Artistic Staff Members
Kevin Kozacek, Music Director
Originally from Colorado, Kevin Kozacek graduated from the University of Northern Colorado, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with an emphasis in choral conducting, under the tutelage of Dr. Howard Skinner. Mr. Kozacek received both his Master of Arts and Master of Music degrees from Northern Arizona University, studying orchestral conducting under Dr. Nicholas Ross and Dr. Daniel O'Bryant. He has additionally studied conducting under Maestros Lawrence Golan, Don Thulean, Apo Hsu, Harold Farberman, Raymond Harvey, and Zvonimir Hacko. Mr. Kozacek has guest-conducted orchestras in Kiev, Ukraine, and Krasnoyarsk, Russia, and been invited to conduct workshops and high school honor orchestras in local Arizona school districts. Mr. Kozacek has taught public school music in grades K-12, and directed theater, instrumental ensembles, and choral groups in churches and communities in England, Nebraska, Colorado, Texas, and Arizona. He was the founding Artistic Director for ProMusica Arizona Chorale & Orchestra where he served for 9 years. In 2012, Mr. Kozacek was invited to serve as the founding Music Director for North Valley Symphony Orchestra, and was appointed as the Music Director and Conductor for Verde Valley Sinfonietta in Sedona, AZ in 2017. Kevin and his wife Cindy have two grown sons, Matt and Chris, and three grandchildren, Audrey, Owen and Ezekiel.
Ellen Hansbury, Concertmaster
Ellen Hansbury began studying the violin at the age of four. At the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music, she went on to major in violin performance under the direction of Kurt Sassmannshaus. Ellen later earned her MBA from UC and decided to pursue a career in marketing. With a strong passion for music and performing, she continued to play in community orchestras. Ellen joined NVSO in 2015 and thoroughly enjoys the musicianship and sense of community this organization brings. When she’s not playing the violin, Ellen explores the outdoors with her husband and their pups Stella and Samson.
Chuck Stewart, Youth Orchestra Director
Chuck Stewart serves as the North Valley Youth Orchestra Director. He is currently the Director of Orchestras at BASIS Phoenix, Interim Music Director of the Chandler Symphony Orchestra, and has guest conducted the Scottsdale Symphonic Orchestra on multiple occasions. Stewart previously served as Assistant Conductor of the Muncie Symphony Orchestra in Muncie, Indiana, Music Director and Conductor of the East Central Indiana Chamber Orchestra, Music Director and Conductor of the Youth Orchestras of East Central Indiana, Graduate Assistant Conductor of the Ball State Symphony Orchestra, Conductor of the Ball State Campus Orchestra, and Music Director of the Ball State Pocket Opera. Stewart earned a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from Ball State University where he studied with Douglas Droste. He studied conducting further at the Pierre Monteux School and Music Festival as well as other prominent conducting seminars. He has pursued additional studies with renowned conductors and pedagogues such as Gerard Schwartz, Larry Livingston, Donald Schleicher, Victor Yampolsky, Gary Lewis, Markand Thakar, and Michael Jinbo. Stewart holds Bachelors’ degrees in both Music Education and Music Performance from Oklahoma State University. Originally from Oklahoma, Stewart and his wife, Karen, currently live in Gilbert with their son, Gavin, and dog, CJ.
Gabrielle Beam, Youth Strings Director
Gabrielle began her journey with NVSO from a young age. Starting as concertmistress for the Youth Orchestra, she won the first Summerford Violin Competition in 2013, and she now plays with the adult orchestra while serving as a youth director. She’s also played with the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra, the Murphreesboro Symphony Orchestra, the Sedona Symphony, and has performed at Disney Hall twice. Beginning her teaching career as a teenager, Gabrielle dove into Suzuki pedagogy, and has most valued her studies with Beth Cantrell, Judy Bossuat-Gallic, and Crystal Boyack. In her teens she began cello lessons, and eventually began studying the viola. Currently teaching in Desert Ridge, Gabrielle strives to emulate Dr. Suzuki’s principles of a positive learning environment, with a focus on proper technique and skill development from a foundational level. With students ranging from age 4 years old to retired adults, she believes there is no limit to learning. Gabrielle lives in Moon Valley with her husband and cats. She enjoys playing in orchestras and small groups, as well as publishing musical arrangements.
Breana Keen, Symphonettes Director Breana’s musical journey began when she was four years old and her parents told her she was going to learn to play violin. She wasn’t sure exactly what that meant, but was pretty sure she didn’t want to do it. Nevertheless, her parents insisted she go through at least the first few Suzuki books, and by the time she could make her own choice, she loved making music with her instrument. She went on to study Music Education at the University of North Florida, and has been teaching strings in both private and group settings for over twenty-five years. Breana has performed in orchestras and chamber ensembles such as the Coastal Symphony of Georgia, the Jacksonville University Orchestra, The New Albany Symphony Orchestra, and The String Group across North Florida and South Georgia, as well as in Ohio, Singapore, and Brazil. She joined NVSO in 2021, and has served on its Board of Directors since 2022. Young musicians are Breana’s passion, and she loves watching beginning string students gain confidence, skills, and joy through their earliest orchestral experiences. She is thrilled to bring that enthusiasm to Symphonettes.Breana lives in Scottsdale with her husband and their cat.