Des Moines Symphony

Joshua A. Barlage, Interim Academy Director

Joshua Barlage holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Capital University’s Conservatory of Music. Prior to joining the staff of the Des Moines Symphony Academy, Joshua served as Education and Community Programs Manager for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Aside from his administrative duties, he held assistant conducting positions with the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra and Opera Columbus. On the personal invitation of Maestro Peter Stafford Wilson, Joshua accompanied the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra on their highly successful tour to The People’s Republic of China in June 2005.

Sophia Ahmad, Piano

Ms. Ahmad, a native of Philadelphia, received her graduate training in piano performance at the Eastman School of Music. Her Bachelor of Music in piano performance is from Gordon College, with additional studies at New England Conservatory. Ms. Ahmad has appeared in master classes and coachings with Libby Larsen, Malcolm Bilson, Martin Canin, Ursula Oppens, James Buswell and David Deveau. Her solo and chamber performances have taken her throughout the United States and Canada. Ms. Ahmad has recorded for Prentice Hall's "Inside the Orchestra" video and collaborated with renowned artists including the concertmaster of the National Portuguese Symphony Orchestra. An advocate of new music, she premiered many new pieces, and has worked with notable composers including Bright Sheng and Simone Fontanelli. As a Presser scholar, Ms. Ahmad is active as a music teacher, scholar, critic, and administrator. At the Eastman School of Music, she taught class piano to undergraduate students, co-founded and served as assistant director of the Women in Music Festival, and chaired the Eastman Student Piano Committee. Ms. Ahmad served as a classical album critic for Rochester's Democrat & Chronicle and currently writes for The Des Moines Register, where she is the online entertainment reporter.

Christian Baughman,Trumpet

Christian Baughman is currently the seventh grade instrumental music instructor in the Ankeny Community Schools and has previously held teaching positions in the Des Moines, Newton and Johnston public schools. He has also instructed the brass line of the World Finalist Colts Drum and Bugle Corps of Dubuque, Iowa.

Mr. Baughman studied the trumpet with Andy Classen at Drake University where he was a member of the Drake University Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Band I. His teaching philosophy for trumpet centers on showing students how daily practice of the fundamentals can make playing the trumpet easier and more rewarding. Mr. Baughman is passionate about music making and the positive impact music education can have on young people's lives.

Mr. Baughman earned his Master of Music Education degree from Boston University in January 2008 and has a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Drake University. He is a member of the Iowa Bandmasters Association, Music Educators National Conference and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Mr. Baughman resides in Clive with his wife Kelly and their three year old son, Elliot. He enjoys bicycling, home cooked meals and live music.

Steve Charlson, Classical and Jazz Bass

Steve Charlson is a native of Waterloo, Iowa and has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Universtity of Northern Iowa.  His principal teachers were Eldon Obrecht at the University of Iowa and Stuart Sankey at Indiana University.  As a classical bassist, Steve has performed with the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, Cedar Rapids Symphony, Des Moines Symphony, Wartburg Community Symphony and Dubuque Symphony, where he served as Principal Bass. 

Apart from his work with symphony orchestras, Steve spent two years as a member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra and has appeared with music greats including Rosemary Clooney, Maureen McGovern, the Mills Brothers, Patty Paige, Billy Eckstine, Donny Osmond, Captain and Tennille, Petula Clark, Lesley Gore, Hap Galpae and Steve Allen.

Currently, Steve regularly performs with Les Brown and his Band of Renown, the Tony Valdez Band. 

Derek Claussen, Cello

Mr. Claussen is the past president of the Iowa Chapter of the American String Teachers Association. He taught 4th –12th grade Orchestra for eight years with the Des Moines Public Schools. He has been an adjudicator for various festivals in Central Iowa, member of the Comprehensive Musicianship Program steering committee for Iowa, and member of the Partners in Music Education Committee with Civic Music. Mr. Claussen is joyfully married to Stacy Hansen, Drama Director for Valley High School. He is enjoying being a stay at home father for their children, Lincoln and Scout. His other avocations are painting, sculpting, poetry, coaching Valley mime groups, and trips to Scotland.

