Tim Thomas is a bassist and orchestra teacher in Henderson, Nevada serving the greater Las Vegas Area as a performer, educator, coordinator, and organizer of many events. Passionate about children’s music education, Mr. Thomas has found a way to integrate himself into the heart of the communities he serves. In his 17th year as CCSD Orchestra Director, his Coronado High School Orchestra saw their debut at Carnegie Hall in March of 2024. Within the Clark County School District, he also serves as the chairman of the Honor Orchestras, CCSD High School Orchestra Festival, and mentor for first-year orchestra teachers.
Mr. Thomas was named the 2024 Nevada Music Educators Association Service Award Winner, 2022 Grammy Educator Semi Finalist, and Rodgers Foundation Heart of Education nominee. He was also recognized and voted the 2024 High School Teacher of the year by the students fo the Las Vegas Young Artists Orchestra.
Outside of the classroom, Mr. Thomas is the Program Coordinator for the Foundation to Assist Young Musicians (FAYM), President of the Nevada chapter of the American String Teachers Association (NVASTA), Chairman for NVASTA Bass Workshop, and former Chair of the CCSD Honor Orchestra. He is a regular clinician for the Las Vegas Intermediate Orchestra Festival, adjudicator for Southern Utah Orchestra Festivals, and has been a guest conductor for NMEA Small School All State, Oregon East Symphony Summer Festival, and Boise Junior High Fall Clinic. His performance resume includes ensembles like the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Nevada Ballet, Henderson Symphony Orchestra, Tuacahn Center for the Arts, Boise Philharmonic, and Boise Baroque Orchestra.
Tim Thomas Program Coordinator & Orchestra Director
Candace Chun Violin Group & Private Instructor
Candace is the current director of orchestra and at Eldorado High School. She has led a variety of programs including an eleven-year stop at Valley HS where she the orchestra & band director and cheer coach. Her students have consistently received high rankings in competitions and performances. Candace is currently pursuing her masters at UNLV and received her bachelor’s degree in music education from Loyola University New Orleans. Candace has been playing violin, viola, cello, bass, piano, and ukulele for 20 years.
Alex Dzyubinsky Violin Private Teacher
Alex is a native of Russia and has spent his life in pursuit of violin excellence. He came to the US to study at The Julliard School (New York) where he studied with Sylvia Rosenberg, Massao Kawasaki, & Eduard Schmieder. Upon receiving his Bachelors of in Violin Performance (2008) and then a Masters of Music (2010), he competed in several competitions while finishing runner up in the 2012 Buenos Aires Violin competition and also the International China Violin Competition. From 2009-2013 he was the Assistant Concert master of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and in 2013 accepted the position as Principal Second Violin in the Aalbord Symphony Orchestra in Denmark. He recently moved to Las Vegas, NV with his wife and children and has been an active member in many of the professional performance ensembles locally.
Faride Acosta Violin Instructor
Ms. Acosta has been teaching private lessons since 2005. She is currently completing her degree in Music Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and has attended the College of Southern Nevada [CSN]. She has performed with such names as Natalie Cole at the Latin Grammys 2013, Los Tigres Del Norte, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Conjunto Primavera, Juan Gabriel, José José, Jenni Rivera, Lupillo Rivera, Tatiana, El Chapo de Sinaloa, Christian Castro, and El Gordo y La Flaca. Currently she performs with Mariachi Franco and was the first principal chair violin with the CSN Orchestra.
Marla Huizar Advanced Mariachi Director, Violin Instructor
Marla Huizar is currently the orchestra director at Del Sol Academy. Marla Huizar graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2012 with a Bachelor in Music Education and in 2017 finished her Master’s degree in the same field. During her undergrad, Ms. Huizar played the violin and was a member of the UNLV Symphony and Chamber orchestras. Furthermore, while attaining her masters, Ms. Huizar also took voice lessons in opera music.
A native of Las Vegas, Nevada, Ms. Huizar has been deeply involved with the music community from a young age. In addition to being trained in classical music, Ms. Huizar has had a strong passion for mariachi music. Ms. Huizar personally witnessed, and participated in, the growth of the mariachi program in the Las Vegas community. As a mariachi musician, Ms. Huizar has performed with countless mariachi groups throughout the Las Vegas valley. Ms. Huizar has also performed at several major events, including the “Las Vegas Walk of Stars” and the Latin Grammys, where she performed for various famous Latin artists.
Anthony Rodriguez Cello Instructor
Anthony C. Rodriguez holds a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. During his studies with Dr. Andrew Smith, he was awarded the Music Grant in Aid, Devos Fine Arts Scholarship, Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship, and performed as one of the concluding members of the esteemed Liberace Scholars String Quartet. In early 2015, he made his Las Vegas Strip debut performing in The Elvis Experience at Westgate Hotel & Casino and has since performed regularly at Steve Wynn’s ShowStoppers at Wynn Las Vegas. Most recently, Rodriguez had the privilege to play alongside Seth MacFarlane during his two-night engagement on the Encore Theater Stage. Mr. Rodriguez is a Suzuki certified instructor.
