Artistic Staff

David Hattner, Conductor and Music Director

The fifth Conductor and Music Director of the Portland Youth Philharmonic, Mr. David Hattner, was one of a pool of more than 112 candidates from around the world. He was selected after an eight month process of evaluation by a search committee made up of board members, parents, music teachers, alumni, current musicians, and representatives from the Oregon Symphony and Chamber Music Northwest.

“David is ideal for PYP. He creates the musical and social environment in which young musicians can and want to do their best,” said Murry Sidlin, former Resident Conductor of the Oregon Symphony, who has worked with Mr. Hattner at the Aspen Music Festival and the Cascade Festival of Music. “He is a brilliant clarinetist, has very high artistic vision, and invites young musicians to join him at that level. He has worked ferociously to become the excellent conductor he is. Nobody handed him anything. He worked for it and succeeded. PYP is tremendously fortunate to have persuaded David to join them.”

David Hattner’s conducting credits include the Oklahoma Chamber Ensemble, the Garden State Philharmonic Orchestra, Camerata Atlantica, and multi-media work with silent film in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, and Sao Paulo, Brazil. “David Hattner conducted a calmly authoritative performance . . . ” wrote Anthony Tommasini in the New York Times, reviewing a performance of Richard Einhorn’s Voices of Light. He has also guest conducted the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Ensemble Sospeso, International Contemporary Ensemble, Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra and the Massapequa Philharmonic Orchestra. Hattner received a Bachelor of Music Degree with honors from Northwestern University where he was a clarinet student of Robert Marcellus. He has participated in the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen three times, where he studied with David Zinman and Murry Sidlin. In addition to his conducting pursuits, he is a professional clarinetist, including Principal Clarinet positions with Princeton Symphony Orchestra, Cascade Music Festival Orchestra, New Jersey Opera Theater and Key West Symphony Orchestra.

Larry Johnson, Conservatory Orchestra and Wind Ensemble Conductor

Mr. Johnson received his Bachelor of Music from the University of Puget Sound and his Masters in Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music. He conducted and directed wind ensemble, band and orchestra at PSU and Mount Hood Community College. He has taught at Clackamas Community College and Lewis and Clark College. He is formerly principal horn of Germany's Philharmonia Hungarica, was assistant principal horn with the Oregon Symphony (1996 - 2005), and a regular member of the Seattle Opera's Wagner Ring Cycle Orchestra since 1976. He has performed with other orchestras throughout the Pacific Northwest, numerous chamber music groups and summer music festivals.

E-mail: information@portlandyouthphil.org

Carol Sindell, Young String Ensemble Conductor

Carol Sindell, born in Cleveland, Ohio, began studying the violin with Josef Gingold at the age of seven. A year later she gave her first solo performance with orchestra playing a Mozart Concerto. At the age of eleven she was the youngest soloist ever to perform with the Cleveland Orchestra, playing the Mendelssohn Concerto under the direction of Robert Shaw. Her debut with the Cleveland Orchestra was followed by successive orchestral and recital engagements. In 1962, Ms.Sindell had the honor of being accepted as a student of Jascha Heifetz, and the following year performed on an international broadcast as an outstanding representative of the Heifetz Master Class. While a student at the Juilliard School, she was influenced by mentors such as Ivan Galamian, and Erica Morini. Ms. Sindell was the winner of the Friday Morning Music Club Competition in Washington,D.C., and the International Advisory Council Competition in Chicago. In 1972 she was awarded the Martha Baird Rockefeller Grant for performance. After her Carnegie Recital Hall debut in 1974, she played throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe both as a soloist and ensemble player. She was a featured artist on a national tour with Music from Marlboro, playing at the Metropolitan Museum, Tully Hall, and the Smithsonian Institute.