Kaarin Fasse, Group Piano

Kaarin Fasse holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Wartburg College in Waverly, IA, with piano as her primary instrument and flute as her secondary instrument.  While at Wartburg, Kaarin studied piano with Dr. Suzanne Torkelson and was a member of the Wartburg Wind Ensemble when the group made their Carnegie Hall debut.  Kaarin has taught private piano lessons, group piano classes, and private flute lessons since moving to the Des Moines area 6 years ago.  She enjoys teaching students of all ages and looks forward to sharing her enthusiasm for music with all her students.  Kaarin is married to her husband Bradley and enjoys being a stay at home mother for their daughter, Hannah.  
  

Mary Foss, Harp

Mary Foss is the Principal Harpist of the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra, where she frequently performs as soloist. Ms. Foss serves as Adjunct Professor of Harp at Drake University, Iowa State University and Central College. She has been featured as soloist with the Fort Dodge, Des Moines, Central Iowa and Jamaica Plains, MA, Symphonies. Mary holds a Bachelor of Music degree and Graduate Diploma in Harp Performance from the New England Conservatory in Boston, Ma. Mary has released recordings as a solo artist and, paired with flutist Kathy Slocum, as member of the Aquarian Duo.

Joseph Giunta, Youth Symphony Orchestra & Youth Chamber Orchestra

Joseph Giunta is celebrating his twentieth season as the Des Moines Symphony’s Music Director and riding the crest of the most successful era in the orchestra’s rich tradition. Giunta is recognized as an important American conductor and for his compelling interpretation of standard and new repertoire as well as for his spirit, enthusiasm and infectious energy. During his tenure he has transformed the orchestra into a fine regional ensemble and has dramatically increased the ensemble’s image and awareness. His programming skills continue to foster the growth of the orchestra and challenge the imagination of the audience. Henry Fogel, CEO of the American Symphony Orchestra League and Past President of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, during a recent visit to Des Moines said, “Joe is one of a kind. He leads by example and knows how to raise money as well as he knows the music.” Giunta has conducted many of the great orchestras of the world, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, the London Philharmonic and the Philharmonia Orchestra of London. He has also conducted the orchestras of Indianapolis, Phoenix, Akron, North Carolina, Madison, Chicago Pops, Charlotte, Lake Forest, Nashville, Boise, Vermont, Bangor, Orlando and Hawaii. He has also conducted orchestras in Mexico, South America, Europe and the United Kingdom.

Among the many honors and distinctions awarded Joseph Giunta include an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Simpson College, the 1984 Helen M. Thompson Award presented by the American Symphony Orchestra League to the outstanding young music director in the nation, the 1998 ASCAP Award for his innovative programming and commitment to new American music, and the 2002 Iowa Arts Award for his contribution for excellence in musical performance throughout the world.

In July, 2004, a limited number of CDs were pressed of all nine Beethoven Symphonies that were performed during the 2003-2004 season and conducted by Giunta. His discography also includes world-wide recordings with the London Philharmonic Orchestra featuring music of Khachaturian and Britten and a 1994 recording with internationally renowned pianist Earl Wild. The American Record Guide said about this disc that "Wild, Giunta and the Des Moines Symphony play the music to the hilt."

His commitment to music education includes a comprehensive array of programs for students of all age levels. He started the Lollipop Concerts; Meet the Maestro programs, and Yankee Doodle Pops concert attended by 75,000 people per year. His ultimate dream came true last year when the Des Moines Symphony Academy opened its doors. This was a culmination of many years of planning and working with local business leaders to establish a place where people of all ages can go and be exposed to the magic of music through lessons, classes and performance opportunities. He also serves as an advisor for local schools in the hiring of music teachers.

Giunta is a graduate of Northwestern University and studied conducting with Henry Mazer, John Paynter, William Smith and Bernard Rubenstein. He also has acted as stand-by conductor for many of the world's greatest conductors, including Sir Georg Solti, Carlo Maria Giulini, Charles Dutoit, Klaus Tennstedt, Erich Leinsdorf and Neville Marriner.

