Staff
GTCYS’ skilled conductors and administrative staff are dedicated to providing the best experience for young musicians.
Artistic Staff
Mark Russell Smith, Artistic Director & Symphony Conductor
Whether conducting contemporary masterpieces or bringing fresh insights to the symphonies of Mozart, Beethoven, or Brahms, Mr. Smith demonstrates consummate musicianship and enthusiastic commitment to the art of music-making – qualities that have endeared him to audiences and musicians alike. Read More »
Mary Sorlie, Philharmonia East & West Conductor
Mary serves as the Harmony Artistic Director and Lead violin Teaching Artist. She has been with Harmony since it launched in 2016. She conducts the GTCYS Philharmonia East and West orchestras. As a studio violin and viola teacher, Mary enjoys teaching students of all ages and abilities. Read More »
Brian Larson, Sinfonia East Conductor
Brian Larson has taught orchestra at all levels in Mounds View Public Schools since 2006, and is currently director of orchestras at Chippewa Middle School. He has served as the GTCYS Sinfonia East conductor since 2022. Read More »
Laura Hebert, Sinfonia West Conductor
Laura Hebert brings excitement and energy to any arena of teaching. From conducting large groups of students to teaching private lessons, her desire is to bring a love of music to young musicians through a positive learning environment. She strives to equip all students with the tools they need to succeed no matter their age, background, or experience. Read More »
Tamara Gonzalez, Concertino East Conductor
Tamara Gonzalez fell in love with orchestral music as a first grader in the D.C. Youth Orchestra Program. Continually seeking out orchestral experiences, she began score study and conducting lessons at age 14. Tamara made her conducting debut at age 16 directing her colleagues in the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Die Meistersinger in Sala Sanromá, in San Juan. Read More »
Dan Mollick, Concertino West Conductor & Community Engagement Liaison
Mr. Mollick has brought an energetic, positive, and student-centered teaching philosophy to students of all backgrounds, ages, and skill levels during his twenty-year career as a music educator. He has taught in a variety of school districts including Minneapolis, Bloomington, Manhattan Beach (Los Angeles), Minnetonka, and currently teaches orchestra at Valley View Middle School in Edina. Read More »
Diane Hallberg, Camerata Con Brio Conductor
Diane Hallberg teaches band and orchestra at Minnehaha Academy and is passionate about providing engaging and collaborative experiences for young musicians. Her work with students has included directing jazz band, pit orchestra, pep band, string orchestra, symphony orchestra, and chamber ensembles and leading multiple national and international music tours with an emphasis on service learning. Read More »
Zane Kaiser, Camerata Vivace Conductor
Zane Kaiser is passionate about engaging with students and families from all backgrounds and experience levels in their music education. Zane currently teaches at Justice Page Middle School in Minneapolis, where he conducts all three orchestras, varsity bands, jazz band, and wind ensemble. Read More »
Jack Reynertson, Concert Orchestra Conductor
Jack Reynertson is a music educator who brings an abiding love for young people and the arts to every aspect of his teaching. Jack currently leads the Repertory and Chamber Orchestras at Edina High School, and teaches 5th Grade Orchestra at Highlands Elementary School. Read More »
Ben Firer, Philharmonic Conductor
An award-winning conductor, Benjamin Firer is the Orchestra Director at Northeastern Illinois University and the Assistant Conductor with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. Benjamin received his Doctorate in Orchestral Conducting from Northwestern University and a Master’s Degree from Yale University. Read More »
Jason Tanksley, Brass Specialist
Tubist Jason Tanksley is a performer and educator based in Fridley, Minnesota, and is currently the Instructor of Tuba at St. Olaf College. In addition to his work in higher education, Tanksley leads an active career as a performer. He has performed with orchestras including The Cleveland Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, Oregon Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the Jacksonville Symphony. Read More »
Erika Izaguirre, Brass Specialist
Trumpeter Dr. Erika Izaguirre leads an active career as a solo performer, teacher, and clinician. She is currently the Assistant Professor of Trumpet and Director of the Jazz Ensemble at Concordia College. She earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Eastman School of Music. Currently, Erika is focused on helping young musicians and composers from underrepresented communities by elevating their voices and providing resources. Read More »
Eri Isomura, Percussion Specialist
Eri Isomura is a freelance performer, recording artist, and educator of percussion. She regularly teaches Percussion Classes for grades 6-8 at Yinghua Academy and has a studio of private students. She serves as president of the Percussive Arts Society Minnesota Chapter. Eri graduated from St. Olaf College (B.M.) and The Boston Conservatory (M.M.) both in Percussion Performance. Read More »
