PYCO Coaches
Pablo Ardiles - Artistic Director & PYCO Orchestra 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.
Jami Bale - Strings Coach
Taking a "road less traveled," violinist/flutist Jami Bale has spent a lifetime pursuing achievements on two diverse orchestral instruments. She is an active free lance musician on both instruments in Pittsburgh, PA and the surrounding tri-state region of Ohio and West Virginia. She currently serves as a tenured member of the violin section in the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra, and performs frequently with the Pittsburgh Ballet Orchestra and the Wheeling, WV Symphony.
Versatile in many musical styles, Jami plays for Broadway shows with Pittsburgh's Civic Light Opera, and has also performed in concert with such artists as Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, Michael W. Smith, Mannheim Steamroller, and the Moody Blues. Other career highlights include performing in concert with Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, and appearing in several installments of the acclaimed PBS Doo Wop television series.
While enjoying an active performing career, Jami also has a teaching studio for both violin and flute at the PYCO School of Music. She has previously held the positions of Adjunct Instructor at Duquesne University and with the City Music Center. Jami holds the degrees of Bachelor of Music, Master of Music (violin) and Master of Music (flute) from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and the Artist Diploma from Duquesne University.
Versatile in many musical styles, Jami plays for Broadway shows with Pittsburgh's Civic Light Opera, and has also performed in concert with such artists as Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, Michael W. Smith, Mannheim Steamroller, and the Moody Blues. Other career highlights include performing in concert with Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, and appearing in several installments of the acclaimed PBS Doo Wop television series.
While enjoying an active performing career, Jami also has a teaching studio for both violin and flute at the PYCO School of Music. She has previously held the positions of Adjunct Instructor at Duquesne University and with the City Music Center. Jami holds the degrees of Bachelor of Music, Master of Music (violin) and Master of Music (flute) from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and the Artist Diploma from Duquesne University.
Steve Ehrlich - Junior Strings 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.
Linda Voegler Granite - Junior Wind Ensemble Director
Linda Granite teaches Elementary Band in the North Allegheny School District. As the Elementary Facilitator in her district, she works with administration to help music teachers to improve instruction, assessment, and course scheduling. In 2017, she was awarded the Citation of Excellence for Teaching in District 1, by the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association and is currently a 2018 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year finalist. Mrs. Granite regularly serves as a cooperating teacher, mentoring student teachers from local universities. Earlier in her career, she was a music teacher in the Port Allegany School District and later for the Butler Area School District. She has taught Jazz, Concert, and Marching Bands to students in grades four through twelve, as well as Beginning Strings and Junior High General Music.
Mrs. Granite started playing clarinet as a child and soon began learning other woodwind instruments. Her love of studying additional band instruments continued throughout college, where she played trombone in the IUP Marching Band. Today, she regularly teaches and plays all band instruments with her students.
Mrs. Granite holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is working on a Masters of Music Education at Duquesne University. She was inspired to teach and conduct young musicians by IUP professors John Kuehn and Jack Stamp. Private teachers have included clarinet and saxophone with Terry Steele (Slippery Rock University) and clarinet with Thomas Thompson (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra).
Mrs. Granite started playing clarinet as a child and soon began learning other woodwind instruments. Her love of studying additional band instruments continued throughout college, where she played trombone in the IUP Marching Band. Today, she regularly teaches and plays all band instruments with her students.
Mrs. Granite holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is working on a Masters of Music Education at Duquesne University. She was inspired to teach and conduct young musicians by IUP professors John Kuehn and Jack Stamp. Private teachers have included clarinet and saxophone with Terry Steele (Slippery Rock University) and clarinet with Thomas Thompson (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra).
Rick Murrell - Chamber Brass Director & 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 - Woodwind Coordinator
Nolan Petote is a recent graduate of Carnegie Mellon where he obtained his Master’s and Advanced Music Studies Degrees in music performance. While at Carnegie Mellon, Nolan was in the studio of Michael Rusinek and a member of the Carnegie Mellon University Philharmonic, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Contemporary Ensemble, and in the National Music Honor Society Pi Kappa Lambda, Theta Xi chapter. He is a 2012 graduate of Duquesne University with a degree in music performance where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. While at Duquesne, he was in the studio of Ron Samuels and a member of the Duquesne University Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, and Contemporary Ensemble. Nolan was a winner of the 2010 Duquesne University Symphony Concerto Competition and 2012 Charles Bruno Wind Symphony Concerto Competition. Nolan has also studied extensively with Richard Page and Brian Hysong and performed in masterclasses with Julian Bliss, Mark Nuccio, and Dan Gilbert among others. Nolan has substituted numerous times with the South Florida Symphony Orchestra, Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, and Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, and is an active chamber musician with the Bel Suono Ensemble.
Younga Reitz - Chamber Strings Director & String Coordinator
Cellist Younga Reitz began her musical training at an early age with piano, violin, then on to cello, and graduated from Sunhwa Arts 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 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 has made a solo appearance with Les Arts de Baroque Orchestra at Hoahm Arts Hall for the Performing Arts 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 the Pittsburgh Young Artist Series in 1999. Younga Reitz has studied with Misha Quint, Anne Martindale Williams, Jennifer Langham, Sung Yon Lee, Lauren Mallory, and has participated in numerous international music festivals in the U.S., Europe, and South Korea.
