Faculty Bios

YMA Administration

Quinland Porter Denney

YMA Executive Director. Involved with YMA from 1973-1996, except 1986 (in Germany for a college semester abroad program). Quinland played violin during Session 1 from 1973-79, then also attended Session 2 in either Theatre or Dance. As a counselor she switched to the viola in Session 1 and was a Theatre counselor in session 2. Quinland was involved in six capacities during her years at YMA: camper, CIT, counselor, senior counselor, recreation director, and assistant director. She taught orientation, excused tables, and originated the soccer elective.

Galen Cohen

Director of Student Life. B.S. in Education and Social Policy, Minor in Music, Northwestern University. M.A. in Counseling Psychology, Boston College. YMA camper/CIT for 7 years, YMA counselor for 3 years. Currently employed as a child and family therapist for Trillium Family Services. Also active as a cellist in the Portland music community.

Marta Boylen, RN

Nurse, Session 2. Good Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing. Pediatrics nurse at Bess Kaiser from 1978-1980; Doernbecher Children's Hospital nurse 1981-1991. School nurse for Multnomah Education Service District 1991-1994, pediatric clinic work 1994-1996, coordinator for Pendleton school-based health center 1996-2003. School nurse for Multnomah Education Service District 2003-present.

Amy Brase, RN

Nurse, Session 1. B.S., Nursing, University of Washington. Has been a pediatric and IV nurse with Salem Hospital and a pediatric nurse at Bess Kaiser Medical Center in Portland, Oregon. Currently a school nurse in the Salem-Keizer school district.

Roger Caliman

Senior Counselor. Currently working towards a B.A. in Music with an emphasis in Arts and Administration at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Lyle Dockendorff

Administrative Assistant, Sessions 1 & 2. B.Mus., University of Iowa. M.M., Arizona State University. As a woodwind "Doubler," performances include: symphonies, operas, ballets, chamber ensembles, touring musicals and big bands. Over thirty years teaching experience. Currently maintains a private woodwind studio in Portland.

Liz Dyer

Assistant Director, Sessions 1 & 2. Studied violin performance at the University of Ottawa. Teachers include Hugh Ewart, Julia Bush Kova, Claude Richard, Walter Prystawski and Denes Zsigmondy. Currently plays violin in the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra and the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra.

Steven Dyer

Administrative Assistant, Sessions 1 & 2. Low Brass Instructor, Session 1. B.Mus., McGill University, Montreal, Quebec. M.Mus., DePaul University (Chicago). Instructor of trombone/ euphonium at the University of Manitoba and trombonist with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

Nic Granum

Transportation Director, Sessions 1 & 2. Currently a graduate student in Public Administration at PSU and Assistant orchestra manager for the Portland Youth Philharmonic. Also a volunteer fire fighter with the Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue. Involved with YMA since 1993.

Sarah Greene

Senior Counselor. BFA, Scenic Arts, Southern Oregon University. Shelly Lipkin, Assistant Director, Session 1. Please see Bio listed under SESSION 2 THEATRE FACULTY.

Eric Rausch

Recreation Director, Session 1. B.A., Chico State University, California, History. M.A., Boise State University, Curriculum and Instruction, Education. Eric has 8 years' experience teaching junior HS speech communication. 7 years as 8th grade varsity volleyball coach. Head ski and snowboard team coach. Currently involved with YMCA hiking camps and youth programs. Eric loves his dog Cody, climbs trees, is fascinated by junior high humor, splashes through puddles when available, and hopes to write a book about ant farms and croquet. Plan A is to "get rich" teaching and retire wealthy in his mid to late thirties. Plan B is to teach for a long, long time should Plan A not see fruition.

Ann Talamantes-Ristow

Recreation Director, Session 2. California State University-Sacramento, B.S., Physical Education. Activities Director, Athletic Director, Physical Education teacher for 11 years at Hogan HS, Vallejo, CA. Has coached softball, volleyball, badminton and girls basketball at Hogan for 13 years. Previously worked as Rec. Assistant for a Recreation and Park District in Sacramento.

