YYSO is fortunate to have the support of many talented professional musicians who teach our students in schools and private lessons. In addition, we have individuals who serve as Sectional Coaches, rehearsing multiple times throughout the season with our students. Please meet:
Brass Coach: Sean A. Brown
Sean Brown graduated from Central Washington University in 2010 with a degree in Horn Performance. He is currently a free-lance performer, composer, and lesson teacher, and he also works for the Ted Brown Music Company.
Mr. Brown is currently principal horn of the Mid-Columbia Symphony and co-principal of the Columbia Basin Concert Band, as well as a substitute for horn sections of the Yakima, Walla Walla, and Oregon East Symphonies. He also is a member of the new Seattle Wind Symphony, directed by Larry Gookin. Brown currently gives lessons to middle school and high school brass players, and does presentations on horn to middle and high schools around Yakima and the Tri-City area in Washington state. (Copy courtesy of www.seanbrownmusic.net. Please click on this link to learn more about Mr. Brown.)
Cello/Bass Coach: Alex Pualani
Alex Pualani is a private cello instructor in Yakima, Washington. A graduate of Gonzaga University with a B.A. in Music, he is pursuing a Master’s degree in Cello Performance and Pedagogy at Central Washington University. To learn more about Mr. Pualani, please go to www.AlexPualani.com.
Clarinet Coach: Jenessa Lang
Jenessa Lang is a senior at Central Washington University and working on a BA in music education and clarinet performance. She performs with the Central Washington University Wind Ensemble and orchestra. Other ensembles include small chamber groups, chamber orchestra, clarinet quartet, pep band and marching band. She has studied the clarinet with Joseph Brooks and Florie Rothenberg. During the summer, she plays in the orchestra pit for the Leavenworth Summer Theater on clarinet, saxophone, and flute.
Flute Coach: Linda Doria
Linda Doria graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Flute Performance. She also received a Master’s degree in Conducting from Central Washington University.
Ms. Doria has been an adjunct flute professor at Walla Walla College, Central Washington University and Yakima Valley Community College. She is principal flute of the Mid-Columbia Symphony and substitute for the Yakima Symphony Orchestra. She has performed in the Dallas, Texas, Flute Convention and played as a guest soloist with the Mid Columbia Symphony. She has performed throughout the Yakima Valley and has a studio of 20 to 25 flute students a year. She currently is a band director at Selah High School and Oakridge Montessori School.
Oboe/Bassoon Coach: Andrea Paine
Andrea Paine studied oboe under Brent Hages at Central Washington University, graduating in 2009. She currently plays Second Oboe with the Yakima Symphony Orchestra and is an Elementary Music Teacher at Hoover Elementary School in Yakima, Washington.
Viola Coach: Lisa Rushton Smith
An active violinist, violist and teacher, Lisa is a member of the Yakima Symphony Orchestra (YSO) and also served as YSO’s Personnel Manager for several years. As a member and manager of the Aardvark String Quartet, she has played for many events throughout Central Washington and is heard on their 2007 CD “Tranquillo: A Northwest Celebration.” She also occasionally plays for Wenatchee, Mid-Columbia, Everett Philharmonic and Oregon East symphonies. In 2011, Lisa established the Zephyr String Ensemble and Violin Studio.
Lisa received her Bachelor of Music from Central Washington University (CWU), where she was a Farrell Merit, Yakima Symphony and Music Department scholarship recipient. While there, she taught in the university’s Preparatory Strings program and served as the CWU orchestra Manager/Librarian and Orchestra Festival Coordinator. Lisa has studied privately with Carrie Rehkopf, Ron Patterson and Denise Dillenbeck. Lisa is currently completing Suzuki Teacher Certification and teaches privately in Ellensburg and Yakima. To learn more about Ms. Rushton Smith, please go to: www.zephyrstringensemble.com
Violin Coach: Susan Coson
Susan Coson is a violinist with the Yakima Symphony Orchestra and a strings teacher in the Yakima School District.