ALUMNI FEATURE: KRISTI BURRIS

Years in Tulsa Youth Symphony:

 3

Instrument:

French Horn

Favorite Memory from TYS: 

Hanging around in the back with the Horns, and playing the theme from "Robin Hood Prince of Thieves". Favorite Memory from TYS:

 After TYS: College Experience

• Your Educational History: BS in Health and Sports Science (OU)

• Your College Orchestra Experience: N/A, Marching band 1 yr

Current Job: Ice Cream Company Owner

• Describe a day to day in your life as an ice cream company owner: Determine the amount and flavors of ice cream to produce, go to the kitchen and make the ice cream using local ingredients when possible, look at budgets and reports and make action plans to move metrics, brainstorm on creative partnerships and events, work the ice cream stand and/or any events, fulfill delivery/pick-up orders, make people happy with delicious ice cream.

• What are your goals for your job over the next year?: To continue to explore ways to connect to the community, hire a part-time employee, educate others in the food industry on the benefits of using environmentally sustainable practices/packaging, continue to make the best ice cream possible, and just generally be awesome.

• How do you use music in your everyday life?: Some days, I use it to supplement the mood I'm in - others, I use it to alter my mood. More often than not, I use it as a motivator. From rap to orchestral works, to indie rock and jazz - nothing is off limits, really. John Williams is my favorite composer (those Horn lines!), and Shotakovich's "Festive Overture" will really get me hyped up.

Sister Alumni Feature: Lara Ortega Clark & Oriana Dobson-Ortega

Years in Tulsa Youth Symphony: 

Lara Ortega Clark: 2001-2005

Oriana Dobson-Ortega: 2008-2009

Instrument: 

Both: Cello

Favorite Memory from TYS: 

LOC: I don't know why because I don't really even like them, but eating those big, fluffy, grocery-store sugar cookies with friends during breaks!

ODO: Playing our first concert, because we were playing with what were considered "band" instruments in high school as well as the stringed orchestra instruments. Being able to play as a full symphony was very powerful! 

From Left: Oriana Ortega Dobson, Lara Ortega Clark

After TYS: College Experience

Your Educational History: 

LOC: After graduating from Jenks High School in 2005, I went on to Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where I double-majored in Cello Performance and Economics. After that, I attended the University of Georgia School of Law, where I earned my Juris Doctorate.

ODO: I graduated from Jenks High School in 2011. In 2015 I graduated from Oklahoma State University with my degree in Psychology. Finally, in 2021 I graduated from University of Oklahoma - Tulsa with my Master's in Social Work. 

Your College Orchestra Experience: 

LOC: I played in the Emory Symphony Orchestra throughout my college career, and was also a member of the Emory Chamber Music Quartet and Honors Quartet. Even though my eventual career path (arguably) has nothing to do with cello performance, I loved studying music full-time, and I am SO glad I took the opportunity to do it!

ODO: I formally played cello from 6th grade to the end of 9th grade. I was involved with the Jenks orchestra, the Tulsa Youth Symphony, private lessons, and the Cello Choir throughout that time. Currently, I play cello alone in my house as stress relief!

Current Job:

Describe a day to day in your life as an ATTORNEY: 

LOC: I am a Partner at Chartwell Law, where I am a civil litigator specializing in defending businesses against personal injury and wrongful death claims. This is a very broad practice area, so it is rare that I am ever doing the same thing two days in a row. Some days, I am in the office where I might be writing a brief, responding to emails, drafting client reports, or preparing for depositions or hearings. Other days, I may be on the road at depositions, mediations, site inspections or hearings. Still other days, I might be traveling to attend conferences or other marketing activities. Bottom line is, I am never bored!

Describe a day-to-day in your life as a THERAPIST:

ODO:  It is hard to describe a "day-to-day" aspect of my job. I see clients for hour-long increments all day. In my department we use evidenced based practices such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy to engage clients in processing abuse, neglect, and other stressful experiences they have had in their lives. I am very fortunate to work for an amazing non-profit agency where I can serve Tulsans every day and contribute to the lives of kiddos! 