Session 1 Faculty 2007 Instrumental Music Faculty

Lajos Balogh

Music Program Director and Orchestra Conductor. Mr. Balogh, founding music director of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony is also the conductor of the Marylhurst Symphony Orchestra and the Portland Festival Orchestra. In addition to conducting, Mr. Balogh was Principal Second Violin for many years with the Oregon Symphony. Born in Hungary, he studied at the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest. He also studied in Munich and Hamburg. Mr. Balogh has appeared as a soloist with the Munich, Nuremberg and Gottingen symphonies and has recorded for many radio stations worldwide. Huw Edwards, Conductor, Connoisseur's Orchestra. Degrees from the University of Surrey, England and Southern Methodist University. Seven years as Conductor and Music Director of the Portland Youth Philharmonic. Currently, Conductor/Music Director of the Columbia Symphony Orchestra and Olympia Symphony Orchestra. Active as a guest conductor/clinician.

Scott Wright

Band Director. B.Mus., University of Michigan, M.Mus., and D.M.A., Arizona State University. Very active as a teacher, clinician, adjudicator, and performer throughout the nation. Currently Professor of Clarinet at the University of Kentucky.

David Martin Bebe

Cello Instructor. B.M. & M.M., Indiana University. Has studied with Helga Winold and Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi. Was on the faculty of the String Academy of Wisconsin at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee and served as principal cellist of the Waukesha Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Bebe has been active as both a performer and teacher throughout the United States, Canada, and France. He is currently pursuing his Doctoral Studies at the University of Miami, studying with Ross Harbaugh.

Robin Blumenthal

Percussion Instructor. B.Mus., Wichita State University, M.M., Indiana University. She gives percussion clinics, adjudicates contests, and teaches privately. Member of PAS and MENC. Currently music teacher in Puyallup School District, Puyallup, Washington.

Jay Chen

Trumpet Instructor. Jay obtained his bachelor's degree from the Sichuan Conservatory of Music in China, and his M.A. from Oregon State University. Currently works as a Professor of Trumpet at O.S.U. and Willamette University. He also directs the brass ensembles at both schools. He is the principal trumpet for the Portland Opera. Mr. Chen has also performed with the Oregon Symphony, the Sunriver Music Festival, the Oregon Bloch Festival, the Oregon Bach Festival and the Cascade Music Festival. He has been a brass faculty member at the Marrowstone Music Festival and currently a visiting professor at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music in Chengdu, China. Mr. Chen is in high demand as a soloist, clinician and adjudicator in China and around the Northwest. He is a clinician for the Yamaha Corporation of America.

Jennifer M. Christie

Flute Instructor. B.A. (Music) & B.Mus. (Flute Performance), University of Washington. Has been the flute specialist and instructor for the Bellevue Youth Symphony in Bellevue, Washington. Currently Director of Bands at Frontier Middle School in Vancouver, Washington. Active performer and private flute instructor in the Vancouver area.

Mike Curtis

Saxophone Instructor. B.M., M.M., Northern Arizona University. D.M.A., University of Arizona in Reed Performance. Taught at Oregon State University, Willamette University, and University of Oregon. Currently Principal Bassoon with Eugene Symphony. Composer of world music and jazz published by Advance Music.

Patrick Horn

Violin/Viola Instructor. B.Mus., (Performance), Rice University. M.M. (Performance and Pedagogy), Northwestern University. Further viola studies with Karen Tuttle at the Banff Centre for the Arts. Composition studies with Paul Cooper and Samuel Jones. Currently violist for Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, Ontario, Canada and the Britt Festival in Jacksonville, Oregon.

Michinobu Iimori

Double Reed Instructor. B.A. (Oboe Performance) and M.A. (Woodwind Performance) Eastman School of Music. Has performed with the Oregon Symphony and Third Angle to name a few. Currently the principal oboe with the Salem Chamber Orchestra; Oboe instructor at George Fox University, Willamette University, Lewis & Clark College and the University of Portland in addition to maintaining his own studio.

