PYCO Coaches
Pablo Ardiles - PYCO Symphony Orchestra Director & PYCO Concert Strings Director
Pablo Ardiles was born in Argentina where, at an early age, he started the study of piano and violin. He obtained his bachelor degree of Arts in Chamber Music, with concentration in violin performance and conducting, at the University of La Plata in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and his Master of Music in violin performance at Carnegie Mellon University. He also holds an Artist Diploma from Duquesne University. While at Carnegie Mellon University, Mr. Ardiles studied with Aaron Bitran, violinist of the “Cuarteto Latinoamericano,” and Andrés Cárdenes, former concertmaster of the Pittsburgh Symphony.
As a violinist, Mr. Ardiles has performed extensively as a soloist, concertmaster, and member of many orchestras and ensembles. In Argentina he performed with the Gilardo Gilardi Conservatory Orchestra, La Plata Youth Orchestra, University of La Plata Orchestra, Olavarria Civic Orchestra, Lazarte Camerata (concertmaster), Tucuman Symphony Orchestra, and San Luis Symphony Orchestra (concertmaster). In Europe he performed with the Populare Konzerte Orchestra in Berlin, Germany.
In Pittsburgh and the tri-state area, Mr. Ardiles served as concertmaster of the San Damiano Consort, Butler Symphony, Duquesne University Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Festival Orchestra. He also played as section principal or orchestra member with the Westmoreland Symphony, McKeesport Symphony, Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic Orchestra, Altoona Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, Johnstown Symphony, Saint Vincent Camerata, Pitt University Orchestra, Orchestra Nova, and Carnegie Mellon and Duquesne University Contemporary Ensembles. In this capacity he performed under the baton of maestros Sydney Hart, Andrés Cárdenes, Larry Rachleff, Kevin Knoe, and Juan Pablo Izquierdo, among many others.
In 1992 Mr. Ardiles started teaching chamber music at the Carnegie Mellon pre-college program, where he was a faculty member until 2015. In 1996, he founded the Musik Innovations Chamber Music Camp which he led successfully for 14 years. During this time, the program provided chamber music instruction to over 500 students from 30 school districts in the Pittsburgh, Ohio and West Virginia areas. He also taught violin at the Winchester Thurston School.
Mr. Ardiles became the music director of Serenading Strings in 2002, and in the fall of 2003 he was appointed Music Director of the Classical Concert Series for the Uptown Theatre in Washington, PA. In both capacities, Mr. Ardiles has produced or coordinated hundreds of musical performances and ensembles, ranging from solo instrumentalists to full symphony orchestras, in various ethnic styles and genres.
Mr. Ardiles has coached and conducted several youth orchestras, as well as ensembles and professional groups in the USA and abroad. In Pittsburgh, he conducted the Pittsburgh Philharmonic, PMEA District 1 Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra (PYCO). He has been the artistic director of PYCO since 2006 which he conducted both in the USA and during international tours in the European cities of Salzburg, Vienna, Prague, London, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Paris. His next international tour, scheduled for July 2018, will include conducting the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra in Venice, Florence and Rome.
Mr. Ardiles is presently the Director of the PYCO School of Music in Wexford, PA, and the Artistic Director of the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra (PYCO). He performs currently as a conductor, violin and viola recitalist and a free-lance musician.
Mr. Ardiles maintains an active studio of private students at the PYCO School of Music, where he shares the love and art of playing violin and viola, and the joy of being a musician.
As a violinist, Mr. Ardiles has performed extensively as a soloist, concertmaster, and member of many orchestras and ensembles. In Argentina he performed with the Gilardo Gilardi Conservatory Orchestra, La Plata Youth Orchestra, University of La Plata Orchestra, Olavarria Civic Orchestra, Lazarte Camerata (concertmaster), Tucuman Symphony Orchestra, and San Luis Symphony Orchestra (concertmaster). In Europe he performed with the Populare Konzerte Orchestra in Berlin, Germany.
In Pittsburgh and the tri-state area, Mr. Ardiles served as concertmaster of the San Damiano Consort, Butler Symphony, Duquesne University Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Festival Orchestra. He also played as section principal or orchestra member with the Westmoreland Symphony, McKeesport Symphony, Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic Orchestra, Altoona Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, Johnstown Symphony, Saint Vincent Camerata, Pitt University Orchestra, Orchestra Nova, and Carnegie Mellon and Duquesne University Contemporary Ensembles. In this capacity he performed under the baton of maestros Sydney Hart, Andrés Cárdenes, Larry Rachleff, Kevin Knoe, and Juan Pablo Izquierdo, among many others.
