Maestro Zimmermann is Music Director and Conductor of the Canton Symphony Orchestra. Zimmermann’s energetic and vibrant performances have drawn invitations to appear on the podium with the Cleveland, Chicago, National, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, New Jersey, Syracuse, Rochester and San Antonio orchestras; as well as several international orchestras and opera companies. In 2006, Zimmermann was named Director of Orchestral Activities at the University of Texas, Austin. After serving 21 years as Music Director/Conductor of the North Carolina Symphony, he is also Conductor Laureate of that orchestra.
Rachel Hagemeier became the youngest President & CEO of the Canton Symphony Orchestra in October 2022. From 2019-2022, she served as the CSO Manager of Education and Community Engagement and expanded educational and community engagement programming despite a global pandemic. She is the producer and co-host of the podcast Orchestrating Change, a podcast dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of orchestral music. In 2019, Rachel was a member of the Essentials of Orchestra Management program through the League of American Orchestras where she studied with industry professionals for two weeks in Los Angeles, California. In Canton, she is a member of the board of directors for Lighthouse Ministries and participates in Leadership Stark County where she is a 2019 Spotlight Program and 2020-2021 Signature Program graduate. Rachel graduated from Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music with degrees in Bassoon Performance and Arts Management and Entrepreneurship. Growing up in Edmond, Oklahoma, she began studying the bassoon at the age of 11 under Dr. Lori Wooden. In college, she studied bassoon under Cleveland Orchestra members Phil Austin and Jonathan Sherwin. Rachel is a member of OMEA (Ohio Music Educators Association) and NAfME (National Association for Music Education) and runs a bassoon studio out of her home. She is happy to call Canton, Ohio her home and looks forward to serving the Canton Symphony Orchestra for years to come.
Michael Koscso earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Cello Performance at Kent State University, and a Master of Music degree in Cello Performance at Miami University. Throughout his schooling, Mr. Koscso received many awards in recognition of superior scholarship and musicianship. He attended Miami University as a Graduate Assistant. In addition to his studies, Mr. Koscso has participated in many music festivals; including the Grand Teton Orchestral Seminar, the Aspen Music Festival, and the Eastern Music Festival. He has performed with many area orchestras and is an experienced soloist and chamber ensemble musician. Mr. Koscso is currently the Director of Artistic Operations and a cellist with the Canton Symphony Orchestra, and has spent the last several summers as Personnel Manager and Music Librarian with the Breckenridge Music Festival in Breckenridge, Colorado, where he enjoyed climbing several of the 14,000-foot peaks around the state. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling the world and Indians games with his wife, Becky.
Matthew received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Brown University and a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from Mannes College of Music as a student of David Hayes. While at Mannes, he was a Julius Rudel Conducting Fellow with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, where he received mentorship from Music Director JoAnn Falletta, served as assistant conductor for six subscription concerts, and was featured as a guest conductor at an educational concert. He also served as Assistant Conductor of the Mannes Opera, where he worked under Glimmerglass Opera Music Director Joseph Colaneri. Matthew is a native of Cincinnati, where he attended the School for Creative and Performing Arts before graduating from Walnut Hills High School. He swam competitively for the Cincinnati Aquatic Club, and continues to train and compete through U.S. Masters Swimming. He is also an avid skier, hiker, and devoted baseball and football fan.
Jennifer joined the Canton Symphony Orchestra in September 2016 and serves as Director of Finance. She has an Associate of Applied Business degree in Accounting. She worked in a public accounting setting for many years in the Cleveland area. Her family moved to the Canton area in 2016 and Jennifer was thrilled to join the Canton Symphony.
Jennifer has a teenage son and daughter who keep her busy with theater performances and soccer games. In her spare time, she and her husband, Dean, enjoy going spending time with family, playing games, going swimming and boating.
Nathan Maslyk holds a B.A. in Arts Management & Entrepreneurship with minors in Theatre and Accounting from Baldwin Wallace University. An entrepreneur at heart, Nathan founded Anecdote Productions Limited in 2016 to produce and present original musical events for Ohio audiences. Nathan has deep interest and experience in the nonprofit arts sector, having previously produced a new musical for Sandusky, Ohio’s bicentennial celebration, working as a freelance consultant for nonprofit organizations, and having served three and a half years as a representative of the Season Ticket Services department at Playhouse Square. He is also a member of the American Association of Fundraising Professionals.
