Meet the Board of Directors and Staff
Click on the photos to read their biographies.
Board of Directors
Betty Anne Younker
President
Ph.D, M.Ed., B.Mus. - Board Vice President
Betty Anne Younker, (Ph.D. Northwestern University, M.Ed. Pennsylvania State University, B.Mus. University of Prince Edward Island) returned to the University of Western Ontario as Dean and Professor of Music Education of the Don Wright Faculty in August 2011; she finished her second term August 2021 and continues as a professor in the music education department. Previous appointments were at the University of Michigan (2000-2011), University of Western Ontario (1997-2000) and the University of Prince Edward Island (1992-1997). Her research interests include various areas across philosophy, psychology, and curriculum. Her work has been published in national and international journals, and chapters in several books and presented at provincial, state, national, and international conferences. With a commitment to serving communities professionally and locally, she has served in a variety of capacities including as President of the Michigan Music Educators Association, The College Music Society, and the London Arts Council, and as a member on several editorial boards and committees across the profession.
Currently she is Chair of the London Kiwanis Music Festival and board member of London Symphonia. She is excited about the expanding opportunities London Symphonia will bring to the cultural life in London.
Moira Stewart
Past President
Ph.D., B.Sc. - Board President
Moira is a recently retired professor from Western University with 40 years experience conducting large research projects and education about research primarily supporting family physicians. Her main topic of research was the relationship between the patient and the family physician. She holds a PhD in Epidemiology from Western and a BSc from Dalhousie University. She and her husband, Tom Freeman, and family live in London and they enjoy a holiday home in Prince Edward Island. She is an amateur percussionist. She brings to London Symphonia a passion for music, music education for all ages and experience in facilitating collaborative ventures.
Carol Marcus
Treasurer
CPA, CGA - Board Treasurer - Chair of Finance Committee
Carol is a self-employed Chartered Professional Accountant serving clients predominantly in the Rental, Investment, and Land Development industries in the London region. With over 30 years experience, her primary career focus has been the role of Assistant Controller for a well known London Ontario based Housing, Construction and Land Development company. While juggling a career and family has kept her busy, Carol has always found the time for volunteer work. Her belief, that a dedication to volunteerism and leadership within charities and not-for-profits contributes to a life well lived, has led to her involvement with London Symphonia. Carol hopes that her and her husband’s dedication to various charities has served as an inspiration to their children to follow their lead to help build stronger communities through charity work.
Patricia Skidmore-Skuce
Secretary
Ph.D, MA/BA - Board Secretary & Chair Education / Outreach Committee
Patricia spent 40 years at Brescia University College as a history professor, researcher, writer and public speaker. Majoring in Social Studies she is a BA/MA graduate of Kent State University, Ohio who earned a Ph.D at the University of Alberta. In addition, she served on Brescia’s University Senate, was acting Academic Dean from 1999-2001, chaired the Canadian Oral History Association and edited it's journal. Awarded the June Callwood Circle of Outstanding Volunteers Award in 2021, Patricia’s community volunteer service includes 10 years as Manager of the Amabile Boys Choir, decades with McCormick Home, the Grand Theatre, University Hospital, Parkwood Hospital, St. John’s Therapy dogs’ and St. Joseph’s Hospice.
Beryl Chernick
Director
Ph.D., M.D. - Past President
Beryl practised medicine in London from 1969 until her retirement at the end of 2010. Together with her partner, Dr. Noam Chernick, Beryl pioneered marriage and sex therapy in Canada, motivating colleagues to establish multidisciplinary Canadian associations for professionals in the field. Along with their private practice in London, the Chernick’s travelled globally, enlivening many conferences with humour and ground breaking information on sexual function and relationship communication. Their best-selling book, ‘In Touch’, was first published by MacMillan of Canada. Beryl’s extensive volunteer activity includes committee and Board participation and leadership in several community and professional organizations. In retirement, she has devoted time to learn to play the cello and enjoys duets, with Noam playing the flute. The couple’s passion for the Arts and artists led to their commitment to supporting the burgeoning London Symphonia and to Beryl’s Board leadership.
Janet Collins
Director
PhD, LLB, BSc - Director - Chair of Governance Committee
For over 40 years, Janet has combined her professional life with her strong interest in community service. She is a retired lawyer and mediator, and currently past president of the Congress of Black Women of Canada chapter in London, Ontario. From her early academic career as a cell biologist, she transitioned to a legal career, retiring from a practice in Mental Health and Family Law and Mediation with Lerners LLP.
In addition to leading our organization’s Governance Committee and providing a sounding board for any legal issues that may arise, her volunteer interests include support of early childhood education in Jamaica and education related to menstrual hygiene and self-empowerment for teen aged girls in Kenya and Cameroon, Africa.
Lina Dagnino
Director
Ph.D., M.Sc., B. Chemistry - Director
Lina is a professor at Western University, with a research programme centred on skin biology and regeneration. She holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and an M.Sc. in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Alberta, and obtained a Bachelor of Chemistry from the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, in Mexico. Through her professional and volunteer activities, Lina aims at supporting STEM education and the arts, linking them with the community at large.
Mark McAuley
Director
JD, BA - Director
Mark is an Associate in the Business Law Group at Lerners LLP in its London office. He completed his Juris Doctorate at Western University in 2018 where he was the Valedictorian of his graduating class. During his time at Western, he was engaged in the student community as an executive of the Student Legal Society and as president of the Western Chapter of the Black Law Students Association. Mark was admitted to the Ontario bar in 2019. Prior to law school, he enjoyed a career as a musician performing with the Juno nominated group, the McAuley Boys and as a solo act under the name Mac Graham. He is the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for community involvement and contribution.