In 1992 Mr. Ardiles started teaching chamber music at the Carnegie Mellon pre-college program, where he was a faculty member until 2015. In 1996, he founded the Musik Innovations Chamber Music Camp which he led successfully for 14 years. During this time, the program provided chamber music instruction to over 500 students from 30 school districts in the Pittsburgh, Ohio and West Virginia areas. He also taught violin at the Winchester Thurston School.
Mr. Ardiles became the music director of Serenading Strings in 2002, and in the fall of 2003 he was appointed Music Director of the Classical Concert Series for the Uptown Theatre in Washington, PA. In both capacities, Mr. Ardiles has produced or coordinated hundreds of musical performances and ensembles, ranging from solo instrumentalists to full symphony orchestras, in various ethnic styles and genres.
Mr. Ardiles has coached and conducted several youth orchestras, as well as ensembles and professional groups in the USA and abroad. In Pittsburgh, he conducted the Pittsburgh Philharmonic, PMEA District 1 Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra (PYCO). He has been the artistic director of PYCO since 2006 which he conducted both in the USA and during international tours in the European cities of Salzburg, Vienna, Prague, London, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Paris. His next international tour, scheduled for July 2018, will include conducting the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra in Venice, Florence and Rome.
Mr. Ardiles is presently the Director of the PYCO School of Music in Wexford, PA, and the Artistic Director of the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra (PYCO). He performs currently as a conductor, violin and viola recitalist and a free-lance musician.
Mr. Ardiles maintains an active studio of private students at the PYCO School of Music, where he shares the love and art of playing violin and viola, and the joy of being a musician.
Lydia Miller Choorapuzha - Violin Coach
A native of Severna Park, Maryland, Lydia Miller Choorapuzha began playing violin at the early age of five. Her talent and enthusiasm for the instrument resulted in a scholarship to study at the preparatory division of the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, where she learned from world-renowned musicians during her seven years there.
Lydia is, however, a scholar as well as a performer. She attended Boston University on a merit scholarship where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in the history and literature of music. There she studied with Peter Zazofsky, first violinist of the Muir String Quartet. In the spring of 2002, Lydia traveled abroad to Berlin, Germany, where she studied German language, history, and literature at the Freie Universitaet and violin at the Hochschule der Kunst, as a student of Rainer Kimstedt. In the spring of 2006 she completed her master's degree in violin performance at the State University of New York College at Purchase, where she was a scholarship recipient and the teaching assistant for Laurie Smukler, founding member of the Mendelssohn Quartet. Lydia moved to the Twin Cities in the fall of 2006 to work more closely with her mentor Jorja Fleezanis, former Concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra.
Lydia has played with such orchestras as the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Minnesota Opera Orchestra, the American Composers Orchestra, the Long Island Philharmonic, the Westchester Philharmonic, the Hawaii Symphony and the World Symphony Orchestra, and has shared the stage with such artists as singing legend Art Garfunkel, Bruce Springsteen, Barry Manilow, and Josh Groban. She is the former Concertmaster of the Mankato Symphony, where she also founded the popular chamber music series, Music on the Hill. Her performance schedule has also taken her to concert halls in Canada, Iceland, Scotland, England, Germany, and South Korea.
Lydia completed additional studies in violin pedagogy with Mimi Zweig of Indiana University and is a certified Suzuki Violin Teacher. In 2015, Lydia became a member of the College of Examiners at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. As a String Specialist in the College, she travels throughout the US and Canada, adjudicating exams for students of all levels. Her own students have won National Gold Medal awards and have performed in Carnegie Hall after their successful exams. Lydia currently teaches at the PYCO School of Music in Wexford, Pennsylvania.
Lydia is, however, a scholar as well as a performer. She attended Boston University on a merit scholarship where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in the history and literature of music. There she studied with Peter Zazofsky, first violinist of the Muir String Quartet. In the spring of 2002, Lydia traveled abroad to Berlin, Germany, where she studied German language, history, and literature at the Freie Universitaet and violin at the Hochschule der Kunst, as a student of Rainer Kimstedt. In the spring of 2006 she completed her master's degree in violin performance at the State University of New York College at Purchase, where she was a scholarship recipient and the teaching assistant for Laurie Smukler, founding member of the Mendelssohn Quartet. Lydia moved to the Twin Cities in the fall of 2006 to work more closely with her mentor Jorja Fleezanis, former Concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra.
