CYSO - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Administrative Staff Member
- Director of Marketing
Abbey Hambright serves as CYSO's Director of Marketing, overseeing all things communications, design, social media, ticketing, and PR. She came to CYSO in 2015 with a background working with creative small businesses, and before that, spent a decade in the non-profit sector working with young people.
In her time at CYSO, Abbey has refreshed the brand to convey the energy of our young musicians while continuing to spotlight CYSO's legacy of artistic excellence. She prioritizes sharing students' stories- and content created by them-through the creation of the Social Media Team in 2017. Abbey is committed to increasing access to CYSO programs by ensuring that equity, diversity, and inclusion is at the forefront of all communications. During her time with CYSO, Abbey has overseen two website redesigns, including the current site that prioritizes accessibility best practices, and grown advertising and merchandise revenue.
Early in the pandemic, in response to the isolation students were feeling as the stay-at-home order took effect, Abbey spearheaded an increase in CYSO's online presence, producing more than 100 free streamable masterclasses, workshops, and events that were viewed by thousands of people around the world. In spring 20202, she also oversaw "CYSO Week," a week-long livestreamed celebration featuring live student and staff hosts, video premieres, and a custom program to follow along at home. CYSO Week was viewed by more than 12,000 people.
Abbey is also a designer and artist in her own right. Her work has been featured in publications including the Chicago Tribune, Buzzfeed, and Travel + Leisure magazine. She graduated from University of Illinois at Chicago with a degree in sociology. Abbey lives in Chicago with her partner, their 5th grader (who is also a CYSO steelpan player), and two noisy rescue dogs. In addition to her role at CYSO, Abbey does pro-bono design projects for grassroots social justice organizations in the city. More of her work can be found at abbeyhambright.com
Job Titles:
- Operations Assistant
- Operations Assistant - Sunday & Tuesday Ensembles
Adrian Sanchez Rodriguez is a musician in the Chicago Area. Native to Merida, Venezuela, he moved to the United States in 2019 to pursue an undergraduate degree in Violin Performance - he holds said degree from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. In addition to his work with CYSO, Adrian is an active music educator, providing after-school violin classes to Chicago Public Schools elementary schools, as well as a performer, most recently engaging in the lines of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. Along with his administrative, educational, and performing commitments, Adrian also holds a passion for Conducting and Composing, having pursued both areas during his undergraduate degree.
Allen Tinkham is increasingly recognized as one of the most inspiring and exciting conductors and teachers of his generation. He is hailed by the Chicago Tribune as both a conductor and teacher, described as working "wonders" conducting with "uncanny control" and as one of Chicago's most important "educators, mentors and inspirational guides in the training of tomorrow's orchestral professionals."
As the Music Director of CYSO, Tinkham oversees artistic programming and faculty and leads the Symphony Orchestra as well as CORE, CYSO's select chamber orchestra. Tinkham led the Symphony Orchestra in its Carnegie Hall debut, first live broadcast, first recording release, and seven international tours on four continents. CYSO's Symphony Orchestra, internationally acclaimed as "one of the country's most famous youth outfits" (Muso Magazine), is regularly broadcast by WFMT and has received numerous Illinois Council of Orchestras Youth Orchestra of the Year and Programming of the Year awards.
As an advocate and champion of contemporary music, Tinkham has won nine American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) National Awards for Adventurous Programming of Contemporary Music. Tinkham is also the Music Director of the Chicago Composers Orchestra, Chicago's only professional orchestra performing exclusively the works of living composers.
In high demand as a guest conductor and educator, Tinkham has conducted summer festivals and NAfME All-State Orchestras throughout the U.S. including the All-Eastern and All-Northwest Orchestras. He was the Assistant Conductor for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's holiday concerts for six seasons, and he has guest conducted the Colorado Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, and the Members of Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Tinkham attended the Eastman School of Music, University of Michigan School of Music, and American Academy of Conducting of the Aspen Music Festival. He was invited to the 14th International Nicolai Malko Competition and the 4th International Conductors Competition Sir Georg Solti and is a laureate of the League of American Orchestras Bruno Walter Conductor Preview.
