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
Amber Joy Weber
Deputy Director
Amber Weber’s entire career has been dedicated to making a quality education accessible to students. She became SDYS’s Deputy Director in January 2015.
Conservatory Program Conductors and Staff
Conservatory 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
Teaching Artists
Lionel Charles Avila
Teaching Artist
Marife Biares
Teaching Artist
David Castel De Oro
Accompanist
Jusun Eo
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
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
Early Childhood Program Teaching Artist
Charlie Perkes
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
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
Business Operations Team
Sean Laperruque
Business Operations Coordinator
Leticia Chavarria
Accounting Assistant
