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
Acting Site Manager since 2024
Dina Dokic
Viola Teaching Artist since 2023
Lauren Dykstra
Violin Teaching Artist since 2012
Viktoria Grynenko
Violin Teaching Artist since 2023
Travis Kutz
Site Manager since 2023
Jacquie McNulty
Program Lead since 2013
Olivia Menard
Brass Teaching Artist and Site Manager since 2022
Jodi Penner
Choir Teaching Artist since 2022
Ephraim Sopulu Prescott
Site Manager since 2023
Naomi Reitzin
Site Manager since 2023
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
Cheryl Vinge
Flute Teaching Artist since 2022
Andreas Wegner
Double Bass Teaching Artist since 2016
Theron Woodman
Cello Teaching Artist since 2023
Nathaniel Wong
Violin Teaching Artist since 2017