Lydia has played with such orchestras as the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Minnesota Opera Orchestra, the American Composers Orchestra, the Long Island Philharmonic, the Westchester Philharmonic, the Hawaii Symphony and the World Symphony Orchestra, and has shared the stage with such artists as singing legend Art Garfunkel, Bruce Springsteen, Barry Manilow, and Josh Groban. She is the former Concertmaster of the Mankato Symphony, where she also founded the popular chamber music series, Music on the Hill. Her performance schedule has also taken her to concert halls in Canada, Iceland, Scotland, England, Germany, and South Korea.
Lydia completed additional studies in violin pedagogy with Mimi Zweig of Indiana University and is a certified Suzuki Violin Teacher. In 2015, Lydia became a member of the College of Examiners at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. As a String Specialist in the College, she travels throughout the US and Canada, adjudicating exams for students of all levels. Her own students have won National Gold Medal awards and have performed in Carnegie Hall after their successful exams. Lydia currently teaches at the PYCO School of Music in Wexford, Pennsylvania.
Steve Ehrlich - PYCO Junior String Orchestra Director
Steve Ehrlich is the East Allegheny School District Orchestra Director for grades 4-12. He has been in this position since the fall of 2003. Previously he was the Orchestra Director for the Penn Hills School District from 1996-2003.
He was born in Pittsburgh, and received his early musical training at the Pittsburgh Centers for the Musically Talented, as well as performing with the Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra. A recipient of a Presidential Scholarship to Duquesne University, he earned a B.S. Degree in Music Education in 1994 (magna cum laude) and a Masters Degree in Cello Performance in 1996.
He has performed with the Edgewood Symphony, Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, Saint Vincent Chamber Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Symphony. Steve is currently the principal cellist for the North Pittsburgh Philharmonic. He has also been a freelance musician in the Pittsburgh area for the last 15 years directing the chamber ensemble Steve Ehrlich Strings. During his career he has performed in numerous operas, musicals, and festivals. He is also a private studio instructor on all stringed instruments.
He was born in Pittsburgh, and received his early musical training at the Pittsburgh Centers for the Musically Talented, as well as performing with the Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra. A recipient of a Presidential Scholarship to Duquesne University, he earned a B.S. Degree in Music Education in 1994 (magna cum laude) and a Masters Degree in Cello Performance in 1996.
He has performed with the Edgewood Symphony, Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, Saint Vincent Chamber Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Symphony. Steve is currently the principal cellist for the North Pittsburgh Philharmonic. He has also been a freelance musician in the Pittsburgh area for the last 15 years directing the chamber ensemble Steve Ehrlich Strings. During his career he has performed in numerous operas, musicals, and festivals. He is also a private studio instructor on all stringed instruments.
George Furlow - PYCO Jazz Ensemble Director & PYCO Adult Jazz Program Director
George Furlow was born in the town of Grafton, West Virginia. He moved from Grafton to Washington, D.C., on to Cumberland, Maryland and then on to Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Furlow’s family finally settled in Pittsburgh where he has lived for the past thirty five years.
Mr. Furlow graduated from Duquesne University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music in Saxophone. Mr. Furlow has been a band director and is a long-time music faculty member at Geneva College. He is an active performer, playing in many of the area’s top ensembles, and an experienced studio recording engineer who helps area musicians realize their musical projects. He also is the music director of the Covenant Church of Pittsburgh.
Mr. Furlow is uniquely talented at teaching young musicians to open up creatively in sound, and he gives them invaluable tools for learning to play jazz and become confident in improvisation.
Mr. Furlow graduated from Duquesne University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music in Saxophone. Mr. Furlow has been a band director and is a long-time music faculty member at Geneva College. He is an active performer, playing in many of the area’s top ensembles, and an experienced studio recording engineer who helps area musicians realize their musical projects. He also is the music director of the Covenant Church of Pittsburgh.
Mr. Furlow is uniquely talented at teaching young musicians to open up creatively in sound, and he gives them invaluable tools for learning to play jazz and become confident in improvisation.
