Your Conductors
Robert Pendergrast, Youth Symphony
Overall artistic direction is under the supervision of Robert Pendergrast, who also serves as the association's Music Director. Mr. Pendergrast grew up in the Tacoma area and attended the University of Puget Sound where he completed dual Bachelors degrees and a Masters of Music degree. He studied conducting at the University of Southern Florida with James Croft and has participated in conducting workshops with Lorin Maazel, Ricardo Muti, Daniel Lewis and Otto Werner Mueller. He is an accomplished pianist and organist, and a fine violinist.
Capital Area Youth Symphony Association
PO Box 676 Olympia WA 98507 360-956-1892
Developing and showcasing talented young musicians for more than 25 years.
Julie Funchion, String Philharmonic
Ms. Funchion attended Pensacola Christian College, where she studied violin with Dr. Alberto Jaffe. After receiving a BA degree music performance, she joined the faculty at Pensacola Christian Academy, where she taught beginning orchestras and private lessons for elementary through high school students in violin, viola and cello. Since moving back to Olympia in 2003, Ms. Funchion has been teaching private strings lessons and directs the string ensembles at NOVA School. An accomplished violinist, she also performs with the Olympia Symphony Orchestra, the Olympia Chamber Orchestra and the Kapelle Dolce String Quartet.
Joe Sokolik, Junior Symphony
Mr. Sokolik, a native Olympian and former CAYSA cellist, is delighted to be directing a group he once performed in. He holds a degree in music education from Central Washington University, and has studied conducting with Dr. Paul-Elliot Cobbs, Dr. Jeffery Meyer and Mr. Larry Gookin. He has conducted several groups in the Central Washington University Preparatory Strings Program, including the Kittitas Valley Youth Orchestra. Mr. Sokolik currently teaches orchestra in the Evergreen School District in Vancouver, Washington.