Tinkham began his career as Apprentice Conductor at the Oregon Symphony and before the end of his apprenticeship was appointed Music Director of CYSO-the youngest to win the post in its history.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Secretary / CIO, Cook County Health
Job Titles:
- Assistant Conductor Philharmonic Orchestra
An award-winning conductor, Firer is active throughout the Chicago area. He holds conducting positions at Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras and Lewis University. Benjamin received his Doctorate in Orchestral Conducting from Northwestern University and a Master's Degree from Yale University. As an orchestral musician he has recorded for the Naxos and Albany labels.
As a guest conductor, Firer has made appearances with the symphony orchestras of of Champaign-Urbana, Dubuque, DuPage, Miami, Fargo-Morehead, Orchestra de la Francophonie, Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra, Northwestern University Opera Theatre, Alice Millar Brass Ensemble, and New Music New Haven.
Firer was selected as an Emerging Conductor with the Peninsula Music Festival and as the conducting fellow for the Atlantic Music Festival. He has garnered awards including The American Prize in Conducting, The Woolsey Concerto Competition, Yale Chamber Music Competition, Ellen Battell Stoeckel Fellowship, and the Long Island University Conductors Award. Recognized for his musical entrepreneurship, he was granted the SUNY Thayer Fellowship in the Arts and the Emma Peters Hooper Endowed Award.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- IDEAB Committee Chair / Senior Associate, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Executive Committee
- Board Chair / Partner, Chapman & Cutler
Job Titles:
- Director
- Music Department Chair, Leyden High Schools Commander and Conductor 566th Air Force Band
Job Titles:
- Director of String Ensembles
Daniella Valdez is CYSO Director of String Ensembles and conducts CYSO's Preparatory Strings and Accelerando Strings ensembles. She received her musical training at Texas Tech University and Northwestern University School of Music, where she received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees respectively.
In 2011 Ms. Valdez joined the faculty staff at Maine West High School, in Des Plaines, Illinois, as the Director of Orchestras. In this capacity she conducts one full orchestra, two string ensembles and teaches piano classes. Prior to her appointment at Maine West, Ms. Valdez was an orchestra director at Elm Place Middle School in Highland Park, IL. Her career as a music educator and conductor has led to developing strong and successful orchestra programs. Ms. Valdez is an active judge and clinician working with community schools, festivals and workshops and has written several publications for music education journals. She is an active member of the Illinois Educators Association and she sits on the board of the American String Teachers Association's Illinois chapter. In addition to her work with orchestras, she is also active in various diversity, equity and inclusion committees. Her work was recently featured on a WGN-TV Chicago segment for Hispanic Heritage Month. Earlier in the year she was also awarded CYSO's Note of Excellence Award at the 2023 Gala: Women in Music in recognition of her work as an educator and her many years of service to CYSO.
Ms. Valdez has performed with several ensembles in Texas and in surrounding areas of Chicago including the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, the Abilene Symphony Orchestra, the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, the University of Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Evanston Symphony Orchestra. Also an accomplished commercial player, she has performed on stage with Chuck Mangione, Marvin Hamlish, Toni Tennille, and John Pizzarelli. Daniella lives in Chicago and enjoys traveling, cooking and being with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Retired, Music Teacher at Chicago Public Schools
Job Titles:
- Director of Chamber Music
Dr. Donald DeRoche was the director of bands and Chair of Performance Studies at DePaul University in Chicago between 1979 until 2008. Beginning in 2007 and continuing until today, he has been the Director of the chamber music program for the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras. Dr. DeRoche earned degrees in music education and performance at the University of Illinois, and a Ph.D. in music education at Northwestern University.