John Helmich, Violin and Piano

Mr. Helmich, a Davenport, Iowa native received his Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance and his Master of Music degree in Violin Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music. While there, he was awarded the Howard Hanson Scholarship, and graduated with High Distinction. His primary teachers included Oleh Krysa and Timothy Ying. During his studies at Eastman, he was coached extensively by the Ying Quartet, with additional master classes and coachings with Pamela Frank, Miriam Fried, Zvi Zeitlin, Ilya Kaler, Marilyn MacDonald, the Turtle Island String Quartet, and the Tokyo String Quartet.

An avid soloist, as well as chamber musician, Mr. Helmich has performed in concerts and recitals throughout the United States. He is currently a member of the Des Moines Metro Opera, the Des Moines Symphony, and the Belin Quartet. In addition, he teaches violin and coaches chamber music groups at the Des Moines Symphony Academy.

Irina Kaplan, Piano

Irina was born and raised in Kiev, Ukraine. She began her musical education at the age of six. She attended a special music school for gifted children, graduating at the age of 15. At this point she decided to pursue a career in music. She was admitted to the Kiev Glier State Music College, where she specialized in piano pedagogy and performance. She received a diploma with special certification for piano, chamber ensemble and concertmaster. Irina next attended Kiev State Pedagogical Institute, receiving a Master of Fine Arts degree. She then began a fifteen-year teaching career at the Kiev Musical School.

In 1989, Irina immigrated to the United States, where she resumed her piano teaching career in Des Moines. She taught at the Drake University Community School of Music, the Des Moines Public Schools as a private piano teacher, and gave piano lessons in a private studio in her home. Awarded the 2004-05 Des Moines Symphony Academy Teacher of the Year, Irina has taught at the Academy since its opening in 2003.

Leah Kolner, Violin

Leah Kolner was born in Ames, Iowa in December of 1980. During her early education, she enjoyed taking music lessons which included violin, piano, oboe and voice. She was also a dancer with the Robert Thomas Dance Studio. In 1999, she graduated from Ames High School and then attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa where she studied Violin Performance with Professor Virginia Strauss. In January of 2003, she studied abroad in Vienna with the Luther College Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Daniel Baldwin. In the spring of 2004, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Violin Performance. She currently lives in Ankeny with her husband Sam and daughter Aubrie. She teaches violin and piano lessons and is also a member of the Des Moines Symphony.  

Matt Meyer, Youth Sinfonia Orchestra

Matt Meyer has degrees in Violin Performance and Music Education from the University of Iowa. He spent two years teaching orchestra in the Iowa City Community Schools. Mr. Meyer is currently entering his sixth year as an elementary orchestra director in the West Des Moines Schools. This will be the sexth season that he has enjoyed playing violin in the Des Moines Symphony.

Charles Miranda, Viola and Violin

Violist Charles Miranda earned his bachelor's degree in violin from Indiana University and his master's degree in viola performance and literature from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., studying with teachers including Heidi Castelman and Jeffrey Irvine. Miranda participated in the Cleveland Quartet Seminar while at Eastman, and has performed at the Blue Hill and Aspen Music festivals.

Charles was a member of the Pioneer String Quartet, and currently performs with the Des Moines Symphony and the Des Moines Metro Opera along with teaching at the Des Moines Symphony Academy.