What are your goals for your job over the next year?: 

LOC: My goals for this year are pretty broad. I am working on my management skills (both people management and time management), and my main focus right now is getting the new members of my team up and running so that I can transition to more of a supervisory role, rather than the "boots on the ground" role I have been occupying for the past several years.  

ODO: I am excited to continue being trained in and utilizing new evidence-based practices. I excel in working with adolescents and I hope to continue learning and practicing skills to help my clients in many areas such as trauma, suicidality, and grief. 

Personal Life:

Where do you live now? 

LOC: Atlanta, Georgia

ODO: Tulsa, Oklahoma

How do you use music in your everyday life?: 

LOC: During this season of my life, I am more of a consumer of music than a creator. That said, I still use music in lots of different ways! I listen to music all day while I work to help me focus, and I also rely heavily on music to help summon the motivation to work out and keep me awake on long drives. My husband and I also bonded over live music (our first date was seeing a Reptar show at the 40 Watt in Athens, GA). We have been together almost 12 years now, and we still make sure to go to several live shows together every year which can range from seeing the Atlanta Symphony to catching a Thom Yorke solo show, to anything in between. 

ODO: Music is my greatest coping skill. I have gotten through all of life's hard moments with a good song. In addition, I still play cello to relax and connect in the evenings.

Do the two of you ever play together?: 

LOC: Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view), unless we can count karaoke duets, Oriana and I have not made music together in years! We will have to make that happen next time we are in the same place at the same time. 

ODO: Lara and I haven't played music together (unless you count listening to music) for a very long time. I would love to play cello with Lara as an adult, but unfortunately if I am with her I am typically borrowing her cello and not playing with her! Lara will not brag about herself but she really inspired me to play cello and she is a beautiful musician! She also played cello on Ben Rector's first album, which I think she deserves to shout out!

Favorite childhood memory of each other?: 

LOC: There are A LOT, but the first ones that come to mind are the long afternoons spent playing together in our backyard with our dog, Neo, exploring the creek that ran behind our house, swinging on the swing or laying in the hammock. 

ODO: Lara was my idol growing up. There are almost too many memories to pick one... BUT since it is spooky season, I will say I enjoyed wearing a Scream mask and scaring her and her friends while they were in high school. I was just a precious 12 year old wanting to hang out with my cool older sister, so logically I decided to scare all of the high schoolers instead. (P.S. thank you Lara for still growing to be my best friend despite these actions!)

Alumni Feature: Brian Dunagan

Years in Tulsa Youth Symphony:

5 Years

Instrument: Violin

Favorite Memory from TYS

I enjoyed playing for the opening of the Guthrie Green and eating cookies with my friends on Sundays!

After TYS: College Experience

Brian’s Educational History

High School: Union // College: University of Central Oklahoma

Brian’s College Orchestra Experience

I really enjoyed my college experience at UCO. I served as principal second violin for some time. I had the chance to play in an all-Baroque instrument chamber orchestra, where I learned so much about the history of string instruments. One of my favorite opportunities I had there was playing in musicals and operas such as The Most Happy Fella, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Aaron Copeland's The Tender Land.

Current Job: Orchestra Teacher

Describe a day to day in your life as an orchestra teacher:

I am the 7th Grade orchestra teacher for Union, and it has been a pleasure teaching in the room I first learned how to play my instrument. I also assist at the 8th Grade center and the 9th Grade orchestra at Union High School. I spend time planning lessons and teaching students how to make music!

What are your goals for the Union Orchestra over the next year:

I would like to see students' love for music, their aural understanding for music, and their compassion for others grow this year.

What are you most excited for this upcoming school year:

I am excited to showcase students' growth at our concerts; concert days are some of my favorite days I get to teach. I am also very blessed to get to work alongside so many great music teachers and techs at Union and can't wait to see how our team handles everything. I enjoy learning new things from teachers around me and being a part of a team will be very rewarding!