Timothy Heavner - Jazz Coach
Timothy Heavner moved to Pittsburgh in the fall of 2012 to accept a teaching position as the Choral Teacher and the Music Director for the Senior School Musical at Sewickley Academy, and he has since expanded his duties to include teaching Band and Orchestra. Since moving to Pittsburgh, Mr. Heavner has worked extensively with the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh as a singer in the professional core, accompanist, and rehearsal assistant; prior to taking on the role of Music Director, he served as the Assistant Conductor and Accompanist for the Jr. Mendelssohn Choir. Mr. Heavner has appeared on stage with the Butler County Symphony Orchestra playing piano, harpsichord, and celesta, and he was featured as a jazz piano soloist with Dee Daniels. He currently serves as the Music Director and Organist at the Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon.
Mr. Heavner moved to Pittsburgh from New York City, where he maintained a busy career performing and teaching. He taught as a choral director at Friends Seminary, the Allen-Stevenson school, and the Manhattan School of Music; additionally, he served as the Accompanist and Assistant Conductor of the Hudson Chorale and has appeared with the West Village Chorale as a guest conductor, singer, accompanist, and percussionist. As well, Mr. Heavner was active as an accompanist and vocal coach for auditions, recitals, and masterclasses.
Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, Mr. Heavner has worked as an accompanist and assistant conductor for the Anchorage Concert Chorus, the Alaska Chamber Singers, the Alaska Festival Chorus, and the University of Alaska’s Jazz Singers and University Singers. For over ten seasons, Mr. Heavner was the Chorus Master, Assistant Conductor, and Man-of-Many-Hats for Anchorage Opera.
Mr. Heavner has helped prepare choruses for Fiora Contino, Manfred Honeck, Karen Keltner, Mstislav Rostropovich, Gerald Steichen, and Stephen Sulich, and he has performed in masterclasses with Stephanie Blythe, David Daniels, Peter Eldridge, Lauren Flanigan, Jerome Hines, Warren Jones, Martin Katz, Catherine Malfitano, Richard Miller, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Dave Samuels, Janis Siegel, Carol Wincenc, and Brian Zeger.
Mr. Heavner holds a degree in Piano Performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Peter Takács and David Breitman; as a student, he served as Choral Assistant for both the Oberlin College Choir and the Musical Union under Hugh Ferguson Floyd. Mr. Heavner has pursued graduate studies in Vocal Accompanying at the Manhattan School of Music under the tutelage of Ken Merrill.
Mr. Heavner moved to Pittsburgh from New York City, where he maintained a busy career performing and teaching. He taught as a choral director at Friends Seminary, the Allen-Stevenson school, and the Manhattan School of Music; additionally, he served as the Accompanist and Assistant Conductor of the Hudson Chorale and has appeared with the West Village Chorale as a guest conductor, singer, accompanist, and percussionist. As well, Mr. Heavner was active as an accompanist and vocal coach for auditions, recitals, and masterclasses.
Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, Mr. Heavner has worked as an accompanist and assistant conductor for the Anchorage Concert Chorus, the Alaska Chamber Singers, the Alaska Festival Chorus, and the University of Alaska’s Jazz Singers and University Singers. For over ten seasons, Mr. Heavner was the Chorus Master, Assistant Conductor, and Man-of-Many-Hats for Anchorage Opera.
Mr. Heavner has helped prepare choruses for Fiora Contino, Manfred Honeck, Karen Keltner, Mstislav Rostropovich, Gerald Steichen, and Stephen Sulich, and he has performed in masterclasses with Stephanie Blythe, David Daniels, Peter Eldridge, Lauren Flanigan, Jerome Hines, Warren Jones, Martin Katz, Catherine Malfitano, Richard Miller, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Dave Samuels, Janis Siegel, Carol Wincenc, and Brian Zeger.
Mr. Heavner holds a degree in Piano Performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Peter Takács and David Breitman; as a student, he served as Choral Assistant for both the Oberlin College Choir and the Musical Union under Hugh Ferguson Floyd. Mr. Heavner has pursued graduate studies in Vocal Accompanying at the Manhattan School of Music under the tutelage of Ken Merrill.
Bert Lerini - Percussion Coach
Bert Lerini is currently an Adjunct teacher at Washington & Jefferson College, Percussion Coach of the River City Youth Brass Band, Drumline Instructor at Quaker Valley High School, and maintains a private teaching studio. He received his Bachelors in Music from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.
Bert has extensive experience as a teacher and performer. He performs regularly with the Wheeling Symphony, the Elite Showband, Will E Tri and the Bluescaters, and the worship team at the River Franklin Park. He has appeared with the Youngstown Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, the New Sousa Band, National Broadway touring productions of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “Little Shop of Horrors”. He has backed Bobby Vinton, Regis Philbin, Sandy Duncan, Kristin Chenoweth, Jim Nabors, and Don Rickles among others. His students have won numerous scholarships, awards, and performance opportunities. Bert also works at Drummer’s Service in Emsworth. He lives in Hopewell Township.
