The YONA program is led by an amazing team whose members come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra is grateful for the staff’s dedication to making YONA a safe and empowering space for students to develop meaningful relationships and skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
Please click on a staff member’s name to learn a little more about them.
Cosette Justos Valdés
Artistic Director and Conductor since 2018
Lilian Belknap
Associate Director of Musical Creativity since 2021
Natalie Boisvert
Artistic Lead since 2022 and Woodwinds Teaching Artist since 2016
Nathan Chan
Pedagogical Lead and Violin Teaching Artist since 2014
Booker Diduck
YONA Site Coordinator since 2024
Viktoria Grynenko
Violin Teaching Artist since 2023
Jacquie McNulty
Program Manager since 2013
Olivia Menard
Brass Teaching Artist and Site Coordinator since 2022
Joshua Ryu
Violin Teaching Artist since 2021
Yeganeh Sotudehnia
Violin Teaching Artist since 2023
Elaine Stepa
Brass and Percussion Teaching Artist since 2016
Anne-Marie Switzer
Director of Musical Creativity since 2023
Alex Valle
Flute Teaching Artist since 2023, Kipohtakâw YONA Site Coordinator and Instrument Manager
Andreas Wegner
Double Bass Teaching Artist since 2016
Nathaniel Wong
Violin Teaching Artist since 2017
Nava Yamach
Cello Teaching Artist since 2018
Kevin Yue
Brass Teaching Artist since 2024
Lucy Garbett
Brass Teaching Artist since 2024
Jude Nwankwo
Choir Teaching Artist since 2024
Ben Caufield
Site Coordinator since 2024
Kai James
Double Bass Teaching Artist since 2024
Matthew Ketchum
Site Coordinator Since 2024
Maria Lobreau
Violin Teaching Artist since 2024