Alumni Feature: Helena Singleton

Years in Tulsa Youth Symphony:

2016-2017 Concert Orchestra

2017-2019 Symphony Orchestra

Instrument: Violin

Favorite Memory from TYS

Playing contemporary pieces like Hanson's Sinfonia Sacra or playing christmas songs on boomwhackers at the holiday party!

After TYS: College Experience

Helena’s Educational History

The University of Tulsa, Bachelor's in Music Education - Instrumental, Summa Cum Laude

Helena’s College Orchestra Experience

TU Symphony Orchestra, Concertmaster 2021-22

Current Job: Orchestra Director

Describe a day to day in your life as an orchestra director:

I haven't started yet, as the first day of classes is Aug 24. I expect day-to-day it will be a lot of tuning, changing strings, and solving small problems, but also really fulfilling work with eager young string players of varying levels. I think we have some fun pieces planned for this first semester, one of which I myself played in my 7th grade orchestra, so that's a fun callback for me.

I'll start the day at Oneta Ridge Middle School, have three orchestra classes (8th, 6th, an advisory class, then 7th). Then, I'll travel to Sequoyah Middle School and teach two more orchestra classes (combined 7th/8th, 6th), so that adds an interesting layer to my day as well.

What are your goals for the Oneta Orchestra over the next year:

To build and enhance a solid foundation in instrumental music and continue to advance their performance skills. It would be great to continue the success that the orchestras have had in past years in contests as well, but my main goal is to instill in the students a lifelong love for music.

What are you most excited for this upcoming school year:

I'm excited to meet and build connections with the students. I'm most excited to witness and contribute to their progress, growth, and achievement over the year as both emerging musicians and outstanding young individuals.

Student Feature: Dylan Perez

By Ashleigh Teygong and Dylan Perez

Instrument: Cello

Year: 7th Grade 

Favorite TYS Memory

I will never forget last season when we played through the Sibelius Symphony #4 together in rehearsal for the very first time. It was really spectacular! We were all amazed at how beautiful it sounded.

TYS Experience

I have developed as an orchestral musician much more than I’ve ever imagined!  I’ve learned how to listen to my section while playing, and how to watch and learn from my section leaders. TYS has taught me in many ways how to grow in musicianship.

As I enter my third season with TYS, I can’t help but feel grateful for these past two years of opportunity. Professor Wagner challenges us as an orchestra, but also individually, to refine our playing and work at a higher level. I’ve been playing cello since I was three years old, on various stages and in different settings. My favorite of which is with the Tulsa Youth Symphony Orchestra in our concerts. Music is my passion and I’m able to express that in every rehearsal and performance with TYS.

Musical influences and inspirations

Diane Bucchianeri is my cello instructor and she has made such a difference in my life as a cellist and musician. My lessons with her at the University of Tulsa are a highlight of my week. At the bART, I study Theory with Mr. David Broome. He makes it fun, creative, and incorporates so many genres and types of music when he teaches. 

Accomplishments

I was honored to be featured in Tulsa Kids magazine this past November 2021.  Also I was a solo performing artist in Hilton Head Island’s opening ceremony for the Crescendo festival two years in a row, 2018 and 2019. (We lived in South Carolina at that time.) This included being featured in the corresponding publications and video promotion productions. While living there, I was a member of and received several achievement awards through the Savannah Youth Orchestra in 2018. Also, I recently won 1st place in my age group for cello in the Charleston Competition’s 19th Century music competition.

Other Instruments

Besides the cello, another musical passion of mine is the piano. I study under Dr. Allyson Eskitch at the bART Center for Music. Her consistent guidance has helped me go to the next level as a pianist. I won second place piano prize in the Charleston 19th century music competition for 2022. Piano technique is an essential factor to succeed as an accomplished musician! 

