Tanya Chanphanitpornkit, Guest Clinician
John Kilkenny, Guest Clinician
Experience the National Band & Orchestra Fest, a premier celebration of musical brilliance, showcasing outstanding youth ensembles from across the nation. This ticketed daytime concert offers a unique opportunity to witness the next generation of musicians share their artistry and dedication live on stage. Don’t miss this inspiring event that highlights the talent, passion, and creativity of these exceptional young performers.
TANYA CHANPHANITPORNKIT, GUEST CLINICIAN
Tanatchaya (Tanya) Chanphanitpornkit, known for her joy, is a double bassist and conductor from Thailand focused on educating and inspiring young musicians. Chanphanitpornkit received her education from the Eastman School of Music.
She continued her education at Teachers College, Columbia University, where the emphasis of her Master of Arts and Master of Education degrees was on social justice through orchestral pedagogy and her pedagogy was highlighted in an exhibit for the Smith Learning Theater. Currently, Chanphanitpornkit is continuing her studies as a doctoral candidate at Teachers College studying first-generation college students in music conservatory.
Chanphanitpornkit currently teaches at Nyack Public Schools. She is the Music Director of New York Youth Symphony’s Crescendo Orchestra and conductor of Manhattan School of Music Precollege Symphony Orchestra. Her higher education positions include Teachers College, Columbia University, William Paterson University, and The College of New Jersey. She is a co-founder of the nonprofit Girls Who Conduct. She has served as the Assistant Conductor for New York Youth Symphony’s GRAMMY Award-winning Orchestra.
Recently, she was awarded the Eastman Centennial Award, where in honor of its centennial year, Eastman created the Centennial Award to recognize 100 individuals who exemplify Eastman’s mission and legacy through their commitment to artistry, scholarship, leadership, community engagement, and/or philanthropy. In 2022, she was awarded the Early Career Award by Teachers College, Columbia University. As she continues on her journey in music education alongside her students, she will always base her decisions and teachings on the belief that the symphony is for everyone.
JOHN KILKENNY, GUEST CLINICIAN
John Kilkenny, praised as a “particularly fine timpanist” by the Washington Post, enjoys a career encompassing academia, performance, and arts leadership.
John recently completed sixteen years as Director of Percussion Studies at George Mason University. Ensembles under his direction have appeared at national and international conferences, including VMEA, NYSSMA, The Western International Band Conference, The College Music Society National Conference , and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention.
When John Kilkenny assumed the role of Artistic and Executive Director of the Sewanee Summer Music Festival in 2018, he brought a transformative vision. Under his guidance, the festival achieved unprecedented artistic and financial success, with significant increases in enrollment, earned revenue, and annual giving. His expanded partnerships with numerous DEI pathway programs and his innovative leadership approach ushered in a new era of administrative and artistic growth, with a 25% increase in enrollment, new programs for Opera and Composition, a doubling of annual giving, and multiple endowment gifts.
His extensive performance background includes regular appearances with symphony orchestras chamber groups, and concerto performances around the globe.
He began his tenure as Executive Director with the Grammy Award-winning New York Youth Symphony in March 2024.
