Albert Einstein High School
Athletic Hall of Fame and Alumni Association

Albert Einstein High School ** 62nd Anniversary ** 09/1962 - 09/2024

Inductees 2023-2025

2023

Simon Lahn ('05) played alto saxophone in Einstein Jazz for four years and performed in the Concert Band and the Marching Band in 2005. He participated in Montgomery County and Maryland Solo & Ensemble competitions earning high marks from sophomore through senior year. His participation in Einstein Jazz allowed him to perform at the Silver Spring Jazz Festival in 2003 & 2004 and the Kennedy Center in 2005. In his senior year Simon was selected for the All-County Concert Band, and during the summer he attended the Skidmore Jazz program and engaged with top jazz musicians in the world. Simon studied privately with Reginald Jackson of the Washington Saxophone Quartet. He attended Montgomery College to study music composition. In 2007 Simon enlisted in the United States Air Force, and by 2009 he was chosen to perform as the lone saxophone player for “Tops in Blue” on their world tour. They traveled the world for nine months, including sops in Iraq and South Korea. Simon earned an Air Force Achievement medal, and after leaving the Air Force he attended University of Maryland. He has performed with the University MD Concert Band and the Gamer Symphony Orchestra and has also performed with the Temple Shalom Band for Friday night Shabbat services.

Jacob Teichroew (’01) played the saxophone in Einstein’s Concert Band (4 years), Jazz Band (4 years), and Pit Orchestra (3 years). Beyond the school, Jacob played in the All County Jazz Honors Band (1997-1999) as well as the All County Honors Wind Ensemble (1997-2000). He was also a member of the Maryland All State Jazz Band in 2000 and the Maryland All State Wind Ensemble in 2001. He won the MCPS Soloist Award as a member of Einstein’s High School Jazz Band in 2001. He also served as Lead Alto Saxophone in the Thad Wilson Big Band and the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra while a high school student. Jacob received a B.M. Saxophone Performance with Jazz Emphasis/B.A. Philosophy magna cum laude from Lawrence University in 2006. He received an M.A. in Jazz Studies from Queens College’s Aaron Copland School of Music in 2009. In 2021 Jacob received an M.A.T. in Music and Applied Teaching from Lehman College. Professionally, Jacob’s musical career has included time as a bandleader, a recording artist, and a freelance performer. He has taught (social studies and music) at the KIPP Infinity Middle School in New York City and has given private music instruction. He has received many awards and honors, including being a finalist in National Jazz Competition in the 2005 NASA Young Artist Competition and winner of the 2004 Neale-Silva Chamber Competition. 

Kira Levitzky (’12) played the flute in Einstein’s orchestra throughout her high school years; she received an International Baccalaureate High School Diploma upon graduation. She received a B.A. in Music Education: Instrumental Music K-12 from the University of Maryland in 2016, and an M.A. in Music Education from Loyola University of Maryland in 2018. She has been teaching in the Baltimore City Schools since 2013; her assignments include: K-8 General Music; Extracurricular Band, Orchestra, and Choir; and Resource/Specials Team Lead/Chair. In addition to her role as teacher, Kira had five years of experience conducting an amateur collegiate ensemble known as the Gamer Symphony Orchestra and she founded the Baltimore Gamer Symphony Orchestra. These orchestras play pieces arranged by Kira featuring the sound tracks from popular video games. For example, one piece derived from “Shadow of the Colossus” was performed by a 200 member symphony composed of musicians and chorus. The symphony has also performed Kira’s arrangements of music from “Star Wars” (note: Kira is a fan of composer John Williams, being quoted in an interview that “Every character and setting had their own leitmotif, and as soon as you heard it, even if they weren’t on screen, you could feel their presence.”) Recently, Kira was selected to receive ABC 2 News WMAR-TV’s Teacher Hero Award in 2017.

Joe Williams ('98)  received great recognition while at Einstein as a saxophonist at the Maryland Statewide Solo and Ensemble Festivals, and as a Soloist on PBS’s “Kids Point of View.” In 1997 he received a 2nd Place in Regional NAACP ACT-SO Performance Division and a 2nd Place in the ACT-SO National Instrumental Performance in 1998. As a senior Joe was the saxophone section leader for the AEHS Jazz Ensemble and provided a solo performance at Einstein’s Graduation to an audience of over 2500. In addition, Joe was highly regarded for his performances with the CalPro Entertainment Latin Jazz Orchestra and with Grover Washington Jr. at the Carter Baron venue in 1997. Joe entered the US Army as a musician in 2003. During his military career Joe performed with the Army Band on over 2000 musical missions while serving 8 assignments, including the US, Asia and Afghanistan when deployed during Operation Enduring Freedom. Joe has performed with many world renowned musicians such as Augie Haas, Ramsey Lewis, Jens Lindermann, Ted Nugent and Arturo Sandoval. He has also worked as a saxophonist and vocalist with several civilian ensembles with varied musical genres. In the last years of his military career Joe was a Rehearsal Division Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of instruction of new-incoming Army Band students and soldiers. Joe retired from the Army in 2023.