At Canton Symphony Orchestra, Nathan’s role has expanded to include both development and marketing. He is responsible for representing the organization in all aspects, including all social media content curation, mass email communications, advertisement procurement, website management, fundraising, grantwriting, sponsorship acquisitions, and organizing all campaigns for the MasterWorks, Pops, and Divergent Sounds series. He will complete his Masters at the University of Akron (Arts Administration Program) in the summer of 2023.
Caroline Eberhard is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace Conservatory and holds a Bachelor’s of Music Degree in Vocal Performance. She has a combined 15 years of musical experience and 10 years of experience in education. She has spent her time as an educator in public schools, private schools, and non-profit organizations, working in an assortment of classroom sizes, with students of varying age and ability. Caroline has worked as a voice, piano, and sailing instructor, and has been as a substitute teacher in Cuyahoga County. She has 3 years of experience in administration from her work as a Medical Assistant in Canton and Administrative Assistant at the non-profit organization Regatta Point Community Sailing in Worcester, MA. Originally from Shrewsbury, MA, Caroline grew up continuously involved in theater and musical productions. She began taking vocal lessons at age 11, and studied under Angela Gooch of the Longy School of Music. In college, Caroline studied under Jim Mismas and Cynthia O’Connell. Caroline continues to teach private voice and piano lessons through Avon School of Music and Strongsville Academy of Music. In her free time, Caroline enjoys cooking, hiking, reading.
Rachael received an Associate of Science from Kent State University with a focus in Business and Marketing. She is a lover of the arts and passionate about people. After devoting 6 years caring for her grandfather, she was inspired to pursue a more fulfilling and rewarding career in the music industry. Rachael has been drawn to music from a very young age. She played the saxophone from middle school through high school and later learned the tuba, euphonium, and guitar. Joining the team at the Canton Symphony Orchestra, Rachael hopes to continue to develop as a musician, grow with the community and spread the joy of music to others.
Bio coming soon.
Thomas Pleban received a Bachelor of Music degree in Viola Performance at Kent State University. While completing his studies, Mr. Pleban was awarded many Sinfonia Scholarships administered by the Kent State University Foundation. He has attended the Blossom Festival School and he has been a member of the adjunct faculty at Kent State University. His performance activities demonstrate a wide range of experience; from solo and chamber ensemble performances to symphony orchestras. Mr. Pleban is a violist and Librarian of the Canton Symphony Orchestra and is involved in the development of the Canton Symphony’s Education Department. He is one of the founding members of the Kentland String Ensembles. He also has been a member of Lyric Opera Cleveland, performed with The Playhouse Square Theaters, and regularly plays with the Akron Symphony Orchestra and other ensembles throughout North East Ohio. Mr. Pleban teaches viola and violin at the Portage Arts Academy.
Sara Gibson is currently pursuing a BM of Music Education from the Conservatory of Music at Capital University. She is a fourth-year member of the nationally recognized Capital University Chapel Choir in which she also serves as a Choral Manager and soprano section leader under Dr. Lynda R. Hasseler. Sara also serves as a teacher’s assistant to Dr. Libby Hainrihar in Capital’s SSAA ensemble, Cantabile. She studies voice with Jacqueline Barlow-Ware and holds executive board positions in organizations on campus including Sigma Alpha Iota, PATSO (Performing Arts to Serve Others), and ACDA (American Choral Directors’ Association). Off campus, she works as a cantor and choral scholar at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Dublin, Ohio under Jeremy J. Bankson. Sara also has a background in instrumental music as a flutist, having played in bands and orchestras in her hometown of Sidney, in Lima, and in OMEA honor band.
Ashli Snider is in her sophomore year at Walsh University, and is double majoring in Museum Studies and Visual and Performing Arts with a focus on art history. She is a member of the Walsh University Concert Band and Marching Band where she plays flute and piccolo. Ashli has been playing the flute for over 10 years and has participated in multiple ensembles throughout her high school and college music career, including the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony and the Ohio State University-sponsored High School Honors Band.