Administrative Staff
Megen Balda, Executive Director
megen@gtcys.org
651.602.6802
As GTCYS’ Executive Director, Megen is responsible for the administrative leadership of the organization. Megen works closely with the artistic staff and Board of Directors to ensure that GTCYS’ programs remain vibrant for students, successful, and sustainable. Read More »
Miranda Bryan, Program Director
miranda@gtcys.org
651.602.6807
Miranda is responsible for the overall coordination of GTCYS’ orchestral activities, including rehearsals, concerts, auditions, retreats, and special events. She also manages student leadership and mentoring activities. Read More »
Mackenzie Catton, Development Director
mackenzie@gtcys.org
651.602.6808
As Development Director, Mackenzie is responsible for connecting donors and supporters with GTCYS’ mission and work. Read More »
Tony Corson, Operations Manager
tony@gtcys.org
651.602.6805
As Operations Manager, Tony is responsible for coordinating logistical details to ensure the smooth operation of GTCYS’ year-round programs. Read More »
Jessica Mendez Robles, Program Associate
jessica@gtcys.org
651.504.6912
As Program Associate, Jessica helps plan and coordinate logistics for program activities such as rehearsals, sectionals, and concerts; provides hands-on operations support for GTCYS events; and helps coordinate overall rehearsal needs. Read More »
Sara Minder, Student Membership & Volunteer Coordinator
sara@gtcys.org
651.602.6803
As Student Membership & Volunteer Coordinator, Sara oversees student enrollment and leads volunteer recruitment for all GTCYS concerts, festivals, and Parent Social Crews. Read More »
Ben Van Wienen, Music Librarian & Artistic Coordinator
ben@gtcys.org
651.602.6804
Ben prepares and distributes music to all eleven GTCYS orchestras, maintains the library collection, conducts music research, contracts and coordinates sectional coaches and judges, and manages IT operations. Read More »
Jacob West, Development Coordinator
jacob@gtcys.org
651.504.6908
Jacob supports GTCYS’ fundraising, storytelling, and community stewardship. Jacob graduated from St. Olaf College with a B.M. in trumpet performance, followed by a master’s degree in trumpet performance and a graduate certificate in arts administration from the University of Colorado Boulder. Read More »
CJ Younger, Communications Manager
cj@gtcys.org
651.602.6816
As communications manager, CJ finds new and creative ways to support GTCYS students and share their achievements with the greater Twin Cities community. She’s an experienced communicator who’s worked as a producer at Minnesota Public Radio and a copywriter for a Boston marketing agency. Read More »
Harmony Staff
Mary Sorlie, Harmony Artistic Director & Lead Violin Instructor
Mary Sorlie serves as the Harmony Artistic Director and Lead violin Teaching Artist. She has been with Harmony since it launched in 2016. She conducts the GTCYS Philharmonia East and West orchestras. As a studio violin and viola teacher, Mary enjoys teaching students of all ages and abilities. Read More »
Laurie McFaul, Incoming Harmony Artistic Director & Lead Roots Instructor
Laurie is deeply committed to inspiring individuals of all ages through the transformative power of music education, delivered in a joyful and supportive environment. With over 20 years of private studio teaching experience, she has also spent more than 12 years honing her leadership, business, and teaching skills as an early childhood music education specialist. Read More »
Emily Doyle, Harmony Manager & Violin Instructor
As Harmony Manager, Emily is responsible for Harmony communications, supporting the Harmony Director and faculty, and coordinating GTCYS’ Sponsored Lessons program. She enjoys working with students of all ages and levels but especially loves opening doors to music for Harmony’s young beginners. Read More »
Olivia Quintanilla, Lead Cello Instructor
Olivia Quintanilla is a Twin Cities-based cellist, composer and teacher. Olivia’s musical activity as a modern cellist allows her to explore her own musicianship and virtuosity by going outside the box of the traditional concepts of acoustic cello playing. Read More »
Irene Pardo, Violin Instructor
Irene Pardo was born in Venezuela. A few years later, her family moved to Colombia, where she began her musical studies in Batuta, Meta. Later, she returned to Venezuela to pursue her university studies in music in Maracaibo and also joined the El Sistema, the Latin American Violin Academy, and studied violin and conducting at the José Luis Paz Music Conservatory. Read More »
Joe Kaiser, Cello Instructor
Joe Kaiser is an active cello teacher who loves teaching students of all ages and abilities. In addition to a full studio of individual students at MacPhail Center for Music, Joe also teaches group classes, coaches chamber ensembles, and directs two cello choirs. Read More »
Omar Macias, Cello Instructor
Omar Macias is a versatile cellist, educator, and administrator based in the Twin Cities. A passionate freelancer, he performs across a wide range of genres, from classical to contemporary. Omar is an adjunct professor of cello at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, where he fosters the next generation of cellists. Read More »