BARBARA S. THOMPSON,
Executive
Director,
is
a graduate of Northwestern University where she majored in piano
and music education. As a music educator, she has taught in Texas
and Illinois. Moving to Pittsburgh in 1966, she continued to
teach in Pittsburgh Public Schools and began to give private
piano instruction. In 1979, she joined the staff of Gateway to
Music Inc., affiliated nationally with Young Audiences. Ms. Thompson
assumed her position with TRYPO in January 1989.
JESSICA HOHMAN, Executive Assistant,
is a graduate
of Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she studied flute performance
as well as business administration and economics. She currently performs
in the Pittsburgh area with the Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra.
Before joining TRYPO, her past experiences include counseling at
IUP’s fine arts camp for gifted high school students, as well as performing
with the University Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and Jazz band.
KEN KUHNS, Young Peoples Orchestra Manager,
a graduate of Bethel Park High School,
started playing trumpet at the age of 12, and began study under Anthony Pasquarelli in 2002.
Now a sophomore in the music education program at Duquesne University,
Ken studies trumpet performance under Charles Lirette of the Pittsburgh Symphony
Orchestra. He aspires to become a symphony player, as well as a music educator.
KATELYN PANZA, Symphonette Manager and Coach,
a North Hills High School graduate,
was a member of TRYPO for four years. Katelyn began her musical studies
on piano at age six and started viola lessons in fourth grade.
Currently she is a senior at Duquesne University majoring in music education.