Santa Rosa Symphony hires Kate Matwychuk as Manager for its El Sistema-inspired Simply Strings program and Summer Music Academy
The Santa Rosa Symphony, in December 2019, appointed Kate Matwychuk Manager for its Simply Strings and Summer Music Academy programs. A resident of Sebastopol, Matwychuk comes to the Symphony with a wealth of teaching experience. Matwychuk, who grew up in Hamilton, Ontario, came to Santa Rosa to work for Quest Forward Academy, a new private school that opened in 2017. Matwychuk earned her Master's in Education at the University of Pennsylvania, an AB from Harvard University and has earned many honors as an English teacher, including grants and travel awards. She taught creative writing, critical thinking and more at schools in Hawaii and Massachusetts.
Matwychuk enjoys the variety and unexpected creative opportunities of her new, dual position and the ability to work with younger students, adding that, "The energy and creativity of the people I’m working with is inspiring."
Santa Rosa Symphony Director of Education Wendy Cilman said, "Kate is bringing exciting new ideas and energy. Her broad education background and experience align perfectly with our vision for these programs."
Matwychuk was an active musician in high school (bassoon) and "benefited enormously from programs such as Simply Strings. I participated in my city’s youth orchestra and traveled with my own school orchestra and band. Being a musician taught me to be courageous, gave me confidence and opened unexpected doors for me."
When not teaching, Matwychuk swims with ocean creatures in wild places all over the planet. "I miss the Hawaiian pacific, but am learning to enjoy the (much colder) California coast."