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Urban Strings Columbus
P.O. Box 13673
Columbus, OH 43213
57 Jefferson Avenue
Columbus, OH 43215
Our Staff
Urban Strings Columbus has a dedicated team of individuals who assist our musicians in develop and showcase their talents.
Catherine Willis, Founder
A dedicated community activist for many years. Catherine has supported education, the arts and family advocacy. She has been involved in the United Negro College Fund, and a founding member of Friends of Art for Community Enrichment Inc., The Ohio Wesleyan University Upward Bound program. She was a member of the SOUL committee, which helped promote art from the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center and is an alumna of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Twin Rivers Chapter of Links.
A former Columbus City Schools teacher, her focus on education led her to become an active volunteer, supporter and Board member of I Know I Can, a program that guarantees every Columbus City School student an opportunity to attend college. She initiated the Chess in the (Neighbor) Hood program at the Martin Luther King Library and was asked to extend the program to other sites.
In 2007 Mrs. Willis founded Urban Strings Columbus at Champion Middle School with 2 students. The organization has grown to over 20 youth string musicians ages 11 to 18. Most recently she was given the 2019 Music Educator Award for Community Education for inspiring a love of music in the children and adults of central Ohio.
Chelsea Daniel Eades, Lead Conductor
Chelsea Daniel Eades is the lead conductor for Urban Strings Columbus. She attended Capital University and graduated in 2014 with degrees in Biology and Music. While at Capital University, she studied piano with Narmina Aliyeva, violin with Erin Gilliand, and viola with Ken Matsuda. Chelsea is now teaching Middle School Science, Middle School Choir, and Orchestra at Grace Christian School in Blacklick, OH
Mitchell Franklin, Assistant Conductor
Mitchell Franklin is an Assistant director with Urban Strings for over 8 years. He has played the cello for over 30 years. Mr. Franklin is a graduate of Hilliard High school and attended Miami (Ohio) University. In his free time he writes poetry and music. He is also a valued member of Bethany Presbyterian church choir, where he also serves as a Deacon.