Kevin Pajarillaga (’12) was an integral part of the AEHS dance program. Not only did he excel in his own development as a dancer and choreographer, he consistently gave back to the program through his participation in Conferences and Showcases, choreographing and participating in flash mobs and student choreography pieces. In his senior year Kevin received a Maryland All State Dance Award. After graduation he continued his training at Point Park University, as well as Citydance Conservatory and Springboard Danse Montreal. His work reflects a versatile artistic career that includes dance, movement direction, choreography, and teaching. He has been a member of the following dance companies: Tayeh Dance Company (2016-2017), YY Dance Company (2016-2018), Bruce Wood Dance (2017-2018), Northwest Dance Project (2018-2020) and is now a member of the Gibney Company. He has been a dancer on stage, film, and tv. Kevin has choreographed performances for the Gibney Company, as well as other companies’ performances at the Majestic Theater (Dallas), Lincoln Theater (DC), and others. He has taught (as a guest teacher/artist or summer dance faculty) for several years. Finally, Kevin has undertaken leadership roles related to choreographic and curatorial projects for the Color of Change Organization and Asia Pacific Environmental Network. 

Thomas Ruttkay ('70 and 2011-2022 Faculty) was a talented art student while attending AEHS, and he pursued a successful creative career as a graphic designer and muralist - a path that eventually led him to art education and an eleven-year career at Einstein as the VAPA Digital Arts Teacher. Tom is a creative who followed an independent path, first attending Montgomery College with a focus on commercial art and illustration. He then apprenticed at two sign companies: Baynard Signs in Silver Spring, and ARL Signs in Rockville, learning foundational design skills. He then freelanced, creating signs, displays, logos and completing both graphic design and mural projects. Tom returned to university and graduated from UMD with a BA in Fine Art in 1978. Tom continued as a freelance designer and muralist as he raised his family in Kensington. By the late 1990’s Tom had gained proficiency in digital art applications to advance his business. Tom took the opportunity to be a long-term substitute, teaching Digital Art at JFK High School in 2008 which led to him completing a one-year master’s degree program at UMCP. In 2011 he accepted a Digital Art position at AEHS. During his eleven years at AEHS he undertook a series of special projects to embellish and add powerful new Einstein “Titan” imagery in the Main Gym and the AEHS Stadium. Tom Ruttkay has truly left his mark on Albert Einstein High School.

2024

Mac Campbell ('01) was a real “Renaissance man” at AEHS. A member of the Class of 2001, he earned the senior superlative of Most Involved. He played lead trumpet in the Jazz Band. He was a four-year member of the Chamber Singers, while concurrently playing varsity football! Campbell also received a distinguished scholar nominee for acting in the National Thespian Society, and garnered lead roles in Little Shop of Horrors and The Secret Garden. He was a member of the National Honor Society. Campbell majored in music at Elon University, and was actively involved in all aspects of vocal and instrumental branches of the college music scene. He has continued to use his education and training professionally: he now serves as Executive Director of the Baltimore Convention Center, a mayoral appointment which he was awarded before the age of 40. He was honored with the 2018 Pacesetter Award by the Events Industry Council. Previously, Campbell spent eight years as vice president of operations at Strathmore Music Center, managing the daily needs of a world-class concert hall. Despite his demanding career, Campbell has maintained an active musical connection to AEHS, as a member of the Alumni Jazz Band.

Kimberly Glyder (’94) is an award winning book cover designer and artist. She was a student in the Visual Art Center. While at Einstein Kimberly received Honorable Mention in Fine Art Painting in the National Scholastic Art & Writing Competition as well as Honorable Mention in Visual Arts from the National Young Arts Foundation. Kimberly received a full 4-year scholarship as a Maryland Distinguished Scholar in the Arts; she graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design. She is the recipient of numerous professional awards as a book cover designer from organizations including the American Institute of Graphic Arts New York Book Show, AIGA Philadelphia Design Awards, and PRINT’s Regional Design Award. In addition to being an illustrator, she has served as an Awards Judge at the American University Presses Book Jacket and Journal Show. She has also been a guest lecturer at the Maryland Institute College of the Arts, the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Kimberly has published articles regarding the field of design in the Washington Post.

Amelia "Amy" Esten Ryan (‘72) soared to early theatrical heights in Peter Pan as a 1972 graduating senior at AEHS. She has continued to fly high ever since, with an impressive theatrical and opera career that spans decades in the United States and Europe. Her nominator, AEHS contemporary Joel Snyder, quite vividly recalls the Fall 1969 production of The Crucible and Amy’s masterful performance as Betty, one of the misguided young women ‘seeing’ witches and demons. Ryan played other leading roles in AEHS productions, including the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz, and sang in Choir and Madrigals; at Wildwood Summer Theater, she played the role of Lili in Carnival and later directed The Music Man. Ryan, also known as Amelia, studied first at Boston Conservatory and then majored in opera at The Hartt School in Hartford, Connecticut. After a brief stint in Nashville, she returned to the DC area, where she performed in two Tim Grundman musicals at The New Playwrights’ Theater. There followed a period as an Equity performer, including performances at Ford’s Theatre, Arena Stage, Hayloft Dinner Theatre, and the White House. In Fresno, Californina, she performed numerous critically acclaimed leading roles with Good Company Players at Second Space, The Woodward Shakespeare Festival, and StageWorks Fresno. She has twice performed her own one-woman play, State Your Name for the Record, and staged her own cabaret shows: one of Irish folk and art songs with harp, and two of her autobiographical pieces through songs and stories.

