Artistic Director and Conductor since 2018

Cosette is the Resident Conductor of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. She has been with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra since the 2018-2019 season, when she started as the Assistant Conductor and Community Ambassador. Born and raised in Cuba, as a daughter of amateur musicians, she has loved music all her life, and she began learning piano and music theory from age 8. At 18 she saw a symphony orchestra for the first time and immediately knew she wanted to be a conductor. She took up conducting in 2002 at the National Institute of the Arts of Cuba, in Havana, and after graduating in 2009 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Orchestral Conducting, she was appointed Music & Artistic Director of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Oriente (OSO) (Santiago, Cuba), where she developed several programs for improving the technical and musical level of the orchestra, and founded a Kid’s Orchestra and a Youth Orchestra, both tutored by the musicians of the professional orchestra. In 2012, Cosette entered the Mannheim Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst (State University for Music & Performing Arts) in Germany, to learn more about conducting classical repertoire from the European perspective, and she earned her master's degree in 2018. She has conducted many orchestral, choral, and chamber ensembles in Europe, while remaining Music & Artistic Director of the OSO until 2017, returning often to conduct it. In the fall of 2023, Cosette became the Artistic Director of Vancouver Island Symphony, and she maintains an active schedule of guest conducting with other professional Canadian orchestras.

Associate Director of Musical Creativity since 2021

Lilian comes to YONA with over two decades of experience as a performer, educator and advocate for music as a catalyst for community building and social action. She holds degrees in viola performance from McGill University and the Cleveland Institute of Music and has been an active performer and educator across North America and internationally. Lilian holds her own ensemble training as formative in her understanding not only of music but of all human interaction, and strives to instill the values of openness, listening, and appreciating one’s part in a whole in her musical and non-musical endeavors.

Artistic Lead since 2022 and Woodwinds Teaching Artist since 2016

Natalie is a flutist, chamber musician, and musicologist with over 3 decades’ experience as a music educator, including some 25 years teaching music and pedagogy at the University of Alberta. Inside the Winspear, she may be found giving pre-concert lectures, live-blogging events, assisting with YONA’s La Bruyère Orchestra or in her very happiest place, honking and tooting with the kids. Outside the Winspear, she can be heard playing chamber music, guest-lecturing on a variety of topics, and on Radio-Canada Edmonton as their Music Columnist.

Pedagogical Lead and Violin Teaching Artist since 2014

Nathan’s journey on the violin began at the age of when he pointed at a violin while shopping with parents and refused to move away from it! (He doesn’t really remember much of that himself though). His love for the violin eventually developed into a hobby of gathering and learning about different musical instruments around the world! Deciding he wanted to pursue a career in teaching, he earned his Bachelor of Education at the University of Alberta intending to teach elementary school when he stumbled upon YONA. Nathan feels extremely blessed to be able to pursue the path he chose with what he loves most!

Acting Site Manager since 2024

Booker Diduck has been a prominent pedal steel player in Western Canada's country and western music scene for six years. He holds a degree in composition from MacEwan University (2019). In 2022, he immersed himself in the sounds and foods of Mexico, studying bolero guitar in both Mexico City and Guadalajara for a month and a half. Beyond the stage, Booker is a culinary aficionado who enjoys creating delectable dishes. When not in the kitchen, he's an average cribbage player and a lover of outdoor games, embracing the symphony of life in its diverse forms.

Viola Teaching Artist since 2023

Dina has a bachelor's degree in music, majoring on viola. Born in Serbia, she finished her schooling in Europe and moved to Botswana, Africa where she lived and taught viola and violin for 10 years before moving to Edmonton. She has a passion for music and for teaching, and she loves working with children and youth and being surrounded by their positive energy and eagerness to learn.

Violin Teaching Artist since 2012

Lauren is a freelance violinist from Edmonton, Alberta. She received a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from The King’s University College and a Master of Music in Violin Performance and Literature from Brandon University. She has attended intensive summer programs at the Orford Centre de Arts and The Banff Centre and has participated in masterclasses with the Penderecki String Quartet, Tafelmusik, and the nationally acclaimed Canadian violinist James Ehnes.
As an advocate of accessible music education and social justice, Lauren helped shape the YONA program by providing artistic leadership for many years. She maintains a large studio of private students, and she coaches local community ensembles. As an active musician, Lauren has performed with the Brandon Chamber Players, the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, the Prince George Symphony Orchestra and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

Violin Teaching Artist since 2023

Viktoria is a Ukrainian-born violinist. She performs in various genres as a soloist, in chamber groups and large ensembles. She received her PhD from the University of Alberta in 2021, defending a thesis that explored the relationship between violin and dance, and she is actively involved in multi-disciplinary projects with dancers. In August 2023, she released her debut album “Violin in Movement.” Currently, she is working on four musicological publications and various chamber projects, while at the same time recording an album of contemporary Ukrainian music and teaching her violin studio. Viktoria was a substitute teacher with YONA for years prior to taking on her current position.

