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The YMP Faculty
The YMP faculty are among the Bay Areas finest musicians and teachers. They are members of regional orchestras, university and college faculty, and well-know professional classical and jazz performers. Their high level of artistic achievement, many years of experience and expertise in the instruction of gifted youth, and the their dedication to our students and the YMP mission makes them the heart beat of the program.
BRASS
Hall Goff, trombone ~ Hall Goff, born and raised in NJ with three vital years in Wisconsin; B.A. from Oberlin college, studied with Thomas Cramer; M.M. from Yale University school of music, studied with John Swallow, major music mentor was Otto Werner Meuller; S.F. ballet since 1977; S.F. Contemporary Music Players since 1979; Paradigm Brass since 2003; Prof. of trombone at Oberlin conservatory, 1982; some musical highlights include: Mexicali brass 1969-1970, New Haven Symphony, Wall St. brass quintet, Eastern Brass quintet, sub N.Y.C. ballet, Spoleto festival of two worlds 1974-1975, Macerata opera festival 1998, finalist New Orleans Symphony 1976, finalist Philadelphia Orchestra 1980. Performances with: John Lanchbery, Edo de Wart, Pierre Boulez, Kurt Masur, Lukas Foss, Thomas Schippers, Robert Shaw, Georg Solti, William Steinberg; performances behind: Manhattan Transfer, Dihane Carroll, Vic Damone, Nelson Riddle, Frank Zappa, Ella Fitzgerald, John Pizzarelli (and more); occasionally recorded for film and T.V. In his spare time Hall likes to spend time with his son, collect records, listen to jazz, tinker with things, make noise, teach, and spend time outdoors.
Owen Miyoshi, trumpet ~ Mr. Miyoshi has been with YMP since 2001 where he teaches private trumpet lessons and coaches chamber music. He is currently the Lecturer of Trumpet at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Mr. Miyoshi holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He has earned a reputation as one of the Bay Area’s finest trumpet teachers. In addition, he coaches brass instruments at several Oakland public schools through the MUSE music program of the East Bay Oakland Symphony. A native of Berkeley, CA, graduated with a Bachelors of Music degree from The San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 1993 where he studied with David Burkhart.  He plays with both the Santa Cruz County and Monterey Symphony Orchestra's and the Farallon Brass Ensemble.  In addition, he has played principal trumpet with Berkeley Opera and still continues to play principal with Bayshore Lyric Opera and North Bay Opera. Owen also performs on a regular basis with Opera San Jose, San Francisco Opera's Merola Opera Company, Berkeley, California, Silicon Valley San Jose, Modesto, Stockton, Santa Rosa, Napa Valley, and Vallejo Symphony Orchestras.  Visit his website!
Geechi Taylor, trumpet ~ Mr. Taylor holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Jazz Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music. He has been an instructor for YMP since 2002 where he teaches private trumpet lesson, jazz combo, and music theory classes. A graduate of YMP himself, Mr. Taylor has a special insight into the needs of his students. His is a mentor and role model for all of his students. In addition to his duties at YMP Mr. Taylor performs at many jazz venues in the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
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ENSEMBLES
Karen Baccaro, Symphonic Wind Ensemble ~ Ms. Baccaro has taught trumpet for YMP since 1981. She was also the Instructor of Trumpet for the University of California, Santa Cruz from 1988-2001. She has performed with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, the Oakland East Bay Symphony, and was principal trumpet of the Women's Philharmonic and the Napa Valley Symphony Orchestra. Her solo appearances include the Minnesota Orchestra with Doc Sevrenson and the Women's Philharmonic. She has recorded on Koch, New Albion, Intrada, Musical Heritage Society and CRI. During the YMP Summer Session Ms. Baccaro teaches trumpet, conducts the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and exposes students to music by African Americans and Women in her class the Unsung Heroes.
Ndugu Chancler, Big Band ~ Mr. Chancler is a drummer, percussionist, producer, composer, clinician and educator. As a studio musician, he has recorded with such greats as Frank Sinatra, Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, John Lee Hooker, Kenny Rogers and Michael Jackson. Working on Thriller and Bad, Ndugu was the drummer on the hit single “Billie Jean.” Mr. Chancler has also played on a number of movie soundtracks including An Officer and a Gentleman, Indecent Proposal, and The Color Purple.