Bert has extensive experience as a teacher and performer. He performs regularly with the Wheeling Symphony, the Elite Showband, Will E Tri and the Bluescaters, and the worship team at the River Franklin Park. He has appeared with the Youngstown Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, the New Sousa Band, National Broadway touring productions of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “Little Shop of Horrors”. He has backed Bobby Vinton, Regis Philbin, Sandy Duncan, Kristin Chenoweth, Jim Nabors, and Don Rickles among others. His students have won numerous scholarships, awards, and performance opportunities. Bert also works at Drummer’s Service in Emsworth. He lives in Hopewell Township.
Rick Murrell - Brass Coach
Originally from Muncie, Indiana, Rick Murrell graduated in 1979 from Ball State University with degrees in Music Performance and Music Education. After one semester of graduate studies at the University of Iowa, he was offered a position as principal trumpet in the Veracruz Symphony Orchestra in Veracruz, Mexico. Since returning to the U.S., Rick has won positions in many different orchestras and festivals including Quad Cities, IA; Cedar Rapids, IA; Binghamton, NY; Tucson, AZ; Sun Valley, ID and Bedford Springs, PA. After moving to Pittsburgh in 1990, Rick has played with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra many times. Highlights include: performing Mahler’s 6th Symphony in Carnegie Hall with Loren Maazel, playing with PSO Pops under Marvin Hamlisch, performing with the Pittsburgh Opera under the direction of Anthony Walker, as well as Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Charles Barker.
In addition to being a trumpet soloist in great demand at weddings and church services and as a private instructor throughout the Pittsburgh area, Rick is the Director of the Pittsburgh Ceremonial Brass Quintet, Artists in Residence at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA and Founder of the Pittsburgh Baroque Ensemble, Pittsburgh, PA.
Rick has also performed with Tempesta di Mare: The Philadelphia Baroque Orchestra and with Apollo’s Fire: the Cleveland Baroque Orchestra. Other performances include the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra, and the Milwaukee based Baroque group, Ensemble Musical Offering.
He performs on an Egger “Historic” Model Trumpet reproduction of a Haas trumpet of 1740.
In addition to being a trumpet soloist in great demand at weddings and church services and as a private instructor throughout the Pittsburgh area, Rick is the Director of the Pittsburgh Ceremonial Brass Quintet, Artists in Residence at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA and Founder of the Pittsburgh Baroque Ensemble, Pittsburgh, PA.
Rick has also performed with Tempesta di Mare: The Philadelphia Baroque Orchestra and with Apollo’s Fire: the Cleveland Baroque Orchestra. Other performances include the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra, and the Milwaukee based Baroque group, Ensemble Musical Offering.
He performs on an Egger “Historic” Model Trumpet reproduction of a Haas trumpet of 1740.
Nolan Petote - PYCO Concert Winds Director & Woodwind Coach
Nolan Petote is a freelance musician and teacher based in Pittsburgh. He has performed numerous times with the orchestras of Charleston (SC), Albany (NY), South Florida, Wheeling, Westmoreland, and Johnstown and is an active chamber musician with the Bel Suono Ensemble. In demand as an educator, Nolan boasts a large private clarinet and saxophone studio at two locations in the Pittsburgh area and through teaching online lessons. He is also the woodwind coordinator of the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra and co-director of the PYCO Wind Symphony.
Nolan is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University where he obtained his Masters and Advanced Music Studies Degrees in music performance. At Carnegie Mellon University, he was a member of the National Music Honor Society Pi Kappa Lambda, Theta Xi chapter. He also holds a Bachelors of Music Performance Degree from Duquesne University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. Nolan was a winner of the Duquesne University Symphony Concerto Competition, Charles Bruno Wind Symphony Concerto Competition, Blackwood Theater Organ Society, Tuesday Musical Club and is an alumnus of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra. Primary teachers include Richard Page, Michael Rusinek, Ron Samuels, and Brian Hysong.
When not performing or teaching, Nolan can be found enjoying a good cup of coffee, playing ice hockey, or cheering on his favorite sports teams. To sign up for lessons visit nolansmusicstudio.com or email petoten@gmail.com.
