Bettina Cheung
(Co-Founder and President)
Bettina Cheung is an 8th year MD/PhD student at Feinberg. During her undergraduate years, Bettina served on multiple executive boards, including as Co-President of the Davenport Pops Orchestra and President of the Coup de Brass horn choir. As one of the Co-Founders of NMO, Bettina is so excited by NMO’s growth over the last six years. She is looking forward to continuing to play the horn with NMO and planning more exciting musical activities for the NM community.
Milan Parikh
(Vice President)
Milan is from Cincinnati, Ohio and double majored in Medical Sciences and Statistics while at the University of Cincinnati. He is a first-year medical student in the Medical Scientist Training Program here at Northwestern. Milan started his musical journey with piano lessons in first grade and has been playing flute in bands and orchestras and singing in choirs since fifth grade. He is very excited to be the Vice President for NMO!
Simone Gottlieb
(Treasurer)
Simone grew up in Pasadena, California and majored in biochemistry at Scripps College. While at Scripps, Simone enjoyed playing violin in her school’s orchestra, and she is excited to be part of an orchestra again. Simone is currently a medical student at Feinberg and is looking forward to serving as Northwestern Medical Orchestra’s Treasurer for 2024.
Niraj Lawande
(Orchestra Manager)
My name is Niraj and I am from the suburbs of Chicago. I went to the University of Illinois for undergrad and am a first year medical student at Feinberg. I am a percussionists with interest in jazz and Afrocuban music in addition to orchestral. I am excited to serve this year as the Orchestra Manager.
Ryan Neff
(Co-Music Coordinator)
Ryan is from Detroit, Michigan and double majored in physics and piano at the University of Notre Dame. He is currently a first-year medical student in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at Northwestern. Music has been a significant part of Ryan’s life since he was 3 years old and he is excited to have the opportunity to continue playing the piano with the orchestra and to serve as NMO’s co-music coordinator for 2023.
Shreya Aalla
(Co-Librarian)
Shreya grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and studied Neuroscience at the University of Illinois at Chicago. While at UIC, she played clarinet in their Symphonic Band and saxophone in their Pep Band. She currently works in research at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab with interests in neuromodulation and wearable sensors. She is grateful for the opportunity to stay involved with music after college and looks forward to serving as NMO’s co-librarian for 2023.
Britta Kuusik
(Co-Librarian)
My name is Britta! I am originally from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Palatine to be exact. I play the violin and am sharing the role of librarian with Shreya Aalla!
Maya Kota
(Social Chair)
I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and have lived in the city since college at Loyola. I began playing violin in elementary school, and music has played an enormous role in my life since! Starting medical school this year here at Northwestern, NMO was one of the activities I was most excited about getting involved in. My role on the executive board is the Social Chair, and I look forward to this upcoming season!
Ania Holubecki
(Publicity Manager)
Ania grew up in Des Plaines, IL and studied neuroscience during undergrad at Northwestern. After conducting research on a Fulbright in Poland, she returned to Northwestern as a research coordinator in Rodrigo Braga’s lab. She is currently a first year graduate student in the Northwestern Interdepartmental Neuroscience (NUIN) program. Ania has been a violinist in NMO since the beginning of 2021.
Dan Schwarzlose
(Director of Operations)
Dan is NMO’s Director of Operations and former trumpet section leader. A native of Evanston, IL, he attended Northwestern for undergraduate studies and worked at Feinberg for 6 years. Dan currently works for the Mountain Area Health Education Center in Asheville, NC, and loves exploring the local mountains and forests with his wife Savy and dog Kronos. He misses playing in NMO, but is thrilled to contribute remotely in this new role.
Other Board Members
Dr. Gregory Brisson, Faculty Advisor
Jennifer Huang, Principal Conductor and Artistic Director