As a songwriter Mr. Chancler co-wrote hits for Santana including “Dance Sister Dance,” ”Reach For It” for George Duke and “Let It Whip” for the Dazz Band. His production credits include Flora Purim, Bill Summers and Toki, along with his own solo recordings: Ndugu and the Chocolate Jam Co. and Ndugu Chancler. Ndugu has co-produced recordings for Santana, George Duke, The Crusaders, Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, Tina Turner, Ernie Watts and a group he co-leads with Patrice Rushen. These associations have brought many gold and platinum albums and Grammy Awards. He is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California.
Clifton Massey, Chorus ~ A Dallas native, Mr. Massey has sung to critical acclaim with such groups as Concert Royal of New York, Indianapolis baroque, Texas Baroque Ensemble, Dallas Bach Society, Philharmonia baroque, New York Pops, American Bach Soloists and the London Symphonietta. Equally at home in choral setting, Mr. Massey has performed with Theater of Voices/Pro Arte with Paul Hillier, Volti, Schola Cantorum San Francisco, and the male a capella group, Chanticleer, feeling quite blessed to have performed over 200 concerts with them in a variety of the world's finest concert halls. His singing has been describedas "riveting and poweful" by the Dallas Morning News and his portrayal of Apollo in Tomaso Albinoni's serenata Il nasimento dell'Aurora as "sung extremely well, beautiful, flexible and poignant: by San Francisco Classical Voice. Clifton holds a music education degree from Texas Christian University and is currently completing an M.M. from the Early Music Institute of Indiana University. Private voice teaching, clinician work, and concertizing all conspire to make him wish he had more time to tend to his garden and explore the wineries of northern California!
Zamil Sadiq, String Ensemble ~ Mr. Sadiq is known throuhout the Bay Area as a violist, chamber muscian and orchestral conductor. He received a Bachelor of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. During the school year his trio, the Masala Trio, performs more than 300 concerts for middle and high school students through the Adventures in Music Program of the San Francisco Symphony. In addition to teaching for YMP, Mr. Sadiq teaches for the SF School of the Arts, A.P.Giannini Middle School and conducts the Pleasanton and El Camino Syphonies.
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JAZZ
Kasey Knudsen, saxophone ~ Ms. Knudsen joined the YMP faculty in 2004. She holds a Bachelors of Music Degree in Jazz Composition from the Berklee College of Music where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She has been the featured composer for the Greg Hopkins Concert Jazz Orchestra in Boston, The Massachusetts All State High School Jazz Band, The Joanne Langione Dance Center, The Catalunya Jazz Festival, as well as a finalist in the 2003 ASCAP competition. Since returning to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2001 she has performed with the Montclair Women's Big Band, the Billy Browning Jazz Orchestra, Mike Zilber's Advanced Jazz Workshop, The Lobster Theatre Project, Carol Peters and the Retrofits, The Sacramento Jazz Orchestra, Adam Jenkins and the Ganbare Spirits Ensemble.
Geechi Taylor, trumpet & combo coach ~ Mr. Taylor holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Jazz Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music. He has been an instructor for YMP since 2002 where he teaches private trumpet lesson, jazz combo, and music theory classes. A graduate of YMP himself, Mr. Taylor has a special insight into the needs of his students. His is a mentor and role model for all of his students. In addition to his duties at YMP Mr. Taylor performs at many jazz venues in the greater San Francisco Bay Area and New York.
Pete Yellin, saxophone ~ Alto saxophonist and educator Pete Yellin is a native New Yorker who has toured and recorded with many of the seminal names in jazz, among them Joe Henderson (a member of Henderson's sextet in the 60s and 70s), Tito Puente, Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton, Eddie Palmieri, Machito, Mario Bausa and Maynard Ferguson. Pete also leads his own groups, releasing three CDs in the last three years with another in the can that features Eddie Henderson, Peter Leitch, Harvie S, Carl Allen and special guest Chick Corea. In 1984, Pete Yellin founded the jazz program at Long Island University -- New York's first serious full-time degree program in jazz--and continues to be involved in its leadership as Coordinator of Jazz Studies. Pete was a frequent player in the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Big Band among others, but found himself doing more Broadway work to survive in the 70s. He says that this was the period when he first became interested in jazz education--as a way to create opportunities for students and players alike. He got a Master's degree in Saxophone at Brooklyn College and the LI Jazz Program was soon to follow. Pete continues to be found in a variety of musical situations, appearing as a sideman or leader in most of New York's "major and minor" jazz venues and recording as a featured soloist with such groups as the Bob Mintzer big band and Tito Puente's band, giving clinics and concerts around the world.