Jamecyn Morey

Violin Instructor. B.M., (violin), Indiana University, M.Mus., (violin performance/ orchestra studies) Roosevelt University in Chicago. As a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, she participated in a chamber music residency program with the Chicago City Colleges and Public Elementary Schools. She has performed as a chamber musician, soloist, and orchestral musician throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Currently a faculty member at the New World School of the Arts in Miami and a fellow with the New World Symphony Orchestra.

John Northe

Low Brass Instructor. B.Mus. & M.M.E., Lewis & Clark College. Retired music teacher, David Douglas School District; professional trombonist, both jazz and classical for over thirty years.

Bill Stalnaker

Horn Instructor. Former Associate Principal Horn of the Oregon Symphony. Mr. Stalnaker studied with Christopher Leuba and has maintained a successful teaching studio for over 30 years. Currently president of the Music Education Assistance Project and serves on the Board of the Portland Brass Society. An active freelancer in the Portland area, he is also the horn instructor at Lewis & Clark College and Director of Bands at La Salle High School.

2007 Choir Faculty

Quinn Van Paepeghem

Choir Director. B.Mus., Boise State University. M.M.E., University of Oregon. Currently directs five choirs at Mountain View High School in Meridian, Idaho which involves more than 250 students. While Choir Director at Bend High School, the Vocal Jazz Choir won the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival in 1995 and 2001. Plays jazz guitar professionally with his wife. Current president of the Idaho Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.

Young Musicians & Artists Faculty

Shirley Van Paepeghem

Choir Instructor. B.Mus., Boise State University. Has taught private voice lessons for seventeen years. Teaches K-8 music at North Star Charter and directs choirs at Hillside Junior High in Boise. Performs as a jazz vocalist in Oregon and Idaho.

Felix-Andrei Constantinescu

Pianist, Choir Accompanist. Andrei graduated from Sigimund Toduta Music High School in Romania. After earning his Artist Diploma in piano performance from Hochschule fur Musik in Nurnberg, Germany, he continued his studies at Boise State University as a student of Dr. James Cook, earning a Master of Music degree with emphasis in piano performance. Throughout his studies Mr. Constantinescu has successfully participated in numerous solo and chamber music festivals winning several first, second and third prizes in different countries at national and international music competitions. He has also participated in numerous master classes with artists such as Daniel Goiti, Henry Barda, Grard Frmy, and Lee Levis. He is currently a member of the Boise State University Music Faculty.

2007 Technical Director

Jen Raynak

Technical Director. B.A., Wells College, Aurora, New York. Has been involved in the Portland theatre community since she arrived in town in 1995, having worked on nearly 200 productions as a Designer, Composer, Musical Director and technician. She has been a mentor for the Haven Project, and taught and designed at several area high schools and colleges. She was the Resident Sound Designer at Portland Center Stage for many years, and now works as a freelance designer and technician. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Portland Area Theatre Alliance.

Session 2 Faculty 2007 Dance Faculty

Claire Olberding

Dance Program Director (Jazz). B.F.A., (Dance), New York University's Tisch School for the Arts. Has taught dance at Grace Academy and the Oregon Ballet Theatre in Portland and the Vermont House Productions Dance Company at Marlboro College, Vermont. Currently teaches dance at Da Vinci Arts Middle School in Portland, Oregon.

Jason Davis

Dance Instructor (Ballet). Studied at the San Francisco Ballet School, Universal Ballet Academy (Kirov Academy), School of American Ballet and Ballet Aspen. Former member of the San Francisco Ballet. Currently teaches at Stites Performing Arts Center, Pacific Artist Dance Center, and Dance Vision.