Nolan is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University where he obtained his Masters and Advanced Music Studies Degrees in music performance. At Carnegie Mellon University, he was a member of the National Music Honor Society Pi Kappa Lambda, Theta Xi chapter. He also holds a Bachelors of Music Performance Degree from Duquesne University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. Nolan was a winner of the Duquesne University Symphony Concerto Competition, Charles Bruno Wind Symphony Concerto Competition, Blackwood Theater Organ Society, Tuesday Musical Club and is an alumnus of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra. Primary teachers include Richard Page, Michael Rusinek, Ron Samuels, and Brian Hysong.
When not performing or teaching, Nolan can be found enjoying a good cup of coffee, playing ice hockey, or cheering on his favorite sports teams. To sign up for lessons visit nolansmusicstudio.com or email petoten@gmail.com.
Younga Reitz - PYCO Chamber String Orchestra Director & String Coach
Cellist Younga Reitz began her musical training at an early age with piano, violin, then on to cello. She graduated from Sunhwa Performing Arts High School in Seoul, Korea. She holds a Bachelor’s degree Cum Laude (1995) and Master’s degree (1997) from Duquesne University
Mary Pappert School of Music. She also studied Music Therapy while serving as a graduate assistant and served as the librarian for Duquesne Symphony Orchestra.
Mrs. Reitz was inducted into the Pi Kappa Lambda music honor society in 1997. She earned an Artist Diploma in 2001 from the same institute. As the first prize winner of the Korean Music Education Association, Younga Reitz made a solo appearance with Les Arts de Baroque Orchestra at Hoahm Performing Arts Hall in Seoul, Korea in 1994. Also, her solo and chamber music performance was heard in Switzerland, Holland, and the U.S. Her performances include the winner’s recital of Pittsburgh Young Artist Series in 1999. Younga Reitz has studied with Misha Quint, Anne Martindale Williams, Jennifer Langham, Sung Yon Lee and Lauren Mallory. She has participated in numerous international music festivals in the U.S., Europe and South Korea.
Mrs. Reitz is an adjunct professor at Geneva College, an artist in residency at Seneca Valley School District, Interharmony International School of Music as well as the music director of the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra Chamber Strings and cello coach for Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra (PYCO) and PYCO Jr. Strings. Mrs. Reitz holds a large private studio teaching cello, violin, viola and chamber music. She has been teaching online lessons for the last seven years.
Mrs. Reitz has also served as the principal cello at the Pittsburgh Philharmonic Orchestra, cello coach for the Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and adjunct teacher at the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (2006-2012), String Supplement Teacher at Quaker Valley high school (2009-2010), Center for Musically Talented at CAPA, She has been on the faculty at the City Music Center and Jewish Community Center, and has taught orchestral studies, chamber music, and private lessons in Westminster College, Geneva College, Seton Hill College, Fox Chapel Area High School, Waldorf School of Pittsburgh, Beaver Area High School, Pittsburgh Chamber Music Festival (1997 & 1998), Musik Innovations Chamber Music Camp (2001- 2007), Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra Summer Camp (2014-2019), Pine Richland School District Summer Strings Camp (2002-2017), PMEA District 1 Elementary Strings Fest and Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Programs (2012). She has played in orchestras including the Wheeling Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, Altoona Symphony, Johnstown Symphony and Butler Symphony.
Mrs. Reitz is the founder and the director of the Pittsburgh Ensemble (established in 1997) and Good Samaritans Cello Ensemble.
In thirty years of teaching, her students have participated in many outstanding performing organizations and won numerous competitions listed, including the following: Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra (Principal & Section), Three Rivers Young People’s Orchestra (Principal & Section), Three Rivers Young People’s Orchestra Symphonette (Principal & Section), Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (Principal & Section), Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra Prelude Strings (Concert Master & Section), Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra (Principal & Section), Interlochen Center for the Arts, Extreme Strings Orchestra, Erie Youth Philharmnic Orchestra (Principal), PMEA All Eastern Orchestra, PMEA All State Orchestra, PMEA Regional Orchestra (Principal & Section), PMEA Honors String Orchestra, PMEA Junior String Orchestra (Principal & Section), PA Governor’s School for the Arts, Pittsburgh Youth Consort (Principal & Section), Pittsburgh Philharmonic Orchestra , Butler Symphony Orchestra (Section), Pittsburgh Concert Society Competition, Youngstown Symphony Youth Orchestra (Section), Duquesne Young Artist Competition and the Tuesday Musical Club Competition.
Mary Pappert School of Music. She also studied Music Therapy while serving as a graduate assistant and served as the librarian for Duquesne Symphony Orchestra.