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HISTORY/WORLD MUSIC
Karen Baccaro, history ~ A long time advocate of classical music by women, Ms. Baccaro began teaching a course, the Unsung Heroes, during the summer of 2003. Her class exposes students to music by women and African American composers both historic and living. Ms. Baccaro has taught trumpet for YMP since 1981. She was also the Instructor of Trumpet for the University of California, Santa Cruz from 1988-2001. She has performed with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, the Oakland East Bay Symphony, and was principal trumpet of the Women's Philharmonic and the Napa Valley Symphony Orchestra. Her solo appearances include the Minnesota Orchestra with Doc Sevrenson and the Women's Philharmonic. She has recorded on Koch, New Albion, Intrada, Musical Heritage Society and CRI. During the YMP Summer Session Ms. Baccaro also teaches trumpet & conducts the Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Baba Ken Okulolo, African Drumming ~ Mr. Okulolo joined the YMP faculty in 2004. A Nigerian vocalist/bassist/producer, he is one of the few popular African musicians of today whose roots extend deep into Nigerian musical history. As a teacher, his warm, smiling personality enlivens and inspires all who work with him. He is the bandleader of three distinct performing groups: the modern Afro-beat band KOTOJA, the all-star WEST AFRICAN HIGHLIFE BAND, and the acoustic, traditional NIGERIAN BROTHERS. Each group brings forth the universal healing magic of African music. Ken was first seen in the U.S. with King Sunny Ade's African Beats on their 1985 world tour, and he continues to appear on Ade's latest recordings. In addition to his vast body of Nigerian studio and production dates, he is known for his early stints with highlife master Dr. Victor Olaiya, Steve Rhodes' African Voices, and the seminal Afro-rock group, Monomono. Five times, the Nigerian Journalists' Association has voted him the country's top bassist. Ken was born into the Urhobo ethnic group, to a family of traditional dancers and musicians. In the tiny fishing village of Aladja, surrounded by deep forests and lagoons traveled by dugout canoes, he was exposed to the traditional stories, rhythms and songs of his people. Ken became a mainstay on the Nigerian music scene, touring Europe with various groups, producing and performing on countless recordings, including his own hit album, "Talking Bass" (EMI), and leading his band, Positive Vibrations.
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PERCUSSION
Florian Conzetti, percussion ~ teaches musicianship and theory at the University of San Francisco and percussion at UC Berkeley.  Dr. Conzetti studied percussion, marimba, timpani, and music education at the Konservatorium für Musik in Bern, Switzerland, at the Eastman School of Music with John Beck, and at the Peabody Conservatory with Robert Van Sice.  He performs as a soloist and has played with chamber music groups and orchestras in Europe and the U.S., including the Berkeley Contemporary Chamber Players, the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, the Peabody Percussion Group, the Eastman Wind Ensemble, the Swiss Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Bern Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Conzetti also studied musicology with John Spitzer at the Johns Hopkins University, worked at the Estate of Leonard Bernstein, and was a guest speaker at Stanford University, UC Berkeley, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Ndugu Chancler, drums ~ Mr. Chancler is a drummer, percussionist, producer, composer, clinician and educator. As a studio musician, he has recorded with such greats as Frank Sinatra, Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, John Lee Hooker, Kenny Rogers and Michael Jackson. Working on Thriller and Bad, Ndugu was the drummer on the hit single “Billie Jean.” Mr. Chancler has also played on a number of movie soundtracks including An Officer and a Gentleman, Indecent Proposal, and The Color Purple.

As a songwriter Mr. Chancler co-wrote hits for Santana including “Dance Sister Dance,” ”Reach For It” for George Duke and “Let It Whip” for the Dazz Band. His production credits include Flora Purim, Bill Summers and Toki, along with his own solo recordings: Ndugu and the Chocolate Jam Co. and Ndugu Chancler. Ndugu has co-produced recordings for Santana, George Duke, The Crusaders, Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, Tina Turner, Ernie Watts and a group he co-leads with Patrice Rushen. These associations have brought many gold and platinum albums and Grammy Awards. He is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California.
