Robert Kenehan - president of DBP Communications, vice president of strategic accounts at NPN360 and semi-professional horn

Bob started his horn studies in grammar school and rapidly excelled. He was part of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra in high school and soloed with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra at age 18. Then he put the idea of a career in music aside and the horn was forgotten. He became a successful businessman and currently serves on the boards of multiple philanthropic organizations with a focus on foreign exchange students.

30 years later he rediscovered the horn again and through determination and perseverance he eclipsed his prior level of musical skill. Now a semi-professional musician he has rediscovered a joy that had been lost. The sense of community he gets from playing with other musicians has been life altering.

Gabriela Vargas Quesada - Los Angeles based, Costa Rican flutist, former chamber music faculty Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, one of the founder’s of “El Sistema” at the People’s School of Music in Chicago

Gabriela comes to Horns for Hope having personal experience similar to our mission. Born in Costa Rica she came to the United States to further her own musical studies. Gabriela is an active performer in the Chicago area. She has performed at the Chicago Symphony, Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Chicago Philharmonic, Milwaukee Symphony, Costa Rican National Symphony, among others.

Passionate about teaching and education, Gabriela is one of the founders of the “El Sistema” based Youth Orchestra program at the People’s School of Music. She currently coaches flute at Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras. With her background at the People’s School of Music and the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra she brings a wealth of experience to Horns for Hope.

Laura Whisler, M.D. - physician and community horn

Laura firmly believes in the power to change lives with small moments. Her experience as a physician and a community musician gives her a different perspective with Horns for Hope. She has observed the impact of simple acts on young students in need. She sees Horns for Hope as a pathway to a brighter future. She serves on the boards of numerous not-for-profits and is well versed in their structure and logistics.

“My father, Walter Whisler, M.D. PhD, was the first in his family to go beyond the 4th grade and had no thought of study more advanced than high school when he was growing up. When he was seventeen a chance remark by a classmate’s father inspired him to look beyond his immediate surroundings and realize he had the ability to do more with his life. Through very hard work, determination and the support of family and friends he rose to a level of achievement and success that he would have never dreamed possible as a young boy. It is my hope that this charitable organization can provide young people the vision and means to find their own undreamed-of successes in life.”