Eric Saylor, Classical Conversations

Dr. Saylor is Assistant Professor of Music History at Drake. He received a bachelor's degree in Violin Performance from Drake University, an M.A. in Musicology from Arizona State University, and a Ph.D. in Musicology from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Saylor's area of specialization is British music of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, focusing particularly on the life and works of Ralph Vaughan Williams in both his master's thesis ("'If Silence Could Speak': A Reassessment of Ralph Vaughan Williams's Pastoral Symphony") and doctoral dissertation ("The Significance of Nation in the Music of Ralph Vaughan Williams"). During the 1998 academic year, Dr. Saylor served as editorial assistant at the British Library (London) helping collect, transcribe, and annotate Vaughan Williams's complete correspondence, soon to be published by Oxford University Press. He has presented papers at the University of New Mexico, the University of Michigan, the British Library, Oberlin College, and the University of Paris, and delivered pre-concert talks for the Chicago Civic Symphony Orchestra and the Des Moines Symphony. Dr. Saylor has also received several grants and awards, including the 2004 Outstanding Teacher of the Year award in Drake's College of Arts and Sciences. His other areas of interest include American music, symphonic and string literature, minimalism, and the role of nation in music.

Dr. Saylor holds professional memberships in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda, the American Musicological Society, the North American British Music Study Association, and the College Music Society.

Michele Senger, Youth Philharmonic

Raymond Songayllo, Piano and Music Theory

Raymond Songayllo, born August 23, 1930 in Chicopee, Massachusetts, earned his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in piano from Northwestern University. He studied at Aspen, in New York with Alexander Uninsky and Grant Johannesen, and in Boston with Alexander Borovsky. He has performed throughout the U.S. and has appeared twice at Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall. As a composer, he has had works presented in various venues, college and university events, festivals and conferences, and in Fontainebleau, working in composition at the Conservatoire Americaine. He won the Keyboard Category Award at the Delius Competition at Jacksonville University in 1976, 1992, and 1993. He has received grants from both the Minnesota Composers Forum and Meet the Composer.

After 27 years of college/university teaching, he is currently performing, lecturing, composing, and adjudicating. In June of 1990, he made his European debut with two solo recitals in Geneva under the auspices of Concerts Atlantique of New York. Mr. Songayllo is a founding member of the lowa Composers Forum, and was the recipient of the 1993 Pyle Commission for his Piano Quintet. In the summer of 1994 he was one of 18 pianists at the French Piano Institute in Paris, appearing in recital at the Salle Cortot. In June 1995 he performed a lecture/recital at the College Music Society International Conference in Berlin. In July of 1996 he again performed at the Salle Cortot, and also premiered a new composition, Hommage a Faure, in the Salle Munch of the Ecole Normale.

In the 1996-97 season, Mr. Songayllo appeared as soloist and composer in various venues, including, again, at the College Music Society Conference in Vienna. His compositions include works for solo piano, harpsichord, piano with instrumental combinations, songs, orchestral compositions. His style is eclectic, employing both tonal and non-tonal styles.

Since 2000 Mr. Songayllo has presented lecture/recitals, performed as chamber player and accompanist at the International Workshops in Graz, Austria, and Stavanger, Norway as well as in Biarritz, France. He appears regularly with the international chamber group, The Midgard Ensemble. Recent performances have been in St. Paul, MN and Sioux Falls, SD. In the Des Moines area he appears often as soloist and in two-piano programs.

Anne Stein, Flute and Voice

Ms. Stein earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Vocal Performance from Simpson College where she majored in voice and double minored in flute and piano. A mezzo-soprano, Anne has sung with the Des Moines Metro Opera, Operafestival di Roma, and in Graz, Austria with The American Institute of Musical Studies where she sang the role of "Maddalena" in "Rigoletto", and was an oratorio soloist with the AIMS Chorale under the direction of William Huckabee. She studied voice with renowned teachers Anne Larson, Helena Nedomansky, and Judith Kellock; and has performed in Master Classes for Jerrold Sienna and Grannila Bonelli. She is a member of The National Association of Teachers of Singing.

Anne Stein pursued her flute studies at Simpson College under Kelly Via, Principal Piccolo with The Atlanta Symphony. She is a regular recitalist and jazz artist in the Des Moines area. Ms. Stein is the director of the flute quartet, "Zauberflote", and The Des Moines Symphony Academy Flute Choirs. Ms. Stein is also a busy accompanist and arranger, having studied piano with pianist/composer, Sven Lekberg; as well as theory and counterpoint with pianist/composer, Ray Songayllo.