Baba Ken Okulolo, African Drumming ~ Mr. Okulolo joined the YMP faculty in 2004. A Nigerian vocalist/bassist/producer he is one of the few popular African musicians of today whose roots extend deep into Nigerian musical history. As a teacher, his warm, smiling personality enlivens and inspires all who work with him. He is the bandleader of three distinct performing groups: the modern Afro-beat band KOTOJA, the all-star WEST AFRICAN HIGHLIFE BAND, and the acoustic, traditional NIGERIAN BROTHERS. Each group brings forth the universal healing magic of African music. Ken was first seen in the U.S. with King Sunny Ade's African Beats on their 1985 world tour, and he continues to appear on Ade's latest recordings. In addition to his vast body of Nigerian studio and production dates, he is known for his early stints with highlife master Dr. Victor Olaiya, Steve Rhodes' African Voices, and the seminal Afro-rock group, Monomono. Five times, the Nigerian Journalists' Association has voted him the country's top bassist. Ken was born into the Urhobo ethnic group, to a family of traditional dancers and musicians. In the tiny fishing village of Aladja, surrounded by deep forests and lagoons traveled by dugout canoes, he was exposed to the traditional stories, rhythms and songs of his people. Ken became a mainstay on the Nigerian music scene, touring Europe with various groups, producing and performing on countless recordings, including his own hit album, "Talking Bass" (EMI), and leading his band, Positive Vibrations. Visit his website!
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PIANO
Jacqueline Chew, piano ~ Ms. Chew has been with YMP since 1983. She is a Lecturer in Music for the University of California, Berkeley and teaches piano for the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Extension program. Ms. Chew holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music degree from SUNY Binghamton. Her major teachers are Leonard Shure, Paul Hersh and Walter Ponc and she has coached with Yvonne Loriod-Messiaen and Roger Muraro in Paris. Ms. Chew recorded Messiaen’s piano cycle “Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant Jesus” in 2004. She was the pianist with Women’s Philharmonic from 1990-2001.
Miles Graber, piano ~ Miles Graber received his musical training at the Juilliard School, where he studied with Anne Hull, Phyllis Kreuter, Hugh Aitken, and Louise Behrend. He has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1971, where he has developed a wide reputation as an accompanist and collaborative pianist for instrumentalists and singers. He has performed with numerous solo artists, including Itzhak Perlman, Sarah Chang, Cho-Liang Lin, Camilla Wicks, Axel Strauss, Mimi Stillman, and Judith LeClair. Mr. Graber currently performs frequently with violinists Christina Mok and Mariya Borozina, flutists Gary Woodward and Amy Likar, and clarinettist Tom Rose. He is a member of the chamber groups Trio Concertino, MusicAEterna, and the Sor Ensemble. Miles and Arkadi Serper comprise the two-piano team Scorpio Duo. Mr. Graber has been associated with such ensembles as the San Francisco Chamber Soloists, Midsummer Mozart, the Oakland-East Bay Symphony, the California Symphony, the Santa Rosa Symphony, Oakland Lyric Opera, Berkeley Opera, Opera San Jose, and the San Francisco Camerata. He has accompanied master classes by such artists as Midori, Joseph Silverstein, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Pamela Frank, Alexander Barantchik, James Galway, and Lynn Harrell. He has been a frequent performance accompanist and chamber player with members of the San Francisco Symphony, the San Jose Symphony, The Berkeley Symphony, the California Symphony, the Santa Rosa Symphony, the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Oakland-East Bay Youth Orchestra, and the UC Berkeley Symphony. He is principal pianist for the Bay Area chapter of the National Association of Composers USA, an organization that sponsors and promotes performances of new works by contemporary composers. He is active as a teacher and chamber music coach, and he is on the faculties of the Crowden School in Berkeley and the San Domenico Conservatory in San Anselmo. In addition, he regularly coaches and accompanies students of the Young Musicians Program at UC Berkeley. He is currently a staff accompanist and chamber music coach in the Preparatory Division of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and he is a regular staff accompanist at the Northern California Flute Camp in Carmel Valley.
