Youth Orchestra Faculty

For nearly two decades, Boardman has been actively involved in developing the musicianship skills of students participating in the Sarasota Youth Orchestra program. Her high energy, creative and inclusive approach to teaching is revered by students. A recently retired Manatee County music teacher, Boardman is trained in educating children in music and other curricular skills using movement as a tool in an active-learning setting. She is a field consultant with the High Scope Educational Research Foundation and has presented workshops for educators around the country. She also has co-authored two books, one of which contains movement warm-up activities for ensembles.

Born and raised in Havana Cuba, Victor Fernandez came to the United States in 1995. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance, a Bachelor's degree in Music Education, and a Master's degree in Music Education from Florida State University. He previously served as director of orchestras at Leon High School and Raa Middle School in Tallahassee, Florida; in addition to being the orchestra director of the Wiregrass Youth Symphony Orchestra in Dothan, Alabama and district chair for the Florida Orchestra Association. He is a former member of the Tallassee Youth Orchestras serving since 2002, as a sectional coach and assistant conductor, and serving as conductor from 2007 to 2010. An active musician, orchestral performances include the Hallandale Symphony, Albany Symphony, Troy Symphony, Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, the Florida State University Symphony Orchestra and the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Fernandez is the director of orchestras at Booker Middle school, and is thrilled to be apart of the Sarasota Youth Orchestra family as director of Youth Symphony.

Ms. Heinz is director of Symphonic Strings with the Sarasota Youth Orchestra. Ms. Heinz began studying the violin at age 9 in her hometown of Scranton, PA. At the Hartt School of Music, she studied music education with John Feierabend and violin performance with Eric Rosenblith. She graduated summa cum laude, earning her degree in 1994 and was also inducted as a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, the National Music Honor Society. Three years later, she relocated to Sarasota and began teaching general music and strings at Phillippi Shores Elementary School, where she was named Teacher of the Year. In 1997 she began working with the Sarasota Youth Orchestra Program.

Mr. Lambert is the Director of Winds & Percussion and the Director of Jazz Studies at Harrison School for the Arts in Lakeland, Florida. In 1996 Mr. Lambert founded the Chamber Winds and presented clinic/concerts with the group at the Midwest Clinic, an International Band and Orchestra Conference, in 2000 and 2005. The Harrison Symphony Orchestra performed at the FMEA President's Concert in 2004 and performed the opening concert at the Midwest Clinic in 2007. In 2010, the Symphony performed in La Croix Valmer, France at the Festival des Anches d'Azur. In 2011, the Symphony made a second appearance at the FMEA President's Concert.

In addition to conducting, Mr. Lambert teaches AP Music Theory at Harrison. He also serves as an Adjunct Faculty member at various local post-secondary institutions. He is a FBA certified Solo & Ensemble adjudicator in the area of percussion and also adjudicates various marching, concert, and jazz band events around the state.

Mr. Lambert holds a Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting from the University of South Florida and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Florida Southern College. As well, he has obtained Music/EAYA certification from the NBPTS. He was Harrison School for the Arts Teacher of the Year and is listed in Who's Who Among America's Teachers. He is a member of the FMEA, the FBA, and the FOA.

Ms. Suydam grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She attended Dillard School for the Performing Arts under the direction of James Miles. As a student she participated in All-State and All-County. In 2005 Ms. Suydam received her Bachelors' degree in music education from Florida State University. While in Tallahassee she studied violin with Beth Newdome and worked with the Tallahassee Youth Orchestra from 2002-2004. She received a Hughes Scholarship in 2005 for her work at Oakridge Elementary, a title one school, in Tallahassee.

Ms. Suydam joined the faculty at Electa Lee Middle School as orchestra director in 2005. She enjoys teaching Fiddling and Instrument Technique. Her Chamber Orchestra can be seen throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties playing at places like Hunsaders Farm, Winter Wonderland and even on floats in parades. Her students consistently receive superior ratings at district Music Performance Assessments and many students over the years have participated in All-State. She is a member of FMEA and FOA. She is very excited about the opportunity to work with Chamber Strings this year and be a part of the Sarasota Youth Orchestra family. Her only regret is that her black lab, Amos Lee, cannot attend the Sarasota Youth Orchestra's first concert!

Mr. Spreen received his Bachelors Degree in Music Education from the University of Florida and his Masters of Arts from Grand Canyon University. He has also completed graduate courses at Florida State University and the University of Miami. Mr. Spreen is a Past President of the Florida Bandmasters Association and has served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Florida Music Educators Association. He has also served on the Board for the Florida School Music Association. Mr. Spreen has served as the chairman of the Music Performance Assessment Committee and the Clinics Committee as well as District Secretary and District Chairman for the Florida Bandmasters Association. He is a graduate of Riverview High School and is a former Kiltie. Prior to returning to Sarasota, he directed the Lake Wales, Keystone Heights and Fernandina Beach High School bands. His bands have consistently earned Superior ratings at the FBA festivals and have performed in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland, the Hollywood Christmas Parade and the National Cherry Blossom Parade, the pre-game and half-time shows at the Sugar Bowl and many other popular events. Mr. Spreen is a member of the Florida Bandmasters Association, Florida Music Educators Association, Music Education National Conference, and Phi Beta Mu.

David Pope is Director of Orchestras at Manatee High School in Bradenton, Florida. Previously, Dr. Pope was an orchestra director for Maryville City Schools in Tennessee. He also served as the Executive Director of the Tallahassee Youth Orchestras, and on the orchestral librarian staffs at the Aspen Summer Music Festival and Spoleto Music Festival USA.

Dr. Pope received his Bachelor's degree from The Florida State University, Master's degree from the University of South Carolina, and Ph.D. in Music Education from The Florida State University. Currently, Dr. Pope serves as a conductor and co-director at Florida State University’s String Orchestra Camp. As an active adjudicator and clinician, he has conducted honor orchestras and served as a guest artist for numerous middle and high school orchestra programs throughout the southeast. Dr. Pope has been a leader in the American String Teachers Association by serving as the President of the Florida State University ASTA chapter and on the Board of Directors in Tennessee. In 2009, Dr. Pope was the recipient of the Outstanding Young Music Educator award for the state of Tennessee.

Celia Sperotto is a native of Manatee County and alumni of the Sarasota Youth Orchestra Program. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of South Florida. Currently she teaches Orchestra and Chorus at Braden River Middle School, conducts for the Sarasota Youth Orchestras and teaches privately.