Yvette Sital Mariachi Instructor
Yvette Sital was born in Victoria, Texas. She began to sing at the age of six in the children’s church choir at her church and was influenced to play guitar by Father Antonio, the priest and leader of the choir. While attending middle school, Yvette was introduced to mariachi and developed a strong sense of devotion towards it. At the early age of eleven, she launched her mariachi career with a group called Mariachi Grito Alegre and later formed a group with members of family and friends called Mariachi Juvenil Sol de Mexico. Soon afterward, her expanding expertise in mariachi allowed her to be part of the group of students who founded her high school's mariachi program.
In December of 2007, Yvette moved to Las Vegas to teach mariachi for the Clark County School District where she began her specialization as a mariachi educator. Since her move to Las Vegas, Yvette has had the opportunity to teach at the CCSD Mariachi Conferences and has served as chair for the CCSD Honor and All-City Mariachi. Through her leadership and vision, Yvette has propelled the mariachi program at Monaco Middle School to become one of the top mariachi education platforms in the country. Her students compete nationally and have won several trophies in Nevada, Texas, and California. More recently, Yvette is a member of Mariachi Aguilas de America from Las Vegas and is also a member of one of the most prestigious all female mariachi ensembles, Mariachi Mujer 2000. She has had the privilege to perform at incredible venues such as the Astrodome, The Reliant Stadium, The Hollywood Bowl, and The Santa Barbara Bowl while having the honor of sharing the stage with world renowned artists such as Paquita la del Barrio, Placido Domingo, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, Mariachi Sol de Mexico, Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan, Trio Ellas, Nydia Rojas, and Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano. With extensive mariachi backgroud, Yvette has built a strong foundation responsible for the increased productivity and success of the marichi program in Las vegas. In addition to her role as an educator, Yvette offers her services as an innovative mariachi clinician and arranger in order to grow mariachi presence across the country.
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Yvette is extremely passionate about keeping mariachi music and culture alive and will continue to share her love and knowledge of mariachi with everyone.
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Nataliya Karachentseva Violin Instructor
The Ukrainian-born violinist Nataliya Karachentseva is quickly establishing a reputation in Las Vegas area as sought after chamber musician and orchestra player. Since moving to Las Vegas area she has appeared in concerts with Las Vegas Sinfonietta, Las Vegas Philharmonic, Andrea Bocelli, Adelle, Journey, Las Vegas Quartet, Henderson Symphony Orchestra, UNLV Symphony, Nevada Chamber Orchestra and many other groups and shows. Nataliya is a regular member of Las Vegas String Quartet that performs regularly on Candlelights music resides Ms. Karachentseva was born in Lviv, Ukraine and received all her music education in special music school for gifted children and Lviv Conservatory of Music. An accomplished violinist she was a member a violin section of Lviv Philarmonic Orchestra from 2006 till 2018 and Collegium Musicum from 2016-2018 and continues to maintain active career in chamber music. Ms. Karachentseva has toured with Lviv Philharmonic Orchestra in Germany, Poland, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, Turkey, Netherlands, United Emirates, including appearances at Concertgebouw Hall and Tonhalle Hall. Ms. Karachentseva moved to Unites States in 2018. She currently resides in Henderson NV, with her husband Taras Krysa and two adorable cats, Siegfried and Brunhilda. In free time Nataliya enjoys gardening, hiking and off roading.
Won Na Violin Instructor
Won Na was born in South Korea and moved to USA 10 years ago. Won Na starts the piano when I was 6 years old. When she was in Korea, Won Na participated in numerous competitions and most of them she got first place. Won Na had chance to perform solo piece with Sosaval orchestra in Korea. Also, Won Na was member of Seoul youth orchestra. She is currently studying in UNLV Violin Master Program with Professor Weiwei Le and Ambroise Aubrun. She got undergraduate degree in Music performance at UNLV. Won Na won a second place in Young Artist music competition. She plays with UNLV Symphony Orchestra, Henderson symphony Orchestra and many other groups in Las Vegas.
Susan Rasmussen Violin Instructor
Susan Rasmussen has been a Suzuki teacher for 38 years. She has trained with many highly respected teachers including Robert Rozek, internationally known violin soloist, conductor and teacher.
While living in South Florida she worked with other teachers to increase the availability of string education. She was a committee member who created the Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County where she was also the music librarian. She also participated in creating the annual string festival. In addition, she was a volunteer violin teacher with a local elementary school and the middle school helping students who need some extra help. After retiring from her music school, the Palm Beach Suzuki School of Music, she moved from South Florida to North Las Vegas to join her daughter.
Miss Susan, as she is known to her students, accidentally discovered the Foundation to Assist Young Musicians on the internet and volunteered. While she had been mostly retired, being with FAYM she rediscovered her joy and love of teaching young children.
