Kathleen Evans

Director of Symphonic Youth Orchestra

DIRECTOR OF THE PAT CHAfFIN ENSEMBLE

• Bachelor of Music Education from McNeese State University - Magna Cum Laude

• Director of Strings program at Oak Park Middle School

• Graduate of Francis G. Bulber Youth Orchestra

• Church cantor

• Private tutor in instrumental and vocal music

Dr. Jay Kacherski

Director of the Classical Guitar Program

• Masters in Guitar Performance and Literature from Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York

• Doctor of Musical Arts in Classical Guitar Performance from the University of Texas at Austin

• Fulbright Scholar

• Visiting Lecturer in Music Theory at McNeese State University * Private tutor of guitar

• Performs solo and ensemble guitar throughout the United States, Mexico, and Brazil

• Guitar Instructor: Loyola, University of New Orleans, McNeese State University, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts

• Associate Artistic Director, "Classical Minds" Guitar Festival and Competition

• Associate Editor, Soundboard Magazine

Danley Romero

Intermediate Concert Strings Instructor

Intermediate Strings Instructor

Pat Chaffin Ensemble Instructor

Sectionals Instructor

• Bachelor of Music from Loyola University New Orleans - Summa Cum Laude

• Cellist with the Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra

• Freelance cellist

• Private cello instructor

• FGBYO alumnus

Cassandra Everage

Beginner Strings instructor

• Bachelor of General Studies with a Concentration in Behavioral Sciences from McNeese State University

• Minors in Psychology, Special Education (K-12), and Instrumental Music Performance (Trombone)

• Special Education Teacher at Bell City High School

• Alumni of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity

• Previously performed with The Pride of McNeese, Courtside Cowboys, McNeese Symphonic Band, McNeese Concert Chorale, McNeese Jazz Ensemble, McNeese Chamber Singers, and Last Minute Big Band.

gemma campbell

Beginner strings instructor

• Current music performance major in cello and harp at McNeese State University

• FGBYO alumnus

Sheila Delong

intermediate strings assistant

• Bachelor of Music in viola performance from West Texas A&M University 

• Performs with the Symphony of Southeast Texas 

• Former member of the Amarillo Symphony 

• Former section coach for the Amarillo Symphony Youth Orchestras

• Alumnus of the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras and the World Youth Symphony Orchestra