Mrs. Reitz was inducted into the Pi Kappa Lambda music honor society in 1997. She earned an Artist Diploma in 2001 from the same institute. As the first prize winner of the Korean Music Education Association, Younga Reitz made a solo appearance with Les Arts de Baroque Orchestra at Hoahm Performing Arts Hall in Seoul, Korea in 1994. Also, her solo and chamber music performance was heard in Switzerland, Holland, and the U.S. Her performances include the winner’s recital of Pittsburgh Young Artist Series in 1999. Younga Reitz has studied with Misha Quint, Anne Martindale Williams, Jennifer Langham, Sung Yon Lee and Lauren Mallory. She has participated in numerous international music festivals in the U.S., Europe and South Korea.
Mrs. Reitz is an adjunct professor at Geneva College, an artist in residency at Seneca Valley School District, Interharmony International School of Music as well as the music director of the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra Chamber Strings and cello coach for Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra (PYCO) and PYCO Jr. Strings. Mrs. Reitz holds a large private studio teaching cello, violin, viola and chamber music. She has been teaching online lessons for the last seven years.
Mrs. Reitz has also served as the principal cello at the Pittsburgh Philharmonic Orchestra, cello coach for the Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and adjunct teacher at the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (2006-2012), String Supplement Teacher at Quaker Valley high school (2009-2010), Center for Musically Talented at CAPA, She has been on the faculty at the City Music Center and Jewish Community Center, and has taught orchestral studies, chamber music, and private lessons in Westminster College, Geneva College, Seton Hill College, Fox Chapel Area High School, Waldorf School of Pittsburgh, Beaver Area High School, Pittsburgh Chamber Music Festival (1997 & 1998), Musik Innovations Chamber Music Camp (2001- 2007), Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra Summer Camp (2014-2019), Pine Richland School District Summer Strings Camp (2002-2017), PMEA District 1 Elementary Strings Fest and Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Programs (2012). She has played in orchestras including the Wheeling Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, Altoona Symphony, Johnstown Symphony and Butler Symphony.
Mrs. Reitz is the founder and the director of the Pittsburgh Ensemble (established in 1997) and Good Samaritans Cello Ensemble.
In thirty years of teaching, her students have participated in many outstanding performing organizations and won numerous competitions listed, including the following: Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra (Principal & Section), Three Rivers Young People’s Orchestra (Principal & Section), Three Rivers Young People’s Orchestra Symphonette (Principal & Section), Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (Principal & Section), Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra Prelude Strings (Concert Master & Section), Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra (Principal & Section), Interlochen Center for the Arts, Extreme Strings Orchestra, Erie Youth Philharmnic Orchestra (Principal), PMEA All Eastern Orchestra, PMEA All State Orchestra, PMEA Regional Orchestra (Principal & Section), PMEA Honors String Orchestra, PMEA Junior String Orchestra (Principal & Section), PA Governor’s School for the Arts, Pittsburgh Youth Consort (Principal & Section), Pittsburgh Philharmonic Orchestra , Butler Symphony Orchestra (Section), Pittsburgh Concert Society Competition, Youngstown Symphony Youth Orchestra (Section), Duquesne Young Artist Competition and the Tuesday Musical Club Competition.
Tatyana Swanson - Violin & Viola Coach
Tatyana Swanson studied violin at Moscow Prokofiev’s School of Music and undergone viola instructions with Galya Dubrova at Moscow Conservatory. She has also studied viola under Y. Schutten and X. Montiel at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, as well as with several members of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. She has performed with various groups and ensembles, such as Erie Philharmonic and Pops Orchestra, Traverse City Orchestra, Wheeling and McKeesport Symphonies, Johnstown and Westmoreland Orchestras, among others. Ms. Swanson was a string coach of the Pittsburgh Youth Phoenix Orchestra, string coach at the yearly Summer Chamber Music String Camp in the North Hills area of Pittsburgh, and a string coach at the Interlochen Summer Academy. In the summer of 2001, she was a participant in the Chamber Music String Workshop in Vermont. Currently, she holds a private violin/viola teaching studio at the PYCO School of Music with over thirty students in addition to numerous performing engagements throughout Pittsburgh with regional orchestras. Outside of the music world, Mrs. Swanson is a rider coach for the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program and a certified instructor in Korean Martial Arts, Tang Soo Do.
