Conductors

Robert Pendergrast, Music Director and Youth Symphony Conductor

Overall artistic direction is under the supervision of Robert Pendergrast.

Mr. Pendergrast grew up in the Tacoma, Washington area and attended the University of Puget Sound where he completed dual Bachelors degrees and a Masters of Music degree. He studied conducting at the University of Southern Florida with James Croft and has participated in conducting workshops with Lorin Maazel, Ricardo Muti, Daniel Lewis, and Otto Werner Mueller. Mr. Pendergrast is an accomplished pianist and organist, and a fine violinist.

Mr. Pendergrast has taught orchestra as well as band in a number of different school districts. He currently directs the orchestra programs at three elementaries and Washington Middle School in the Olympia School District where he has taught for seventeen years.

Along with his teaching duties, Mr. Pendergrast directs the choir and plays organ for Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.

Joe Sokolik, Junior Symphony Conductor

Mr Sokolik, a native Olympian and former CAYSA cellist, is delighted to
be directing a group he once performed in. He holds a degree in Music
Education from Central Washington University, and has studied conducting
with Dr. Paul-Elliot Cobbs, Dr. Jeffery Meyer, and Mr. Larry Gookin. He
has conducted several groups in the Central Washington University
Preparatory Strings Program, including the Kittitas Valley Youth
Orchestra. Mr. Sokolik currently teaches Orchestra in the Evergreen
School District in Vancouver, Washington.

Julie Funchion, String Philharmonic Conductor

Miss Funchion attended Pensacola Christian College, where she studied violin with Dr. Alberto Jaffe.  After receiving a B.A. degree in music performance, she joined the faculty at Pensacola Christian Academy, where she taught beginning orchestras, and private lessons for elementary through high school students in violin, viola, and cello.
Since moving back to Olympia in 2003, Julie has been teaching private strings lessons, and directs the string ensembles at NOVA School.  An accomplished violinist, she also performs with the Olympia Symphony Orchestra, the Olympia Chamber Orchestra, and the Kapelle Dolce String Quartet.