For three years he was clarinetist with the U.S. Army Band in Washington, D.C., and he spent two seasons as principal clarinetist with the Victoria (Canada) Symphony Orchestra. He appeared as guest artist at the Alaska Festival of Music, and soloist with the Czech, Arcturus and Vancouver string quartets. On his return to the U.S. he spent six years directing the band program at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park, Illinois.
For six years he served as conductor of the Palatine Concert Band, an adult amateur ensemble. Dr. DeRoche conducted the DePaul Wind Ensemble in Austria, Russia, Estonia, Poland, Ireland, and Hungary, and has been guest conductor with professional and conservatory wind orchestras in Estonia.
His wind ensemble can be heard on ten recordings on the EMI, Albany Records, and Reference Recordings labels. The recording project includes a variety of 20th century works and pieces for solo instrument and winds. Soloists in the series include Donald Peck, Mary Stolper, Robert Morgan, William Buchman, Lewis Kirk, Larry Combs, John Yeh, Julie DeRoche, John Hagstrom, Charles Vernon, Rami Solomonow, Christopher Costanza, and Floyd Cooley.
Dr. Eric Hines is a professional percussionist/educator residing in Chicago. An accomplished performer of classical, jazz, Caribbean, Brazilian, Mexican, and popular percussion, Dr. Hines maintains an active international touring schedule. As a bandleader, Eric appears regularly in the Chicago music scene directing his steel pan driven Caribbean jazz ensemble Eric Hines & Pan Dulce. Dr. Hines is also the drummer/percussionist for Sones de México. With two GRAMMY nominations, Sones de México is the country's premier folk music organization specializing in Mexican son. As a scholar of Cuban folkloric music, Eric has studied in Havana and Matanzas with master rumba musicians Maximino Duquesne Martinez, Francisco "Minini" Zamora Chirino, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, and Los Rumberos de Cuba. His dissertation Recipe for a Guaguancó Sabroso: Understanding Quinto Improvisation in Cuban Rumba was published in 2015.
An in-demand clinician of concert, marching, and world percussion, Dr. Hines has presented at the Library of Congress, International Percussion Festival in San Juan, Puerto Rico, PAS Days of Percussion (Texas, Arizona, & Louisiana), TMEA Clinic/Convention, many universities, and summer percussion programs. His performance and recording credits include work with The Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, The Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra, The Valley Symphony Orchestra, Champaign-Urbana Symphony, Too Hot to Handel Jazz Orchestra, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, and The Ravinia Jazz Mentors. Eric has performed internationally throughout Puerto Rico, China, England, Scotland, Belgium, France, Canada, and Mexico.
Dr. Eric Hines is a Sabian Artist, Tycoon Percussion Artist, Vic Firth Scholastic Educator, and DrumDial Artist.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Vice President, Continental Envelope Company
Mrs. Phyllis is a wife, mother, business owner, teaching artist, violin performer, contractor, and author of the book Stop Sitting and Stand.
As the owner of A Touch of Classical Plus, Inc., a private music studio in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago, she teaches strings and piano and coaches beginner chamber ensembles. Mrs. Phyllis believes that no one is ever too young or too old to learn an instrument. She brings programming to schools and homeschool communities and enjoys performing as a worship violinist.
Mrs. Phyllis enjoys writing, performing with her son, and traveling with her husband.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Staff Member
- Marketing Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Executive Committee
- Governance Chair / Senior Counsel, Litigation, Conagra Brands, Inc.