Greg Yantz
Director
MA, MPhil, BA - Director
Greg Yantz is the Dean, Academic Quality & Strategic Integration (AQSI) at Fanshawe College. AQSI is a team supporting the College’s focus on student success through policy development, curriculum quality assurance, new program development, pathways, and academic scheduling. Greg was previously the Director of the Centre for Academic Excellence (CAE) and the Associate Dean of the Woodstock/Oxford Regional Campus at Fanshawe College. His roles prior to Fanshawe included working as the Director of Administration for the Don Wright Faculty of Music at Western University, working for the Ivey Business School as both Director of MBA Recruiting and Admissions and Director of Ivey Publishing, and serving as Acquisitions Editor in Politics for Broadview Press. Greg graduated from New York University (MA and MPhil) and the University of Michigan (BA) having studied political science.
Staff
April Voth
Executive Director
Ms. Voth brings a 20 year management career in Information Technology as a certified Human Resources Professional with expertise in talent management, staffing, immigration, employee relations, HR information systems, compensation, policy and procedure development, and employee benefits. In addition April contributes 6 years experience as the General Manager of a local symphonic choral organization where she wore many hats including finance, marketing, musician personnel management, volunteer management, event planning and preparation of grant proposals to her role within our organization. A graduate of Western University with a combined degree in Anthropology / English she is a singer and amateur horn player with a love of music and the desire to establish the operational parameters required to nurture and grow this amazing organization.
Andrew Chung
Artistic Producer
MA/BA, BAppSc Artistic Producer
Andrew Chung is a violinist with London Symphonia, while also serving as Artistic Producer. He also performs regularly with the Hamilton Philharmonic and the Stratford Festival Orchestra. Andrew spent a number of years living in Sydney, Australia, where he was performing with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House. While in Sydney, he was awarded his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees with Distinction while studying under Alice Waten and Sophie Rowell. He has performed recitals in Australia and Canada, including appearances as part of Stratford Summer Music. On baroque violin, he has performed with Nota Bene Baroque Players (also serving as co-creative director), the Aradia Ensemble, and at the Grand River Baroque Festival. In 2010, Andrew started a chamber music series called INNERchamber in Stratford and is its Artistic Director.
Paula Calzonetti
Fundraising Associate
With a background as a professional musician, Paula has over 30 years of experience working in the London arts community, including 15 years in direct outreach and corporate fundraising, collating data, designing and implementing annual and targeted fundraising campaigns, and organizing donor events. She is honoured to be working with so many of London Symphonia‘s passionate donors and sponsors.
Janet Mowat
Senior Marketing Consultant
A seasoned marketing and communications professional, Janet has worked in the nonprofit sector for 20 years in a variety of senior administrative and marketing/communications positions. She is responsible for creating innovative marketing campaigns that engage current and new audiences and promote London Symphonia to the wider community.
Jo-Dee Burbach
Digital Communications Associate
BA, MA, Digital Communications Associate
Jo-Dee Burbach has owned and operated a graphic design and communications business for 25+ years and is the Digital Communications Associate for London Symphonia. She is also a City Councillor for the City of Stratford since 2018, running on a platform that includes creating affordable housing, expanding public transportation, improving walking and cycling infrastructure, nurturing a vibrant City culture, and developing forward-thinking environmental preservation and protection programs.
Wendy Perry
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistant
Ms. Perry brings more than 40 years experience in the office administration and hospitality sectors to her role with the orchestra handling volunteer coordination and administrative tasks for London Symphonia’s Executive Director, the Board of Directors and the Artistic Producer. Wendy is an integral member of the operations team and she is very happy and excited to be part of this amazing local arts organization.
Rachael Hunter
Front of House Manager
Mila Todorova
Bookkeeper
Ms Todorova has over 16 years experience in bookkeeping & accounting and has worked for small to midsize businesses, taking part in major organizational changes such as conversion to new ERP systems, financial integration and others. Prior to that she worked overseas in the field of finance & tax administration for over 12 years as a legal counsel. Currently she works as an independent contractor (consultant).
Kate Stone
Personnel Manager, Musicians
Kate was second horn with Orchestra London for 24 years and now is a proud member of London Symphonia. She also serves as personnel manager for the ensemble. Kate has been a member of the orchestra at the Stratford Festival for 21 seasons and has appeared on stage and has recorded music for many Festival productions over the years. She has held positions with Victoria Symphony and Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with the NAC Orchestra, Kitchener Waterloo Symphony Orchestra, Hamilton Philharmonic, Windsor Symphony, Aradia Ensemble and Tafelmusik.
Ms. Stone has also been personnel manager for London Symphonia since its inception in 2014. Her 35 years experience as a professional musician has given Kate insight into the intricacy and balance of aligning players into an exceptional ensemble. Working closely with members of the Artistic Advisory Committee, her knowledge of the music and the advice of colleagues, she crafts each concert’s ensemble to fit the composer’s vision. For her, it is an honor to be a part of this unique orchestra as a musician and as personnel manager.
Shawn Spicer
Production Manager, Music Librarian
Shawn Spicer makes a number of important contributions to London Symphonia. In addition to holding the position of principal trumpet, he is also the music librarian and production manager charged with the responsibility for ensuring that each performance is designed for maximum effect.
Louise Good
Volunteer - Fundraising Associate
Ms. Good brings more than 20 years of Office Management experience with her husband Ross’ dental practice and a lifetime of volunteer service in various capacities with non-profit charitable organizations in the communities that they lived. She is delighted to be a member of the Fundraising Committee, specializing in Corporate Sponsorship & is also a member of the Education / Outreach Committee for our organization.
