Amanda Eckerman

Amanda Eckerman earned a B.M. in Music Education, Instrumental Emphasis at the University of the Pacific in 2012 and is currently pursuing an M.M. in Music Education, Kodály Emphasis from the Kodály Institute at Capital University. Mrs. Eckerman has been teaching elementary general music full-time in Washoe County School District since moving to Reno in 2012. A lifelong learner, Mrs. Eckerman is the Treasurer of the Sierra Nevada Association of Kodály Educators and a regular attendee of the Sierra Nevada American Orff Schulwerk Association’s teacher workshops. With training in both Orff Schulwerk (Level I) and Kodály (Level II) approaches, Mrs. Eckerman utilizes a wide range of instructional strategies in her teaching; in particular, she is a specialist in social and emotional learning, which informs her behavior strategies and positive classroom culture. Mrs. Eckerman is a National Board Certified Teacher and received the Washoe Education Association’s Dedicated Service Award and Sigma Alpha Iota’s National Outstanding Advisor Award. Outside of school, Mrs. Eckerman volunteers with the Reno Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, which proudly promotes music in our community, and can be found playing with the Sierra Flute Society whenever possible.

Dennis Gribbin

Dennis Gribbin has a B.M. Performance from San Francisco State University and M.M. in Conducting at Southern Oregon University through the American Band College. They have performed with the Berkeley Symphony, Santa Cruz Symphony, Napa Symphony, Vallejo Symphony, Yaquina Chamber Orchestra, Ernst Bloch Festival Orchestra, and Flagstaff Symphony. In Reno, Dennis has performed with the Reno Chamber Orchestra, Nevada Opera, the Reno Jazz Orchestra, and other local groups. He has been a member of the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra since 1994. Dennis has over 20+ years of music education experience in Arizona and Nevada, working with the Washoe County School District in Reno elementary schools.

Domenico Lacala

Domenico Lacala is a multi-instrumentalist, band leader, and educator from Las Vegas, NV. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Music and Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from UNR, Lacala teaches music in the Washoe County School District. He currently teaches at Miguel Sepulveda in Sparks, NV and performs music during summer around the world. Since 2021, Lacala has performed on stages with his project, Nico’s Mystery, in New York City, Berlin, Paris, and in Italy. Lacala also performs yearly at stages at the Burning Man event.

Manuel Orozco

Manuel Guillermo Orozco is a violinist based in Reno, Nevada and has taught violin privately for the past 7 years. He began his studies in middle school where he immediately fell in love with the violin. Once he started high school he began taking his studies to a whole other level by studying violin under Dennis Butterfield. In his junior year he got the chance to perform with the Reno Philharmonic Youth Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall.

Manuel Orozco graduated with his Bachelor’s of Music in Education degree from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2022 while studying under Stephanie Sant’Ambrosio. Mr. Orozco did his teaching internship at Depoali Middle School and McQueen High School. After finishing his internship he taught at Pine Middle School for a brief time where he was able to make a huge impact in his students lives. He currently teaches violin privately along with subbing in the Washoe County School District.

In recent years Manuel has performed with the University of Nevada, Reno Symphony Orchestra, Faith Alive Christian Fellowship, Holy Cross Catholic Community, the Renegade Orchestra, and with the Susanville Symphony Orchestra.

Claire Tatman

Claire Tatman is in ABD working on her DMA (Doctorate of Musical Arts) in violin performance at the University of Nevada, Reno. She is a member of the Reno Philharmonic and regularly plays with the Fresno Philharmonic, Reno Chamber Orchestra, Firebird Light Opera, Arizona Opera, Tucson Symphony, and Phoenix Symphony. With 18 plus years of teaching, she maintains a private studio and is a member of ASTA (American String Teachers Association) and is a Certified Suzuki Teacher through the SAA (Suzuki Association of Americas). She is also the Director of the Sacramento Youth Symphony Chamber Music Workshop and is a regular coach for the California Capitol Chamber Music Workshop. Claire served as a coach in the 2023 and 2024 Toiyabe Advanced String Chamber Music Workshop.

Hyeyoung Choi

Hyeyoung Choi was born and raised in Korea. She started playing cello at age 8 and won a 3rd place at Korean National Youth Competition 3 years later. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Chong-Shin University in Seoul, Korea. After receiving Bachelor’s, she had played in a few professional orchestras in Seoul as a substitute cellist before she came to the states to study. She completed a M.M and professional studies in cello performance with Jeffery Solow who is a professor in Temple University, PA. Hyeyoung had been principal cellist with Temple Symphony, Opera and Chamber Orchestra as well as Germantown Academy Orchestra where she had played for 5 years. Hyeyoung moved to Reno in 2009 due to husband’s ministry. She joined RPA Kids program in 2012. She teaches both violin and cello in the program. She is married with two children and they both enjoy playing in RPA Kids.

Maya Dimitroff

Born and raised in Reno, Maya Dimitroff studied under the guidance of Dr. Dmitri Atapine and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Cello Performance from the University of Nevada. After moving to the Houston area, she built a thriving cello studio and found a love for teaching. Her students have earned top chairs in all levels of Region Orchestras as well as received full scholarships to universities and colleges in the area. Maya also frequently performed with the Brazosport Symphony and served as Principal Cellist for Baytown Symphony, while also providing clinics and workshops to multiple schools in the Humble and Klein school districts. She is excited to be back in her hometown and aspires to make a positive, educational impact in the community that first sparked her interest in music. In addition to playing cello and teaching, Maya loves to cook and explore hiking trails and parks with her beagle, Maisel.

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