Acclaimed conductor, audience builder, communicator and arts advocate, Stefan Sanders is thrilled to begin his fifth season as the Music Director of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. Stefan is also equally excited to embark on his third season as the Music Director for the Central Texas Philharmonic. Having collaborated with an array of distinguished orchestras and guest artists, Stefan’s recent guest conducting appearances include the Sarasota Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic, Virginia Symphony, Naples Philharmonic, San Antonio Symphony, Stockton Symphony, Tuscaloosa Symphony, Orquesta Sinfónica de Guayaquil (Ecuador), Filharmonia Warminsko-Mazurska (Poland), Filharomonia Podcarpacka (Poland), Symphoria (Syracuse, NY), Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin Opera, and the Round Top International Festival Institute. Since 2017, Stefan has also served as a cover/assistant conductor for the New York Philharmonic.
From 2014-2018 Stefan served as the Associate and Resident Conductor for the Buffalo Philharmonic, where he lead the orchestra in over 200 performances on all of the orchestra’s series. In May of 2018 and January of 2020, Stefan lead the National Orchestra of Cuba in a sold performances of the legendary film music of John Williams. Stefan also served as Principal Conductor for Arkansas’ Hot Springs Music Festival in the summer of 2018.
In 2016, Stefan was one of 5 featured conductors at the League of American Orchestras “Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview.” This prestigious conductor showcase is designed to feature talented young conductors poised for music directorships with American Orchestras and was hosted by Maestro Giancarlo Guerrero and the Nashville Symphony.
Prior to a career as a conductor, Stefan was an internationally renowned trombonist, having performed as a soloist in North America, Asia and Europe. His performance of Eric Ewazen’s Concerto for Bass Trombone and Orchestra, with the Czech Philharmonic can be heard on the Albany Records label. Mr. Sanders was a member of the Buffalo Philharmonic’s trombone section for seven seasons and has performed with several orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony Orchestra, the Florida Orchestra, and the Seattle Opera’s 2001 production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle.
Stefan was a fellow at the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen under the tutelage of maestros, Larry Rachleff, Robert Spano, and Hugh Wolff. He is a graduate of the Julliard School, the University of Texas at Austin, and the Interlochen Arts Academy.
Kyle VanArsdalen is a violinist and teacher based in Durham, NC. He has taught students of all ages (from young children to adults) and ability levels (from beginner to college level). Most recently, VanArsdalen taught for an outreach program run by Virginia Tech. He received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Master of Music in Violin Performance from Bowling Green State University, in Bowling Green, OH; where he was also a member of the Bowling Green State University Graduate String Quartet. VanArsdalen has performed in orchestras in North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, and Kentucky. He has, also, participated in masterclasses with members of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Timothy Lees, Yehonatan Berick, Sherry Kloss, Time for Three, and the Parker Quartet.