Dr. Eric Hines is a professional percussionist/educator residing in Chicago. An accomplished performer of classical, jazz, Caribbean, Brazilian, Mexican, and popular percussion, Dr. Hines maintains an active international touring schedule. As a bandleader, Eric appears regularly in the Chicago music scene directing his steel pan driven Caribbean jazz ensemble Eric Hines & Pan Dulce. Dr. Hines is also the drummer/percussionist for Sones de México. With two GRAMMY nominations, Sones de México is the country's premier folk music organization specializing in Mexican son. As a scholar of Cuban folkloric music, Eric has studied in Havana and Matanzas with master rumba musicians Maximino Duquesne Martinez, Francisco "Minini" Zamora Chirino, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, and Los Rumberos de Cuba. His dissertation Recipe for a Guaguancó Sabroso: Understanding Quinto Improvisation in Cuban Rumba was published in 2015.
An in-demand clinician of concert, marching, and world percussion, Dr. Hines has presented at the Library of Congress, International Percussion Festival in San Juan, Puerto Rico, PAS Days of Percussion (Texas, Arizona, & Louisiana), TMEA Clinic/Convention, many universities, and summer percussion programs. His performance and recording credits include work with The Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, The Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra, The Valley Symphony Orchestra, Champaign-Urbana Symphony, Too Hot to Handel Jazz Orchestra, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, and The Ravinia Jazz Mentors. Eric has performed internationally throughout Puerto Rico, China, England, Scotland, Belgium, France, Canada, and Mexico.
Nayelii is a classically trained violinist with a bachelor degree in Music Education from North Park University. Her passion for non-profit work has led her to teach students of all ages, styles, and levels of playing with various music programs in Chicago and Thailand.
Nayelii's primary focus in teaching is to provide holistic educational experiences which nurture the character and emotional and mental well-being of the student, as well as their musical ability, and is double-certified in the teaching method Education in Human Values.
In her free time, Nayelii also plays the ukulele and loves to create complex fiber art.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Vice Chairman, CCC Information Services, Inc
Job Titles:
- Administrative Staff Member
- Finance Manager
Before joining CYSO in December 2023, Jade (she/her) held various positions in finance/administration for 10+ years in Property Management. In her most recent role, she served as Accounting Coordinator at Marwen where she was responsible for working directly with the director in managing Marwen's $2million+ operating budget. Jade's passion for the arts and equitable systems and processes is what motivated her to join the CYSO's team where she oversees finance and accounting management with additional responsibilities in administration. Outside of finance, Jade is a multimedia artist, mental health advocate & coach, Chicago foodie, avid traveler, and a mom.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Chairman, Marketing & Technology Group, Inc
Job Titles:
- Director
- Freelance Producer / Musician
Job Titles:
- Administrative Staff Member
- Executive Director
A celebrated artist, arts administrator, educator, and visionary, Jennie Oh Brown serves as Executive Director of Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras. Brown works in tandem with the CYSO team to build on CYSO's long history of inspiring personal excellence through music by identifying new educational and performance opportunities for our young musicians, expanding community partnerships to provide musical training and access in under-served communities throughout Chicago, and growing CYSO's profile as one of the nation's cultural and musical gems. In addition, as the parent of a CYSO graduate (Cameron Brown, ‘15)., Brown brings a unique perspective on the impact and importance the program provides to students.
In addition to her role at CYSO, Brown is Artist in Residence at the Epiphany Center for the Arts (Chicago) and serves as flutist, Executive and Artistic Director of ensemble collective Picosa. Brown is an active performer throughout Chicago in many contexts, including performances with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera Orchestra. Her solo album, Giantess (Innova 2019), was featured in "Howard Reich's Best Classical Albums of 2019" (Chicago Tribune). Additional albums include her first solo album "Looking Back: Flute Music by Joseph Schwantner" (Innova 2015), and "Vox" (Innova 2020) with the Heare Ensemble, which both released to critical acclaim. She serves on the board of Chamber Music America, on the Diversity and Inclusion and Historical Flutes Committees of the National Flute Association, and she is a member of the Recording Academy.
