Meet the Directors
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Michael Smith, received a Bachelor Degree of Music Education and a Master Degree of Trumpet Performance from Bowling Green State University, an Educational Specialists Degree of Administration from The University of Toledo, and in 2021 received a State of Ohio Administrator License from Concordia University of Chicago.
Michael’s career at Perrysburg High School (PHS) began in 1997. Since then, the PHS Orchestra program has grown from one orchestra of 11 members to over 225 students participating in six different high school orchestras. Since 2001 PHS Orchestras have received 59 Superior ratings at Ohio Music Educators Association (OMEA) State Orchestra Competition. PHS Orchestras have performed multiple times at OMEA Professional Development Conferences in 2007, 2009, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023 and next year in 2024 |
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Under his direction, members of Select Strings performed at the 2017 and 2020 American String Teacher Association (ASTA) National Conference in Pittsburgh and Orlando and finishing third both times. In 2021 PHS Select Strings performed at the prestigious 75th Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. PHS Orchestras have performed throughout Hungary, England, New York, Nashville, Chattanooga, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toronto.
In 2014 Michael was awarded the Buckeye Cable Arts Network (BCAN) Teacher of the Month, and was semi-finalist for The BCAN Teacher of the Year. Michael was presented the Outstanding Teacher of the Year for Perrysburg High School in 2018 and in 2001 he was the recipient of the Teacher of The Year Award for the Perrysburg School District. Currently, Michael serves as OMEA District One High School Honors Orchestra Chair, OMEA State Orchestra Large Group site host and continues to perform (since 1994) with The Academy Brass Quintet.
In 2014 Michael was awarded the Buckeye Cable Arts Network (BCAN) Teacher of the Month, and was semi-finalist for The BCAN Teacher of the Year. Michael was presented the Outstanding Teacher of the Year for Perrysburg High School in 2018 and in 2001 he was the recipient of the Teacher of The Year Award for the Perrysburg School District. Currently, Michael serves as OMEA District One High School Honors Orchestra Chair, OMEA State Orchestra Large Group site host and continues to perform (since 1994) with The Academy Brass Quintet.
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Abigail Miles began her teaching career at Perrysburg Schools in Perrysburg, Ohio in 2019. Ms. Miles serves as the Assistant High School Orchestra Director and assists 5th-8th Grade strings for the Perrysburg orchestra program. Ms. Miles also directs the full symphony orchestra at Perrysburg High School. For her undergraduate study, Abigail received her Bachelor’s of Music Education from Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music in Berea, OH in 2019 where she studied cello with Regina Mushabac.
During her time in Perrysburg, Ms. Miles has received multiple superior ratings at the OMEA large group adjudicated event with her ensembles, had ensembles perform at the 2020, 2023 and will perform in 2024 OMEA Convention, conducted the high school’s Select Strings at the Midwest Clinic, and founded the orchestra program’s United Sound chapter. Aside from being an orchestra director, Ms. Miles is a professional cellist that performs with local ensembles and for musicals in the area. |
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Kathleen Schnerer is an orchestra teacher at Perrysburg Schools, where she began her career. Kathleen currently teaches 7th and 8th grade orchestra at Perrysburg Junior High School. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she conducts the Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestra Concert Strings. A violinist since age three, Kathleen performs regularly in the Northwest Ohio region, including with her band Freight Street. She is actively involved as a member of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) and was published in the February 2021 edition of the American String Teacher Journal. She was awarded the Ohio String Teachers Association New Teacher of the Year in January 2020 and is the Secretary for the Ohio String Teachers Association. Kathleen is involved as a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA), having completed her Suzuki training with Edward Kreitman. She is actively involved as a member of the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) as an adjudicator and District 1 Junior High Honors Orchestra chair. Kathleen holds degrees in Music Education from Bowling Green State University and University of Michigan.
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Betsy Cranston is in her seventeenth year as a teacher in Perrysburg Schools, where she began her career. Betsy is an orchestra director for students in grades 5-8. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she also serves as the Perrysburg Junior High Music Department Head and chair of the OMEA District 1 Junior High Honors Orchestra. Betsy is also the conductor for the Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestra Concert Strings. She earned her undergraduate degree in music education from The Ohio State University and received her graduate degree in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Toledo. A cellist, Betsy is a founding member of The Asteria String Quartet and performs regularly around Toledo and the surrounding area. She resides in Toledo with her daughters Layla and Lydia.
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