MYS Summer Music Camp 2019
Visiting Artists and Faculty
Sandra Alston - Green Orchestra (Mini Camp)
Sandra Alston was not only an MYS member in its founding season in 1982, she also conducted the Debut Strings upon its inception for the 28th season. She is currently Orchestra Director at Heritage Academy in Mesa. Mrs. Alston received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education with an emphasis in Strings Pedagogy, and her Masters Degree from Arizona State University. She is also a member of American String Teachers Association. Mrs. Alston is a former student of MYS founder Wayne Roederer.
Amy Bennett - Red Orchestra (Full Day)
Mrs. Bennett has been teaching in Gilbert since 1999 and is currently the director of orchestras at Highland Junior HS and assistant director at Highland HS. With degrees from Northern Arizona University (BM) and Arizona State University (MM), Mrs. Bennett's ensembles have consistently received superior ratings at ABODA festivals as well performing at the annual Arizona Music Educators Association Conventions.
Bill Bitter - Blue Orchestra (Full Day)
Mr. Bitter has been teaching in the Gilbert Public Schools for 35+ years where he is currently department chair and director of orchestras at Highland High School. He has been active in many of our state's professional music associations, and was a staff member with the National High School Honors Orchestra.
Cicely Brazier - Red Orchestra (Full Day)
Mrs. Brazier has been teaching music since 2008 and working with MYS since 2014. She has prior experience as an instructor with youth orchestras and was a student member of the Tucson Junior Strings. With degrees from Arizona State University (BM) and American College of Education (MEd), Mrs. Brazier has presented sessions at the AMEA and ASTA conventions, performs with Chandler Symphony and Southwest Youth Ballet, and has served on the board for AMEA.
Brian Murphy - Band (Full Day)
Brian Murphy is the Director of Orchestras and Assistant Director of Bands at Mesa Community College. In his sixteen years at MCC, the orchestra program has grown both in size and musical maturity. In addition to his years at MCC, Mr. Murphy has over 25 years teaching experience in grades 5-12. He is an active clinician in the southwest and owner of Conceptual Band and Orchestra Clinics, LLC.
Melanie Yarger - Instructor (Full Day)
Melanie Yarger is a native Arizonan and a product of the Mesa Public Schools music programs, as well as an alumnus of the MYS program. As an exceptional cellist, Melanie’s performance degree from NAU was a catalyst to her touring such countries as Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, France, the Caribbean Islands, and Canada, as well as the Bahamas and the US.
Miss Yarger co-founded Arizona’s only electric rock string quartet, Urban Electra. She has shared the stage with International acts including Game of Thrones World Tour, Howie Mandel, Weird Al Yankovich, Il Divo, Jackie Evancho, Seal, John Fogerty. Miss. Yarger also maintains a large private studio in Mesa.
Lew Felton - Blue Orchestra (Full Day)
MCC Jazz Fusion Combo
Jazz fusion arrangements vary in complexity. These arrangements, whether simple or complex, typically include improvised sections that can vary in length, much like in other forms of jazz.
The MCC Jazz Fusion Combo is under the direction of Mike King.
Anthony Martinez
A Beatboxer for 9 years, Anthony Martinez was named 2018 Las Vegas Champion. Mr. Martinez is also named the 2019 Great North Loopstation Champion & Solo Vice Champion!
His meal of choice? "I love authentic ramen!"
The Rice Brothers
The Rice Brothers (Chris and Johnny) are Arizona born musicians and alumni of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony programs. They have performed extensively in a wide variety of settings all over the U.S. (from Carnegie Hall to Disneyland), and also in Europe. They have studied with professors in Arizona, Cleveland and New York City, as well as Vienna and Krokow. In addition to their performance careers, they have thriving teaching studios here in the Valley.
Catalin Rotaru
Born in Moldova, Romania, and leaving home at the age of 11, he began his musical studies on double bass.
In 1995 he emigrated to the U.S. after being offered a teaching assistantship at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he also obtained a Master's Degree in music performance. Mr. Rotaru joined the faculty of the School of Music at Arizona State University, in 2005.
Since his arrival in the U.S. Catalin has been the recipient of many prestigious awards and recognitions.
Catalin is one of the most in-demand International soloists today.
Metropolitan Youth Symphony, Inc
Email: office@azmys.org
Website: www.azmys.org
Location: 49 West 1st Street, Mesa, AZ, USA
Phone: (480)456-9501
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MYSofAZ