Site Manager since 2023

Travis is an Edmonton-based Euphonium player, low brass teacher, arranger, and clinician. He has worked with YONA for three years, starting off as a substitute Site Manager and substitute Teaching Artist. He holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Alberta where he studied Euphonium with John McPherson and Alden Lowrey. Travis has enjoyed performing both locally and internationally. He teaches students of various levels and backgrounds to help them achieve their musical goals, whether learning an instrument from scratch, or taking existing musicianship to a higher level.

Program Lead since 2013

Jacquie is a community advocate and harpist. She earned her bachelor's degree in Harp Performance at McGill University, a Master of Harp Performance at the New England Conservatory, and a Master of Arts in Teaching at the Longy School of Music of Bard College. Since completing her studies, she has called Edmonton or amiskwaciwâskahikan (ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ) home where, in addition to her role with YONA, she is also the Network Manager for the Sistema Canada Network.

Brass Teaching Artist and Site Manager since 2022

Olivia is a trombonist, composer and music teacher based in Treaty 6 territory. Olivia is the principal trombonist of River City Chamber Orchestra, a founding member of Coyote Brass Quintet, and has played with Uptown Entertainment, the Oilers Drum and Brass Band, Don Berner Big Band and many more. In addition to her role with YONA which has evolved over the years since 2013, she is also a band teacher with Edmonton Catholic Schools. Her passion lies in community building through music, and she is so grateful to make music everyday with members of the Edmonton music community.

Choir Teaching Artist since 2022

Jodi’s career has spanned the worlds of opera, musical theatre, concert, studio recording, radio and television. An accomplished lyric soprano, conductor and actor, she has performed all over Canada and the U.S. as well as Scotland, Russia, Italy, Austria, and Bolivia. Jodi is currently a DMus candidate at the University of Alberta in Choral Conducting and Vocal Performance doing research on Bolivian Baroque music of the Jesuit missions. She is co-founder and conductor of Voces Alegres Choir, a bilingual community choir in Edmonton and is Assistant Conductor with Richard Eaton Singers in Edmonton. Jodi is a sought after Vocal and Choral adjudicator in Alberta and has taught voice privately for over twenty years.

Site Manager since 2023

Ephraim is a highly-talented cello and bass player from Nigeria who has performed extensively with the Divine Symphony Orchestra, the Loveworld Orchestra, the Abuja Philharmonic Orchestra and for many special events. He graduated with a first-class degree from the prestigious University of Lagos where he studied Mechanical Engineering, and he holds various high-grade certificates in music theory and practical graded exams from The Associated Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM). A man of many talents, he is also a cinematographer and video editor for the food mogul Zeelicious Foods.

Site Manager since 2023

Naomi is from Jamaica, where she received her training in violin. At the end of 2023, she completed a Master of Arts in English and Film Studies at the University of Alberta. Teaching high school English in Jamaica sparked in her a desire to pursue education and youth development. At YONA, she continues to feed that passion by helping to provide an exciting space for young people to learn music and to see themselves as emerging leaders in their own communities.

Violin Teaching Artist since 2021

Joshua is a classically-trained violinist, having received his Bachelor of Music degree from NEC in Boston, and a Master of Music degree from Rice University in Houston. He works primarily with the Community Orchestra level students at the St. Alphonsus site. Besides teaching, Joshua enjoys skiing, playing basketball, and being an uncle to two dogs.

Violin Teaching Artist since 2023

Yeganeh’s musical journey started in Orff music classes in Tehran, Iran, and she has been occupying herself with one musical thing or another ever since. She has a great passion for social change and is interested in the role that music can play in this pursuit. She is excited to be living in Edmonton, her third Canadian city, and to be teaching violin at YONA.

Brass and Percussion Teaching Artist since 2016

Born and raised in Edmonton, Elaine began her formal musical education at the age of four. She holds degrees from the University of Alberta in Arts, in Education, and in Nursing, and has had the privilege of working as a music teacher and coach, a public school teacher, a healthcare professional, a freelance musician, and as a casual player in both the horn section and the percussion section of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Elaine is passionate about helping young minds learn new things. To share her love of music with such amazing students and to be a part of this incredible YONA program continues to be extremely rewarding. “Through the ups and downs of life, music has always been there for me. It nourishes me emotionally and intellectually, and I cannot imagine my life without it,” she shares.