Mrs. Reitz is currently is an adjunct teacher at the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA High School), Center for Musically Talented at CAPA, the cello coach for the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra, and a teacher at the Quaker Valley High School after school program. 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), Pine Richland School District Summer Strings Camp (2002-2008). She has played in the orchestras including Wheeling Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, Altoona Symphony, Johnstown Symphony and Butler Symphony.
Mrs. Reitz is the founder and the leader of the Pittsburgh Ensemble and Good Samaritans Cello Ensemble.
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 has made a solo appearance with Les Arts de Baroque Orchestra at Hoahm Arts Hall for the Performing Arts 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 the Pittsburgh Young Artist Series in 1999. Younga Reitz has studied with Misha Quint, Anne Martindale Williams, Jennifer Langham, Sung Yon Lee, Lauren Mallory, and has participated in numerous international music festivals in the U.S., Europe, and South Korea.
Mrs. Reitz is currently is an adjunct teacher at the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA High School), Center for Musically Talented at CAPA, the cello coach for the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra, and a teacher at the Quaker Valley High School after school program. 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), Pine Richland School District Summer Strings Camp (2002-2008). She has played in the orchestras including Wheeling Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, Altoona Symphony, Johnstown Symphony and Butler Symphony.
Mrs. Reitz is the founder and the leader of the Pittsburgh Ensemble and Good Samaritans Cello Ensemble.
Deborah Silverstein - Chamber Woodwinds Director
Deborah Silverstein earned a Bachelor of Music Education at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA, and a Master of Music in Flute at Ithaca College. She performed as Principal Flutist for the Pittsfield (MA) Symphony Orchestra, is past president of the Pittsburgh Flute Club, and is sometime lecturer in Flute at Geneva College. Mrs. Silverstein is currently the instrumental and elementary vocal teacher at Rhema Christian School, and is a flutist in the Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra. Mrs. Silverstein formerly served as the Woodwind Coach for the Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra.
Amy Stubbs - Percussion Coordinator
Amy Stubbs is Principal Percussionist with Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra and Principal Timpanist with the former Napa Valley Symphony. Ms. Stubbs is equally at home as a timpanist and percussionist whose performances include: Chatham Baroque, Pittsburgh Baroque Ensemble, San Francisco Symphony, Syracuse Symphony, Berkeley Symphony, McKeesport Symphony, San Francisco Bay Brass, Empyrean Ensemble, Left Coast Ensemble, Moody Blues, Ray Charles, Luciano Pavarotti; tours with River City Brass Band and USAF Heritage of America Band. Recordings include Bay Brass; Women’s Philharmonic; USAF Heritage of America Band; and San Francisco Camerata which received a Grammy nomination for Carlos Franzetti’s opera, Corpus Evita. Amy has appeared as a soloist with the New Century Chamber Orchestra and Newton Mid-Kansas Symphony.
A passionate educator, Amy is Percussion Coordinator for the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra, enjoys a thriving private studio, and has presented masterclasses at Manhattan School of Music; Universities of Maryland, Southern California, Washington, Wichita State; Interlochen Arts Academy; and Day of Percussion at University of Alabama, Huntsville. Previous positions include the University of California Davis, Oakland East Bay Symphony Muse Program, and Oakland Youth Symphony.
Ms. Stubbs is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, earned her BM at Manhattan School of Music studying with Duncan Patton, and MM at Carnegie Mellon University studying with Timothy K. Adams, Jr. Additional studies with Cloyd Duff, Christopher Lamb, Mike Crusoe, Richard Holmes, and Thomas Stubbs.
Amy is an internationally recognized designer of innovative percussion and timpani accessories through her business, A. Stubbs Percussion. In 2013, Amy published her first book, The Art of Timpani Mallet-Making, a landmark text in the field. More information is available at www.stubbspercussion.com.
A passionate educator, Amy is Percussion Coordinator for the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra, enjoys a thriving private studio, and has presented masterclasses at Manhattan School of Music; Universities of Maryland, Southern California, Washington, Wichita State; Interlochen Arts Academy; and Day of Percussion at University of Alabama, Huntsville. Previous positions include the University of California Davis, Oakland East Bay Symphony Muse Program, and Oakland Youth Symphony.
Ms. Stubbs is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, earned her BM at Manhattan School of Music studying with Duncan Patton, and MM at Carnegie Mellon University studying with Timothy K. Adams, Jr. Additional studies with Cloyd Duff, Christopher Lamb, Mike Crusoe, Richard Holmes, and Thomas Stubbs.
Amy is an internationally recognized designer of innovative percussion and timpani accessories through her business, A. Stubbs Percussion. In 2013, Amy published her first book, The Art of Timpani Mallet-Making, a landmark text in the field. More information is available at www.stubbspercussion.com.
Philip VanOuse - Junior Wind Ensemble Director, Chamber Brass Director, & Brass Coordinator
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.