Brown is a graduate of Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music (Bachelor of Music degree in Flute Performance), the Eastman School of Music (Performers Certificate, Doctorate and Masters of Music Performance, Repertoire, and Literature), and the Interlochen Arts Academy. Most recently, she served as Artistic Director of Epiphany Center for the Arts, Artistic and Executive Director of Ear Taxi Festival in 2021, founder and faculty member of Credo Flute, and faculty at Wheaton College and Elmhurst University.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Vice President & Treasurer, the Alvin & Louise Myerberg Family Foundation, Inc
Job Titles:
- Director
- Vice President Client Development, Team Lead, Advantage Marketing Partners
Job Titles:
- Administrative Staff Member
- Administrator
- Community Engagement Manager
Trombonist, educator, and administrator Karen Mari has long been a part of the Chicago youth music community. She is a proud alum of CYSO's Concert Orchestra and has fond memories of rehearsing in 833, performing education concerts in the Chicago Cultural Center, and schlepping her instrument on the Metra every weekend.
Karen earned a degree in music education from Indiana University, where she played a lot of trombone, visited a lot of classrooms, and drank a lot of coffee. She completed her student teaching at Roosevelt High School in Albany Park and spent a year as a K-8 general music teacher in East Chicago, Indiana. Before starting at CYSO, Karen worked as an administrator and faculty member at the Merit School of Music. She relies on her knowledge of education every day and continues to find joy in teaching.
Karen joined the CYSO staff in 2019 and oversees our school-based programs, including direct-instruction partnerships in three CPS elementary schools and counting! Karen coordinates CYSO's education concert and Ambassadors programs, introducing live classical music to thousands of CPS students each year. She keeps CYSO connected with other youth music organizations and guides students and families exploring their musical opportunities in Chicago and beyond.
Outside of music, Karen enjoys drinking home-roasted coffee with her wife (Annaeka), birding at Montrose Point, and watching Star Trek for the zillionth time.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Development Chair / CFO, Markets Advisory, JLL
Job Titles:
- Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor, Chamber Music Faculty
Kenny Lee has established himself as an outstanding artist and leader both on the podium and as a cellist. Praised for his "lyricism, drive, tenderness, and passion" (The Times Argus), he has performed as a conductor, recitalist, and chamber musician throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.
Recent conducting highlights include collaborations with the Jerusalem Symphony, Moravská Filharmonie Olomouc, Lviv National Philharmonic, Midcoast Symphony Orchestra, Exeter Symphonia, and Gwinnett Chamber Orchestra. For the past three years, he has successfully led the Western Illinois University's Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra with thrilling performances. Lee is ecstatic to be joining the CSYO team as the new conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra beginning in Fall 2023.
Recent cello performance highlights include solo and concerto appearances in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Boston's Jordan Hall, and Eastman Kodak Hall. He recently performed concerti by Dvorak, Haydn, and Gulda and has appeared as a soloist with the Atlanta Sinfonia, Eastman Philharmonia, Jordan Winds, and Eugene Symphony. He has collaborated as a soloist with conductors such as Giancarlo Guerro, Neil Varon, and William Drury.
Lee's musical journeys have led him to collaborations with several esteemed artists, including principal players of the Berlin Philharmonic, members of the Juilliard, Cleveland, Borromeo, and Ying Quartets. Festival appearances have included Rockport Chamber Music Festival, Thy Chamber Music Festival in Denmark, Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival, Taos Chamber Music Festival, and Piatigorsky International Cello Festival. Lee is also the co-founder and artistic director of the Flatirons Chamber Music Festival, a non-profit organization in Boulder, Colorado.
As a recording artist, he has recorded chamber music for Klavier Records and is currently working to release Friedrich Gulda's Cello Concerto. Lee is also in the process of preparing his debut CD of unaccompanied works for cello.
Lee is a top prize winner of several competitions, including the Seventeenth International Conductor's Workshop and Competition, New York International Artists Competition, Hudson Valley String Competition, Borromeo Guest Artist Competition, Eastman Concerto Competition, and New England Conservatory Honors Chamber Music Competition as the founding member of the Gioviale Quartet.
