Yang Kun Song, Conductor
Yang Kun Song, a native of Beijing, China, was born into a musical family, and began studying cello with his father at the age of nine. In 1972, he was admitted to the Beijing Music Training Class. The following year he went to the Beijing Conservatory of music to study with Min Yao Shen, the principal cellist in the Central Philharmonic Orchestra of China. Mr. Song graduated from Beijing Conservatory in 1976 and later became the assistant principal cellist of the Beijing Symphony Orchestra. He is a member of the Beijing Musicians Association and the Performing Arts Committee of the Chinese Violoncello Association.In 1988, Mr. Song was sponsored to come to the United States by Dr. William Sloan and Dr. Paul Carter, on a recommendation by world-renowned cellist, Yo-Yo Ma. He studied cello with Professor Steven Elisha at the University of Toledo, Ohio, and graduated cum laude in 1993.
Honored by a full scholarship, Mr. Song earned his Master’s Degree in Music Performance at Central Arkansas University in Conway, studying with cello professor Felice Farrel. He was also a member of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Song is the founder of “Trio China” formed in Little Rock. In 1995, “Trio China” toured four major cities in China: Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, and he gave master classes at conservatories. A highlight of his studies at Central Arkansas University, was a second opportunity to serve as a demonstrating cellist in a master class taught by the respected performer and educator Janos Starker (the first time was with Starker at Indiana University in 1992).
After graduating from Central Arkansas University, Mr. Song returned to Toledo, where he presently resides. For several seasons he performed with The Lima Symphony. Mr Song also maintains a private studio where he teaches all string instruments. Several of his students have won Toledo Symphony League scholarships. Two of his students have won the Toledo Symphony Orchestra (TSO) Young Artist Competition and Toledo Youth Orchestra (TYO) Concerto auditions, earning the privilege to perform with these fine orchestras. In March of 2006, three of his students won the Northwest Ohio Buckeye String Competition for Elementary, Junior High, and High School Divisions. Additionally, many of his students play in the Toledo Youth Orchestra and the Toledo Junior Youth Orchestra.
Currently Mr. Song is a music educator for the Toledo Public Schools. He is married to Sharon Du, and has a daughter, Lee Ann Song, who plays both the piano and cello.
Liz Villarreal, President
Liz’s love of the orchestra started by helping Mr. Song with the Chinese Youth Orchestra in their first fall festival and grew during the annual recitals for Mr. Song’s students each June. Liz has been Mr. Song’s right hand since the orchestra’s inception, preparing all of his music concerts both nationally and internationally.With her many years of experience in managing large organizations, Liz brings TIYO experience both in business and human relations, especially caring for youth. During all TIYO international travels Liz has given families a sense of comfort and security knowing that their children are in good hands. The students know they have a mother figure always close by, even when they are thousands of miles from home.
Sally Russ, Vice-President
Sally is a registered nurse and has worked in the field of nursing for over 35 years. She currently works for two local hospitals in the field of Occupational Health as a nurse educator and Staff Nurse. She worked for a private practice in an administrative role for 13 years. She served as secretary for the North Western Ohio Association of Occupational Health Nurses for over ten years and worked as a secretary for 10 years prior to becoming a nurse. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the orchestra in the area of business. She traveled with the orchestra to Poland and Germany in the spring of 2008 as a chaperone, to Africa in 2009 as the orchestra nurse and passport guardian, in 2010 to Austria and Hungary, and in 2011 to Japan and Korea as a chaperone and member of the management team. When TIYO became a non-profit organization in 2008, she assumed the role of Secretary, and in August of 2009 she became Treasurer. In August, 2011 she was elected Vice-President of TIYO.
Diana Anderson, Music Consultant
Diana Anderson has been on the TSA orchestra faculty since it's founding year. Mrs. Anderson teaches Beginning and Intermediate Strings and assists with the Advanced Orchestra, as well as organizing and coaching string chamber music ensembles. Mrs. Anderson also serves as the liason between TSA's ARTner, the Toledo Symphony, in coordinating the Community Lesson Program's participation at TSA. Diana Anderson has a Bachelors degree in Violin Performance from Cleveland Institiute of Music, as well as a minor degree in European History from Case Western Reserve University. Diana Anderson also has certification in the Suzuki String Method which emphasizes teaching very young students in group and private settings, teaching most of what the students learn by ear. Mrs. Anderson applies many of these techniques to students of all ages. Diana Anderson is in her 22nd year performing as a core member of the Toledo Symphony and Toledo Opera orchestras. She also has maintained a studio of private students for over 25 years.
John A. Russ III, M.D., F.A.C.E.P. Tour Physician
John is a licensed physician with a specialty in the field of emergency medicine. Dr. Russ has worked in this field since 1983 when he completed his residency in emergency medicine at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, OH. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in electrical engineering and was an F4 pilot serving in Viet Nam prior to attending the Medical College of Ohio. He has been a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Medicine since 1984. He traveled with the orchestra to Poland and Germany in the spring of 2008 as a chaperone and as Tour Physician when the group traveled to Africa in June of 2009. In 2010 he again traveled as tour physician to Austria and Hungary and in 2011 to Japan and Korea. He has a daughter, Hannah, who is in the orchestra.
Myra Paat, Secretary
Myra Paat joined the TIYO management team in 2007 as a parent representative and as a chaperone for the 2008 European tour. Currently, she serves as treasurer of TIYO. Myra’s children, Nicholas and Marisa both enjoy playing the violin with the orchestra. Her oldest son, Justin, is an art major at the University of Toledo. Myra received her B.S.N. from The Ohio State University College of Nursing and is the office manager in her husband’s medical practice. In her spare time, Myra enjoys coaching volleyball at St. Rose grade school and assisting underprivileged girls in the Toledo Starlings Volleyball Club. She also plays in a co-ed volleyball power league with her husband, Rich.Support Team
| Jim Gillikin | Treasurer |
| Liz Athaide-Victor | International Liason |
| Donna Gottchalk | Photographer |
| Donna Pribe | Parent Representative |
| Shawn Gillikin | Merchandise Manager |
| Daniel Ellis | Attorney |
| Luanne Billstein | Program MC |
| Mary Minnich | Uniform Representative |
| Chris Buzzelli | Music Arranger |
| Reed Anderson | Music Section Coach |
| Amy Chang Simon | Music Section Coach |
| Julie Buzzelli | Music Section Coach |
| Steve Smith | Email: Webmaster |