With the intention to educate young adults about the songs from the 60s-90s, Emily created Encore by Emily, a platform where she parlays her vast repertoire and musical knowledge into written album analyses from these decades. Emily has performed in musical theater productions for the majority of her life and is currently learning the electric guitar.
While Emily advances in her career, she is eager to gain different industry-related experiences whether that be in A&R, marketing, publicity, or another department. Music is her favorite language to speak, so her dream is to spread the word.
Vilona Trachtenberg is the Live Events Marketing Manager with the Buffalo Sabres organization and is responsible for the marketing and promotion of all concerts and live events at KeyBank Center and Highmark Stadium.
Prior to this role, she held part-time roles with Live Nation in marketing, and freelance writing about celebrity and music news.
Mario Hernandez is the co-founder of Promo Use Only, an artist management and booking company. He has experience in network television news production, marketing, customer success in tech, and building and leading customer-facing teams across the United States and Asia.
Mario earned his MBA from Texas State University, considers himself a New Yorker and an Austinite, and if you have five minutes or five hours, he would gladly debate the top five hip-hop artists of all time with you or tell you exactly which ten albums make up the soundtrack of his life.
Andrew Rudy is a Music Industry alumni from the USC Thornton School of Music. When he's not working with The FAM, he is performing and releasing his own original music with his band The August Drama.
USC Chapter Exec Board
Sylvia Ettinger
Taylor Aaronson
Karly Ramnani
President
Vice President
Creative Director
Ellen Cheng
Emily Geanious
Director of Professional Development
Social Chair
Sylvia Ettinger is pursuing a BM in flute performance at the USC Thornton School of Music with a minor in Spanish. She has served as the Director of Member for the FAM, Director of Special Events for USC FemFest, and as an A&R Committee member for 840 West Records. Previously, Sylvia was an Executive Committee member of Voces Fuertes, a youth-led nonprofit that supports immigrants and refugees through art and performance. As a performer, Sylvia has attended Interlochen Arts Camp and the Atlantic Music Festival on merit scholarship and won third prize in the SDFG Collegiate Artist Competition in 2022. She has performed in masterclasses for Alberto Almarza, Leone Buyse, Jim Walker, Jenni Olson, and Nancy Stagnitta. Sylvia is passionate about the union of music and social impact as well as collaborating with artists of all genres.
Taylor is a Sophomore Music Industry Major at USC. She dreams of one day becoming a Record Label Executive and her favorite album is 5/8/77 by The Grateful Dead!
Karly is a Senior Music Industry Major at USC whose dream career is a Music Journalist. Her favorite album is Reputation by Taylor Swift and she has been to over 10 Eras’ tour shows all over the world!!
Ellen is a Junior double major at USC studying Flute Performance and Business Administration. Her dream career is a studio musician and her favorite album is 21 by Adele!
Emily is a Sophomore Music Industry Major a USC. Her dream career is to be a Singer/Songwriter making money as an artist. Her favorite album is Silence Between Songs by Madison Beer.