New Leadership for Orchestra of Southern Utah

 New Leadership Team Set for Orchestra of Southern Utah

by Sara Penny

Cedar City: The Orchestra of Southern Utah welcomes new administrative leadership this season.  Amy Gold serves as the new manager with Lisa Cox handling ticketing and other duties. Shellee Younkin is directing the educational services such as assemblies as well as helping with grants. “We are thankful to Rebekah Hughes for six years as manager and we wish her well in her new adventures,” said Board President Harold Shirley. "We are excited about the energy and forward thinking of the new leadership team."

In addition, Staci Carson has joined the Board of Directors. She is currently the Associate Vice President for University Advancement at SUU and has considerable experience in higher education  administration and fundraising at institutions across the country. Harold Shirley serves as Board President with Leah Brown as Secretary, and Diane Shirley as Treasurer. Other Board members include Tyler Melling, Wendy Sanders, Rollan Fell, Brooke MacNaughtan, Suzanne Tegland, Bryan Jackson, Ben Bradshaw, and Sara Penny. 

Season tickets for the upcoming season are now available at myosu.org. Season tickets are currently $45 for adults and will rise to $55 soon. The season ticket includes a guaranteed seat for Handel's "Messiah". 

Amy Gold  has been associated with the Orchestra of Southern Utah since 2017, performing in our violin section.  She previously served as OSU Business Manager and Education Director.  Her career has spanned many facets of the musical field.  She was the assistant director of the Ko’olauloa Children’s Chorus traveling to New York and Italy as well as the violinist in the Southwind Celtic Ensemble. She taught five years of public school music before moving to Utah. She is currently the Administrative Director of Suzuki Strings Cedar City, as well as working full-time in the Business Office of the Utah Shakespeare Festival.  Her degrees are from BYU-Hawaii and SUU.

Lisa Cox is the resident stage manager at the Heritage Center Theater and has served as the stage manager for The Orchestra of Southern Utah for the last 10 years.  She has been involved with several local theatre organizations: Parowan Community Theater, where she served on the board for several years and had the opportunities to direct and stage manage; Cedar Valley Community Theatre where she has acted as both assistant stage manager and stage manager; and Women of Will as a stage manager.  She is currently enrolled at SUU earning a BS in Technical Theatre with a minor in English. 

Shellee Younkin holds a BA in Theatre Arts with a minor in Dance from The Ohio State University. She is currently attending SUU seeking a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration. She has teacher training certificates and is also a trained vocalist. She has worked closely with adults, youth and children as a yoga and dance teacher as well as a choreographer and performing artists.

The Orchestra of Southern Utah season rehearsals are starting again on August 15 with the first concert on October 10. For more information contact myosumanager@gmail.com or call Amy Gold at 435-233-8185.

###

More information: OSU Manager: Amy Gold, 435-233-8185

Amy Gold

Shellee Younkin

Lisa Cox