Jennifer O'Bannan became the Spokane Youth Symphony's Executive Director in June of 2016 after working with SYS for 10 years prior. She joined the staff in 2006, following a year on the SYS Board of Directors. Her interest in the organization goes back to the 1970's when she was a member of the Spokane Junior Symphony, first playing the violin and then the viola.

She attended Eastern Washington University where she earned her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Viola Performance, during which time she was also a member of the Spokane Symphony.

She has taught private violin and viola students for more than two decades and taught strings classes at local private schools for several years and performs in local orchestras and chamber ensembles.

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Madeline Smith joined the Spokane Youth Symphony staff in September 2023. She completed a BA in Violin Performance from Whitworth University in 2021 and a MM in Violin Performance from Western Washington University in 2023.

She is a trained Suzuki violin teacher. Madeline plays violin in the Coeur d’Alene Symphony and teaches private violin lessons in Spokane Valley.

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Felicia Bawden is originally from Southeast Idaho. Felicia's family moved to Spokane in 2011.  

Felicia served as a member of the SYS Board of Directors 2015-17. She joined the SYS staff in 2017 as Administrative Assistant. In June of 2018, her duties were expanded to include the business management role.

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