Staff | azmys

Artistic Staff

Karalee Hagen Executive Director, Division I Conductor: Mrs. Hagen began her work with Metropolitan Youth Symphony in 2006 and has over 25 years of teaching experience. With degrees from Kansas State University (BM) and West Texas A&M University (MM), she has held teaching and leadership positions with the AZ Bass Players, NAU Summer Music Camp, ABODA, and is currently Past President of the Arizona Music Educators Association.	Brian Murphy Division 1, Wind Coach Wind Ensemble, Conductor
Amy Bennett Division 2 Conductor: Mrs. Bennett has been teaching in Gilbert since 1999 and is currently the director of orchestras at Highland Junior HS and assistant director at Highland HS. With degrees from Northern Arizona University (BM) and Arizona State University (MM), Mrs. Bennett has consistently received superior ratings at ABODA festivals as well as conducting performing ensembles at the Arizona Music Educators Association Convention and was the 2009 recipient of the O.M. Hartsell Award.	Cicely Brazier Division 3 Conductor: Cicely Brazier began teaching in the public school system in 2007. After graduating from ASU, Summa Cum Laude, she taught Elem Strings in the Gilbert Schools. Mrs. Brazier continued her studies, graduating Summa Cum Laude from the American College of Ed in 2012 with a Masters in Educational Leadership and accepted a position with Mesa Schools, currently she is director of orchestras at Stapley Junior High.
Kevin Wilcox Division 4 Conductor Kevin Wilcox is currently the orchestra director of Field and Ishikawa Elementary Schools in Mesa, AZ. After graduating cum laude from Northern Arizona University, Mr. Wilcox has worked both as a full time orchestra and general music teacher with Mesa Public Schools, as well as part time director and orchestra coach for Mesquite High School in Gilbert.	Bonnie Roesch Homeschool Strings & Debut Mrs. Roesch has 16 years of Elementary Orchestra teaching and over 25 years of private violin teaching experience. With undergraduate degrees in Elementary Education and Violin Performance as well as long-term Suzuki violin training from Northern Arizona University, she has held teaching and leadership positions with Arizona Suzuki Association and with Valley of the Sun Suzuki Association. She is also Music Director of the Mesa Orchestra Chapter of New Horizons.
Wayne Roederer Founder & Musical Director Laureate: Mr. Roederer was the principal force in the founding of MYS in 1982. He retired from Mesa Public Schools in 2003 after holding the District String Coordinator position for 29 years. Mr. Roederer has conducted numerous ensembles and provided clinics throughout the western part of the US. He has received awards from the city of Mesa, Arizona ASTA chapter, and was the national ASTA Educator of the Year in 1996.	Charles Liu, Chamber Coach Born in Hong Kong, the Chinese-Canadian composer Charles Liu immigrated to Canada as a child with his family in 1988. He had begun taking violin lessons with Alec Hou at age 12. Charles was accepted to the Bachelor of Music program at the University of Western Ontario in London, Canada graduated as a theory and composition specialist. Liu’s works have been performed in Canada and the US. He has lived in Arizona since 2010 and has regularly performed as violinist with the Chandler Symphony.
Kevin Fuhrman Jazz Lab Coach Kevin Fuhrman is a Percussionist/Composer/Arranger/Educator. For over 30 years, he has been developing materials to cut the music learning curve from 50% to 90%! From Rhythm Books, to percussion-specific materials to Jazz Band Soloing Warmups, he consistently works to find more effective ways to help students of all ages learn to play and perform. “Watching the light bulb go on with students about understanding how to solo and improv is sometimes more fun than doing it myself” - K