Portland Youth Philharmonic Association
421 SW 6th Avenue, Suite 1350
Portland, OR 97204
T: 503.223.5939 | F: 503.223.5003
Artistic Staff:
Mei-Ann Chen, Conductor and Music Director
Ms. Chen is a doctoral candidate at the University of Michigan where she studied with Kenneth Kiesler. Originally from Taiwan, she came to the United States at the age of 16 to study violin performance on scholarship at the New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) with PYP alumni Marylou Speaker Churchill and Eric Rosenblith. While earning her bachelor's degree in violin, her conducting talent was discovered by Frank Battisti and Richard Hoenich. As a result she went on to become the first person in NEC history to receive a double master's degree simultaneously in orchestral conducting and violin performance. While at NEC, Ms. Chen won two of its most prestigious awards: the George Chadwick Medal for most outstanding undergraduate and the Gunther Schuller Medal for extraordinary contributions to musical life in the community.
Ms. Chen is the fourth Music Director in the history of the Portland Youth Philharmonic. She is responsible to the Board of Directors for the overall musical direction and educational program of the Association.
E-mail: meiann@portlandyouthphil.org
Phone: Extension 108
John Hubbard, Young String Ensemble Conductor
Mr. Hubbard is a graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts and the University of Southern California, where he studied cello with Gabor Rejto, Janos Starker, Eleanore Schoenfeld and Ronald Leonard. In Los Angeles he was a member of the Pasadena Symphony for ten years, during that time substituting with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Los Angeles Music Center Opera and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In Portland since 1989, he has played principal cello with the Portland Opera, the Oregon Ballet Theatre and the Cascade Music Festival. From 1992 through 2002 he conducted the intermediate and advanced string orchestras at the Community Music Center. Currently, Mr. Hubbard teaches cello at Reed College, maintains a private studio, substitutes with the Oregon Symphony, and conducts the adult string orchestra at the Community Music Center.
E-mail: john@portlandyouthphil.org
Phone: Extension 103
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: larry@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
Nic Granum, Assistant Orchestra Manager
A PYP alum, Nic is a graduate student in Public Administration at Portland State and a volunteer firefighter with Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue. He played the French horn in PYP from 1996-2004. He has also worked with Young Musicians and Artists since 2000 and OMSI Science Camps since 1997.
E-mail: nic@portlandyouthphil.org
Phone: Extension 107
Administrative staff:
Diane Syrcle, Executive Director
Diane Syrcle, Executive Director, brings a special blend of passion and innovation to the field of arts education. 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 and acted as the Administrator for the Jeanine B. Cowles Portland Opera Performing Institute. She received a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance and certification in Music Education for secondary schools at West Texas A & M University and a Master of Music Degree from the University of North Texas. Teaching experience includes choir, art, and speech. Ms. Syrcle also has an active singing career. She is a passionate advocate for art in the lives of all Oregonians and a proven businessperson.
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
Gabriel Vernon, Graphic Designer
Gabriel earned his BFA at James Madison University and has been working in the design, advertising, and marketing industry for over 6 years. He acted as lead designer at The Ad Agency in Washington, DC for three years and worked with other small agencies such as The O'Connor Group in Virginia. Upon moving to Portland, he has not only worked with PYP but also acts as a designer for TriMet and Rockford Homes.
While designing for both, he also takes on freelance projects from both east and west coast companies. In addition to being a member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts, his work was featured in the 2001 PRINT Regional Design Annual.
E-mail: gabriel@portlandyouthphil.org
Phone: Extension 110