Ralph Wales Huntley

Dance Accompanist (Ballet). B.A., Psychology, Reed College. Has studied with Eddie Wied, Harry Gillgam, Gordon Lee and Randy Cannon. Currently pianist and composer for Do Jump! Movement Theater and Klezmocracy (CD released in 2003). Pianist and Music Director of OPB's LIVEWIRE. Served as Musical Director and Composer for Artist Repertory Theater's 2004 production of Mysteries of the Heart.

Karim Koumbassa

Dance Accompanist (African). Guinean Master Drummer. Teacher and instrument maker specializing in dunun, djembe, bolon, n'goni, and gongoma.

Caton Lyles

Dance Accompanist (African). Accompanist for many choreographers in the field of jazz, modern, tap, ballet and West African Dance. He is also a studio musician, concert and club performer, sideman and leader. Currently accompanist/artist in residence, Vancouver School of Arts and Academics. Teaches hand drum workshops at Rhythm Traders, Portland, Oregon.

Hakim Rashad Muhammad

Dance Accompanist (African). Studied with Abdy Kunta & Medoune Yacine Guye. Both of Senegal. Spent three years with The Northwest Afrikan American Ballet. Currently teaches African Drumming at Da Vinci Arts Middle School in Portland, Oregon.

Sekou Soumah (Derrell Walker)

African Dance Instructor. Spent four years with the Northwest Afrikan American Ballet Dance Company. In 1999 spent one month performing at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. Has studied with Moustapha Bangoura, Alsemy Soumah, and Mamady Keita. Currently teaches African Dance in the Portland Metropolitan area.

Menes Yahuda

Dance Accompanist (African). Studied with Moustapha Bangoura. Currently teaching and drumming in Baltimore, Maryland.

2007 Theatre Faculty

Shelly Lipkin,

Theatre Program Director. B.A., Linfield College. Has performed with Artist Repertory Theatre, Profile Theatre, and Cygnet Theatre in Portland. He has appeared in dozens of film and TV productions. He was formerly Co-Artistic Director of Cygnet Theatre where he co-authored Vitriol & Violets Tales From The Algonquin Round Table (Winner of an Oregon Book Award for Drama 2004). His play Sylver Beaches was nominated for an Oregon Book Award for 2006. Shelly also teaches acting and directing at various theatres/schools in the Portland Metropolitan area.

Lorraine Bahr

Theatre Instructor. B.A., (Theatre) College of St. Benedict, MN; M.F.A. (Acting), University of Wisconsin. Drammy Award winning actress (The Treatment, Sowelu Theater and Lion In The Streets, Theatre Vertigo); performed in more than 300 Portland productions and local films; co-founder and Associate Artistic Director of Sowelu Ensemble Theater; Acting and Playwriting Instructor Portland State University, Literary Arts, Inc., The Attic, local high schools, and two Oregon State Prisons.

Damon Kupper

Theatre Instructor. B.A. (Theatre) SUNY Buffalo, M.F.A. (Acting) UC Irvine. Currently an "edu-tainer" who strongly believes in the power of theatre to promote peaceful relations and crosscultural understanding. He is a company member of Third Rail Repertory Theatre (The Pavilion, Grace) and has acted locally with Artist Repertory Theatre (Death of a Salesman), the Oregon Children's Theatre (Charlotte's Web) and the Well Arts Institute. He works for various theatre outreach programs and the Portland Theater Brigade as well as being a street-performer and walking tour guide in Portland.

2007 Musical Theatre Faculty

Jim Peerenboom

Musical Theatre Program Director. B.S.Ed. & M.A.T. (Theatre/Language Arts), Western Oregon University. Choreographer/ Director/ Actor in the Salem and Portland areas. Currently Theatre Director at Lincoln High School in Portland, Oregon.