Born in Seoul, South Korea, Lee grew up in Oregon and began studying music at the age of 10. Lee's musical mentors have included Laurence Lesser, Paul Katz, Steven Doane, and Steven Pologe. He has also worked with Hans Jørgen Jensen, Pieter Wispelwey, Lluis Claret, Ralph Kirshbaum, and Frans Helmerson. His conducting teachers have included Steven Sloane, Carl St. Clair, and Charles Peltz. Lee graduated from the Eastman School of Music as a recipient of the John Celentano Award for Excellence in Chamber Music. He earned his Masters and Doctorate degrees from the New England Conservatory with honors.
Lee is a dedicated teacher and is currently the cello professor and orchestra director at Western Illinois University.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Artist Faculty, Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University
Job Titles:
- Administrative Staff Member
- Chief Operating Officer
- Member of the CYSO Operations
Madalyne Maxwell has been a member of the CYSO Operations department since 2006, working her way up through nearly every position to her current role as Director of Operations. She joined the staff while completing her degree in flute performance at Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts, realizing that her passion for music was about making things happen behind the scenes rather than being on stage herself. Since then, Madalyne has been an integral part of the Operations team, overseeing the day-to-day activity of all CYSO programs.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Staff Member
- Events & Fundraising Coordinator
Marc has been fortunate to work in professional theater across the country, in arts education, and non-profit arts development & fundraising-and is so excited to join this amazing organization to continue to provide music education to students across the Chicagoland area.
His education and training is rooted in classical theatre and musical theatre from DeSales University (BA), The British American Drama Academy (Certificate), and Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory (MFA). His various training has enabled him to transfer skills from theater to the corporate world in teaching public speaking, as well as private coaching and advising actors of all ages.
Marc is committed to the power of the arts to educate our society in empathy and compassion to create a better world.
Meredith Shaner has nearly 20 years of experience in non-profit development. She has been a member of the CYSO staff since 2009, and currently serves as CYSO's Grant Writer. In this role, Meredith raises funds for the organization from foundations, corporations, and government sources. She is also an alumna of CYSO and played viola in the Symphony Orchestra from 1996 - 1998.
Michael Tran is a freelance clarinetist in the Chicago area. He has a diverse career as a performer and educator. He is currently an Associate member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and has performed with the Chicago Sinfonietta, Ocala Symphony, and the Fifth Wave Collective. As an educator he has given recitals, masterclasses, and clinics at universities across the country.
Michael graduated from DePaul University with his M.M. in Music Performance and his B.M. in Music and M.S. in Management at the University of Florida. He conducted his studies with Stephen Williamson, Julie DeRoche, Jackie Glazier, and Mitchell Estrin. He is also the Artistic Advisor at the Vandoren Musician's Advisory Studio in Chicago and has served in that role for over five years.
Job Titles:
- Chamber Music & Tour Assistant
Natalie Zoia is a flutist, educator, and administrator in the Chicago area. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign and a Master of Music in Flute Performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Natalie is currently pursuing her Performance Diploma at the Chicago College of Performing Arts.
In addition to her work with CYSO, Natalie is a passionate music educator, leading a private teaching studio of flute students as well as serving as a sectional coach at schools throughout her community.
Job Titles:
- Administrator
- Operations Associate ( CO, DO, AS, PS, OS )
Nico Chona is currently a clarinetist and music administrator in the Chicago area. Nico just finished his three-season membership with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago after completing his master of music studies under Jonathan Gunn in 2018 at the University of Texas at Austin. He received his B.M. in music performance from Rice University in 2014, where he studied with Richie Hawley.
