Nonprofit Music Organization
Meet The Team
We didn't create Mobile Music Institute to talk about impact. We did it to make one.
Leadership
Mentors With Real Miles
MMI is built by people who've lived in the music industry and got tired of watching talent get left outside the door. So we started opening it, then built a way to repeat it. We track what works, measure what changes, and document the playbook so students in the next city get the shot they deserve.
Rodney Smith
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Rodney has built a career on showing up where help is needed and staying long enough to make it count. With over two decades of expertise in the non-profit world, he's founded two organizations with proven reach, one supporting more than 160,000 at-risk children and another serving over 75,000 military families. Building on this lifelong commitment to service, Rodney partners with individuals, corporations, and foundations to create meaningful impact and a lasting legacy. As a natural leader grounded in integrity and driven by passion, Rodney's proven work ethic is changing what nonprofit music organizations can do.
Loren Snyder
Co-Founder, Mentor, Lifelong Servant-Leader
Loren's journey began on the football field, where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a quarterback at the University of Northern Colorado. After a three-year pursuit of his NFL dream, he turned his focus toward service, spending the next 35 years as a minister with HOPE Worldwide, impacting countless lives through his leadership and dedication. Today, Loren brings that same passion and purpose to the nonprofit world as the co-founder of Mobile Music Institute. With a heart for mentorship and a deep love for music, he is committed to helping children discover their potential and pursue their dreams in the music industry.
Kevin Childs
Professional Songwriter & Producer
Kevin is a songwriter and producer from sunny San Diego, best known for his role as the lead singer for the indie/rock quartet Oliver Trolley. He has a range of original songs that have been placed on television shows such as Keeping Up with the Kardashians, The Real World, ESPN, FIFA World Cup, and many more. With over 15 years of industry experience, including touring, producing, writing, and recording, he brings unique insight to the grind of being a professional musician.
Scott Goldberg
Professional Guitarist & Producer
Scott, also known as Squeeda, is a record producer from San Diego, California. He started playing instruments like the trumpet and bass as a kid, eventually traveling across the globe as the lead guitarist in a local reggae band, Through The Roots. Since then, he's focused his attention on his homelife and fatherhood while sharpening his skills as a producer, and found a new way to create. Composing, arranging, and programming came naturally with his musical background. We're honored to have Squeeda as part of the MMI family and thrilled to see what his next chapter here holds.
Eric Battersby
Advisory Committee for Strategic Development
Eric supports our Advisory Committee for Strategic Development as a true force for change. As a documentary filmmaker at nonprofit Change the World Films, he brings a wealth of skills to the table beyond storyteller, including expertise as a marketer, podcaster, publisher, and author. His earlier background at IBM, coupled with his supercharged creativity, supplies the necessary tools to develop strategic initiatives that set the table for success. Leveraging Eric's multi-media expertise helps us amplify MMI's voice, translating the transformative power of music education into compelling narratives.
Join The Team That Opens Doors
Nonprofit music organizations don't run on hype. They run on people who show up.
If you've ever wished someone had pulled you into the room sooner, this is your chance to be that person. We're looking for volunteers, mentors, and working professionals to guide students through real studio sessions.
Mentors & Instructors
Studio Allies
Beyond staff, our team includes a wider circle of working professionals who lend their time, skill, and care to our mission. They show up, share their craft, and strengthen the network that keeps nonprofit music organizations like MMI turning access into outcomes.
Industry Professionals
Guest Mentors
Our rotating roster of guest mentors has real-world experience. Professional producers, touring musicians, label executives, and marketing experts give their time to inspire and guide students.
Program Instructors
Teaching Team
Our dedicated instructors bring hands-on experience from studios, stages, and boardrooms across the music industry. They're passionate about passing their knowledge to the next generation.
Student Ambassadors
Peer Leaders
As cohorts graduate and find their place in the industry, we'll invite them to come back as mentors. We keep the door open, so growth doesn't end at the showcase. It turns into guidance for the next group.