Jennifer O'Bannan became the Spokane Youth Symphony's Executive Director in June of 2016 after working with SYS for 10 years prior. She joined the staff in 2006, following a year on the SYS Board of Directors. Her interest in the organization goes back to the 1970's when she was a member of the Spokane Junior Symphony, first playing the violin and then the viola.

She attended Eastern Washington University where she earned her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Viola Performance, during which time she was also a member of the Spokane Symphony.

She has taught private violin and viola students for more than two decades and taught strings classes at local private schools for several years and performs in local orchestras and chamber ensembles.

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Originally from Denver, Colorado, Joann earned a degree in English and a teaching certificate from the University of Colorado Boulder. She has taught English, math, and literature, both in the US and overseas. Joann came to Spokane while serving in the US Air Force, and now calls Spokane her home. She started volunteering with the Spokane Youth Symphony in 2018, when her daughter was a member of the Sinfonietta. After seven years of volunteering, Joann became a part-time SYS staff member in 2025.

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Felicia Bawden is originally from Southeast Idaho. Felicia'sfamily moved to Spokane in 2011.  

Felicia served as a member of the SYS Board of Directors2015-17. She joined the SYS staff in 2017 as Administrative Assistant. In June of 2018, her duties were expanded to include the business management role. Felicia currently functions in the capacity of Operations Assistant.

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