While living in Houston, Nico was a founding member of the Noctua Wind Quintet, senior bronze medalists at the 2012 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Additionally, Noctua has won prizes at the Coleman Chamber Ensemble Competition, the Chamber Music Yellow Springs competition, and was the only American group invited to the live rounds of the 63rd ARD International Music Competition in 2014. Nico made his Kennedy Center Millennium Stage debut with the group that same year while on tour with Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Larry Rachleff. Nico also worked in operations for his hometown youth orchestra, Houston Youth Symphony.
During his time with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Nico collaborated with well-known artists such as Erina Yashima, Bramwell Tovey, Ken-David Masur, musicians from the International Contemporary Ensemble, and Yo-Yo Ma.
Nico currently serves as the bass clarinetist for the Ann Arbor-based Vanguard Reed Quintet is actively pursuing an orchestral career.
Noé Mina received his BM from Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Jazz Trumpet Performance on a Presidential Scholarship Award. He grew up studying classical piano under the tutelage of Patryce King and singing in his church choir for five years until discovering his true passion for trumpet in the sixth grade. He derived inspiration for jazz music from his high school jazz mentor Ponder East and participated in All-State Ensembles for three years as well as placing first chair in the National Competition - Jazz Band of America.
Upon moving back to his hometown in Austin, TX following graduation, Noé spent a year teaching Music Theory at a private music school, teaching jazz workshops to Austin Public School students and playing in five local bands. He has made it his mission to use his music knowledge, experience and passion to inform his teaching and introducing new musicians to different styles of music in a fun and engaging way. Since moving to Chicago in August 2019, Noé performs with a variety of artists around town, teaches as a private instructor for American Music Institute and coaches sectionals for Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Finance Chair ( Treasurer ) Retired, Institutional Capital Corporation
Job Titles:
- Director of Jazz Orch Estra
There are many moments that can define a man's life and for Pharez Whitted, this is one of them. As he took on the role of CYSO Jazz Director, the Chicago Tribune's Howard Reich wrote that "few Chicago musician-educators are more qualified than Whitted to build the new band, for he commands a richly deserved reputation as a trumpet virtuoso, seasoned educator and irrepressible champion of the music."
Whitted is humble with his legacy and his deep roots in music go as far back as the 1930's in Indianapolis where the Hampton Family Band first began performing. His mother Virtue, his uncle Slide Hampton, and the other 10 siblings laid a foundation with their self-educated and courageous father, Clarke "Deacon" Hampton, at the helm. With that level of determination and talent, Whitted was destined to inherit the gift of music.
At the age of nine he found a trumpet in the closet and asked his brother to show him how to play a C major. With that, he was hooked. He began his career in 1982 after earning his Master's Degree at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He released his self-entitled debut album with Motown in 1994 and continued recording solo albums ever since. His most recent, Pharaoh Smooth, was released in 2021.
One of the greatest gifts that Whitted passes on is his love and appreciation for the music and using it as a tool for peace, inclusion and expression. He instilled this passion in the students that passed through his doors while serving as the Director of Jazz Studies at Chicago State University and now through his work with CYSO, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Ravinia's Jazz Scholar program. Pharez continues carrying the torch of the Hampton's that came before him and all of the jazz legends he graced the stage with, not to mention his recordings and accolades that has prepared him for the next chapter in his career. For Pharez, this is just the beginning and he's come full circle to marry his experience and knowledge with the foundation of education.
Priya Fink is a Chicago-based flutist, originally from Houston, Texas. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Flute Performance with a minor in Communication and Media from DePaul University and is currently pursuing an MBA in Arts Innovation from The Global Leaders Institute. Priya is the flute teacher at Sistema Ravinia in Chicago's Austin neighborhood as a part of Ravinia's Reach, Teach, Play education program. She enjoys performing around the city and is in her second year as an Associate Member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside, reading, and making pottery.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Staff Member
- Operations Coordinator
- in 2022 As One an Operations Assistant
- Operations Coordinator ( JO, PO, so, Chamber )
A Chicagoland native, Reanna Panlilio joined CYSO in 2022 as one an Operations Assistant. Reanna is an active clarinetist and administrator in the Chicagoland area. She currently performs with the Naperville Winds and the Yorkville Community Band, where she also serves as a seasonal administrator. Reanna also has her own clarinet studio where she shares the love for music to young musicians by providing a fun and positive curriculum.
