TYO Conductors
Mrs. Carolyn Sandquist – Symphonette
Carolyn Sandquist is a native Topekan. She received her Bachelor of Music degree with honors from Washburn University and was awarded the Highest Scholastic Average in Theta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota that year. As a graduating student of Washburn University, Carolyn earned the Music Department Academic Achievement and the Community Service Awards. Mrs. Sandquist has conducted the orchestras and taught Suzuki group classes for the Topeka String Project. Carolyn taught strings in USD 501 for 9 years including high school, middle school and elementary school levels. She also taught five years at Topeka Collegiate School.
Mrs. Sandquist created her own private studio teaching group and private lessons for violin, viola and cello using the Suzuki Method. Carolyn is a registered teacher of Suzuki Violin for books 1-7 and Suzuki Cello for books 1-5. Her students range in age from 3 years old to adult. Her students perform often in the Topeka community as well as recitals throughout the year. Many of her students play in the Topeka Youth Orchestras as well as their school orchestras. Many former students have gone on to excel in music and become music educators.
Mrs. Sandquist has played Viola, Cello, and Violin in the Topeka Symphony for over 30 years. She is the second violinist, founding member and manager of the Studio String Quartet and the Sandquist Family Quartet. Mrs. Sandquist is an active member in her church, and enjoys crocheting and traveling. Both of her sons are active in music and theatre. Mrs. Sandquist’s family received the Kansas Federation of Music Club Family of the Year, 2012.
Mr. Ryan Masotto – Chamber Orchestra
Ryan is a native of the St. Louis metro area where he began playing violin at the age of 9. He received his Bachelor’s in Music Education and Viola Performance from Washburn University and his Master of Music in Viola Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He the currently the orchestra director for Shawnee Heights where he teaches grades 5-12. Ryan serves as the principal violist for the Lawrence Community Orchestra and regularly performs with the Topeka Symphony Orchestra. He also remains active with several other ensembles in the area. Additionally, he teaches private violin and viola lessons where his students have seen notable success. Ryan and his wife, Mikayla, just welcomed their first baby in July!
Mr. Nicolas Carr – Youth Symphony
Nicolas is the Director of Choral Studies for Shawnee Heights Public Schools, Tecumseh, Kansas. He holds a Master of Music Education, Choral Conducting emphasis from Kansas State University, and a Bachelor of Music Education from Washburn University.
Nicolas has 20 years of experience directing a variety of musical groups including strings, band, handbells, choral groups (secular and religious), musical theater, and barbershop groups. He is gifted at making music theory, conducting, music history, and instrumental/vocal techniques accessible to all ages.
Nicolas’ primary instruments are trumpet and voice (baritone). In his free time, he enjoys singing, playing trumpet, and ringing handbells locally. Nicolas, his wife, and their two sons live in Topeka, Kansas.