Since 2006, Sindell has been a member of The American String Project, an elite group of musicians who perform and record at Benaroya Hall in Seattle. She has participated in numerous festivals, including Chamber Music Northwest, Park City International Music Festival, and Rencontres Musicales in Arc-et-Senans, France. Two years ago she was invited to teach and lecture at the Huang Shan International Young Musicians Festival sponsored by the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. As a member of the Florestan Trio, she has toured internationally, and recorded a CD. Other CDs include Duos for Violin and Cello, as well as numerous collaborations with other esteemed colleagues.

In addition to a busy concert schedule, Sindell is a Professor of Violin and Chamber Music at PSU. She has made an outstanding career as a teacher and coach, and enjoys the accolades received by her many gifted students.

E-mail: information@portlandyouthphil.org

Ann Cockerham, Orchestra Manager & Music Librarian

Mrs. Cockerham was a music teacher for grades Kindergarten through 10 from 1995-2000. She has continued to stay involved with music for young people by starting a vocal choir and a handbell choir at her church. She joined the PYP team in 2001. Contact her about any orchestra related matters such as attendance, auditions and instrumental rental. She is also responsible for organizing and distributing the musical repertoire for all 3 orchestras, and maintaining the PYP's music library.

E-mail: ann@portlandyouthphil.org
Phone: Extension 102

Administrative staff

Diane Syrcle, Executive Director

Diane Syrcle, Executive Director since 2003, brings a blend of passion and innovation to the field of arts administration. Recognized as a leader in the field or orchestra mangement, Ms. Syrcle was invited to participate in the first class of the Executive Leadership Program sponosred by the League of American Orchestras. Diane served as the Director of Education and Outreach at the Portland Opera from 1997-2003 where she directed the young artist training program Portland Opera Works. She received a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance and certification in Music Education for secondary schools at West Texas A & M University, a Master of Music Degree from the University of North Texas, and an MBA from Marylhurst University. Teaching experience includes choir, art, and speech. She remains active as a singer and choral conductor serving as Minister of Music at Bridgeport United Church of Christ. She is a passionate advocate for art in the lives of all Oregonians and currently serves as co-chair of the Implementation Committee for Arts Partners - a tri-county initiative to bring arts into the lives of every child in our region.

E-mail: diane@portlandyouthphil.org
Phone: Extension 106

Ingrid Arnett, Community Relations Director

Ms. Arnett received her Bachelor's degree from the Journalism School at the University of Oregon. Previously she was in charge of marketing and communications at William Temple House, a non-profit Human Services organization.

Contact her for marketing and publicity, Note4Note (a fundraising program for local schools), special events, networking opportunities, ticketing ideas, group sales, partnerships, program advertising and to purchase concert tickets.

E-mail: ingrid@portlandyouthphil.org
Phone: Extension 104

Arland Nicewander, Office Manager

Arland graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2001 with a Bachelors Degree in Music Business/Management. After a short stint at music licensing giant, The Harry Fox Agency, Arland went to work as a booking agent for Colbert Artists Management. During his employment at Colbert, Arland booked concerts for such artists as Janos Starker, The Juilliard String Quartet, and Jennifer Koh. Arland joins the Portland Youth Philharmonic staff as the Office Administrator.

As the Office Admoinistrator, his primary duties will include data base management, volunteer coordination, as well as office management.

E-mail: arland@portlandyouthphil.org
Phone: Extension 107

Diane O'Malley, Accounting Manager

Diane earned her MBA at Portland State University and has over 20 years experience in accounting, human resources and finance. Diane teaches hospitality accounting at Mount Hood Community College and serves as both the children's minister and bookkeeper for her church.

E-mail: dianeomalley@portlandyouthphil.org
Phone: Extension 105

Melissa Shavlik, Graphic Designer

Melissa graduated from Creighton University in 2007 with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism/Graphic Design. Previously she was a graphic specialist at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo. Melissa moved to Portland to pursue a graduate degree in Communication Studies at Portland State University and freelances in her spare time.

E-mail: melissa@portlandyouthphil.org