The Orchestra Teacher Podcast

97. Inspiring the Next Generation: A Conversation with Daniella Valdez of CYSO String Ensembles and Maine West High School in Des Plaines, IL


Listen Later

Episode 97 – Inspiring the Next Generation: A Conversation with Daniella Valdez


In this episode of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Daniella Valdez, a dynamic music educator, conductor, and advocate for orchestral excellence. As the Director of String Ensembles at the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras (CYSO) and Director of Orchestras at Maine West High School, Ms. Valdez has dedicated her career to building strong, successful programs that inspire young musicians.


Join us as we explore her journey from Texas Tech and Northwestern University to leading award-winning ensembles in Illinois and Texas. We’ll discuss her contributions to ASTA at both state and national levels, and traits that earned her the recognition as the 2024 Youth Orchestra Conductor of the Year. 


This episode is packed with insights on music education, leadership, and creating inclusive, thriving orchestra programs. Don’t miss this engaging conversation with one of today’s most inspiring orchestra educators!


🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!


--

* BIOGRAPHY *

Daniella Valdez is CYSO Director of String Ensembles and conducts CYSO’s Preparatory Strings and Accelerando Strings ensembles. She received her musical training at Texas Tech University and Northwestern University School of Music, where she received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees respectively.


In 2011 Ms. Valdez joined the faculty staff at Maine West High School, in Des Plaines, Illinois, as the Director of Orchestras. In this capacity she conducts one full orchestra, two string ensembles and teaches piano classes. Prior to her appointment at Maine West, Ms. Valdez was an orchestra director in Lewisville, TX and Highland Park, IL. Her career as a music educator and conductor has led to developing strong and successful orchestra programs. Ms. Valdez is an active judge and clinician working with community schools, festivals and workshops and has written several publications for music education journals. She is an active member of the Illinois Educators Association and she sits on the board of the American String Teachers Association- Illinois chapter. In addition, she also serves on the ASTA national board as member-at-large. In addition to her work with orchestras, she is also active in educating and implementing DEIA initiatives with organizations and schools. 


Also an accomplished commercial player, she has performed on stage with Chuck Mangione, Marvin Hamlish, Toni Tennille, and John Pizzarelli. Daniella lives in Chicago and enjoys traveling, cooking and being with family and friends.


— REFERRAL LINKS —


Ready to shake up your next orchestra trip? Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning performance travel beyond expectations for more than 30 years. They know the best destinations and most iconic venues for orchestras. Check out the Kaleidoscope Adventures link below for fresh ideas and inspiration – and then let them work their magic! They’ll handle all the details from start to finish so all you have to do is enjoy the experience! 

https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-orchestra-teacher-podcast/


Looking for things on Amazon?  Use my referral link:

https://amzn.to/3RkfRLk


Do you keep a monthly budget?  If not, try You Need a Budget!  It’s a great app/website that helps keep your finances on track.

https://tinyurl.com/TheOrchestraTeacherYNAB


Do you have cable?  Cut the cord and check out YouTube TV!  It works on mobile, Smart TVs, the web and more!

https://tv.youtube.com/referral/r22irzcuy7jshi


Resources and more information at www.orchestrateacher.net


#TheOrchestraTeacherPodcast #MusicEducation #PodcastForTeachers #OrchestraPodcast #MusicTeacherLife #PodcastForEducators #StringTeacherPodcast #MusicEdPodcast #TeacherPodcast

#OrchestraTeacher #StringEducation #OrchestraLife #StringPlayers #StringTeacherLife #OrchestraClass #TeachingStrings #MusicEd #TeachingMusic #StringsMatter

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Orchestra Teacher PodcastBy Dr. Charles Laux

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

24 ratings


More shows like The Orchestra Teacher Podcast

View all
Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons - Catholic Preaching and Homilies by Bishop Robert Barron

Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons - Catholic Preaching and Homilies

4,964 Listeners

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! by NPR

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

38,635 Listeners

This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

90,401 Listeners

The Moth by The Moth

The Moth

27,270 Listeners

Stuff You Should Know by iHeartPodcasts

Stuff You Should Know

78,154 Listeners

Planet Money by NPR

Planet Money

30,741 Listeners

Freakonomics Radio by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Freakonomics Radio

32,102 Listeners

Reveal by The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX

Reveal

8,285 Listeners

Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

Hidden Brain

43,871 Listeners

Special Sauce with Ed Levine by Ed Levine

Special Sauce with Ed Levine

378 Listeners

The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture by Bishop Robert Barron

The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

5,733 Listeners

The Retrievals by Serial Productions & The New York Times

The Retrievals

10,691 Listeners

The Wirecutter Show by The New York Times

The Wirecutter Show

1,110 Listeners

Good Hang with Amy Poehler by The Ringer

Good Hang with Amy Poehler

8,955 Listeners

Devil in the Desert by ABC News

Devil in the Desert

2,001 Listeners