Judy A. Rose

Musical Theatre Vocal Instructor/ Accompanist. B.S, Liberal Arts and M.Ed., Portland State University. She has worked as a director, performer and songwriter, with the Oregon Repertory Singers, Aurora Chorus, Oregon Catholic Press and churches in the Portland/Vancouver area. Her song, "Dream On, Sisters" was included on a compilation CD for the 2006 UCC/DOC National Women's Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. She is currently the Director of Choir and Music Production Classes at Renaissance Arts Academy (ra2) at the Marshall High School Campus. ra2, with Judy's leadership is a 2006-2008 recipient of a Portland Schools Foundation Grant. The "Pulse of Portland Music Project" is a partnership with ra2 and KBOO Community Radio. Judy also serves as the Director of Music at Ainsworth United Church of Christ in Portland, Oregon. She is a recipient of a 2008 Artsmith Residency.

2007 Technical Theatre Faculty

Jen Raynak

Technical Theatre Program Director. B.A., Wells College, Aurora, New York. Has been involved in the Portland theatre community since she arrived in town in 1995, having worked on nearly 200 productions as a Designer, Composer, Musical Director and technician. She has been a mentor for the Haven Project, and taught and designed at several area high schools and colleges. She was the Resident Sound Designer at Portland Center Stage for many years, and now works as a freelance designer and technician. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Portland Area Theatre Alliance.

2007 Creative Writing Faculty

Joanna Rose

Creative Writing Program Director. Author of the award-winning novel, Little Miss Strange and a regular reviewer on the "Books" page of The Oregonian. She has taught adults and youth in the Portland area for many years in such venues as Portland State University's Haystack Program, Lewis & Clark's summer writing program, and the Writers in the Schools program for Literary Arts. She is a student of writing herself, and believes that any study of the arts is a lifelong process.

2007 Photography Faculty

Nathan D. Helland

Photography Program Director. B.S. (English), Portland State University, M.A. (Teaching), Pacific University. Has worked at Portland Community College as an instructor in Developmental Education. Currently teaching English at Reynolds High School in Troutdale, Oregon.

2007 Piano Faculty

Dana Libonati

Piano Program Director. B.A., Music Composition & Theory; M.M., Music Composition from the University of Portland. The McMinnville Jay Cees Educator of the Year, 1996-97. Currently the Choral Music Teacher, McMinnville High School and Professor of Music, Linfield College. Private piano instructor.

Rhonda Ringering

Piano Instructor. B.A., Walla Walla College; M.M., Boston University. Has studied with Dr. Leonard Richter, Dr. Jill Timmons and Dana Libonati. CD's include Made in America,Oregon Impressions and A Lullaby for Innocence. Currently teaches at Linfield College, staff accompanist at Pacific University and teaches private piano lessons.

2007 Visual Arts Faculty

Don Olsen

Visual Arts Program Director. B.S. (Studio Art & American Studies) Willamette University. M.F.A. (Drawing & Printmaking), Washington University School of Art St. Louis, Missouri. Has worked as a Graphic Designer/Production Coordinator for Bus Book Publishing (Bus Solutions). Has taught Art at Chemeketa Community College and Willamette University. Has been on the Artist Exchange Program to Brazil through Pacific Northwest College of Art. Has shown at Hallie Ford Museum of Art in Salem, Oregon.

Lloyd McMullen

Visual Arts Instructor. Mixed media artist working with found/recycled materials to create 2-D and 3-D artwork. Co-founder of Artists Local 101: Central Oregon-based contemporary arts organization. Organizer of community art exhibits/ events in Central Oregon: annual performance/ installation for Altered Stations; Circular Logic: with Frame Design & Sunbird Gallery, Bend Downtowners Association, Cascades Cycling Classic; Excess Baggage and Altared Stations/Altared Books at Central Oregon Community College; ongoing community art events/exhibits. Regional Art Coordinator for Global Arts Project. Advisory board member Cascades a&e (Central Oregon monthly arts newspaper). Art awards include: Creative Eye Award, Third Place Award, multiple Juror's Choice Awards. Founding member 135 UP! Gallery. Journalism degree, University of Oregon; Art studies at Pacific Northwest College of Art, Lane Community College; A6 Print Studio in Bend, Oregon.