CORNELIUS  YOUTH  ORCHESTRAS
INSTRUCTOR  BIOS – SPRING 2008

Sharon Lee – Lower Strings (Cello)
Sharon’s objective is to enrich children’s intellect through a broad spectrum of music (piano, cello, violin, voice); teaching through playing and performing. She is a graduate of Shenandoah University, where she was principal cellist.   She has studied under David Hardy, and Yvonne Caruthers, both of the National Symphony Orchestra and Clyde Shaw, Audubon Quartet (Shenandoah University).  She was the principal cellist for the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, the Landon Symphonette and has preformed at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.  Sharon has been featured in Young Soloist series at Fairfax County Library Friends organization.   Ms. Lee has taught underprivileged children at American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra’s Music Buddies Mentorship program and with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington helping with the Yamaha music program, and has directed children’s pageants and choirs.  She resides with her husband and children in Concord.

Roger Powell - Brass
Roger, an accomplished trombonist, received his Bachelor of Arts from Bob Jones University and holds a Master of Arts in Sacred Music from Pensacola Christian College, Pensacola, Florida. Since 2002, he has pastored the Tri-City Baptist Church in Huntersville.  He and his wife Joy, have six children, two of whom are students in the CYO.

Joy Powell - Piano
Joy Powell, an accomplished pianist and instructor, became the church organist at age ten and began teaching piano when she was thirteen. Joy served with her husband Roger in various church and Christian school music ministries for 26 years before God called Roger to pastor a church in 2001.  Mrs. Powell is currently the church pianist at Tri-City Baptist Church in Huntersville, NC, where she also enjoys the responsibilities of pastor's wife as well. Through the years Joy has had opportunity to impact many church music ministries by teaching hymn playing to their pianists. She is grateful to God for the privilege of having students who are serving the Lord both in local churches and around the world.  Joy has recorded an instrumental CD, May Jesus Christ Be Praised, available from soundamazing.com. 

Shawn Haraden - Percussion
Shawn Haraden is a senior at the University of North Carolina with more than 10 years of experience in Percussion and 2 years of experience with the Lake Norman Orchestra.  Currently, he also teaches on a private basis. 

William (Bill) Haraden - Woodwinds
Mr. William (Bill) Haraden, is Associate Director.   He also instructs the Cornelius Youth Orchestras’ Woodwinds section.  He was past co-founder and Conductor for the Lake Norman Community Orchestra.  Mr. Haraden has minored in music at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and he over 20 years of musical experience as a professional musician and conductor.    He has been 1st Clarinetist for the Lake Forest Symphony, 1st. Backup Clarinetist for the Chicago Civic Orchestra, 1st Clarinetist for the North Shore Band at Northwest University, 1st. Backup Clarinetist for the Milwaukee Civic Orchestra, 1st. Clarinetist for the Waukegan Symphony, Squad Leader for University of Illinois Marching Band, 1st. Clarinetist for the College of Lake County, Student Conductor at the College of Lake County and University of Illinois and Clarinetist and Choreographer for Libertyville High School Marching Bands.

Jessica Phipps - Clarinet
Jessica Phipps holds her BA in Clarinet Performance and an MA in Music Education from the Eastman School of Music.  Most recently, a freelance clarinetist in South Florida, Jessica’s engagements include the Florida Philharmonic, Naples Philharmonic, Miami City Ballet, Symphony of the Americas, Florida Sunshine Pops Orchestra, Florida Grand Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Wind Symphony of Florida, and The Klezmer Company. She is also the founding member and director of the Bel Canto Music Ensemble. In addition to her performing career, Jessica is a strong advocate for music education.  An elementary and middle school band director for eight years, Jessica received several grant awards including Chase Active Learning, Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, and the Broward Cultural Arts Grant which all focused on providing musical opportunities for disadvantaged and/or at-risk children.  She was also a panelist at the Music Educators National Conference in New York City in 1999 and was published in Audea (GIA Publications) with an article titled Bach, Beethoven and Me: Composition in the Band Room.  Jessica has also been an adjunct instructor in music education for Florida Atlantic University and Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Ms. Nanette Haraden, Program Director.  She was a co-founder and Director for the Lake Norman Community Orchestra.  Nanette oversees the execution of the project including project budget, financial tracking, selection of music instructors  and project planning.

Ms. Claire Cedeno, Secretary.  She has a degree in Business Administration, and more than 20 years experience as a paralegal.  She also has many years of experience in customer service, marketing, management consulting and business development, as well as working with Mr. Cedeno to manage his website.