Closing Thoughts and Reflections

Using my passion for cello, piano, music and the arts is something I want to always share with others and continue to expand in every way possible. I’m happy to be living in Tulsa again and can’t wait for another amazing season with the Tulsa Youth Symphony!

Alumni Feature: Cathy Venable

By Ashleigh Teygong & Cathy Venable

Cathy Venable

Years in Tulsa Youth Symphony: 1983-1985

Instrument: Flute

Auditioning and Joining TYS

I was in the Edison High School band and wanted an orchestral experience. I was encouraged to audition for the Tulsa Youth Symphony by my wonderfully supportive parents and my fabulous flute teacher, Diane Ackmann.  I felt like a true professional as Mr. Wheeler welcomed me to my audition at the very intimidating Harwelden mansion.  I was accepted into the fantastic flute section, and my first rehearsal was thrilling and overwhelming.  Our section leader was Jenny Shadley, and I wanted to be just like her.  She played beautifully, and she was gracious and kind.

Although I was thrilled to be accepted, after our first rehearsal for our symphony at Sunset appearance, I went home and told my parents that these people were far more advanced than I, and that I must have been accepted by mistake. I'm glad I didn't resign though, because the next three years were such a blast for me. It turns out that I was ready after all.

TYS and Favorite Memories

We played such memorable classical pieces, but my favorite was the Empire Strikes Back medley.  I was, and am, convinced that we sounded just like the soundtrack.  Under the direction of Ron Wheeler, such an irreverent, caring, talented educator and conductor, I learned how to play as a team member, how to listen, and how amazing it is to be right in the middle of what Ron calls the greatest instrument in the world - the orchestra. I loved performing with musicians from other schools, and appreciated the passion that Ron Wheeler had for the music, and his ability to put us at ease with his sense of humor. My favorite memory was our concert tour to Los Angeles because it was educational and fun.

I even had the honor of performing a piano concerto with the Youth Symphony during my Senior year. Those three years were the greatest preparation I could have received for my career as an orchestral and Broadway pit pianist. I knew I wanted to be a professional pianist, but playing flute in the Youth Symphony confirmed that I wanted to work with other musicians, not as a soloist.

After TYS: College

My college and grad school years were spent primarily as a pianist, but my years in the Tulsa Youth Symphony with Mr. Wheeler, and his talented assistant Jack Roller, gave me the confidence to join the Northwestern Wind Symphony and the flute ensembles.

Cathy’s Educational History:

Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois: Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance

Cincinnati Conservatory of Music: Master's Degree in Piano Accompanying

Purdue University Global: Master's Degree in Human Services

Cathy’s Professional Orchestral Experience:

Tulsa Symphony

Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra

Influences

My elementary music teacher at Barnard, John Townsend. He taught us that we could learn anything. His training even helped me test out of the first year of Ear Training at Northwestern University.

Career

From 2003-2015, I was a pianist for 15 Broadway shows in New York City, and from 2015-2020, I was Associate Conductor and Pianist for the National Tours of The Sound of Music, The Phantom of the Opera, and Disney's Frozen. I performed in recital at Carnegie/Weill Hall in 2008 and 2012.

Cathy is currently a Pianist with the Tulsa Symphony, Tulsa Chorale, and Harvard Avenue Christian Church.

Parting Words

I am thankful every day for my days in the Tulsa Youth Symphony, where I learned how to play as part of an orchestra.  It is a completely different skill from being a soloist, and it is a skill that I use every day.  I am proud to continue to support this organization that gave me so much grand preparation for my career. What a privilege it was to be in that TYS flute section with such immense talents as Lory McConnell and Jenny Shadley. My work now as a classical accompanist and as a Broadway pianist is strengthened by all of the ensemble experience I had with the Youth Symphony.

