In The Foreground

INTRODUCING NEW MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY

JON ZELJO Director of Teaching and Learning ERIN WHITE Director of Philanthropy and Community Partnerships DANKO DRUŠKO Director of Instrumental Music ANGIE MCGREW PAYNE Executive Assistant to Head of School and Philanthropy Office Coordinator

Jon has been an educator for twenty-five years, as a history teacher, department chair, and program director in global education.

Jon knew from the time he was an undergraduate at Duke that he wanted to teach. Jon earned his M.A. in East Asian Studies from University of Virginia specifically to teach students about this significant part of the world. After spending a decade working with teachers on curriculum development, he has returned to the school world and believes he’s found the dream position, that is, working with and supporting both students and teachers. Originally from Maryland, Erin has lived on the Monterey Peninsula for the past seventeen years. Prior to York, Erin was the Director of Development at Santa Catalina School, where she completed a historic $50 million campaign and oversaw annual giving, alumni and parent engagement, special events, and development operations.

Her deep experience in independent schools also includes work in admission, advising, and serving as a dorm parent. A philosopher at heart, Erin is driven by a passion for learning and a commitment to helping others find meaning and purpose in their lives. In her mind, philanthropy is a natural gateway to conversations and actions that matter. Born to Croatian parents in Germany, Dr. Druško is currently Music Director of Youth Music Monterey County, Youth Orchestra Salinas/El Sistema USA and Instrumental Director at York School. He spent two years as Visiting Assistant Professor and Director of Orchestra & Opera at the Northern Illinois University School of Music. He is a frequent guest conductor, clinician and pre-concert lecturer.

Danko has conducted professional, university and youth orchestras throughout Europe and North America. He holds a Doctor of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Born and raised on the Monterey Peninsula, Angie comes to York from many years in customer care management at Taylor Farms.

She has a passion for learning and recently went back to school to pursue a degree in psychology. Angie’s incredible organizational skills and commitment to excellence, combined with her love for people naturally generates excitement to serve our students, faculty, staff and parents.