James Meredith, piano & voice ~ James Meredith is one of the San Francisco Bay Area's most well-rounded musicians. Mr. Meredith conducts the country's acclaimed Sonos Handbell Ensemble. This group's nationally recognized CDs have been played by classical music stations throughout the US. The first was described by the San Francisco Examiner as "sensational." A recording for a video shown in Bose Corporation stores around the world, demonstrating surround sound speaker systems, included artists such as Yo Yo Ma and the Cincinnati Pops. A native of North Carolina, Mr. Meredith received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Tulane University. He is a musical partner with mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade and dramatic soprano Olivia Stapp.  As a solo pianist, vocal and instrumental accompanist and conductor in America, Europe and Asia, his work has brought him into contact with such artists as Elly Ameling, Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, Eleanor Steber, Gerald Moore for whom he has played master classes. He has been pianist Dalton Baldwin's assistant in art song in summer master classes at the French Conservatory in Nice. Concerts with Ms. Von Stade included an appearance on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" reaching a National Public Radio audience of over two million listeners and two concerts with Sonos in a premiere of Libby Larsen’s “Hell’s Belles.” He has been conductor of the Oakland Symphony Chorus, was on the faculty of Merritt College, taught master classes at Holy Names College and San Jose State University and was Festival Opera chorus master for two seasons. Mr. Meredith is a composer whose commissioned works have been performed by artists around the country including Sonos and the San Francisco Girls Chorus. He is CEO of Meredith Music Press which publishes advanced music for handbells sold nationwide and internationally. He has been accompanying and coaching YMP students for 11 years. Visit the Sonos website!
Michael Seth Orland, piano ~ Mr. Orland has been with YMP since 1982. He is an instructor in Music for the University of California, Berkeley where he teaches piano, theory and musicianship. Mr. Orland has appeared extensively in the Bay Area as a chamber musician, playing with the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, EARPLAY, the Empyrean Ensemble, the Berkeley Contemporary Chamber Players, New Music Theater, Other Minds, and in the San Francisco Symphony's New and Unusual Music series. He has performed modern works throughout California, the venues including UC campuses at San Diego, Davis, and Santa Cruz, at Sacramento State University, the Crocker Gallery, and Cal Arts. He has played in the June in Buffalo Festival and in the Gund Concert Series at Kenyon College in Ohio, as well as in the Mendocino Music Festival. Orland may be heard on recordings of contemporary music released by CRI and Centaur. He has appeared often as a freelance symphony musician, and has performed many times as a pianist in vocal recitals, as well as in vocal master classes given on the UC Berkeley campus by Frederica von Stade and Sanford Sylvan. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from he has studied piano with Margaret Kohn, harpsichord from Davitt Moroney and composition from Gerard Grisey and David Sheinfeld.
LaDene Otsuki, piano ~ is a popular Bay Area chamber musician who has performed with the Women’s Philharmonic, Earplay, UC Davis Contemporary Players, the Belgrave Chamber Players and the Berkeley New Music Project. Her professional collaborations include those with former Berkeley Symphony concertmaster Ron Erickson, pianist Karen Rosenak, clarinetist Diane Maltester, and singers Stephanie Johnson and Linus Eukel. Notably in 2005, she performed the works of five composers and poets from the Words and Music Seminar at Cal, presided over by composer-in-residence William Bolcom and US Poet Laureate Robert Hass. In addition to being on the faculty of YMP, LaDene, a graduate of Stanford University, maintains a private studio in Oakland.
Kathryn Winter, piano ~ Ms. Winter received her M.M. in piano performance from the Manhattan School of Music, where she later served on the Piano Faculty. Kathryn taught for 13 years at the Rubin Academy of Music in Israel and has taught for YMP since 1990. Ms. Winter is a published author. Her book, titled Katarina: A Novel, is a semi-autobiographical book, about an eight-year-old who is bewildered by the hullabaloo surrounding her Jewish heritage in World War II Slovakia.

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STRINGS
Cathy Allen, cello ~ Ms. Allen performs throughout the Bay Area as a chamber and orchestral cellist. In addition to teaching for YMP, she is on the faculty of San Domenico High School and the Crowden School. She is also a teaching assistant to master teacher Irene Sharp.
Virginia Baker, violin ~ Ms. Baker has been with YMP since 1977. She holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the Juilliard School of Music, where she studied with Edouard Dethier. She has taught violin on the faculty of Stephens College, Occidental College and California State University Long Beach, and currently teaches violin at the University of California, Berkeley. A respected performing and recording artist, Ms. Baker served as the, Assistant Concertmaster of the San Francisco Symphony under Seiji Ozawa, Edo De Waart and Herbert Blomsted, Concertmaster and Soloist of the Pasadena Symphony, First Violin and Principal Second Violin of the Berkeley Symphony, and was a founding member of the California Chamber Orchestra with Neville Mariner conducting.She is acknowledged throughout the country as one of the finest violin teachers.
