INSTRUCTORS

Deborah Perkins - Strings in Your School & The Fiddle Mobile The founding Director of the Cross Timbers Youth Orchestra's Elementary Strings outreach program, Deborah Perkins, Ph.D., has three decades of experience in string education. Dr. Perkins' own education began at the Crane School of Music at State University College in Potsdam, New York where she received a bachelor of music. Her studies continued with a master's degree from the University of South Carolina and a Ph. D. from the University of North Texas. Throughout her career, Deborah has demonstrated a gift for teaching and has constructed successful public school orchestra programs in Florida and South Carolina. She later transitioned to the university level, teaching string methods at UNT, Florida Atlantic University and becoming the first master teacher for the University of South Carolina String Project. Deborah teaches string methods and string pedagogy at Southern Methodist University but also guest conducts numerous honor orchestras, adjudicates festivals and presents clinics locally and throughout the United States. During the summers, Dr. Perkins often travels with youth orchestras to Mexico, Europe and China.

Danny Moore - Programs Coordinator Danny serves as the Programs Coordinator of CTYO Elementary Strings offerings and the CTYO Studio Program. Danny performs as a cellist with the Allen Philharmonic Orchestra and serves as Worship Minister for Crossroad Christian Church of McKinney. A student of Lee Fiser, Danny is a graudate of the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati. He has taught classes and been involved with CTYO’s elementary outreach programs and has worked with the CTYO orchestras and summer camps. He resides in McKinney and teaches private students through a studio in his home, and he also teaches private lessons for the McKinney ISD orchestra program.

Catherine Palusci - Violin / Viola Lead Teacher & Administrative Assistant / Bilingual Catherine began playing the violin in the 6th grade in the Plano School system and switched to viola in middle school.  Her many musical activities included playing in the S.M.U. Conservatory led by Arkady Fomin and participating in Texas All-Region and All-State. Her high school orchestra director was Kathleen DeBerry Brungard (lead author of Orchestra Expressions – one of ES's lesson book).  She played in the Loudoun Symphony in Northern Virginia for 5 seasons and is now a member of the Allen Philharmonic.  Catherine is currently attending the University of North Texas to complete her degree in music education, and also teaches private lessons in the area.

Angie Cimbalo – Recreational Classes (Let’s Play Violin or Cello) Instructor Angie Cimbalo is the lead instructor for the Magnolia Orchestra and lead teacher for CTYO’s Recreational Classes (Let’s Play Violin or Cello for youth and adults). She is the director of orchestras at Ereckson Middle School in the Allen Independent School District, where she conducts the Chamber, Sinfonia and Concert Orchestras, various elementary classes and an additional after-school Pops Full Orchestra. She has enjoyed many years of teaching both band and orchestra students and has taught in Odessa, the Austin area, Abilene, Amarillo and Richardson. Her groups have consistently earned honors from the Texas Music Educator's Association by placing in the top six orchestras in the state, both at the high school and middle school level. Angie's primary instruments are cello, trombone and piano, and she has performed with various symphony orchestras and chamber groups throughout the state. She also clinics, guest conducts, adjudicates UIL contests, music festivals and competitions throughout Texas. Ange lives in Garland with her husband Phil, a cellist and daughter Kelsey, a senior clarinetist at Berkner High School in Richardson. IN addition, she has two married children, two granddaughters and a daughter who is currently a sophomore at Texas A&M University. Her hobbies include gardening, cooking, crafting and decorating.