ABOUT THE ORCHESTRA
The Paetow High School Orchestra Program was established in 2017. We strive to help students grow into model citizens of our community and recognize that development of communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills happen concurrently with development as a musician. It is our goal for students to harness their full potential and perform at their highest level within and outside of the orchestra room through development of excellent musical technique. In pursuit of this goal, all of our actions are guided by what we believe is best for our students' growth and well-being.
The orchestra program at Paetow currently consists of four different string orchestras. Placement in each orchestra is based on daily work-ethic, ability, experience, and conduct. The orchestra levels are:
Philharmonia: entry level string orchestra
Camerata: entry level string orchestra
Sinfonietta: advanced non-varsity string orchestra
Chamber: varsity string orchestra
Placements are determined by auditions that occur each May. Members of Chamber and selected members of Sinfonietta combine to make the string section of the Paetow Symphony Orchestra (strings combined with wind instruments).
Mr. Matt Tavilson currently serves as the head director of orchestras at Paetow High School in Katy ISD. As an orchestra director/music director, he has taught in Spring Branch ISD, Clear Creek ISD, Alief ISD, and Bay Area Youth Symphony. In addition to his teaching, Mr. Tavilson is an active guest conductor in Europe and the USA. He has conducted the East Texas Symphony Orchestra, the University of Texas at Arlington Symphony Orchestra, the Eskisehir Symphony Orchestra, Akademik Orkestra of Izmir, Bursa State Orchestra, the Turkish Radio Choir, and Baskent University Symphony Orchestra.
Mr. Tavilson received his Bachelor of Music from Ankara State Conservatory. in 1998, he pursued further study in education and conducting where he completed his Master's degree in Music at Texas Tech University. During his study, he conducted the university orchestra and coached strings for Lubbock Youth Orchestra. He also studied orchestral conducting under Dr. Sergio Espinosa at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Mr. Tavilson has participated in many orchestras and festivals around the world. Some of the orchestras he has played include: the Presidential Symphony Orchestra of Turkey, the Amarillo Symphony, the El Paso Symphony, the Lubbock Symphony, Midland-Odessa Chorale, the Roswell Symphony Orchestra, the Troy Festival Orchestra of Germany, the Mediterranean Orchestra of France, and International Bass Festival in Munich. Mr. Tavilson enjoys traveling around the world, running marathons, road cycling (MS 150) and spending time with his family.
Dr. Alice Kim serves as an assistant orchestra director at Paetow High School in Katy ISD. Dr. Alice Kim is from the Republic of Korea, and she is an enthusiastic performer as a violinist, accompanist, and chamber player. She began her violin studies at the age of 10 and obtained her Bachelor’s degree in violin performance from Gachon University in 2003. In 2008, Dr. Kim moved to the United States after she received a scholarship from Moores School of Music at the University of Houston where she completed her Master’s degree in violin performance. She got the opportunity to study doctorate program and graduated with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in violin performance at Michigan State University in 2015. Since her arrival in Michigan, she has participated in several national orchestras: Jackson Symphony Orchestra, Lansing Symphony Orchestra, Midland Symphony Orchestra, Flint Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Symphony Orchestra as a violin section player. Dr. Kim has taught in Houston ISD, Lamar ISD, Western ISD, and Lindbergh ISD as an orchestra and string ensemble director. She is a big fan of Star Wars and loves cooking and spending time with her family.
President - Oliver Ulloa
Vice-President - Jude Sepulveda
Secretary - Giada Pajo
Treasurer - Lindy Thompson
Concert Manager - James Tabano
Stage Manager - Danika Wessel
Social Officer Lead - Keyla Rios
Assistant Social Officer - Ary Frutis
Assistant Social Officer - Camia Torrena