WVYO Musical Director and Conductor Claire Gordon

Mrs.Gordon, a native of Phoenix, graduated Summa Cum Laude from ASU with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education in 1983. Mrs. Gordon taught strings in the Washington Elementary School District for 15 years. Currently, she maintains a large private studio of violin, viola, and piano students.

Mrs. Gordon has been conductor of West Valley Youth Orchestra since 1997. She has served as an adjudicator for various music festivals and has conducted honor orchestras in the Washington and Scottsdale school districts. She was selected to be the conductor of the 2001 Arizona Elementary All-State Orchestra, the 2006 Peoria School District String Festival, and the 2008 Arizona Jr-High All-State Orchestra.

Mrs. Gordon plays Principal Second Violin in the West Valley Symphony, and is an active free-lance violinist throughout the valley.

Mrs. Gordon is a past president of the Arizona Chapter of American String Teachers' Association with the National School Orchestra Association.

Cadet Conductor Trista Kruckenberg

Mrs. Kruckenberg graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho with a BA in Music Education, Orchestra Emphasis. Upon graduation, she was the district orchestra teacher in Idaho Falls for grades 4-12. Through her leadership and proposals, the program grew to 10 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools. Mrs. Kruckenberg then moved to Arizona where she was the orchestra and choir director at Tempe High School. She completed a MA in Education, Curriculum and Instruction in 2007.

As a violinist, Mrs. Kruckenberg has performed in many orchestras and was Principal Second-Violinist with the Rexburg Community Orchestra in Idaho. She firmly believes that music enhances the knowledge and abilities of students in a unique way unmatched by any other discipline.