Administrative Staff
Kim Wachter, Operations Manager
When Kim was 10 years old, she off-handedly made the comment, “If I could play any instrument, I’d like to play the violin.” Lo and behold, Christmas morning came with a violin under the tree, proving that Santa really does pay attention. One fateful day that January, Kim and her mom entered Musik Innovations looking for violin lessons and were greeted by none other than Pablo Ardiles. Kim became his student on the spot and took lessons with Pablo for the next 7 ½ years. She graduated from North Allegheny in 2003, in one of the last classes to study under the direction of the legendary Christine Loverti, founder of North Allegheny’s Golden Strolling Strings. Kim can still play Pachelbel’s Canon in D by memory. She went on to study Elementary Education at La Roche College, where she graduated summa cum laude in 2007.
On another fateful day shortly before Kim’s senior year of college, Pablo told Kim about his grand plans to start a youth orchestra. Kim agreed to simply watch Musik Innovations (the original home of PYCO rehearsal) for 3 hours each Sunday while rehearsals were held. It quickly became apparent that such a big undertaking could use more help, so Kim became the Conductor’s Assistant, immediately followed by becoming Orchestra Manager. Over 10 years later, having followed her heart to forgo teaching and remain with PYCO, Kim is now the Operations Manager, and could not be more proud of the years of growth and success that PYCO has achieved. She looks forward to continuing to work with PYCO as it reaches new heights in providing a rewarding musical experience for the youth of the Greater Pittsburgh area.
When Kim was 10 years old, she off-handedly made the comment, “If I could play any instrument, I’d like to play the violin.” Lo and behold, Christmas morning came with a violin under the tree, proving that Santa really does pay attention. One fateful day that January, Kim and her mom entered Musik Innovations looking for violin lessons and were greeted by none other than Pablo Ardiles. Kim became his student on the spot and took lessons with Pablo for the next 7 ½ years. She graduated from North Allegheny in 2003, in one of the last classes to study under the direction of the legendary Christine Loverti, founder of North Allegheny’s Golden Strolling Strings. Kim can still play Pachelbel’s Canon in D by memory. She went on to study Elementary Education at La Roche College, where she graduated summa cum laude in 2007.
On another fateful day shortly before Kim’s senior year of college, Pablo told Kim about his grand plans to start a youth orchestra. Kim agreed to simply watch Musik Innovations (the original home of PYCO rehearsal) for 3 hours each Sunday while rehearsals were held. It quickly became apparent that such a big undertaking could use more help, so Kim became the Conductor’s Assistant, immediately followed by becoming Orchestra Manager. Over 10 years later, having followed her heart to forgo teaching and remain with PYCO, Kim is now the Operations Manager, and could not be more proud of the years of growth and success that PYCO has achieved. She looks forward to continuing to work with PYCO as it reaches new heights in providing a rewarding musical experience for the youth of the Greater Pittsburgh area.
Grace Houde, Orchestra Manager
Grace Houde is a freelance bassoonist and teacher in the Pittsburgh area. She received her B.M. in Bassoon Performance from the University of Florida and her M.M. in Bassoon Performance from Carnegie Mellon University. Her primary teachers include Nancy Goeres, Anthony Anurca, and Shannon Lowe. Grace is the Bassoon Professor at Seton Hill University and the PYCO School of Music. She has won first prize in the Silberman Chamber Competition and the Carnegie Mellon Baroque Concerto Competition. She has performed with the Erie Philharmonic, Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Johnstown Symphony Youth Orchestra, Ohio Valley Chorale, Bach Choir of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Girls Choir, the Aspen Music Festival and School, the World Youth Wind Orchestra, WASBE conventions and IDRS Conventions.
Grace Houde is a freelance bassoonist and teacher in the Pittsburgh area. She received her B.M. in Bassoon Performance from the University of Florida and her M.M. in Bassoon Performance from Carnegie Mellon University. Her primary teachers include Nancy Goeres, Anthony Anurca, and Shannon Lowe. Grace is the Bassoon Professor at Seton Hill University and the PYCO School of Music. She has won first prize in the Silberman Chamber Competition and the Carnegie Mellon Baroque Concerto Competition. She has performed with the Erie Philharmonic, Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Johnstown Symphony Youth Orchestra, Ohio Valley Chorale, Bach Choir of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Girls Choir, the Aspen Music Festival and School, the World Youth Wind Orchestra, WASBE conventions and IDRS Conventions.
To reach Kim or Grace, please visit our contact page!