Our team

Tony Gruenewald

Tony Gruenewald works as an archivist for media organizations and is a widely published poet and writer. He has also worked as a production manager for a nonprofit audiobook library for people who are blind, visually impaired, or have a reading disability such as dyslexia. He has also worked in advertising and broadcast journalism and is Production Manager for a critically acclaimed literary journal. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and a master’s in Library and Information Science from Rutgers University.

Joy Bechtler

Joy Bechtler has served in multiple capacities with the Operanauts organization since founding it in 2013.  She currently serves on the board as president with a variety of initiatives including fund raising and leadership responsibilities.

In Joy’s role as Artistic Director, she coordinates productions and music festivals in Kinshasa, working with local musicians and training local artisans and crew. 

Through Operanauts’ music training programs, Joy works directly with singers to help their voices grow stronger and more beautiful through customized vocal exercises and developing their repertoire. She helps to curate recital programs that showcases artistic qualities and improves confidence.

Vid Raturi

Vid Raturi studied neuroscience and economics during her undergraduate career and is a current master’s student in the Neuroscience program at Tulane University. She has been involved with Operanauts since 2015, serving as President of Operanauts Youth and then Vice President of Operanauts. She is passionate about the therapeutic prowess of music. Vid has been researching the effects of music on executive function and neuroplasticity for the past 4 years in the Colombo Laboratory.  She is a member of American Medical Women’s Association and is the founder of the chapter at Tulane University.