Executive Director
Tanya Song
Tanya Song, Executive Director of the Williamsburg Youth Orchestra for 7 years, has steered its financial stability and strategic growth. She manages finances meticulously, expands strategically, and fosters partnerships with local stakeholders. She pioneered the highly successful junior wind & brass ensembles program, broadening opportunities for young musicians. She holds a double major with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and East Asian Studies from the University of Maryland. With a background as a senior consultant at Accenture, specializing in telecommunications, she brings extensive expertise to WYO. Her leadership and strategic acumen have been instrumental in transforming WYO into a thriving organization that enriches the lives of young musicians.
Symphony Orchestra Director
David Grandis
David Grandis is currently the Director of Orchestras at the College of William and Mary, Music Director of the Virginia Chamber Orchestra, and Music Director of the Williamsburg Youth Orchestra. His guest conducting opportunities have included the Lyon National Opera, Bordeaux National Symphony Orchestra, Toulouse’s Capitol National Orchestra, Nice Philharmonic Orchestra, Sofia New Symphony Orchestra, Minsk Philharmonic Orchestra, Long Island Opera Company, and Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra. In 2021, he was awarded a conducting prize at the International Conductors Workshop and Competition in Atlanta. David Grandis is the author of A la recherche du chant perdu, The Voice of France (© MJWFeditions, Paris, 2013), and Les Bergers d’Arcadie (© La Route de la Soie, Paris, 2024). A native of France, David Grandis earned a GPD under Gustav Meier at the Peabody Institute, and a D.M.A. in conducting at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Strings Ensembles Director
(Concert & Chamber Strings)
Rebecca Nixon
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Rebecca Nixon began her study of the cello under the instruction of Louise Lang. Throughout Mrs. Nixon’s career, she has performed with the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, the Wooster Symphony Orchestra and the Alliance Symphony. Mrs. Nixon also performed at the Kennedy Center withthe Wooster Symphony Chamber Orchestra. While attending Bowling Green State University, she studied cello with Dr. Alan Smith, conducting with Dr. Emily Freeman Brown, and earned her Bachelors of Music in Music Education. In addition to earning her music degree, Mrs. Nixon has alsoearned her Orff Certification and is working on Suzuki Certification. Mrs. Nixon taught Summer Institute for Strings at Bowling Green State University, assisted teaching string programs in Bowling Green, Ohio and Toledo, Ohio and taught orchestra and music theory at The Magnet School for the Arts in Newport News, Virginia. Mrs. Nixon also judged Assessments for Newport News Public and Williamsburg/James City County Schools and conducted the Newport News All-City Middle School and High School Orchestras. Currently, Mrs. Nixon conducts the Williamsburg Youth Orchestra’s Concert and Chamber Strings, teaches orchestra at Toano Middle School, and teaches privately.
Junior Concert Band and
Wind Ensemble Director
Jordan Stehle
Jordan Stehle is a music educator, performer, and advocate for innovative music instruction. He earned his Bachelor’s in Music Education from Slippery Rock University and a Master’s in Music (Kodály concentration) from Colorado State University.
Mr. Stehle is the Founder and Executive Director of DoG Street Music, where he created the DoG Street Brass Band, giving student musicians an exciting opportunity to explore brass music in a variety of contexts. He also teaches general music and beginning band in Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools and serves in the 380th Army Band at Fort Eustis, Virginia.
An active consultant, Mr. Stehle partners with the Chamber Music Society of Williamsburg to connect students with world-class musicians. He is also collaboratively developing a group music curriculum for assisted and independent living facilities, to enhance cognitive function, motor coordination, and social connection.
As a performer, he has commissioned new solo works for tuba and percussion ensemble, as well as band and orchestra. His dedication to music education earned him recognition as a GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year Semi-Finalist in 2021 and 2022.