Submitted Photo The Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony board comes together for the first meeting in preparation for the new season welcoming their new board members. Pictured are: (back row, from left) Ruth Marsh, Jennifer Anderson, Jonna Lampard, Mary Plumb, Nancy Larson and Amy Livingston, (front row) Emily Paterniti, Marie Karbacka and new board President Nina Karbacka. Not pictured are Michelle Battaglia and Zach Stahlsmith.

JAMESTOWN — In August, the Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony had its first board meeting of the new season welcoming the board’s new members.

CRYS consists of three performing groups: the most advanced Chamber Orchestra, the intermediate group; Young Artists Orchestra, and the beginning group; Prelude Strings.

A full, updated rehearsal and concert schedule can be found on the website; CRYouthSypmphony.com

One of the goals of the board is to have more parent representation. New to the board this year are Jennifer Anderson, Jonna Lampard, Amy Livingston, Ruth Marsh and Zach Stahlsmith. Mary Plumb joined the board in January of 2019 to step in as the board’s new treasurer.

Jennifer Anderson’s interest in the CRYS board is inspired by her 12-year-old daughter and her 6-year-old son, who both began playing the violin at age four. She was a teacher in the Jamestown district for 10 years after attaining her Master’s Degree from SUNY Fredonia.

Jonna Lampard was born and raised in Jamestown. She started playing violin in the Suzuki program under Nina Karbacka and continued to play in the orchestra through high school and was also a violinist in CRYS for many years. She met her husband, who plays the cello CRYS. Lampard has two young children, one of which is currently studying violin with Nina Karbacka in the Suzuki program as she did as a child.

Amy Livingston resides in Lakewood with her husband and their three sons. She has an educational background trained in Oceanography and Engineering. She is active in her church in Children’s Ministry teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and directing Children’s Choir and Dramas.

Ruth Marsh and her husband live in Bemus Point where they own and operate the Bemus Point Market. Having a daughter who now plays the cello introduced her family to the world of string instruments for the first time, which led to the involvement in CRYS.

Western New York native Mary Plumb is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a former captain in the U.S. Air Force. She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Chapman University. She is currently a math teacher at Falconer Central School and supports the community in many roles, including Key Club Advisor, YMCA swim official, and a member of the Vestry at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

Zach Stahlsmith is currently a seminary student at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Rochester, N.Y. where he is pursuing his Masters of Divinity to follow a call to ordination in the United Methodist Church. Stahlsmith grew up singing in church groups, and school choirs while also playing guitar, mandolin, trumpet, and piano.

In addition, the continuing board members include Marie Karbacka, Emily Paterniti, and Michelle Battaglia. Nancy Larson also returns as the board’s immediate past president. Last season’s vice president, Nina Karbacka, steps into the role as board president for this season.

The board would also like to thank departing long time board members Lana Huston and Kathy Geary as well as marketing and development staff member Patricia Brininger for their many years of service to the CRYS board and to the organization.

Membership in the organization is open to all students in Chautauqua County and surrounding areas who play an orchestral string, brass, woodwind, or percussion instrument. There is no audition required to participate. Interested students are encouraged to register directly on the CRYS website.

To learn more about CRYS and its programs for young musicians, email ChautauquaRYS@gmail.com or visit CRYouthSymphony.com or the Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony’s Facebook page.