Staff

Staff Members

Ana Maria Solis-Herrera

Executive Director

Ana Maria Soli­s-Herrera is the Director of Orchestras at Austin High School in the Austin Independent School District. Previously she was Director at O. Henry Middle School, Lamar Middle School, and McCallum High School. Prior to her appointment as Austin Youth Orchestra Organizer, she served as Co-coordinator and Conductor of the Concertante, Sinfonietta, and Philharmonic Youth Orchestras. 

Mrs. Soli­s-Herrera holds a Bachelors Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in Violin Performance and a Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Texas at Austin. She has completed certifications in Suzuki Method and conducts workshops at the University of Texas. 

Mrs. Soli­s-Herrera performed internationally with orchestras in Asia, Latin America, and the United States, including the Ehime University Orchestra in Matsuyama, Japan, the Carlos Chavez Symphony in Mexico City, and the Ohio Light Opera. Mrs. Solis-Herrera has been invited to speak at music educators conferences in Italy, Sweden, and Latin America on her research, the musical preferences of Mexicans and Mexican Americans in the United States. 

Contact Mrs. Solis at MsSolis-Herrera@austinyouthorchestra.com

Fidencio Solis

AYO Coordinator 

Originally from Mexico City, Mr. Fidencio Solis is the Director of Orchestras at Chapa and Simon MS in Hays CISD. He previously taught at O. Henry Middle School for 16 years in the Austin Independent School District, and he was Director for the Gulfport School District in Mississippi. Mr. Solis also serves as Austin Youth Orchestra Organizer. Mr. Soli­s holds a Bachelors Degree and a Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. In addition, he is certified in Suzuki Method.

Mr. Solis has contributed his expertise to the Austin Youth Orchestra for 16 years and gives his time to fellow music educators and their projects. He plays chamber music, performs with community orchestras and freelances around town. He enjoys sharing time with family and friends, making people laugh, making and listening to music, going to the movies, and traveling.

Contact Mr. Solis at mr.solis@austinyouthorchestra.org 

Pam Corn 

Accounting Coordinator

Pamela Corn is a retired CPA with over 45 years of experience. Pam graduated from the University of TX

at Austin with a degree in Elementary Education and Math. She received her CPA certificate in 1983.

Pam has worked with small businesses and in tax throughout her career which also included 14 years at

Southwest Body and Paint (now Caliber Collision Centers) as their Controller. She has worked with

musicians and non-profits since 2000. She is the treasurer of Texas Early Music Project and La Follia

Austin Baroque.

Contact Ms. Corn at Accounting@AustinYouthOrchestra.org

Josue Martinez 

Website Manager

Josue Martinez is the Director of Orchestras at Westlake High School. Mr. Martinez started teaching in Eanes ISD in 2016 as the Assistant Director of Orchestras at West Ridge Middle School before joining the high school faculty in 2021.

Mr. Martinez holds a Bachelor of Music Education (2016) and a Masters of Music in Instrumental Conducting (2019) from Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas. While at Texas State, Mr. Martinez performed with numerous concert ensembles, including the Texas State Symphony Orchestra, Texas State Opera Orchestra, and the Texas State Wind Symphony. 

Mr. Martinez is an active musician in the Greater Austin Area as a freelance double bass player and works with the Austin Youth Orchestra Acadamy's Camerata Philharmonic as their co-conductor. Mr. Martinez is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, American String Teacher’s Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, International Society of Bassists, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, and many more local and international organizations.

When Mr. Martinez is not working or studying, he can be found at home with his two terriers, Artemis and Buster.

For  Website Issues Contact Mr. Martinez at webmaster@austinyouthorchestra.org

Rita Ellinger

Cut Time Consultant

For Cut Time Issues Contact Mrs. Ellinger at MsEllinger@austinyouthorchestra.org