Bobby Williams, Executive Director
Position: Executive Director
Tenure with the Organization: Since 2014
Biography:
Bobby Williams is a hip hop musician and performer. Through his music he has traveled and performed across three countries including India, Mexico and the continental United States.
Bobby worked as a foster care case manager for several years, working with youth who had often bounced between multiple foster placements. It was there Bobby began bringing his laptop to youth’s foster homes and teaching them how to write and record. He found that these youth were taking this experience as an opportunity to process their experience. These early sessions planted the seeds for what would eventually become The Bridge Music Project.
In 2017 Bobby received a fellowship award by The Jubilation Foundation for the work he has done to empower youth in our community. Bobby is an accomplished Hip Hop artist. He has toured across the United States and performed with some of the top names in rap, including Blackalicious and Dead Prez.
In addition to his work with The Bridge, Bobby is the host of The Parental Compass, a weekly podcast where Bobby interviews experts to leave parents with real advice they can use.
Jiovani Cervantes
Position: Programs & Comms. Coordinator
Tenure with the Organization: Since 2017
Biography:
Jiovani Cervantes is a former Bridge Music Project participant (2017–2019) who now serves as the organization’s Programs & Communications Coordinator.
A lyricist since the age of 7, Jiovani recorded his first original song at 16 and has long used music and writing as tools for self-expression, healing, and navigating life’s challenges. With a deep understanding of the impact The Bridge can have on youth, he brings both lived experience and a passion for mentorship to his role—supporting daily operations, leading creative workshops, and uplifting youth voices.
Prior to returning to Washington, Jiovani spent 5.5 years in Los Angeles working as a freelance fashion stylist, creative director, and collaborator with various fashion brands. Now back in his home state, he’s continuing his work with The Bridge while pursuing a path as a creative arts educator and making his mark on the local fashion scene.
Matt smokovich
Position: Teaching Artist & Audio Engineer
Tenure with the Organization: Since 2015
Biography:
Matt’s journey in music began early, shaped by mentorship and community. As a teenager, he was taken under the wing of several artists in the Christian Hip Hop scene, including MG the Visionary, who helped him develop his skills in rapping, beat making, and recording. By the age of 14, Matt was already creating original music and immersing himself in the creative process.
At 18, he joined Oldominon, a legendary collective that included some of the biggest names in Seattle’s underground hip hop scene. As one of the group’s primary producers, Matt worked with over 25 artists, sharpening his skills in real time and learning to adapt his sound across a wide range of styles and voices. This experience helped establish him as a prolific and versatile beat maker.
Today, Matt continues to produce for artists across the country while licensing his work for major brands such as Kit Kat, Samsung, and Adidas. His ability to blend creativity with technical excellence has made his sound both distinctive and widely appealing.
At The Bridge Music Project, Matt now serves as the Lead Producer and a core Teaching Artist. He plays a key role in recording, mixing, and mastering original music created by youth in the program, while also leading workshops on audio production and beat making. Matt’s kind spirit, sense of humor, and deep industry knowledge create a welcoming, inspiring environment for young artists to explore their creativity and build confidence. His belief in the power of music and mentorship continues to drive his work and make him an essential part of The Bridge team.
Ethan Tucker
Position: Teaching Artist & Music Mentor
Tenure with the Organization: Since 2021
Biography:
Ethan Tucker is a nationally recognized singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and longtime Olympia native with deep roots in the music community. Known for his soulful vocals and genre-blending sound that weaves together blues, folk, rock, and reggae, Ethan has performed on stages across the country—sharing bills with icons like Buddy Guy, The Wailers, and Michael Franti. In 2016, he appeared on NBC’s The Voice, further solidifying his presence as a dynamic and heartfelt performer.
As a Teaching Artist at The Bridge Music Project, Ethan brings a wealth of real-world experience and creative insight to the youth he mentors. His passion for storytelling through music is matched by his commitment to empowering the next generation of artists. Whether he’s leading songwriting sessions, sharing industry knowledge, or helping young creatives find their voice, Ethan’s grounded, encouraging approach makes him an invaluable part of The Bridge team.
JR lakey
Position: Teaching Artist & Music Mentor
Tenure with The Bridge: Since 2017
Biography:
JR has a Bachelors of Arts in Music, a Masters in Conducting, and over 25+ years of experience as a musician.
A teaching artist and music mentor with The Bridge, JR plays a huge role in our mission to teach young people important life skills through music creation.
His encouraging tonality, playful teaching approach, paired with humor helps create a fun atmosphere for youth to learn in.
THOMAS PELL
Position: Teaching Artist & Audio Engineer
Tenure with The Bridge: 2014
Biography:
Thomas is a professional musician and audio engineer with over 15+ years of experience.
He plays 5 instruments, runs sound professionally in the music & comedy industries, was nominated Producer of the Year in 2012 for his work on “Soulpocalypse” The Brown Edition, in that same year won Best Funk/Soul Album for “Soulpocalypse” The Brown Edition, and has accumulated over 150 million views on Youtube for projects he’s played large roles in.
Thomas brings an abundance of knowledge in songwriting, song orchestration, audio engineering, and live performances to our programs. His welcoming attitude, joyful tonality, and genuine love for music allows him to be the kind of mentor that really makes an impact.
Colin McGee
Position: Teaching Artist & Videographer
Tenure with The Bridge: Since 2015
Biography:
Colin is a professional recording and performing artist with over 15+ years of experience.
Aside from his own music venture, in 2013 he founded and established For MC’s by MC’s, an Olympia, WA based organization that gives youth an opportunity to express themselves through a rap battle format. In recent years, he’s been focused on videography, producing over 70+ visual projects, two of them having won national awards with The Bridge.
Colin has been a dedicated volunteer videographer and photographer with The Bridge for the last 11 years. He plays an important role in helping us capture special moments such as our Flowcases, youth artist music videos, workshop recaps, and so much more.