SJYO Conductors
Frank Fyock
Conductor; South Jeffco Youth Symphony Orchestra
Frank M. Fyock grew up in Casper, Wyoming, in the 1960's. Following a family move to Denver, Mr.
Fyock attended Wheat Ridge High School, then graduated from Yankton College Conservatory of Music in
Yankton, South Dakota, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Composition and a certificate to teach in
primary and secondary schools. Faculty and musicians guided him into the world of orchestral music
and Mr. Fyock continued to study violin at Yankton College; his experiences there helped him to
become a well-rounded musician and composer.
At North Texas State University in Denton, Texas, Mr. Fyock was a graduate student of composition
under Larry Austin who was the editor of Source Magazine, Music of the Avante Garde. He also
attended the University of Colorado as a composition major.
Frank and his wife Carla moved back to Denver in the mid-1980's where he is now (since 1987) a music
teacher in the Denver Public Schools. Mr. Fyock taught instrumental music at Rishel Middle School
and West High School. He is currently teaching at the Denver School of the Arts where he serves as
Director of Orchestras since 1998. The Denver School of the Arts Orchestra has toured extensively in
the United States, as well as in Scotland and the Shetland Islands. Frank Fyock still composes and
practices the violin daily.
Heather Kohl
Assistant Conductor
Heather Kohl holds a Master's degree in conducting from the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music where she was a graduate teaching assistant for the Choral Studies Department Chair. Her undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Music in church music/voice from Oklahoma Baptist University. Heather has been the Director of Music and Worship at Golden Presbyterian Church for more than 10 years. For over 19 years Heather has been an active member and soloist for the Colorado Chorale. She also provides conducting assistance to the Chorale director as needed. With the Colorado Chorale, she serves as the musical section leader and has served on the Board of Directors.
Paula Verdicchio Ailshie
Conductor; South Jeffco Youth Strings Ensemble
Paula Verdicchio Ailshie has over fifteen years professional playing experience, has performed for
audiences of over seven thousand people, and has directed student concerts with nearly one thousand
people in attendance. In classical music, she has played in concert halls with international
soloists Frank Spinosa, Colin Carr, Ursala Oppens, Faye Robinson, and Sam Pilafian. Paula recorded
as a section violinist for under the baton of Dr. Timothy Russell on the DíNote Classics label. She
has played with the Grand Canyon Chamber Orchestra, The Mesa Community Chamber Orchestra, the
Arizona State University Symphony and the Arizona Lyric Opera Theater.
In addition, Paula has experience as a clinician, sectionals instructor and guest conductor in
primary, middle and secondary school levels. She holds a Masterís Degree in Music Performance and
Pedagogy from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and a Bachelor of Arts in Violin Performance
from Arizona State University. She currently maintains a private studio of twenty-five students in
Jefferson County and teaches fourth through eighth grade music classes at the Montessori School of
Evergreen in addition to regularly performing. Paula is the violinist and vocalist for the acoustic
trio, Blue Avenue, with her husband, double bassist and educator, Tyson Ailshie.
Tyson Ailshie
Conductor; South Jeffco Youth Jazz Ensemble
Tyson Ailshie has been performing and teaching music for over 11 years. He is a consummate professional
in both the academic arena and the performing aesthetic. Tyson obtained a Bachelors degree in music from
Washburn University and a Master's degree in jazz performance and pedagogy from the University of Colorado.
He is currently an instructor of music at Front Range Community College where he teaches classes such as
music appreciation as well as performing with members of the faculty for live performances. In addition,
Tyson has lectured in jazz techniques at the University of Colorado, directed various master classes and
guest conducted jazz ensembles at local area schools. He also teaches music at Compass Montessori School in
Golden, Colorado where he has implemented a creative and exciting curriculum covering music history, culture,
theory and performance for grades 1st through 8th.
Tyson is a private instructor of bass guitar at Music and Arts and gives double bass instruction through his
private studio in Arvada where he has applied an extensive curriculum including fundamental bass instruction,
bass line construction, music theory, jazz improvisation, string techniques and ear training. As a seasoned
performer, Tyson has sustained an innovative bass style and technique that is derived from the masters of
double bass such as: Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Edgar Meyer, Eddie Gomez, and Christian McBride. His
improvisational abilities invoke a high level of playing and facilitative mastery while maintaining a rich,
acoustic sound driven by exciting, harmonic basslines. Tyson has participated in live radio broadcasts and
various studio recordings, performing with artists such as Frank Mantooth, Ira Sullivan, Brad Goode, John
Gunther, and Pat Bianchi. He has professionally performed with various symphony orchestras for headlining
classical productions. As an active musician, he is currently performing and recording around the Denver-Metro
area with his co-led trio, Blue Avenue.