Riley Zimmermann - Bass Coach
Riley Zimmermann is a double bassist and educator in the Pittsburgh area. As an active performer, he has appeared with groups such as the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the New World Symphony, the Canton Symphony Orchestra, and the Erie Philharmonic. In 2019 Riley won 1st place in the Orchestral Division competition at the International Society of Bassists convention in Bloomington, IN. Riley has performed with touring bands such as The Town Pants, the Jakob's Ferry Stragglers, and the Shelf Life String Band. He has served as a double bass coach and clinician with the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra, Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, and PMEA District 1. As a teacher he is currently serving as an elementary orchestra teacher in North Allegheny School District, he maintains a private studio, he serves as interim adjunct professor at Seton Hill University, and he is on staff at the Baltimore-based double bass camp Bass Works during the summer. Riley lives in the West View neighborhood of Pittsburgh with his wife Emily Tarantino (another incredible bassist) and their two cats, Matilda and Rusalka.
Philip VanOuse - Jazz Coordinator & Brass Coach
Philip VanOuse studied composition at the Cincinnati College Conservatory and received his Masters degree in performance from Carnegie Mellon.
He began his professional career in Boston, and has appeared locally with the Pittsburgh Symphony, the River City Brass Band and the Benedum Orchestra, among others. He has commissioned over a dozen new works for solo tuba and premiered works in concert at Mobius (Boston), Massachusetts College of Art, Boston University, M.I.T., Carnegie Mellon and the University of Cincinnati.
Philip VanOuse performs regularly in ensembles throughout western PA. He is the principal tuba player of the Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet orchestras, as well as McKeesport Symphony and has appeared with many other ensembles, including the River City Brass Band, Pittsburgh CLO, and Pittsburgh Symphony.
Phil can also be heard with various brass, chamber, jazz and folk ensembles. He is a past Pittsburgh Concert Society winner and is an instructor of low brass at Washington & Jefferson College.
Phil plays the tuba and the accordion in City of Steel – An American Musical Melting Pot.
He began his professional career in Boston, and has appeared locally with the Pittsburgh Symphony, the River City Brass Band and the Benedum Orchestra, among others. He has commissioned over a dozen new works for solo tuba and premiered works in concert at Mobius (Boston), Massachusetts College of Art, Boston University, M.I.T., Carnegie Mellon and the University of Cincinnati.
Philip VanOuse performs regularly in ensembles throughout western PA. He is the principal tuba player of the Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet orchestras, as well as McKeesport Symphony and has appeared with many other ensembles, including the River City Brass Band, Pittsburgh CLO, and Pittsburgh Symphony.
Phil can also be heard with various brass, chamber, jazz and folk ensembles. He is a past Pittsburgh Concert Society winner and is an instructor of low brass at Washington & Jefferson College.
Phil plays the tuba and the accordion in City of Steel – An American Musical Melting Pot.
Joyce Wohlgemuth - Strings Coach
Joyce Wohlgemuth earned admission into Sunhwa Arts School in Seoul, Korea, a very selective school commonly recognized as the best art high school in Korea. After graduation, she came to the U.S. to continue her studies and also began performing professionally in orchestras. She served as Concertmaster with the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra and more recently with the Pittsburgh Philharmonic Orchestra. She has also performed in the Springfield Orchestra in Missouri as well as many Western Pennsylvania orchestras. Her teachers included Sung-Gwon Koh, Charles Stegeman (current Concertmaster of Pittsburgh Ballet and Opera Orchestras), Huei-Sheng Kao (Assistant Concertmaster with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra), and Alison Peters Fujito (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra). In 1992, she earned a BM in Violin Performance from the School of Music at Duquesne University and has continued performing in small ensembles and teaching privately in her own studio, JoycesStudio.com. She has also coached violin at Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and Quaker Valley Middle School.
Tara Yaney - PYCO Junior Wind Ensemble Director
Tara Yaney is the principal flute player of the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra and the third flute and piccolo player of the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed with Opera Steamboat, the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, the Canton Symphony Orchestra, the Altoona Symphony Orchestra, Quantum Theatre, the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh, the International Chamber Ensemble in Rome, Italy, the Ohio Light Opera Orchestra, and numerous pit orchestras in the Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Pittsburgh areas. She performs regularly as a soloist and as half of Duo Cieli, a flute and guitar duo with guitarist John Marcinizyn. She has been teaching flute, piccolo, Native American flute and clarinet lessons for over 25 years.
Photo by Michelle Dunn Photography
Photo by Michelle Dunn Photography