Respected as both a soloist and chamber musician, Ashley Sandor Sidon is the Briggs Endowed Professor of Cello at Drake University and Executive Director of the Zenith Chamber Music Festival. As an invited performer and clinician, Sidon’s credits include international solo performances across China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Canada, Taiwan, Italy, Germany, France, Poland, and Brazil. Nationally, her performances as a chamber musician and orchestral soloist have taken her to the leading universities, chamber music festivals, and concert stages from Maine to California.

Zenith Director Joyce Beyer holds a Bachelor of Music in Education and Master of Arts focused in string pedagogy from the University of Northern Iowa and is a passionate advocate for equitable access to strong music programs for all students. Joyce is the Orchestra Director at Valley High School in West Des Moines Community Schools and a Teaching Artist of Violin and Viola at Drake University. Outside educational roles, Joyce frequently performs with her string quartet, Quartet 515, and the Des Moines Symphony.

Xavier is a Cellist and Educator in the Des Moines Metro who is passionate about connecting people of all ages through music and learning. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Education from Drake University and is currently an orchestra director at Valley Southwoods and Valley High Schools. He maintains active private studios independently and at the Des Moines Symphony Academy and gigs and performs locally with several ensembles.

Natalie Steenson holds a BA degree in music and religion. She teaches early childhood classes at the Montessori Children’s House in West Des Moines, has a private piano studio, and is the Director of Music and Arts Ministry at Windsor Presbyterian Church. She is a rostered teaching artist for ASAP and CultureALL and enjoys singing with the Des Moines Choral Society.

Sandy Tatge is an avid music educator and performer. Some of her career highlights include performing as a cellist with the Des Moines Symphony for 53 years, teaching orchestra in the Des Moines Public Schools for 27 years, serving as an adjunct cello instructor at Drake University and Simpson College, as well as being an integral part of various music festivals and competitions. She maintains a private cello studio and has been a respected private instructor in the Des Moines area for 50 years.

Anna Steenson is a visual storyteller dedicated to amplifying and uplifting stories in the Des Moines community. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Digital Media Production and is pursuing her Master’s degree in Communication Leadership from Drake University. When she is not working on documentaries, photography, and graphic design, she performs with her sister in a musical ensemble, ClearJoy.

Katie Gutierrez, the winner of the 2019 Bolivian National Competition for Young Soloists, made her professional debut with the Santa Cruz Youth Symphony Orchestra in 2020 and guest-performed with Cochabamba Philharmonic Orchestra in 2021 as a soloist. She has studied with maestros German Marcano, Anaïs Moreau, and Robert deMaine. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance under the instruction of Dr. Ashley Sidon at Drake University.