<p>Kathy Younker is a conductor for the Arizona Western College’s Orchestra Workshops. She began conducting and teaching for AWC in 2000 and launched the Young String Ambassador program in 2003 and the Twinklers in 2004. </p><p>Kathy began her professional life as a Registered Nurse, graduating from Nebraska Methodist School of Nursing. Her love of music lead her to study general music classes, music for solo and small ensemble performances, string performing ensembles, cello lessons and independent study in string pedagogy comparisons. </p><p>She has served as President and Secretary of the Yuma Orchestra Association and presently serves on some of the YOA programs. Kathy was integral to the development of the Yuma String Consortium in 1992, greatly impacting the success of today’s Yuma’s String Program. She developed the Yuma Orchestra Association’s mentoring program and was a founding member of Strings Del Rio. She is a member of the Yuma County Music Educators Association and has served as Secretary for the Association. She has served as Chairman of the Junior High and High School Honor Orchestras in Yuma. Kathy currently holds the seat of principal cellist in the Yuma Civic Orchestra as well as performing with the Silver Strings Trio and the Legacy Strings Ensemble. Additionally, she maintains an active teaching studio, The Music Room. </p><p>- </p>