Artistic Staff Members

Kevin Kozacek, Music Director 
Originally from Colorado, Kevin Kozacek graduated from the University of Northern Colorado, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with an emphasis in choral conducting, under the tutelage of Dr. Howard Skinner. Mr. Kozacek received both his Master of Arts and Master of Music degrees from Northern Arizona University, studying orchestral conducting under Dr. Nicholas Ross and Dr. Daniel O'Bryant. He has additionally studied conducting under Maestros Lawrence Golan, Don Thulean, Apo Hsu, Harold Farberman, Raymond Harvey, and Zvonimir Hacko. Mr. Kozacek has guest-conducted orchestras in Kiev, Ukraine, and Krasnoyarsk, Russia, and been invited to conduct workshops and high school honor orchestras in local Arizona school districts. Mr. Kozacek has taught public school music in grades K-12, and directed theater, instrumental ensembles, and choral groups in churches and communities in England, Nebraska, Colorado, Texas, and Arizona. He was the founding Artistic Director for ProMusica Arizona Chorale & Orchestra where he served for 9 years. In 2012, Mr. Kozacek was invited to serve as the founding Music Director for North Valley Symphony Orchestra, and was appointed as the Music Director and Conductor for Verde Valley Sinfonietta in Sedona, AZ in 2017. Kevin and his wife Cindy have two grown sons, Matt and Chris, and three grandchildren, Audrey, Owen and Ezekiel.

Josh Condon, Assistant Conductor Josh Condon is thrilled to be joining North Valley Symphony Orchestra as Assistant Conductor! Around the Valley, Josh has worked as a theatrical music director for Arizona Broadway Theatre, The Phoenix Theatre Company, Xavier College Preparatory, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Childsplay, Arizona State University, and the Arizona Musical Theatre Orchestra. Prior to coming to Arizona, Josh served as a music director/pianist for the Norwegian, Celebrity, and Princess cruise lines, where he collaborated with numerous West End and Broadway performers.  He holds a B.M. in Jazz Studies from Ithaca College and an M.M. in Musical Theatre/Opera Music Direction from ASU. He currently serves as Director of Music & Liturgy at St. Francis Xavier Parish and Music Director for the Department of Theatre at Xavier College Preparatory.

Ellen Hansbury, Concertmaster
Ellen Hansbury began studying the violin at the age of four. At the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music, she went on to major in violin performance under the direction of Kurt Sassmannshaus. Ellen later earned her MBA from UC and decided to pursue a career in marketing. With a strong passion for music and performing, she continued to play in community orchestras. Ellen joined NVSO in 2015 and thoroughly enjoys the musicianship and sense of community this organization brings. When she’s not playing the violin, Ellen explores the outdoors with her husband and their pups Stella and Samson.

Dylan Suehiro, Youth Orchestra Director
Born and raised in Hilo, Hawai‘i, Dylan Suehiro studied trombone and music education at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and earned the Master of Music in Conducting from ASU. In addition to being in demand as a clinician and adjudicator for band and orchestra programs around the valley, some highlights of Mr. Suehiro’s career include leading the AMEA Junior High All-State Orchestra, directing the inaugural ASU Gold Band, and conducting the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra in Bulgaria. In 2021, he was selected as a finalist to travel to Washington, DC, to conduct members of the “Pershing’s Own” US Army Band. Mr. Suehiro previously served as the Director of Instrumental Music at North Canyon High School and Director of Bands at Vista Verde Middle School. As a performer, he plays trombone in Tempe Winds and is currently principal trombone in North Valley Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Suehiro is an avid multi-instrumentalist, having spent several seasons in the NVSO bass section, and he has played flute, violin, and horn in the pit orchestra for Paradise Valley High School musical productions. Outside of music, Mr. Suehiro thrives in the kitchen and is active in the local food community.

Anita Crider - Youth Strings Director
North Valley Symphony Orchestra is excited to announce that Ms. Anita B. Crider has been appointed as the North Valley Youth Strings Director. Ms. Crider has nearly 30 years of experience teaching music across many disciplines. She currently teaches in the Paradise Valley Unified School District. She received her undergraduate degree in Music Education from Colorado State University, and obtained her Masters of Music Education at the University of Wyoming. She recently completed the rigorous National Board Teacher Certification program. Throughout her career, she and her ensembles have received numerous awards and accolades. She is passionate about sharing her love of music with students and helping them become the best they can be. Ms. Crider says “I am excited for my new role as the North Valley Youth Strings Director! I am committed to  providing positive musical experiences while nurturing the ensemble's growth and creativity.”

Gabrielle Beam, Symphonettes Director
Gabrielle began violin lessons at the age of 5 with Claire Gordon. During her teens she was concert mistress in local youth orchestras, performed at Disney Hall twice, and won the first North Valley Symphony Youth Orchestra Violin Competition. From a young age, she's also played with ProMusica Arizona, the North Valley Symphony Orchestra, and the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra. Her professional orchestra experience includes the Murphreesboro Symphony Orchestra, the Verde Valley Sinfonietta, and currently Principle 2nd with the North Valley Symphony Orchestra. Beginning her teaching career as a teenager, she dove into Suzuki pedagogy, and has most valued her studies with Beth Titterington, Beth Cantrell, and Judy Bossuat-Gallic. Currently teaching in the Paradise Valley and Scottsdale area, Gabrielle strives to emulate Dr. Suzuki's principles of a positive learning environment, with a focus on tone production and repetition. Gabrielle lives in Paradise Valley with her husband and 3 cats. She enjoys playing both violin and cello in smaller ensembles, as well as composing and arranging music.