Staff2020-01-31T17:55:40+00:00

Meet the Staff

Meet the Staff

Abigail Knoche

Director/Conductor AYS

Abigail Knoche is an alumn of the Alton Youth Symphony and was the founding cellist of the Alton Youth Symphony Chamber Group. Mrs. Knoche attended Illinois State University, where she earned her bachelor’s in Music Education and the University of Illinois, Springfield where she earned her masters in Educational Leadership. Abigail is a cellist who has studied under Mr. Larry Crabbs, Dr. Marta Simidtchieva, and Dr. Adriana Ransom. Abigail teaches private lessons on cello and bass and plays handbells with the Upper Alton Christian Handbell Ensemble. She currently teaches orchestra in the Ritenour School District having previously taught in the Hazelwood School District.

Elizabeth Jankowski

Director/Conductor AYJS

Elizabeth is a proud alumnus of Alton Youth Symphony. She was the first concertmistress of the organization in its inaugural year, and is a former conductor of the Alton Youth Symphony. Elizabeth received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a minor in Music from SIU in Edwardsville. She has performance experience with the Tulsa Symphony, Northwest Arkansas Symphony, Arkansas Symphony, Fort Smith Symphony, and the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra. She has been an instructor in the Music Preparatory Program at Lewis and Clark Community College. She is a former board member of Alton Band and Orchestra Builders, as well as the Alton Youth Symphony.

Christine Banda Banks

Chamber Director

Christine Banda Banks is the conductor of the AYS Chamber Group and viola specialist with AYS. Ms. Banks graduated with a Masters of Music from the Manhattan School of Music and continued her viola studies at North Carolina School of the Arts. She is currently a freelance musician and has appeared on stage with headliners such as Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Peter Cetera, Mannheim Steamroller, Clay Aiken, Johnny Mathis, Moody Blues, and Rod Stewart. Ms. Banks has performed in numerous festivals including the Aspen Music Festival, Breckenridge Music Institute and the AIMS Festival in Graz, Austria. In addition, Christine has played as an extra violist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and toured throughout the United States as principal violist with the National Broadway Production of ‘Miss Saigon’. She has been on the faculty of Davidson College, SIUE, and Northern Arizona University.
Ms. Banks recently left the Hazelwood School District after teaching 16 years in both elementary and middle schools. She is currently principal violist with the Salem Chamber Orchestra, performs with Winter Opera, The Bach Society and Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis. Ms. Banks also is an adjunct professor at SLU.

Jessica Poding

Manager

Jessica  has a diverse background in education, business, and music performance. She studied  Music Performance, French Horn at from Lindenwood University, where she graduated in 2013. She is currently employed as Paraprofessional for the Special School District of St. Louis County, and also serves as the Vice President of the Alton Symphony Orchestra.

The Alton Youth Symphony’s continued success would not be possible without the generous support of parents, community members, and local businesses. Click Here if you would like to partner with the Alton Youth Symphony through a donation.

Alton Youth Symphony is a 501(c)3 Corporation registered in the State of Illinois.

Alton Youth Symphony
P.O. Box 3036
Alton, IL 62002

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