Conductors
Kathy Younker
is a teacher and advocate of string education in Yuma. In addition to attending numerous workshops and master classes with Charlene Wilson of Tualatin, OR, Phyliss Young of U of T at Austin, Texas, Mark Rush and Dr. Ron Hamman of U of A at Tucson, AZ, she has studied with Nebraska teacher Pam Fusselman, Janet Jones of Yuma, Tasha Scultze of Phoenix, and Dr. Charles Smalley of Yuma. She has been President and Secretary of the Yuma Orchestra Association and is now a board member. Kathy worked to develop the Yuma String Consortium in 1992, which gave the foundation to the success of today's Yuma's string program. She developed the Yuma Orchestra Association's mentoring program and has a large teaching studio, "The Music Room". Her students participate in the local and statewide solo and ensemble festivals as well as regional and state auditions for the MENC honor orchestras. Her students are chosen to play in public recitals in Yuma as well as at the NAU summer music camps. She is a member of the Yuma County Music Educator's Association and has served as secretary for that association. She has been chairman of the Junior High and High School Honor Orchestras in Yuma. She is a member of the American String Teacher's Association and the Arizona String Teacher's Association where she has been invited to sit on panel discussions exploring innovative teaching methods. She is an instructor for Arizona Western College teaching the Orchestra Workshop class and the Young String Ambassadors. Kathy is principal cellist of the Yuma Civic Orchestra and performs with the "Silver Strings" quartet for social functions
Janet Jones
is a string specialist for the String Consortium and conductor for the Yuma Civic Orchestra, Yuma Civic Light Orchestra, and the String Ambassadors. She studied music in the San Diego area performing with the San Diego Civic Youth Orchestras and the California All-state Orchestra. She attended Grossmont College and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in String Education from San Diego State University and a Masters of Art in String Education from Arizona State University. She has studied with violist, Nick Stamen, violinist, Howard Hill, violinist, Frank Spinosa, ‘cellist, Taki Atsumi, and bassist Daniel Swaim. She studied piano with Betty Reidler and Charlottte Stofer with The Chicago School of Music Piano Course. Janet has performed with orchestras in California, Arizona, and North Carolina. Mrs. Jones has persistently organized and guided the growth of the Yuma string program since 1974. Having been a Charter Member of the Yuma Orchestra Association in 1976, she continues to champion String Education in Yuma. She is professionally certified by the American String Teacher’s Association and the State of Arizona Department of Education. She is a member of American String Teacher’s Association, Arizona Music Educator’s Association, Music Educator’s National Conference, and Yuma County Music Educator’s Association. Janet has attended workshops in Arizona with Yvonne Tait and William Majors. She developed the AWC Orchestra Workshops, the String Ambassadors, the Strolling Strings, and the Classical Strings. She urged the school districts to have a regular school program and played a large part in the development of the Yuma String Consortium. Janet works extensively in performances with The String Ambassadors to promote String education in Yuma. She is currently a member of the Silver Strings Quartet. She continues to be a board member of the Yuma Orchestra Association.