Board

Balamurali Balu

Founder and President

Balamurali Balu is a Portland-based music composer known for blending Eastern and Western musical traditions into innovative compositions. With a PhD in chemical engineering from Georgia Tech and prior experience at Intel, he made a bold transition into music, later earning a degree from Berklee College of Music. His work spans film scores, world music, orchestral projects, and commercial music for TVCs. Balu has collaborated with artists from the Oregon Symphony, Takohachi, Maido Mind, Taiko - Unit Souzou, and global talents from India, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, and Africa. His music has been featured on platforms such as the BBC and Amazon, and he was honored with the Best Music Producer award by the Indian Recording Artists Association. Through his nonprofit, The World Fusion, Balu fosters cultural exchange, uplifts immigrant musicians, and promotes underrepresented instruments. He also mentors youth, using music as a powerful tool for inclusion, education, and cross-cultural connection.

Patricia Temer

Secretary

Patricia Temer is an experienced professional in the semiconductor industry, known for driving complex global projects and programs. Raised in a multicultural household, she developed an early sensitivity to history, cultural identity, and communication—skills that continue to shape her. As an award-winning digital art photographer, her work has been published and exhibited around the world. She holds a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering with a minor in History from Texas A&M University and a MBA from the University of Oregon. When not immersed in the tech space, Patricia can be found exploring beautiful landscapes with her husband, capturing the world through her lens, savoring dry wit, or making friends with stray cats in far-flung corners of the world.

Yuzhong (Jerry) Lin

Treasurer

Yuzhong Lin, known in the community as Jerry Lin, was born in Shanghai, China, and earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). He has worked as a life scientist in academic and pharmaceutical settings before transitioning to the biotech industry. A passionate erhu player since his teenage years, Jerry has remained deeply engaged with Portland’s cultural scene. He has performed at numerous venues and events, including Lan Su Chinese Garden, Northwest China Council, First Saturday PDX, Portland Art Museum, various Chinese festivals, and many schools and libraries, using music as a bridge for cultural connection and education.

Joe Mendez

Joe Mendez is a passionate music educator, conductor, and proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran with over seventeen years of teaching experience. He began his musical journey with the trumpet in childhood and has since mastered multiple instruments including piano, guitar, and ukulele. Joe has taught students from diverse backgrounds, fostering creativity, confidence, and a deep appreciation for music. His formal training includes college-level coursework in concert band and piano, complemented by years of hands-on teaching and performance. He has composed original works and conducted chamber ensembles featuring string quartets, vocalists, pianists, and his own students—crafting collaborative performances that highlight musical diversity. As both an educator and a veteran, Joe brings leadership, discipline, and artistic integrity to every project. His work reflects a strong commitment to community, mentorship, and the power of music to inspire and unite.

Masumi Timson

Masumi Timson is a renowned Koto performer and educator, holding a Master’s Degree in Koto music from Japan’s prestigious Seiha Conservatory of Japanese Traditional Music. Trained in both classical and contemporary styles, she also performs Japanese classical songs with Koto and Shamisen accompaniment. Masumi enjoys cross-cultural collaborations, blending Koto with Western genres including jazz, blues, tango, folk rock, and classical music. She has recorded with the acclaimed band Pink Martini and performed with them at world-renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, Grand Rex Theatre in Paris, and Tokyo Billboard Live. In addition to performing, Masumi directs and teaches the Willamette University Koto Club and serves as a Japanese language instructor. Her work bridges cultural traditions and fosters musical dialogue across genres and generations.