Daniel Toretsky (’11) excelled in both visual art and instrumental music during high school. As a Visual Art Center student he was a Young Arts National Finalist and Silver Medalist in the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts competition. He received the Ida F. Haimovicz Visual Arts Award (awarded to one MCPS senior arts student annually). Daniel was a member of the Honors Jazz Band, Concert Band, and Pit Orchestra, as well as a member of the prestigious Jazz Academy Orchestra with Paul Carr (2006-2011). He received a Bachelor of Architecture (2016) from Cornell University where he received the following awards: Eidlitz Travel Fellowship awarded to a recent Cornell Architecture alumni for self-directed travel and a project of their own design (2019), A.I.A. Henry Adams Medal and Certificate of Merit, awarded to the top-ranking graduating student in architecture (2016), and the President Emeritus Frank and Rosa Rhodes Academic Scholarship (2013-2016). He is now pursuing an MFA in Design and Technology. Daniel is a practicing architect, most recently at Studio Joseph (NYC) where he managed projects for the MIT Museum and the DC Folger Shakespeare Library.. He continues musical performance with the Hungry March Band and the Fun Jewish Wedding Band in NYC.  He has been a member of Mrs. Toretsky’s Nightmare (a family Klezmer band in Silver Spring) since 2005.

Justin Wolf (’01) was a percussionist in Einstein’s Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Pit Orchestra throughout high school.  He received a B.A. in fine arts: percussion performance from Patterson College, an M.A. in music: percussion performance from SUNY Purchase, New York State Professional Teacher Certification, and Advanced Certification in Music Education (instrumental concentration) from CUNY Queens College: Aaron Copeland School of Music. He has taught at a number of middle schools in the New York City area a variety of courses including: Concert Band at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. In addition to his classroom, Justin has organized and conducted concerts and talent shows, he has organized annual field trips to NY Philharmonic concerts and honor band festivals, and has served as an auditions judge. He has been a successful recipient of grants, including two from the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation totaling $80,000 to buy new instruments. Justin continues to participate as a percussionist; currently he is Principal Percussionist with the Brooklyn Wind Symphony. He is also a free-lance percussionist and has performed with chamber ensembles, community orchestras, and opera companies. 

Sarah Harnish (AEHS 2006 - Present) immersed herself in all things Einstein from the day she set foot in the door in 2006 as a substitute teacher. Since then, she has distinguished herself as leader and co-creator in development of visual arts curricula for the MCPS Visual Art Center (VAC) magnet program. She created the upper level studio art program at AEHS, and teaches AP, advanced and honors arts classes. She mentors college-bound seniors and facilitates student participation in local and national art competitions.  She has 14 years in the VAPA program and recently was selected to be a teacher in the renowned VAC. She was also the faculty sponsor for the National Arts Honor Society, which bridges the relationship of AEHS student artists in VAPA and VAC.  She served as the AEHS Art Department Chair for 8 years, and developed curricula for diverse learners including Special Education students and English language learners. She has served as a mentor teacher for Maryland college and university arts programs, and has been honored by the Maryland Art Education Association and the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce. She has helped guide numerous students into a wide range arts careers over many years. In 2023, she was named as a “Local Hero” by Congressman Jamie Raskin, along with her VAC partner/colleague Mygenet Harris.

Mygenet Tesfaye Harris (‘93, AEHS 2011 - Present) is a versatile Ethio-African American Artist and Educator who explores mediums such as painting, printmaking, fiber, and sculpture works. Harris is a powerhouse co-coordinator/artist/teacher with the MCPS Visual Art Center (VAC) at AEHS. A 1993 “Creative” alumnus of that program, Harris began her teaching career at Paint Branch High School before being recruited to join the VAC in 2011. She is a dedicated mentor to emerging artists, encouraging the creative talents of young people from the VAC and VAPA communities. She has also worked to support AEHS’s International community, especially the Ethiopian/Eritrean Student’s Club. Harris has been a prolific visual artist for more than thirty years and has an extensive list of exhibitions and awards, most recently including being named a “Local Hero” by Congressman Jamie Raskin with her VAC partner/colleague Sarah Harnish in April of 2023. Her work has been included in Group Shows at places such as the Smithsonian galleries, the Baltimore Museum of Art, Pyramid Atlantic, The Ethiopian Embassy, multiple ART-0-MATIC exhibitions, Glenview Mansion and many other venues in the Washington metropolitan area, New York and Florida. She has been recognized with multiple National Scholastic Art and Writing Teacher Awards. https://www.mygenet.com.

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