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.
Marisha McDowelL
Position: Music Mentor
Tenure with the Organization: Since 2014
Biography:
Marisha and our executive director, Bobby first began working together as case-aids with an Olympia, WA based foster care agency. Their work included driving youth to appointments, enrichment activities, and coordination with foster families. However, their most important role was building relationships with the youth they served.
Since childhood Marisha had a passion for writing and understood the therapeutic value it has. Marisha is a poet and book author, publishing her first full length book Learning to Fly in 2021, who writes about trauma, relationships, and healing. In 2014, The Bridge hosted their pilot songwriting workshop with Marisha as a Music Mentor. This group included eight youth and was held after hours at an alternative high school. Since that time Marisha has been a Music Mentor at nearly every Olympia Community Songwriting Workshop.
Given Marisha’s professional background, she brings a unique trauma-informed perspective to The Bridge. The supportive relationships that Marisha builds with youth create an environment that brings out their true artistry.
Jiovani Cervantes
Position: Programs & Communications 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/Lead producer
Tenure with The Bridge: Since 2016
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 Bridge: Since 2016
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.