Director of Musical Creativity since 2023

Anne-Marie is an accomplished singer, educator, and arts administrator. She obtained her Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Regina. While her teaching career developed, Anne-Marie always maintained an active performing career as a mezzo- soprano soloist with many highlights from operatic roles to appearances with orchestras. Ms. Switzer, or “Mama Switz” as she was more commonly known to her students, is a seasoned music educator whose mission was to make a positive impact and enhance students’ lives. For over a decade as a music director and teacher in rural areas, she made it her goal to build strong programs and leave lasting legacies in communities. She also has held other organizational roles in the Arts with the Saskatchewan Choral Federation, Chronos Vocal Ensemble and assumed the role as Executive Director for Concordia University’s School of Music summer choral program Singspiration for a few years. Working with the Winspear | ESO for the past five years has seen Anne-Marie hold a few different roles in the organization, but she is the most enthusiastic about having the privilege of working with the YONA staff and all of the Musical Creativity programming in her current role as Director of Musical Creativity.

Flute Teaching Artist since 2023

A graduate of the University of Alberta's Bachelor of Music degree, Alex has dedicated herself to the flute for over a decade. Under the instruction of former ESO Assistant Principal Flute, Shelley Younge and of current ESO Principal, Liz Koch, she has developed a deep-rooted love of all things Baroque and Classical. When she is not tucked away in the YONA instrument vault caring for instruments, she can be found reading up on historical performance practice and being Mozart's #1 fan.

Flute Teaching Artist since 2022

Cheryl plays the flute and the piccolo. Through the years she has had incredible teachers; flautists Jane Schudel and Sandra Hoffman of the Regina Symphony provided a solid foundation at the beginning of her career. Being under the direction of Dr. Leyton-Brown while playing with the University of Regina Chamber Orchestra was an honour. Upon moving to Ontario, and with the support of proficient mentors, she completed her Royal Conservatory exams. Today, along with guiding young people through music, she continues to be active within the Edmonton music community, playing in both orchestra and wind ensemble. From an early age, music has been her trusted partner as she journeys through this life. Her hope is that YONA-Sistema students will find the same ally in their musical journeys.

Double Bass Teaching Artist since 2016

Andreas is a passionate educator and loves all things bass! Andreas studied double bass at MacEwan University, earning a Bachelor of Music degree. As a freelance acoustic and electric bassist, Andreas is a regular feature in the Edmonton music scene performing in musical theatre, jazz, rock, country, and pop groups. He has played on over a dozen albums, including one under the direction of multi-Grammy award winning producer Jim Scott.

Cello Teaching Artist since 2023

Theron Woodman has been a soloist and ensemble musician in quartets and symphony orchestras across Canada. Beginning their cello career under their father's (Ian Woodman) tutelage in the Edmonton Public Strings Program, Theron quickly realized that performing was the way to express how deeply they connected with their cello. After winning numerous local and provincial music competitions, Theron debuted with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra as a soloist before attending the University of Western Ontario. Under direction of Dr. Tom Wiebe, Theron completed both a bachelor's and a master’s in music before deciding to return to their hometown of Edmonton to pursue their love of teaching and performing with artists such as the New York Mercury Opera, Good Women Dance Company, and the Alberta Ballet. You can find Theron teaching at YONA and in private lessons, touring Alberta and further as a travelling musician, and jamming with anyone who lets the music speak for them!

Violin Teaching Artist since 2017

Nathaniel is a Violinist/Violist from Edmonton, Alberta. He holds a degree in Music Composition from UBC and an MFA from Simon Fraser University. Nathaniel has been a part of the Pop outfit Yes Nice and the Canadian Mariachi Band Los Dorados for the past 15 years and has played in many orchestras in B.C. and Alberta. Nathaniel also teaches Expressive Arts at YONA and is the Assistant Conductor of YONA's Community Orchestra.

Cello Teaching Artist since 2018

Born and raised in St. Albert, Nava began learning the cello at the age of four. Throughout 20 years of music lessons, theory classes, local and provincial competitions, Edmonton Youth Orchestra, concerts, and other diverse performances, she studied and developed her musicianship with two exceptional teachers in Edmonton – Grazyna Sobieraj and Tanya Prochazka. Graduated with a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Alberta, Nava now has the joy of combining her knowledge and experience with her passions for music and childhood education.