Meet Our Team
Elizabeth Grimshaw
Founder and Executive Director
Liz earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Utah, where she studied violin with Ralph Matson, the concertmaster of the Utah Symphony. As a student, Liz won numerous awards, including a full tuition scholarship and a concerto performance with the University's top orchestra. After earning a law degree and practicing as an attorney for several years, Liz began teaching violin lessons again and rediscovered her love of music and working with young people. Liz founded Crescendo Phoenixville because every child who wants to learn an instrument should be able to do so. She's excited to help make that happen in Phoenixville! Liz designs the music curriculum, supervises classroom music teachers and student mentors, and teaches in the afterschool and summer programs. Liz was selected as one of 62 teaching artists from across the country to participate the Teaching Artist Training Institute's program in 2022. She most recently completed the Nonprofit Executive Leadership Institute's training at Bryn Mawr in 2024.
Sarah
Cervino
President & Director
Sarah Cervino has been a dedicated member of the Phoenixville Area School District for 13 years, with the past decade spent supporting students in the Elementary Autistic Support program at Manavon and East Pikeland Elementary Schools. She is deeply committed to serving children and families in the Phoenixville community, both professionally and personally.
Sarah and her husband, Chris, live in East Pikeland and are proud parents of three children, Siena, Christian, and Anthony, who all graduated from Phoenixville Area High School and now attend Penn State University. Their family is completed by their furry canine friends, Reilly and Maggie.
A strong believer in giving back, Sarah has held numerous volunteer leadership roles over many years, including President of the Home and School at East Pikeland Elementary School and the Phoenixville Area Early Learning Center. She also served for several years as President of the Phoenixville High School Boys Basketball Boosters and as a Board Member of the Phoenixville High School Softball Boosters. In addition, Sarah coached both regular-season and tournament softball teams with Kimberton Youth Athletic League (KYAL) and Xtreme Fastpitch, and led multiple large-scale fundraising initiatives benefiting school and athletic programs. She is passionate about supporting youth and strengthening the community that has given so much to her family over the years.
Erin
Kerry
Board Member &
Treasurer
With over 25 years of experience in finance and accounting, Erin brings a wealth of expertise and passion to her role as Board Treasurer for Crescendo Phoenixville. She holds a B.A. in International Business and Spanish from Grove City College and an MBA in Finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She is the Assistant Controller for Crazy Aaron Enterprises, a fun fidget-putty retail company in Norristown, PA.
A longtime advocate for music education and a 20 year resident of Phoenixville, Erin previously served as Director of Fundraising for the Phantom Music Boosters. Her personal musical background includes piano, French horn, and handbells—reflecting a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
Her commitment to Crescendo Phoenixville is also a family affair; her daughter, Madeline, volunteered as a violin instructor with the organization for 4 years. Erin is thrilled to contribute to such a meaningful mission and to support the next generation of young musicians in the community.
Gus
Spector
Board Member
Gus graduated from Temple University and Temple Medical School. He received all of his surgical and urological training at Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. He was in practice in Phoenixville as head of the department of urology for 35 years and has been retired for 8 years.
Gus has been playing violin for 70 years. He studied at the Settlement Music School in Philadelphia and played in the first violin section of the Pottstown Symphony for 10 years. He soloed with them on two occasions. He continues to take violin lessons and play in string quartets.
Gus volunteers in Crescendo's classes as a violin coach and a beloved mentor.
Jill
Schneider
Board Member
Jill Schneider is a marketing professional and proud new board member of Crescendo. She graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Retail Management and Fashion Merchandising and brings years of experience in retail, customer service, and brand storytelling.
Jill currently works on the marketing team at Crazy Aaron Enterprises, where she helps bring playful products and ideas to life. While she has no musical talents beyond being an enthusiastic listener, she’s excited to use her people skills, marketing expertise, and love for community-building to help promote Crescendo’s events, support fundraising efforts, and champion access to music education for the Crescendo kids.
Kerry
Walton
Board Member
Kerry is the Associate Dean of West Chester University Libraries and a career academic librarian with more than 25 years of experience in both public and private higher education institutions. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from SUNY New Paltz, a Master’s in Library Science from Drexel University, and a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in nonprofit management from West Chester University. She is currently a candidate in the Doctor of Public Administration program at West Chester University. Kerry brings strong strategic planning, organizational leadership, and nonprofit governance knowledge to her work, grounded in both administrative experience and academic study.
Kerry and her family have lived in the Phoenixville area for twenty years, including eleven years in Phoenixville Borough and nine years in East Pikeland Township. She has been an active and dedicated community volunteer in Phoenixville Area schools, serving as President of the Barkley Elementary Home and School Association, volunteering for the Phoenixville High School Band Boosters, and as a community theater board member. Through these roles, she has demonstrated collaborative leadership, program support, and a deep commitment to youth and arts education.
Kerry holds a strong belief in the transformative power of music and performance discovered in her early years of playing clarinet and piano. She is enthusiastic about supporting Crescendo’s community-driven mission and contributing her leadership experience, nonprofit expertise, and passion for the arts to further its impact.
Lucy Marroquin
Board Member
Candace Ferrandino
Board Member