Staff and Faculty

Dr. Michael Remson
President and CEO
An accomplished composer, author, educator and administrator, Michael has dedicated more than thirty years to his work as an artist, arts educator and arts advocate.
Read his bio here.

Sameer Patel
Artistic Director
Internationally recognized for his deep musicianship and passionate communication, Sameer Patel joins the team that sets artistic and pedagogical goals and standards for students at multiple youth orchestra experience levels, in SDYS’ community partnership programs, and in our popular early childhood music education program, ChIMES.
Read the announcement here | Read bio here
Youth Symphony Program Conductors and Staff
Youth Symphony Conductors









Conservatory Program Staff

Dr. Lauren Rausch
Conservatory Program Manager

Brenna Casey
Conservatory Program Coordinator

Tristan Akers
Conservatory Program Assistant

Edda Martin
Conservatory Program Assistant
Community Program Staff

Kaitlyn Korogy de Guarneros
Community Opus Program Manager

Lionel Charles Avila
Community Program Coordinator

Mariana Jones
Community Program Assistant

Edda Martin
Community Program Assistant

Makayla Murphy
Community Program Assistant

Greg Perrin
Community Program Assistant

Kevin Urzua
Community Program Assistant
Teaching Artists

Lionel Charles Avila
Teaching Artist

Marife Biares
Conductor

Gina Carter
Teaching Artist

David Castel De Oro
Accompanist

Jusun Eo
Teaching Artist

Tatiana Esquerra
Teaching Artist

Ruben Hernandez
Teaching Artist

Domenico Hueso
Teaching Artist

Jessandra Kono
Teaching Artist

Nicholas Lawrence
Teaching Artist

Valerie McElroy
Teaching Artist

Sharon Ormsbee
General Music Teacher

Joey Ortiz
Teaching Artist

Charlie Perkes
Teaching Artist

Greg Perrin
Teaching Artist

Zack Sahms
Teaching Artist

Michael Tagart
Teaching Artist

Sean Laperruque
Teaching Artist
Early Childhood Music Team

Kate Battenfeld
Early Childhood Program Manager

Sarah Williams
Early Childhood Program Coordinator

Fil Starostka
Program Assistant

Michelle Caravia
Teaching Artist

Kat Fitzpatrick
Teaching Artist

Mariana Jones
Teaching Artist

Charlie Perkes
Teaching Artist

Crystal Pridmore
Teaching Artist
Production Team

Jessamyn Foster
Production and Operations Manager

Max S. Carreon, III
Production Coordinator

Ruben Hernandez
Music Librarian

Kyle Bayquen
Instrument Librarian and Production Assistant

Anecito Biares
Production Assistant

Angelo Biares
Production Assistant

Makayla Murphy
Production Assistant

Steven Soto
Production Assistant

Fil Starostka
Production Assistant
Development & Marketing Team

Terry Williams
Individual Giving Manager

Anna Lee Fleming
Individual Giving Assistant

Anna Hayman
Institutional Giving Manager

Kelly McMahon
Institutional Giving Coordinator

Anji Taylor
Marketing and Communications Manager

James Howard
Graphic Design Assistant
Business Office Team

Sean Laperruque
Business Office Manager
Shani Levin
Human Resources Assistant