Music4Life Board of Directors

With heavy hearts following David Endicott’s passing in May 2025, the Music4Life™ Board of Directors is committed to ensuring that Music4Life’s important work continues without interruption. In June 2025, the Board elected new officers to lead the transition from David's stewardship of the non-profit organization to a new, longer term leadership team.

Colleen Armstrong, Interim Managing Director

With the passing of her dear friend David Endicott, Colleen saw the danger of losing the valuable Music4Life organization. To ensure the continuation of David’s legacy, she stepped in as Music4Life’s Interim Managing Director to steady the ship until a new Executive Director is in place. Colleen has served on Music4Life’s Advisory Board since its establishment and is a past chief of staff for the Seattle Opera.

Cliff Lenz, Vice President

Cliff Lenz Cliff has been on the Music4Life Board since 2022. He is known to audiences throughout the Puget Sound region as an Emmy Award-winning host, composer, and producer for King Broadcasting for 22 years. He was the co-host of King TV’s Seattle Today for 17 years and also hosted and produced the children’s television program about music called Music Magic. Cliff currently teaches piano and guitar in both the Edmonds and Monroe school districts, as well as in a private capacity.

Gary Ryno, Treasurer

Gary Ryno Gary has been Music4Life’s Treasurer twice before. Following David’s passing, he graciously agreed to return to the Board of Directors to ensure financial stability during the interim leadership period. As the fearless leader of Morgan CFO, Gary wears many hats. In his 40-year career, Gary has deftly negotiated the roles of CFO, CEO and EVP within the banking and finance worlds.

Dean Petrich, Director

Dean Petrich Dean joined the board in 2023 and continues to serve as a Director. He is spearheading and leading Music4Life’s new piano tuning program which aims to tune approximately 200 pianos a year for area school districts. One of the region’s most experienced piano technicians with a database of over 3,000 piano customers, Dean has held every office in the Seattle Chapter of the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG). He maintains the library and archives of the Seattle PTG seminars, conventions, and technical presentations in addition to training and mentoring apprentices throughout the region.

Cathy Thompson, Ed.D, Director

Cathy Thompson Prior to retiring and serving as President of the Highline Music4Life Chapter, Cathy was the Chief Curriculum & Instruction Officer for Highline Public Schools, a teacher, and elementary school principal and Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning in Seattle Public Schools. In addition, she also worked for the Center for Educational Leadership as an adjunct teacher for UW Bothell’s principal preparation program. Cathy earned a Doctorate in Educational leadership from the UW in 2010. During her 25-year career, she had the opportunity to support students, teachers and principals with the goal of ensuring a quality education for ALL students. Cathy believes that helping students gain access to musical instruments is a way to carry on her strong belief in the right of a quality education for all, combined with the importance of the arts in a well-rounded education.