Artistic Staff
Music Director, Symphonic Orchestra Conductor
For 16 years (1994 - 2010) Andrew Lane held the position of Principal Pops Conductor of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. His pops concerts have included Branford Marsalis, Deborah Gibson, Peter Schickele, Arturo Sandoval, Roy Scheider, Doc Severinsen, Broadway star Davis Gaines as well as many other renowned artists. In October of 2006, Andrew Lane conducted members of the Chicago Symphony featuring Greek tenor Mario Frangoulis at Orchestra Hall in Chicago. Mr. Lane has also been featured as conductor in 25 CD recordings produced by Madacy Entertainment Group of Quebec, Canada.
A dynamic and popular pops conductor, Maestro Lane serves as Pops Conductor of the Sarasota Orchestra and will lead that ensemble for all their subscription pops concerts for the 2011-2012 season. Andrew Lane has also been a featured as guest conductor with The Naples Philharmonic, Rochester Philharmonic, Asheville Symphony and San Antonio Symphony. Mr. Lane is Music Director of the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra where he enjoys working with talented young musicians from the Orlando area. In October of 2010, he was chosen by Bank of America as a "Local Hero" for his commitment to music education in Central Florida.
Philharmonia Conductor
John Dupuis is currently in his fifth year as Conductor of the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra Philharmonia Orchestra. He is also past Conductor of the Sarasota Orchestra Youth Symphony, and past Conductor of the Summer at the Symphony Music Program. Mr. Dupuis received his Bachelors degrees in Music Education and Music Composition and his Master of Music degrees in Conducting and Music Composition from the University of South Florida. His teachers include Dr. William Wiedrich, Dr. Robert Summer, Dr. Kim McCormick, Dr. Michael Robinson, Dr. Michael Sidney Timpson, and Prof. James Lewis.
As a composer, Mr. Dupuis' orchestral compositions have been commissioned and performed by various ensembles throughout the United States, including the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, the Florida Orchestra, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Tampa Bay Youth Orchestra, the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies, and many others. His band compositions/arrangements have been performed by numerous high school concert and marching bands throughout Florida. His music has also been featured at Universal Studios' "Islands of Adventure". Mr. Dupuis' works are published through Daehn Music Publications and Wehr's Music House Publishers. Mr. Dupuis is a member of FBA, FMEA, MENC, FEA, the Conductor's Guild, the League of American Orchestras, and the College Music Society.
Prelude Orchestra Conductor
Elizabeth Napier Hicklin joined FSYO in 1989 as a sixth grade violinist. When she graduated from Winter Park High School in 1996, she was Concertmaster of the FSYO Chamber Orchestra and Assistant Concertmaster of Orchestra I (now the Symphonic Orchestra). Mrs. Hicklin went on to Stetson University where she studied with Dr. Alvaro Gomez and Dr. Routa Kroumovitch- Gomez, was Co-concertmaster of the Stetson Orchestra, assisted the Stetson University Youth Orchestra, and was inducted to the prestigious Pi Kappa Lambda Music- Academic Honor Society.
Mrs. Hicklin received her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education after finishing an internship at her alma mater, Winter Park High School, under Todd Doan, former FSYO Philharmonia Conductor. Mrs. Hicklin's internship reunited her with FSYO but now as a section coach and guest conductor.
Beginning in the fall of 2000, Mrs. Hicklin accepted the challenge of starting a new string program at Liberty Middle School in East Orange County. Since then, she has served as Operations and Education Manager for the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, taught privately, past FOA District 8 Chair, and adjudicated numerous solo and ensemble competitions.
Mrs. Hicklin returned to FSYO in 2002 as Overture Strings Orchestra Conductor, grew the program to include winds and the FSYO's third full orchestra was born, Prelude. She is very excited to begin her 10th season with the FSYO! In her spare time from FSYO, Mrs. Hicklin works as a pharmacy software trainer and enjoys an active presence in Central Florida's music education community.
Overture Strings Conductor, Cello Choir Conductor
Jessica Talbott, a product of the Palm Coast Youth Symphony Orchestra in Ft. Myers, is a graduate of Florida State University where she majored in Music Education and Cello Performance. There she studied with Lubomir Georgieve and Michael Allen.
In 2003 Jessica started teaching beginning strings to 4th and 5th grade students in various elementary schools in Orange County. Currently she is teaching three levels of orchestra at Liberty Middle School. She has been teaching privately for the past 11 years and consistently has students in the All-County and All-State Orchestras.
Jessica is a past District 8 chair for Florida Orchestra Association, past President of the Florida Chapter of the American String Teachers Association, and department head for her school. She has served as All-County chair for Orange County and also judges FOA Music Performance Assessments.
Administrative Staff
Executive Director
Heide Evans is the Executive Director of the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra. Heide joined Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra in October, 2011 as Executive Director. Heide graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Marketing and Business Management & Administration from the University of Phoenix. Prior to joining the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra Heide was the Manager of Member Relations at the Orlando Science Center, during her tenure she served over 6,000 families in the greater Central Florida area since 2007. With over 10 years of hospitality experience Heide specializes in generating substantial revenue growth, fundraising, event planning, marketing, public relations and customer service. Musically inclined, as well, Heide is a former violist and alumni of the Polk County Youth Orchestra.
Heide's knowledge in non profits and youth orchestra provides her with great insight on both arts in Central Florida and music education and performance. Heide is dedicated in serving the arts in Central Florida. In her new role, Heide plans to strengthen relationships with the community, encouraging greater involvement and further aligning the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra with arts and music education in Central Florida.
Office Manager
Shaina Anderson, a Central Florida native, is a University of Central Florida student, studying Nonprofit Management and Music. Shaina's love for youth arts education brought her to The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra in September, 2011, where she currently works as Office Manager. She has recently interned with United Arts of Central Florida, The Orlando Opera and Junior Achievement of Central Florida, bringing the FSYO experience in grant application, online marketing and membership development. A classically trained mezzo-soprano, Shaina was awarded a number of both talent and merit-based collegiate scholarships. She holds membership with America's Fundraising Professionals, Orlando's Young Nonprofit Professionals Network and Sigma Alpha Iota, National Women's Music Fraternity.
In addition to work with The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra, Shaina manages Big Wheel Provisions and the Big Wheel Mobile Food Truck, recently featured on The Food Network and NPR, and named "Orlando's Best Food Truck, 2011," by Orlando Weekly Voters. Shaina also works freelance to develop online marketing campaigns for small businesses.
Carl Rendek
Operations Director
Carl Rendek (percussion) attended the Manhattan School of Music in New York City where he was a scholarship student of Walter Rosenberger and Morris Lang of the New York Philharmonic. He was also a scholarship
student of Charles Owen at the Aspen Music Festival. Mr. Rendek studied jazz vibraphone with David Friedman. He is a former member of the Florida Symphony Orchestra (1975-1993), and is a current member of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Mr. Rendek serves in a dual capacity with the Orlando Philharmonic. He serves as Principal Timpani with the orchestra in addition to serving on the Philharmonic staff as Production Manager. He is also the Production Manager for the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra (FSYO). Mr. Rendek is a professional freelance musician in the Central Florida area and has appeared with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Palm Beach Pops and Brevard Symphony Orchestra.
He was also Vic Damone's percussionist on his tour of the southeastern United States. Mr. Rendek performs regularly as a member of the marimba ensemble, Woodworks.