A volunteer Board of Directors meets monthly to provide strategic leadership, set policies, and ensure effective governance of the Music for Minors II enrichment program. The Board partners with a part-time staff, led by an Executive Director, who oversees daily operations. The team includes roles such as Docent Training Coordinator, Program Manager, Docent Manager, Event Coordinator, Recruitment Coordinator, Special Projects Assistant, Digital Marketing Strategist, and Administrative Assistant. Together, they support volunteer training, recruitment, and ongoing support for music docents.

Each participating school has a designated liaison who serves as the primary contact, ensuring clear communication between Music for Minors II and the school community. Liaisons also help promote the program locally and support its growth and expansion across school sites.

Volunteers Nurturing a Love of Music

Carol Zilli

Carol Zilli is the founder and Executive Director of Music for Minors II (MFMII), which she established as a nonprofit in 1988, following docent training in Los Altos in 1986. Her commitment to music education began at Niles School in Fremont, where she served as a docent, parent volunteer piano accompanist, and co-director of the school chorus. These experiences laid the groundwork for MFMII.

Carol graduated from Santa Clara University and holds a Standard Life Teaching Credential in French and English. She taught at Hayward High School for eight years, during which she developed a CORE Reading Program for at-risk youth. She has also taught private piano lessons and worked as a substitute teacher in the Fremont and Newark Unified School Districts.

Since 1990, Carol has led MFMII docent training programs at Ohlone College and at Fremont and Castro Valley Adult Schools, preparing hundreds of community volunteers to bring music to elementary classrooms. She has also provided specialized training for teachers to help them integrate music into their curriculum. Her teaching experience includes 16 years at Schilling Elementary School in Newark, where she taught music, directed an after-school choir, and produced over 30 musicals with students in grades 3-6. She remains deeply involved in music ministry, directing adult and children’s choirs and serving as a cantor for weekly liturgical services. She is also an active presenter at teacher conferences, workshops, and community service organizations.

Carol is a dedicated advocate for children and served for 15 years on the Fremont Unified School District Health and Sex Education Advisory Committee, promoting high standards and family engagement. Her commitment to Music for Minors II reflects her belief that music is vital to children’s academic, social, and emotional development. Under her leadership, MFMII has grown from one docent at a single school to nearly 90 docents reaching almost 5,000 children each week, demonstrating the lasting impact of music and community.