All-State Clinicians

Festival Orchestra – Douglas Droste

Conductor Douglas Droste is recognized as possessing “obvious joy” for making music and a “sure sense of timing” when on the podium. Those under his baton routinely acknowledge his in-depth interpretations, keen sense of communication, and personable ability to empower musicians. Droste’s guest conducting appearances include the INSO-Lviv Symphony Orchestra (Ukraine), and the orchestras of Kansas City, Indianapolis, Columbus, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Midland-Odessa, Fox Valley (IL), Chappaqua (NY), and the Amarillo Virtuosi. Equally at home in the pit, he has conducted over 30 productions of opera, ballet, and musical theatre. Droste has also led eclectic shows with artists such as Black Violin, Ben Folds, The Flaming Lips, Pink Martini, Michael Cavanaugh, Time for Three, Christian Howes, and Disney’s All-American College Orchestra Alumni, among others. He previously served as Artistic Director of the Muncie Symphony Orchestra, where he was praised for dynamic performances, innovative programming, and his rapport with musicians and community. A dedicated teacher, Droste is Director of Orchestral Studies at Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music, where he conducts the Baldwin Wallace Symphony Orchestra and teaches conducting. He regularly programs traditional repertoire, works by underrepresented composers, as well as new music by the composers of today. He also seeks unique collaborations and projects, such as Ron McCurdy’s Langston Hughes Project, sensory friendly concerts for children with special needs, and a recording with Tony Award winner Sutton Foster, “Take Me to the World,” on the Ghostlight label. As an advocate of music education, Droste has conducted numerous all-state orchestras, as well as the Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera House, Let Music Live Festival at the Vienna Musikverein and Rodolfinum in Prague, Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute, French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts, and an upcoming engagement with the Music for All Honor Orchestra of America. He is also active as a clinician and adjudicator, including Festival Disney, ASTA’s National Orchestra Festival, MCP at Carnegie Hall, and the Music for All National Festival. Droste is a Yamaha Artist and Master Educator. A talented violinist, Droste has performed with the orchestras of Canton, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Nashville, and the Lancaster Festival, among others. He is also skilled on viola, trumpet, and as a tenor. Droste holds degrees from The Ohio State University and Texas Tech University.

Sinfonia – Dr. Timothy Heath

Dr. Timothy Heath is a distinguished conductor and Assistant Teaching Professor of Music at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. As Director of Bands, he leads the university’s band program with artistic vision, inspiring musicianship, and a commitment to excellence. Timothy also teaches conducting and music literature, nurturing the next generation of musical leaders. Beyond the university, he serves as Music Director of the Triad Area Medical Orchestra, fostering connections between music and community. He is also the founder and Music Director of NexTonal, a chamber winds ensemble dedicated to innovative and dynamic programming. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to expanding the horizons of wind ensemble repertoire and performance. Timothy’s artistry has been showcased internationally as he conducts ensembles across the United States and Europe. His engaging style and collaborative approach have earned him invitations as a guest clinician and adjudicator. At the same time, his work with the Triad Area Medical Orchestra highlights his versatility in uniting diverse musical traditions. A passionate advocate for music education, Timothy has presented sessions and research at prestigious conferences on state, national, and international stages. His dedication to his craft and students embodies his vision of music as a transformative force that bridges communities and enriches lives.

Consort String Orchestra – Matthew Nix

Equally at home as a cellist, conductor, and music educator, Matthew Nix is a dynamic musical storyteller on today’s stages. A native of Flint, Michigan, Matthew currently resides in Chicago, Illinois.
He has recently performed in recitals with pianist Steve Wogaman in Detroit and Christina Giuca Krause in Chicago; performed in the cello sections of the South Bend, Flint, Saginaw Bay, and Lansing Symphony Orchestras; and, presented twice at the Michigan Music Conference, twice at the Illinois Music Education Conference, and twice at the National American String Teachers Association Conference in Atlanta. Matthew is the former cellist of the award-winning Trio Arvo, a clarinet, cello, and piano chamber ensemble. He recently conducted and collaborated with the Carlos Chavez Symphony Orchestra in Mexico City and the Escuela Superior de Música y Danza in Monterrey, Mexico.
Matthew is the Director of Orchestras at New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois. He is the former Orchestra Director at Maine South High School in Park Ridge, Illinois, and has served as orchestra director at high schools in Michigan and New York over the past decade. He is a former music director of the Youth Symphony Orchestra at the Community Music School of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Matthew’s cello teachers and mentors have included Suren Bagratuni, Anthony Elliott, Deborah Pae, and Julia Ford Edwards. He has participated in masterclasses with cellists Colin Carr, Tanya Lewinsky Carey, and Anthony Ross.
A graduate of the Michigan State University College of Music, Matthew holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in cello performance and music education, with honor. He is the recipient of the Bornoff Memorial Scholarship from the American String Teachers Association; the Valade Fellowship from the Interlochen Center for the Arts; and the New Directions in Music Education Fellowship from the Michigan State University College of Music. Matthew’s conducting mentors have included maestros Enrique Arturo Diemecke, Gary Lewis, Jeff Grogan, and Raphael Jiménez.