Reanna is currently studying to receive her Master of Arts (MA) in Performing Arts Administration from Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music degree from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. Before joining CYSO, Reanna was the Artistic Intern for Fifth House Ensemble of Chicago.
Outside from working and performing, Reanna enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also loves walking, traveling, and trying new foods.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Partner, FisherBroyles
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Chairman Emeritus / Partner, Jenner & Block
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Executive Committee
- Artistic, Education, and Innovation Chair
Job Titles:
- Operations Assistant ( so, PO, JO, CHM )
Scott Bakshis comes to CYSO after six years as a teaching artist with Sistema Ravinia. He loves to play piano, conduct, and compose. He maintains a private bass studio, performs with two bands (a third in the works), a summer opera company, and freelances throughout the Midwest.
A graduate of Libertyville High School, Scott attended the Cleveland Institute of Music as a double bass major before joining the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. In the Fall of 2019, he graduated from North Park University with a B.A. in Arts Administration - Music and a certificate in Music for Social Change and Human Values.
His appointment as Operations Assistant is a happy homecoming for Scott. He spent one year in CYSO's Concert Orchestra under Maestro Terrance Gray, and for three years Scott was a member of Symphony Orchestra under Maestro Allen Tinkham.
His other interests include yoga, meditation, hiking with his fiancé, Lera, cooking, and spending time with his cats.
Job Titles:
- Director of Steel Orchestras / CYSO Recording Coordinator
- Recording Coordinator
Scott McConnell is an active percussion/steelpan performer and Educator from Chicago Illinois. In addition to his role as Director of Steel Orchestras and recording coordinator with Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, Scott can be found working with a number of other steel ensemble and percussion programs in the Chicagoland area. These programs include steelband instructor at William Hatch Elementary, as a percussion and steelband faculty member at Birch Creek Music Performance Center, and lecturer of music at Elgin Community college in percussion and steelband as well percussion and rock ensemble at Lewis University. As a member of these organizations Scott teaches, arranges, and performs on both steelpan and percussion.
Scott's diverse and eclectic interest in learning many styles of music led him to a portfolio career that include performances with the Illinois Festival Orchestra, South East Steel Orchestra, Starlift Steel Orchestra, the Carpe Diem String Quartet, and the Four Star Brass band, to name a few. As an advocate and representative for steelpan, Scott co-founded Pastiche Steel Ensemble, a professional steelband that focuses on sharing the power and versatility of the steelpan through new collaborations and mediums. Members of Pastiche went on to create the Virtual Steelband, a project that brings pannists from around the world together virtually to premiere new steelband music. As a committee member of the Virtual Steelband, Scott helped bring to life Bella Vista and Pan Kingdom, two new steelband compositions. Scott is now working to commission new works for steel ensembles through his program at CYSO. His students have recently premiered a piece for steel orchestra and string ensemble by Aaron Gage, and are looking forward to premiering a work by Ben Walhund for steel orchestra and percussion ensemble in 2025.
Scott earned both undergraduate and masters degrees in percussion and steelpan performance from Northern Illinois University, studying with world-renowned pedagogues Cliff Alexis, Greg Beyer, Robert Chappell, and Liam Teague. Upon completion of his masters degrees, Scott continued his study with Liam Teague, earning a performer's certificate in steelpan studies. In May 2014, Scott completed a second masters degree in recording media technology, studying with Grammy-winning recording engineer Dan Nichols. During this time, he worked as the graduate assistant and served as the mastering engineer for the NIU Steelband's latest CD, Dangerous.
Scott McConnell is an endorser of Vic Firth, Zildjian, and Mike Balter.
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