Amy Brodo, cello ~ Ms. Brodo joined YMP in the summer of 2004. A cellist and gambist, Ms. Brodo performed for many years in Italy, Israel, and England before moving to San Francisco, with positions including assistant principal cellist of the Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Italy, and cellist with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. She has performed with Andrew Parrott and the Taverner Players, the Norskbarok Orchester, and the Hanover Band. In the San Francisco Bay Area, Ms. Brodo has performed on viola da gamba and baroque cello with Lux Musica, Sex Chordae Consort of Viols, Magnificat Baroque Orchestra, American Bach Soloists, El Mundo, I Favoriti, Yatan A Tan. She has performed at Festivals such as the Santa Cruz Baroque Festival, Berkeley Early Music, the Beaunne, France Festival and the San Luis Obispo Mozart. She has recorded for CDI, Centaur, Sony, DDG, Koch, Helicon, Kleos, and New Albion. She also performs with the Philadelphia Classical Symphony and other East Coast groups and is the director of La Tarantella Fresca and the Four Spices Cello Quartet.
Alden Cohen, double bass ~ Mr. Cohen received a Bachelor of Music degree from the Peabody Conservaotry and a Master of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He performs numerous orchestras throughout the Bay Area. In addition to teaching bass, Mr. Cohen teaches theory for YMP.
Patrick O'Connell, classical guitar ~ Shortly after Patrick O'Connell began playing the guitar, he was performing around the country in master classes held by such artists as Christopher Parkening, Manuel Barrueco, Antigoni Goni, Scott Tennant, Aniello Desiderio, and Tilman Hoppstock. He received his Bachelors degree in guitar performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Manuel Barrueco and Ray Chester in 2003. Upon entering his graduate studies, Patrick was awarded the extraordinary opportunity of giving his Carnegie Hall debut in 2005. In 2006, Patrick received his Masters degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where he studied with David Tanenbaum, Dusan Bogdanovic, and Mark Teicholz. In addition to teaching and performing throughout the Bay area, Mr. O’Connell recently joined the San Francisco Guitar Quartet in early 2007 and has enjoyed a fruitful relationship with the group serving as an arranger and performer.
Zamil Sadiq, viola ~ Mr. Sadiq is known throuhout the Bay Area as a violist, chamber muscian and orchestral conductor. He received a Bachelor of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. During the school year his trio, the Masala Trio, performs more than 300 concerts for middle and high school students through the Adventures in Music Program of the San Francisco Symphony. In addition to teaching for YMP, Mr. Sadiq teaches for the SF School of the Arts, A.P.Giannini Middle School and conducts the Pleasanton and El Camino Syphonies.
Philip Santos, violin ~ Philip Santos is a frequent performer on numerous chamber series, including the San Francisco Symphony's chamber music series, Chamber Music Sundaes, Sierra Chamber Society, Music on the Hill, Old First Church Concerts and Composers Inc. Currently, Mr. Santos is concertmaster of the Fremont Symphony, assistant concertmaster of Marin Symphony and principal second violin of California Symphony. He has also played with the Chicago Symphony and has been a member of the San Francisco Symphony, Oakland Symphony and Berkeley Symphony. Mr. Santos has taught violin at California State University at Hayward, and is presently on the faculty of the University of California's Young Musicians Program. His additional teaching activities include many private students throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
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VOICE
Candace Johnson, voice ~ Candace Johnson received her Doctorate of Musical Arts (March 2006) in voice performance at the University of Michigan, where she studied with world-renowned opera singer Shirley Verrett.  Now, at the University of California, Berkeley, she holds a Chancellor's postdoctoral fellowship in the department of music.  She conducts research on the life of African-American composers and performs analyses on their musical contributions to African-American solo song literature in the written tradition.  Her research is mentored by composer Olly Wilson, Professor Emeritus of the music department. On stage Candace has sung the lead soprano roles in Puccini's Suor Angelica, The Medium by Menotti, and Mozart's Bastien and Bastienne. She is also a recitalist and concert artist who has garnered such honors as being a finalist in the National Leontyne Price Competition, a bronze medalist in the National ACT-SO Competition, and she previously held the title of Ms. Black Tennessee for two years.   Candace is deeply committed to sharing her knowledge with youth and teaches on the voice faculty of The Young Musician's Program, one of the University's community outreach programs.  She is also a music faculty member of Revival Center Ministries Training Institute.  Recently Candace founded her own music company, SweetPsalm Music, which provides general-music and performance education in a variety of community-based settings.  Teachers and coaches who have personally influenced her include Oliva Stapp (Opera San Jose), Willis Patterson (University of Michigan), George Shirley (University of Michigan), David DiChiera and Suzzanne Acton (Michigan Opera Theatre), and Grace Bumbry (Jessye Norman Master Class Series).  Candace is noted for bringing audiences a tangible, moving experience through her dramatic stage presence and musical interpretation.  Composer Adolphus Hailstork praises her performance of his works as "the best interpretation of his songs he ever encountered."
