Christine Arroyo began playing violin in 6th grade in middle school. A native of Columbia, South Carolina she continued enthusiastically to be a part of the public school orchestra program from middle to high school in Richland 2 (Columbia, SC). Inspired by her strings teachers (Mrs. Becky Leonard and Mr. Phillip Pagal), Ms. Arroyo remained very resolute in her quest as an Orchestra Director.

Ms. Arroyo earned a Masters of Music in Music Education with a Conducting Specialization from Colorado State University (Ft. Collins, CO) under conducting teachers Professor Wes Kenney (master teacher), Dr. Rebecca Phillips, and Dr. James Kim. For her undergraduate study, Ms. Arroyo attended the University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC) where she earned a Bachelor of Music Emphasis in Education, Summa Cum Laude. During this time, she participated actively as a member of the University of South Carolina String Project under the direction of Dr. Gail Barnes. 

Ms. Arroyo is currently the orchestra director at Moultrie Middle School.  Ms. Arroyo has taught in Charleston County School District (Haut Gap Middle School, Johns Island, SC) and Greenville County School District (Ralph Chandler Middle School).   Under the direction of Ms. Arroyo, her orchestras have received Superior Ratings at SCMEA Concert Performance Assessment.

Since August 2022, Ms. Arroyo has been the conductor for the Charleston Symphony Youth Sinfonietta (CSYS).  She has also served as a conductor for the Greenville County Youth Orchestras (GCYO) and has served as the conductor of the Honors Orchestra and Lead Teacher for the Charleston County District Orchestra.  In addition to teaching, Ms. Arroyo has served as a clinician for Region Orchestras and All-County Orchestras.  She has also shared presentations at the South Carolina American Teachers Association (ASTA) and has had the opportunity to co-present at the National ASTA Conference.  

Outside of music, Ms. Arroyo has a variety of hobbies including CrossFit, Nutrition, and hanging out with her cat, Oliver.

Colleen Marcou is the Orchestra Director at Irmo High School in Columbia, SC.  She has been with School District V of Lexington and Richland Counties for 28 years as a strings instructor and orchestra director.  She is currently the district orchestra coordinator and is in her 33rd year as an educator.

Colleen graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with bachelor’s degrees in music education and cello performance and has completed several hours of graduate work in the Music Theory program at the University of South Carolina.  She holds master’s degrees both in Teacher Leadership and in Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix.  Ms. Marcou has served many roles in the Orchestra Division of the South Carolina Music Educators’ Association from President to webmaster for the Orchestra Division.  She is currently President of the SCMEA Executive Board and will move to her new role as Past-President July 1st, 2025.

Colleen is a native of South Carolina though she spent most of her youth as an Air Force “brat” traveling the country and parts of the world through her father’s military appointments.  She began her love of music and specifically the cello in the Greenville County School System.  This love took her into the multifaceted worlds of music education and performance.

Colleen has been a cellist in the South Carolina Philharmonic since the 1991-1992 orchestra season.  She also performs with the Long Bay Symphony, the Aiken Symphony, and the Aiken Civic Orchestra along with a variety of chamber ensembles in the Midlands. 

Colleen currently lives in Irmo, South Carolina with her two fur-babies who, believe it or not, add even more excitement and energy to the life of a high school teacher.