Giving Children Hope & a Life-Changing Experience
SWAN provides free music lessons, ensemble training, performance opportunities, and mentoring to support children affected by parental incarceration.
Why SWAN Exists
Mission
To be dedicated advocates for children affected by parental incarceration by providing life-changing intervention through music and mentoring.
Vision
To give America’s most vulnerable children hope and a life-changing experience thus improving their lives, our communities, economy, and culture.
Principles
As SWAN students learn the disciplines of music they are also exposed to Biblical mentoring and Gospel truths. Character qualities such as discipline, patience, faithfulness, self-control, and perseverance are taught in an encouraging and loving environment.
Core Values
EDGE
We’re Energized by compassion
We’re Determined to make a difference
We extend Grace
We value Excellence
Leadership Team & Board Members
Diana Vuolo
Founder & Executive Director
Diana Vuolo was awarded a full-tuition scholarship to study with the world-renowned teacher Dorothy DeLay at the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts (PCPA), where she earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in Violin Performance.
Diana Vuolo
Founder & Executive Director
Diana Vuolo was awarded a full-tuition scholarship to study with the world-renowned teacher Dorothy DeLay at the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts (PCPA), where she earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in Violin Performance.
She was featured as a masterclass performer for Miss DeLay at PCPA and the Aspen Music Festival. Her professional career began in Carnegie Hall when she performed with a Chamber Orchestra in partnership with Isaac Stern, followed by an international concert tour with the Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia. She has performed with The Philly Pops Orchestra and the Saint Louis Symphony and served as concertmaster for the Musica Sacra Chamber Orchestra. She was co-concertmaster for Opera Barga in Lucca, Italy, and a principal player in the Canton Symphony.
In addition to performing, Diana has taught private violin lessons, music theory, and ensemble classes over the past 40 years. One of her student ensembles, Volante, was featured on CBS’s “The Early Show.” She founded Avalare Strings, a classical crossover string quartet that performed throughout the Philadelphia region.
In 2011, Diana founded SWAN. Her SWAN students have been featured on national and regional radio and television, including Executive Leaders Radio and The Learning Channel. Diana continues to develop SWAN’s program and corporate capacity.
Brooke Beazley
Program Director
Brooke Beazley received a Bachelor of Music degree in Cello Performance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. After graduating, she performed in the North Carolina Symphony and is currently a member of the Opera Philadelphia and Philly Pops orchestras.
Brooke Beazley
Program Director
Brooke Beazley received a Bachelor of Music degree in Cello Performance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. After graduating, she performed in the North Carolina Symphony and is currently a member of the Opera Philadelphia and Philly Pops orchestras.
Her freelance work has her performing with Orchestra 2001, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Chamber Orchestra First Editions, and the Ocean City Pops. Brooke was a founding member of Avalare Strings, which featured various crossover styles. She runs a private teaching studio and works as the Program Director for SWAN.
Holly Germeroth
Administrative Assistant
Holly Germeroth has been SWAN’s Administrative Assistant since its inception working alongside the Founder, and Executive Director Diana Vuolo. Holly is eager to learn new skills and looks for innovative solutions for the betterment of others.
Holly Germeroth
Administrative Assistant
Holly Germeroth has been SWAN’s Administrative Assistant since its inception working alongside the Founder, and Executive Director Diana Vuolo. Holly is eager to learn new skills and looks for innovative solutions for the betterment of others.
She uses her ongoing training in Salesforce to manage SWAN’s operations and is responsible for our donor/client database, social media, website, communications, and educating SWAN team members on using progressive systems and applications. She enjoys being creative and uses her artistic talent to both capture SWAN students’ progress through photography and videography and teach them fine art during camp. She is motivated to use her gifts to serve others in the hope that they will see a reflection of Christ, the greatest gift. In her free time, Holly likes to kayak, enjoy the beauty of God’s creation, and eat yummy food.
Janet Rawleigh
Rising Stars Program Director
Janet Rawleigh has been teaching instrumental music for over 35 years in public and private elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools. Her last position was at Burrowes Elementary in the School District of Lancaster, teaching instrumental, vocal, and general music.
Janet Rawleigh
Rising Stars Program Director
Janet Rawleigh has been teaching instrumental music for over 35 years in public and private elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools. Her last position was at Burrowes Elementary in the School District of Lancaster, teaching instrumental, vocal, and general music.
She has had the privilege of partnering with various community organizations such as the Lancaster Symphony Education Committee and Women’s Symphony Board, Music for Everyone, and Musical Arts Society to benefit students in the City of Lancaster.
