Meet the Directors

Michael Smith, received a Bachelor Degree of Music Education and a Master Degree of Trumpet Performance from Bowling Green State University, and an Educational Specialists Degree of Administration from The University of Toledo. Michael’s career at Perrysburg High School began in 1997. Since then the PHS Orchestra program has grown from an 11member ensemble to over 250 students participating in six different high school orchestras.

Since 2001 PHS Orchestras have received 40 Superior ratings at OMEA State Orchestra Competition and have performed at OMEA Convention in 2007, 2009, 2018 and will perform again in 2020. Under his direction, members of Select Strings performed at the 2017 American String Teachers Association (ASTA) National Conference and finished third in the nation. Select Strings will once again perform at the 2020 ASTA Conference in Orlando, Florida. PHS Orchestras have also performed in Hungary, England, New York, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Toronto and Chicago.

In 2001 Michael was the recipient of the “Teacher of The Year Award” for the Perrysburg School District. He was also awarded the 2014 November BCSN Teacher of the Month, and was semi-finalist for The BCSN Teacher of the Year. In 2018-2019, Michael was presented the Outstanding Teacher of the Year for Perrysburg High School. Michael has taught at the Ohio Northern University Summer String Camp and continues to perform with The Academy Brass Quintet.

Abigail Miles is the director of Chamber Strings and Symphony Strings as well as assists the 5th and 6th grade Orchestras at Perrysburg Schools. Ms. Miles started her teaching career after graduating with her bachelor’s degree of Music Education from Baldwin Wallace University in 2019. During her time at Baldwin Wallace, Abigail was a member of the Baldwin Wallace Symphony Orchestra, a section leader of the Treble Choir, and received the Arline Kadel Music Scholarship, the Donald & Connie Rebar scholarship and the E.S. And M.R. Griffiths Scholarship for her music endeavors. Aside from her teaching profession, Ms. Miles is a professional cellist and performs regularly throughout Ohio as a free-lance musician and with the Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra.

Kathleen Schnerer is an Orchestra teacher at Perrysburg Schools, where she began her career. She teaches 7th and 8th grade orchestra at Perrysburg Junior High. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she conducts the Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestra Concert Strings. A violinist since age three, Kathleen teaches lessons and group classes at the Toledo Symphony School of Music. She is an active member of the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA), serving as both an adjudicator and chair of the District 1 Junior High Honors Orchestra. Kathleen is also an active member of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). She has been published in the American String Teachers Journal and was awarded New Teacher of the Year from the Ohio String Teachers Association in 2019. Kathleen holds degrees in Music Education from Bowling Green State University and the University of Michigan.

Betsy Cranston is in her fourteenth 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.