Our Team

Artistic Staff

Learn more about our conductors by clicking on their names to see their bios. Conductors may be emailed individually, or send a general message to office@eyso.org.

Matthew Sheppard

Artistic Director and Youth Symphony Conductor

Joe Beribak

Percussion Director

Stella Childs

Chamber Music Institute Director

Ruth Cavanaugh

Flute Choir Conductor

Tracy Dullea

Primo Conductor and Starter Strings Director

Andrea Ferguson

Prelude Conductor

Aaron Kaplan

Philharmonia Conductor

Dan Sartori

Brass Choir Conductor

Greg Schwaegler

Sinfonia Conductor

Staff

K. Eric Larson

Executive Director

Kyla Brittain

Director of Development

Marina Akamatsu

Marketing & Communications Assistant

Laura Asenas

Operations Assistant

Raquel Gonzalez

Marketing Communications Coordinator

Emily Krasinski

Director of Membership and Operations

Anaka Riani

Operations Coordinator

Thomas Rodriguez

Operations Coordinator

Board of Directors

Anthony Riani

President
Director since 2021

James Allen

Vice President
Director since 2022

Peter Van Nortwick

Wellspring Worldwide

Treasurer
Director since 2015

Allison Winsor

Secretary
Director since 2021

K. Eric Larson

Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra

Executive Director
Director Ex-Officio since 2016

Matthew Sheppard

Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra

Artistic Director
Director Ex-Officio since 2019

Casey Clemens

Director since 2022

Grace Fernandez

Director since 2022

Jonathan Horn

Director since 2023

Charles Jorgensen

Director since 2023

Alberto Mantovano

Director since 2023

Jen Pierce

Director since 2023

Sarosh Saher

Village of Lake Zurich

Director since 2018

Edward Snoble

BMO Private Bank

Director since 2019

Diane Stredde

Director since 2021

Marc Thayer

Elgin Symphony Orchestra

Director Ex Officio since 2022

Board of Directors, EYSO Endowment Fund

Kathryn Canny

Director since 2016

Joel Cohen

USPlate Glass Insurance Company

Director since 2010

Charlie Simpson

American Osteopathic Association

President Emeritus
Director since 2013

Lucas VanDeWoestyne

Apex CPA's and Consultants, Inc.

Director since 2013

Jeff Wheeler

BMO Harris Bank

Director since 2002