Staff
2024-2025
TYO Music Staff
After serving for many years as Associate Music Director/Director of TYO chamber Orchestra, Christopher Miller has been appointed Music Director/ Director of TYO Symphony. Â Â Â In addition to his work with Tallahassee Youth Orchestras, Mr. Miller is known as Director of Orchestras at Lawton Chiles High School, where he directs three orchestras in addition to teaching A.P. Music Theory, Advanced Guitar, and Theatre. Â Under his direction, orchestras from Chiles have placed 1st (click to read more)
Katarzyna (Kasia) Bugaj is an Associate Professor of Music Education at The Florida State University, where she helps prepare future music educators to work with orchestras and string students. In addition to teaching college students during the academic year Dr. Bugaj enjoys working with young musicians at the FSU Summer Music Camps. Prior to her appointment at Florida State University, Dr. Bugaj was
Dr. Tian Sanchez-Ballado, a native of Tampa, Florida, is a versatile musician and educator known for his work in studio teaching, solo and chamber music, conducting, research, and classroom instruction. With over a decade of public-school teaching experience, he brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his educational endeavors. Dr. Sanchez-Ballado serves...
Dr. Alexander Jiménez serves as Professor of Conducting, Director of Orchestral Activities, and String Area Coordinator at the Florida State University College of Music. He has served on the faculties of San Francisco State University and Palm Beach Atlanta University. He holds degrees from Baylor University (B.M.) and Florida State University (M.M., M.M.E., D.M.). Dr. Jiménez is an active guest conductor, teacher and adjudicator through the United States and Europe.
Mr. Chris Miller
Dr. Kasia Bugaj
Dr. Tian Sanchez-Ballado
Dr. Alexander
Jiménez
Music Director
Director, Symphony Orchestra
Director, Chamber Orchestra
Director, Intermezzo Strings
Music Director Laureate
Guilherme Rodrigues is a Doctoral student in Orchestral Conducting at Florida State University, currently in the second year of study under the guidance of Dr. Alexander Jimenez. Guilherme has had the privilege of participating in numerous international music festivals in Mexico, Brazil, and Italy, gaining valuable experience and exposure. In Merida, Venezuela, he conducted the Symphony Orchestra of Merida and the Youth Orchestra of El Sistema, showcasing a commitment to fostering young...
Jean-Luc Cataquet Santaella, a Puerto Rican violinist and teacher, began studying the violin at the tender age of four with Martin Goldman. He has also had the honor of studying with Elena Sherbanesco, Ramonita Leandry, Dianne Pinner, Dr. Brandon Ironside and Dr. Francisco Caban. He has also performed for renowned violin pedagogues and performers such as Paul Kantor, Lucie Robert, Dr. Nicholas Hatt, Gabriel Lefkowitz, and David Kim. Jean-Luc Cataquet Santaella was the first prize winner of...
Bárbara Santiago is a violinist originally from Gurabo, Puerto Rico. She has participated in various orchestral and chamber music festivals including Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival and Emerald Coast Chamber Music Festival, where she had the opportunity to perform for renowned pedagogue Paul Kantor. Bárbara Santiago was the first prize winner of the XXI Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico Concerto Competition. She holds..
Keara Henre is a violist currently pursuing a Bachelor of Instrumental Music Education at the Florida State University College of Music. She strives to create an environment that encourages growth through creativity and artistry. Ms. Henre served as assistant principal violist for the Bradenton Symphony Orchestra for the 2019-2020 season. She was also a member of the Presidential String Quartet at the State College of Florida in 2019. Ms. Henre has also been...
Bárbara Santiago
Jean-Luc Cataquet Santaella
Keara Henre
Guilherme Rodrigues
Assistant Symphony Director
1st Violin Coach
2nd Violin Coach
Viola Coach
Zlatina Staykova is currently the Strings Orchestra instructor for the Leon County elementary schools. In addition to classroom teaching, Zlatina is a member of the Bach Parley String Academy where she helps her students follow their dreams and advance to prestigious music festivals and music schools. Zlatina is equally passionate about playing and combines both worlds as a member of the TSO’s educational outreach MINA String Quartet. She performs regularly with the Tallahassee, Mobile, and
José is a Masters Student in Jazz Performance for FSU’s College of Music, He is an FSU Alumni graduating in 2019 with his bachelors in Music for Jazz Performance. He has been playing Upright Bass for over 15 years and has been teaching music for more than 5 years. José was raised in Venezuela where...
Josie Whiteis is a performer, student, and teacher based in Tallahassee, Florida. She studies with Jeff Keesecker at Florida State University, where she is pursuing a Doctorate of Music with specialized studies in Arts Administration and College Teaching, and serving as a teaching assistant for the bassoon studio. Josie is the principal bassoonist for the Panama City Symphony Orchestra and the acting second bassoonist for the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra. Josie has also performed with...
Paul Ebbers was on the faculty of FSU for 38 years. Mr. Ebbers studied with Arnold Jacobs, world renowned wind pedagogue. He earned a B.A. from the Univ. of No. Iowa, a M.M. from Northwestern Univ, and pursued doctoral study at Indiana Univ. Mr. Ebbers has performed with the St. Louis Symphony, Pensacola Symphony, Florida Orchestra, Chicago Civic Orchestra, and Florida Philharmonic. He has toured the U.S., Italy, and Germany performing in such venues as Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.
Dr. Zlatina Staykova
Josie Whiteis
Paul Ebbers
José Serrano
Cello Coach & TYO Quartet Coach
Bass Coach
Woodwind Coach
Brass Coach
Jackson Kowalczyk is a junior at Florida State University, where he is pursuing a degree in percussion performance. He frequently performs with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia Gulf Coast Orchestra, and Tallahassee Community Chorus. Jackson spent the last two summers as a merit scholarship recipient at the Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina, studying with John Shaw (The Florida Orchestra), Eric Schweikert (Fort Wayne Philharmonic), and...
Jeanette Edwards – TYO Executive Director: Ms. Edwards has 25 years of experience managing youth and educational organizations. She has been TYO’s Executive Director since 2019 and was previously a TYO Board member for six years. Additionally, Ms. Edwards is the Director of Operations for the Catholic Student Union at FSU.
Executive Director
Percussion Coach
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