To read more, check out Cathy’s website: https://cathyvenable.com/

A Community Thrives

By Amelia Ivory

I am writing to wish my Tulsa family and friends a warm hello from the Pärnu Music Festival in Pärnu, Estonia where I am spending the better part of two weeks sitting in on world-class rehearsals and performances under the direction of the Järvi family conductors- Neeme, Paavo, and Kriistjian. Before coming to Estonia, I spent five days in Verbier, Switzerland at the top of the Alps listening to what was suggested to be the “Best Youth Orchestra in the World”, and an even more sublime professional chamber Orchestra comprised of an international all-star roster of players. I am extraordinarily grateful for this opportunity to see some of the world’s finest.

I have spent a third of my life serving on the Orchestra Faculty with Union Public School. A position I loved and a calling I tried to answer. My colleagues and students are my family so it seems hard to believe that I might consider leaving my position, but in the past month, I made a decision to take a left turn in my career path and will not be returning to Union in the same capacity when the school year starts in August. This was an extremely difficult decision to make, and I would not have done it if I weren’t being called to advocate for my string teacher colleagues and the students we serve in a different way. I have accepted a new full-time position with the Tulsa Youth Symphony as a Program Enrichment Coordinator. I am highly motivated to make a difference for young musicians in the Tulsa area. I became a professional musician because of the many performance opportunities I had while navigating my musical path in Green Country.

I am determined to create a pathway for young Tulsa musicians to have an opportunity to stand atop the Swiss Alps if that is what they want. But I know that I cannot do this alone. If I have had anything emblazoned on me while I have been traveling, it is that a COMMUNITY thrives. I have seen first-hand the impact of music training, lifting up our youth and giving them direction, which is unimaginably needed after the battles and struggles of the last couple of years. Music can bring us together in a way that nothing else can. This is exemplified by the hard work and diligence of our young musicians when they perform. This is why I am dedicated to creating as many new and incredible performance opportunities for our students, both TYS members and non, so that we may lift up our youth and shine a light on the path that will take them as far as they want to go. All the while rooting them on and reminding them that they CAN do this and that their city is standing behind them, just as mine has. We just need to encourage them to Move with Us.

I would like to take a moment to extend an all-call of support from our village, that Richard Wagner, Pete Peterson, and the entire TYS Team and I may carry the torch, or dare I say baton, of Maestro Ron Wheeler’s legacy. Support comes in many forms, whether it be through the giving of time, money, ideas, or support. As the new Tulsa Youth Symphony Program Enrichment Coordinator, I would love to hear from you and any innovative ideas you may have on how we can connect, create community, and help the youth of Tulsa achieve all of their dreams, even if it is on top of the Swiss Alps. I welcome you to e-mail me at amelia.ivory@tulsayouthsymphony.org to share your ideas, and ways that I might be of service. Additionally, if you feel so inclined, a financial donation certainly would put some wind behind my sails, as I begin this journey, or even simply sharing this post. I would be entirely grateful for your assistance as you see fit as I know we are invariably stronger together. Please, Move With Us.

 
Lastly, I have been blessed with many people who have helped me, and this thank you doesn’t begin to express my gratitude, but I hope to try. First and foremost, I must say thank you to the Rotary Club of Tulsa and the Crescendo Music Award Grant Committee for making my trip to Europe possible, and to Greg Spears with Spears Travel for making all of my travel arrangements. I must also thank Karen Harmon for hosting a conducting workshop with the Tulsa Honors Orchestra and Maestro David Barg who became my conducting mentor (who will be hosting another workshop in Tulsa in November for anyone interested in finding themselves on the podium), and his dear friend Gilad Karni who allowed me to have a sneak peek into the height of European music culture. There are many more people to thank including all the people who helped shape me into the person I am: my educators and colleagues Pete, Paula, Janet, Patti, Terri, Catalina, Rachel, Matt, Diane, and Kelley, as well as the multitude of Tulsa’s finest musicians and teachers I get to work amongst. Last but not least, I must thank my family for their endless support and encouragement, Russ, Marilyn, Alicia, Brent, and Killian.