James Meredith, piano & voice ~ James Meredith is one of the San Francisco Bay Area's most well-rounded musicians. Mr. Meredith conducts the country's acclaimed Sonos Handbell Ensemble. This group's nationally recognized CDs have been played by classical music stations throughout the US. The first was described by the San Francisco Examiner as "sensational." A recording for a video shown in Bose Corporation stores around the world, demonstrating surround sound speaker systems, included artists such as Yo Yo Ma and the Cincinnati Pops. A native of North Carolina, Mr. Meredith received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Tulane University. He is a musical partner with mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade and dramatic soprano Olivia Stapp.  As a solo pianist, vocal and instrumental accompanist and conductor in America, Europe and Asia, his work has brought him into contact with such artists as Elly Ameling, Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, Eleanor Steber, Gerald Moore for whom he has played master classes. He has been pianist Dalton Baldwin's assistant in art song in summer master classes at the French Conservatory in Nice. Concerts with Ms. Von Stade included an appearance on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" reaching a National Public Radio audience of over two million listeners and two concerts with Sonos in a premiere of Libby Larsen’s “Hell’s Belles.” He has been conductor of the Oakland Symphony Chorus, was on the faculty of Merritt College, taught master classes at Holy Names College and San Jose State University and was Festival Opera chorus master for two seasons. Mr. Meredith is a composer whose commissioned works have been performed by artists around the country including Sonos and the San Francisco Girls Chorus. He is CEO of Meredith Music Press which publishes advanced music for handbells sold nationwide and internationally. He has been accompanying and coaching YMP students for 11 years. Visit the Sonos website!
David Livingston Tigner, bass-baritone ~ David Livingston Tigner, bass-baritone, is a soloist of great versatility who is familiar to audiences across the nation. In the Bay Area , he has performed with the San Francisco Symphony in the role of Porgy in Porgy and Bess and  the Narrator in Gershwin's Blue Monday.  Mr. Tigner has performed extensively as a soloist in oratorios such as the Brahms’s Requiem, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony to name a few. He sang with the Oakland and Sacramento Symphonies in Handel’s Messiah, San Francisco Bach Festival in Bach’s St. Matthew Passion and St. John Passion, and the San Francisco Ballet in Pulcinella and Balanchine’s interpretation of Stravinsky’s Requiem Canticles. Mr. Tigner sang Bach's Mass in B Minor for the Scola Cantorum with Douglas Lawrence conducting.  Mr. Tigner made his debut with the London Philharmonic in a program of Mozart concert arias and was the bass soloist in Verdi’s Requiem at Avery Fisher Hall and Carnegie Hall with the Manhattan Philharmonic. Other Carnegie Hall recitals included the premiere of Five Songs for a Summer Evening for Bass, String Bass and piano commissioned by David Tigner written by Donald Dennitson. Mr. Tigner also performed Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis and Verdi’s Requiem with the London Symphony Orchestra. On the operatic stage, Mr. Tigner has sung with the San Francisco Opera, the San Francisco Spring Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera and the San Diego Opera center. His numerous opera roles include the title role in Don Pasquale, Don Alfonso in Cosi fan tutte, Daland in The Flying Dutchman, Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Noye in Noye’s Fludde, as well as leading roles in Aida and Gordon Getty’s Plump Jack. Mr. Tigner has appeared in a number of premieres, including the critically acclaimed Northern California premiere of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio, Andrew Imbrei’s Prometheus Bound, Ralph Shapey’s Trilogy of Songs, and Undine Smith- Moore’s Scenes in the Life of a Martyr. Mr. Tigner received his education from Pacific University and San Francisco State University. He received First Prize in the America California Symphony Competition , as well as awards from the Metropolitan Opera Auditions, Chicago Lyric Opera, and the Sullivan Foundation. He has studied with Boris Goldovsky, Tito Capobianco, Burt Lancaster. Robert McCracken, Martial Singher, Mary Cobb Hill, Elizabeth Swartzkopf and Janet Parlova. Further, his multi-faceted career as a musical director and voice instructor has influenced rhythm and blues artists and opera singers alike. Mr. Tigner was music director of the Legacy Jubilee Arts institute, a non-traditional school for music in the Africa American Community. He was conductor of Voices of Legacy a group that sang African American folk music.. He was a vocal clinician to many Bay Area choirs and vocal ensembles such as Streets Sounds. He has been a guest lecturer at Stanford and is an instructor at UC Berkeley with the Young Musician’s Program where he influences the lives of up and coming talented young singers.
