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Conductor & Artistic Staff

Fritz Gearhart, Interim Youth Symphony Co-conductorFritz Gearhart, Interim Youth Symphony Co-conductor (Fall 2009)

The third generation of musicians in his family, Mr. Gearhart has been actively involved in promoting excellence in music education throughout his many years of college teaching. Gearhart is currently on the faculty of University of Oregon where he teaches violin, coaches chamber music and performs in the Oregon String Quartet. In addition to his violin teaching, Mr. Gearhart has conducted several ensembles including the East Carolina University String Orchestra, the Eastern Youth Orchestra, the Northern Virginia Regional Honors Orchestra, the Wyoming State String Orchestra, the South Carolina All-State String Orchestra, the Salem All-City String Orchestra, the Bend Honors Orchestra and the University of Oregon Symphony. An accomplished violinist and recording artist, Fritz Gearhart has been heard in major halls around the country, including Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Recital Hall, the 92nd Street Y, as well as the Terrace Theater at the Kennedy Center. Gearhart has recorded ten commercially released compact discs including the most recent in 2007 The Oregon String Quartet and All That Jazz. Mr. Gearhart is often heard on NPR, and has performed several live broadcasts, including the nationally syndicated program Performance Today.

Robert Ponto, Interim Youth Symphony Co-conductorRobert Ponto, Interim Youth Symphony Co-conductor (Fall 2009)

Robert Ponto is associate professor of conducting and director of bands at the University of Oregon. He conducts the Oregon Wind Ensemble, supervises the graduate program in wind conducting, and serves as coordinator of recruitment and outreach. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he received degrees from the University of Michigan and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Prior to his appointment at the University of Oregon in 1992, Ponto held conducting/teaching posts at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, East Carolina University, Pacific Lutheran University, and in the public schools of West St. Paul–Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Ponto has also earned respect as a creative and inspiring teacher of conducting, working with students throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. His ensembles have appeared at state, regional, and national MENC conferences, regional CBDNA conferences, and at the Bang On A Can contemporary music festival in New York City. Ponto is an active member of the Music Educators National Conference and past president of the Northwest Division of College Band Directors National Association.

Ron Bertucci, Interim Youth Symphony ConductorRon Bertucci, Interim Youth Symphony Conductor (Spring 2010)

Ron is a full time instructor at Lane, teaching Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Improvisation: Instrumental, Sight Reading & Ear Training and Symphonic Band. He earned his M.M. in Music education from the University of Oregon and was an instructor at North Eugene High School for eleven years. Along with teaching, Ron also plays trombone in the Eugene Symphony and the Eugene Brass Quintet. Ron is an active band clinician in Oregon.

David Chinburg Junior OrchestraDavid Chinburg, Junior Orchestra Conductor

David Chinburg holds degrees in music education from the University of Oregon and cello performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition to his conduction and teaching duties, David serves as principal cellist in the Eugene Symphony and performs with the Oregon Bach Festival and Oregon Festival of American Music. When David is not involved in music activities, he shares the country life with his family on a twelve-acre farm in southwest Eugene.

Forrest Moyer Little Symphony Co-conductorForrest Moyer, Little Symphony Conductor

Forrest Moyer has dedicated his life to performing and teaching music. As a double bassist, he has been a long time member of the Eugene Symphony Orchestra, Oregon Bach Festival, Oregon Festival of American Music, Eugene Opera, and the Portland Opera. Forrest has played in many jazz concerts and groups and has also recorded and toured with Mason Williams since 1984, including performances with the Sacramento Symphony, Oregon Symphony abd United States Air Force Band in Washington D.C. Forrest is the orchestra teacher at Sheldon and Churchill High Schools and Spencer Butte Middle School in Eugene and has taught double bass at the University of Oregon.

Peggy Rubinstein String Academy 1 Peggy Rubinstein, String Academy 1

Peggy Rubinstein earned her Bachelor of Music Education at the Indiana University and her Masters of Music in Violin Performance at the University of Oregon, and has taught string classes at McCornack Elementary School, Kennedy Middle School and the Waldorf School for many years. She has a large private studio of violin students.

Sarah Kreger String Academy Coordinator Sarah Kreger, String Academy 2 conductor/String Academy 1

Sarah Kreger graduated from the University of Oregon with her Master's degree in viola performance and string pedagogy in 2002. She currently has a full private studio of violin and viola students and performs with local orchestras including the Oregon Mozart Players, the Eugene Symphony and the Eugene Opera. Since 2005, Sarah has taught the Cesar Chavez String Academy and this year, begins work as Arts Umbrella's String Academy Coordinator, helping to start and maintain elementary strings programs in Eugene.

Lauralie Kallinen String Academy 1Lauralie Kallinen, String Academy 1

Lauralie Kallinen earned her Bachelor's of Music in cello performance at Lawrence University and her Master’s of Music in cello performance and music education at the University of Oregon. Lauralie has taught string classes in the Eugene Public Schools and the Waldorf School for several years and is a cello teacher for the Suzuki Strings Program. Lauralie also has a large private studio of cello students.

Ira Hsu, String Academy 1

Ira Hsu is an alumnus of The Juilliard School and Columbia University, where he studied viola performance under Toby Appel. He grew up in Portland, Oregon, and held the title of principal violist with the Portland Youth Philharmonic for three years. Ira was the Oregon state champion for solo viola in 1994 and 1995 and has had multiple performances at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, both as a soloist and as a member of the Hsu String Quartet. He attended Aspen Music Festival as a member of the Aspen Festival Orchestra and was principal violist of the World Youth Symphony Orchestra at Interlochen Arts Camp. Currently Ira enjoys teaching music in Eugene and playing viola for his three young children.

  • Teri Page, Summer Musical Theater
  • Joe Ingram, Summer Bands