Prior to her job as an elementary music teacher at Burrowes, she directed the music education program at Lancaster Bible College for eight years. She has served as adjunct faculty at Eastern University, Cairn University, and Valley Forge Christian College. Her conducting experience includes directing high school students at the Csehy Summer School of Music and adults in several colleges and community groups.
Janet has loved performing as an oboe soloist and orchestra member since she started studying oboe at age 11. She has freelanced in the Lancaster and Philadelphia areas and is an active music leader in her church. Her professional goals have always included sharing a love of music with students in a way that helps foster life-long participation in music.
Board Members
SWAN’s board members are generous financial contributors to SWAN and freely offer their talents in various ways to serve throughout the year.
Deanna Riccardelli
President
Deanna brings with her 16+ years of experience working with various non-profits on the national and local levels, including Compassion International, Heifer International, The Forgotten Initiative (Lifesong for Orphans), Gifts that Give Hope, and Girls on the Run.
Deanna Riccardelli
President
Deanna brings with her 16+ years of experience working with various non-profits on the national and local levels, including Compassion International, Heifer International, The Forgotten Initiative (Lifesong for Orphans), Gifts that Give Hope, and Girls on the Run.
She has served the foster care community in Lancaster and Berks County, creating programs and supporting social workers and agencies. She has mentored youth in Lancaster city through programs at Teen Haven.
She and her husband, Sean, live in Lancaster city with their three children.
Sean Riccardelli
Treasurer
Sean is a Project Manager with CCS Building Group based in Willow Street, Pa. He has served as a Mentor and Teacher to youth in Lancaster City for the past eight years. He has also served on leadership teams to help provide affordable housing in Lancaster County.
Sean Riccardelli
Treasurer
Sean is a Project Manager with CCS Building Group based in Willow Street, Pa. He has served as a Mentor and Teacher to youth in Lancaster City for the past eight years. He has also served on leadership teams to help provide affordable housing in Lancaster County.
He has helped and served those affected by HIV in Lancaster City and Lancaster County in prior years.
Sean, his wife, Deanna, and three children live in Lancaster City, PA.
Rob McBride
Secretary
Rob re-joined SWAN’s Board in 2020 after a leave of absence for several years. Rob is the Senior Technology Leader for the Washington DC-Baltimore Area and the Co-Owner of Viking-Analytics, a financial advisory service focused on risk management.
Rob McBride
Secretary
Rob re-joined SWAN’s Board in 2020 after a leave of absence for several years. Rob is the Senior Technology Leader for the Washington DC-Baltimore Area and the Co-Owner of Viking-Analytics, a financial advisory service focused on risk management.
Rob is a visionary and accomplished technology leader with a proven ability to successfully lead technology operations, infrastructure support services, and cross-functional, complex teams. He has expertise in strategic planning, data management, and analytic platforms and broad success in software development and program/project management. He has extensive experience directing, implementing, and improving business systems and processes to deliver superior value to stakeholders.
Rob lives in Maryland with his wife, Amber, and three daughters. He owns and operates Pleasant Lines Farm in Baltimore County, which practices agriculture using natural synergies between creatures.
Steven Wolgemuth
Board Director
Steve is the founder and CEO of YDOP, an Internet marketing company in downtown Lancaster, PA, which serves over 100 businesses nationwide with Near-user Marketing(R). His team created and donated SWAN’s website, which won the prestigious international Gold Horizon Interactive Award in 2021.
Steven Wolgemuth
Board Director
Steve is the founder and CEO of YDOP, an Internet marketing company in downtown Lancaster, PA, which serves over 100 businesses nationwide with Near-user Marketing(R). His team created and donated SWAN’s website, which won the prestigious international Gold Horizon Interactive Award in 2021.
He is also the award-winning author of 12 Crucial Steps: Powerful Insights for Marketing Leadership. Along with his involvement with SWAN, Steve is on the Board of Lancaster Bible College and a former Board Member of Manheim Christian Day School.
An avid equestrian and former nationally known dressage rider, Steve and his wife live on their family farm in Manheim, PA. They have three grown sons.
Central Penn Business Journal Nonprofit Innovation Award 2024
Program – Rising Stars
Small Business Award 2023 Winner
SCORE Lancaster – Lebanon
Our Local Business Sponsors
We’d like to thank YDOP, Business Information Group (BIG), the Lancaster Bar Association, The Arts at MU, and United Way of Lancaster for their continued support that helps keep SWAN growing.