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WOODWINDS
Michelle Caimotto, flute ~ Ms. Caimotto has been with YMP since 1990. She is principal flutist of the Festival Opera and West Bay Opera Orchestras, piccoloist of the California Symphony and a member of the Symphony Silicon Valley. As a free lance musician, Ms. Caimotto performs with the San Francisco Symphony, Opera, and Ballet Orchestras. Active in the recording industry, her credits include motion picture soundtracks for Fox, Merchant-Ivory, Miramax, and Paramount as well as projects for ABC, NBC, Nickelodeon, PBS television,  and National Public Radio. She can be heard on the CBS/Sony Classics CD “Music from the Star Wars Trilogy” conducted by John Williams as well as on the original cast soundtrack to Baz Luhrmann’s “La Boheme” and in the Disney/Pixar animated short film “Exploring the Reef,” which is included on all “Finding Nemo” DVDs. Ms. Caimotto studied with Barbara Breeden and Paul Renzi in San Francisco, and with William Bennett in London, England. Ms. Caimotto is on the faculties of California State University, East Bay; Mills College, Oakland; and the Northern California Flute Camp in Carmel Valley. Her students’ accomplishments include positions with many local youth orchestras, Command Performances in the CMEA Solo and Ensemble Festival, winners of the Oakland-East Bay Symphony Young Artist Competition,  participation in All City, All County, All State Bands and in the National Wind Ensemble in Carnegie Hall. In addition, her students have gone on to study at prestigious institutions including the Oberlin College-Conservatory, Peabody Conservatory, Yale University, and Trevor Wye’s postgraduate flute studio in England.
Hoh Chen, flute ~
Lynné Funkhouser, clarinet ~ Lynné Funkhouser has been playing the clarinet since she was eight years old. She began teaching after graduating from the Peabody Conservatory of Music/Johns Hopkins University in 1983. Since moving to San Francisco in 1987, Ms. Funkhouser has played clarinet professionally throughout the Bay Area. She is proficient in teaching beginning, advanced, and professional clarinet and saxophone students. She teaches both jazz and classical styles. Ms. Funkhouser holds a Full Matriculated Degree from North Carolina School of the Arts in clarinet, a Bachelor of Music Degree in clarinet from the Peabody Conservatory of Music/Johns Hopkins University, and a Master of Arts Degree in clarinet performance from Brooklyn College (New York). She is a member of the California Music Educators Association and the International Clarinet Society. Ms. Funkhouser is currently a Teaching Artist with the San Francisco Symphony Opus Program. Ms. Funkhouser is currently a teaching artist with the San Francisco Symphony Opus Program and professor of clarinet at the University of Berkeley's Young Musician Program.
David Granger, bassoon ~ Mr. Granger received his Bachelor of Music in 1973 and his Master of Music in 1975 from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Mr. Granger was principal bassoonist of the Sacramento Symphony from 1981 until 1996. In 1983, he began teaching at the University of California, Davis, and, in 1985, became coordinator of the music department's student chamber music program. Mr. Granger works as a freelance musician performing in orchestras throughout northern California. He currently holds positions as principal bassoonist of the Napa Valley Symphony, the Sacramento Philharmonic, the Modesto Symphony and is a member of the Oakland East Bay Symphony. Mr. Granger attended Indiana University's Early Music Institute and received a Performers Diploma in Baroque bassoon in 2004. He began teaching at the University of California in Berkeley in 2002.
Sarah Rathke, oboe ~ Sarah Rathke is an oboe player originally from Alberta, Canada. Sarah is a member of the Sacramento Philharmonic and teaches oboe at UC Berkeley. A lover of new music, she plays with the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players. Sarah also enjoys performing with the San Francisco Symphony, the San Francisco Ballet, the Marin Symphony, the Santa Rosa Symphony, and the California Symphony. For the past three summers, she had given oboe master-classes and has taught lessons at the University of the Pacific Summer Music program. Ms. Rathke studied with Ray Still at Northwestern University in Evanston, Il where she received her Bachelor of Music degree in oboe performance and in music education. For her Master's degree, Sarah studied with John DeLancie at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
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