Pauline (Tina) Anderson, Director
Pauline (Tina) Anderson is in her twenty-eighth season as Director of the MYO, and during that time she has consistently produced outstanding musical performances while exhibiting a caring interest in each musician in the youth orchestra. Her high artistic goals along with the dedication of the musicians have resulted in the growing reputation for excellence that the MYO enjoys today.
Ms. Anderson earned both a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Music degree from The Catholic University of America. She holds a Diploma in Voice Performance from Rice University, a Special Certificate in Suzuki Education, also from Catholic University, and she studied church music at Shenandoah Conservatory of Music for three years. Ms. Anderson received her conducting training with Anthony Maiello at George Mason University, and has performed in a master class for the National Symphony Orchestra Music Director, Leonard Slatkin.
As a performing artist, Ms. Anderson has recorded for the Williamsburg Collection, and is the founding member of Musikfest Players, a professional string quartet. She also continues to maintain a private teaching studio in Springfield, where she teaches 30 students a week. Along with these activities, Ms. Anderson has written a forty-eight page textbook on violin technique entitled The Violin Shift, with an evaluation preface by Josef Gingold.
Ms. Anderson has served on the Youth Division Board of the American Symphony Orchestra League. Other honors include a commendation in recognition of her fourteen year anniversary as Director of the MYO by the General Assembly of Virginia, the Senate, and the House of Delegates. She was listed in the international edition of Who’s Who in Music for the year 2000. Ms. Anderson is a descendant member of the Knights of the Garter and was knighted Dame Pauline Anderson in 1996 at the College of Preachers, Washington National Cathedral, Washington, DC. In 1998, she received the Order of the Grand Croix from Her Highness Princess Elisabeth and Prince Ludwig Ferdinand of Ysenburg and Büdningen, Germany. She received the 2003-2004 Kennedy Center Award for the People to People Project. She was recognized for helping to organize orchestra programs in Peru, Colombia, Haiti, and Honduras. She has been appointed Virginia State String Chairman for the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) for the next 2 years. In October of 2011 she was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Achievement from Shenandoah University.
Dr. Deborah R. Volker, Conductor
Dr. Volker is a violinist and a native of Lansdale, Pennsylvania. She received a Bachelor of Music degree, Professional Studies Certificate, and Teacher Certification from Temple University; a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University; and Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Catholic University of America. Her teachers have included Helen Kwalwasser, Myron Kartman, Luis Biava, and Robert Gerle. She has studied conducting with Piotr Gajewski.
Dr. Volker has been a member of the the United States Air Force Band since 1993, where she is a Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt). Her duties include being music director of the Strolling Strings, performing with the String Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and Symphony Orchestra as well as various other ensembles. As a member of the Air Force Strings, SMSgt Volker has performed at the White House, at official state dinners, on Capitol Hill for members of Congress, and at official diplomatic events. She also serves as Unit Health Monitor and Self Aid/Buddy Care Monitor/Instructor for The USAF Band.
Dr. Volker is an active member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity and currently serves as the National Vice President, Ritual and Fraternity Education. She was named the 11th Wing Military Volunteer of the Year for 2002 and awarded the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, first bronze star, for her work with MYO and Sigma Alpha Iota as well as her work as an EMT with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, Franconia Volunteer Fire Station.