Ryan Ross - Tyler Youth Orchestra

Conductor Ryan Ross is currently Music Director of the Tyler Youth Orchestra in Tyler, Texas, a post he has held since 2007.  In addition, Ross is Artistic Director and Conductor for the Dallas Festival of Modern Music, on the advisory board for the West Texas String Association, and orchestra director at Lewisville High School is Lewisville, TX.

From Saint Louis, Missouri, Ross began his musical studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he earned a bachelor of music degree in music performance.  While at Illinois, Ross studied euphonium with Mark Moore and conducting with Donald Schleicher.  More recently, he completed graduate studies in orchestral conducting under the guidance of Gary Lewis at Texas Tech University.  While in Lubbock, Ross served as Graduate Assistant Conductor for the Tech orchestra program and as Cover Conductor for the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, stepping in several times to assist the music director by conducting the orchestra in rehearsal.

Ross has participated in conducting master classes and festivals throughout North America and Europe.  Among the many world renowned pedagogues he has worked with are Marin Alsop, Gustav Meier, Larry Rachleff, Joel Smirnoff, Christopher Zimmerman, and David Hoose.

Joanie Russell - Tyler Academic Orchestra

Joanie Rathbun-Russell has served the Tyler Youth Orchestra since 1994, working first with the Tyler Preparatory Orchestra and now the Tyler Academic Orchestra.  Previously, she served as the conductor of the Longview Youth Orchestra for four years.  Mrs. Russell is a long time teacher in Longview ISD where she is currently the Longview High School Orchestra Director.  Mrs. Russell has performed with the Longview Symphony Orchestra and the East Texas Symphonic Band.  She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas in Denton.

Archie Jones - Tyler Preparatory Orchestra

Archie Jones serves as director for the Tyler Preparatory Orchestra.  A graduate of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, Mr. Jones is currently the Suzuki Instructor for Longview ISD.  Previously, he started the Suzuki Strings programs at Caldwell Elementary and All Saints Episcopal School in Tyler, Texas.  In addition to his active private studio throughout Longview and Tyler, Mr. Jones also serves as the Symphony Explorer Lecturer for the East Texas Symphony Orchestra.