Artistic Staff

Maritza Garibay

Maritza Garibay – Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor

Maritza Garibay is a musician, educator, and multi-disciplinary sound artist from Detroit, Michigan. She received a degree in Instrumental Music Education and a Master of Art in Music from Wayne State University where her work reflects on the diaspora of Pauline Oliveros’s deep listening practices within the BIPOC experimental music community.

Garibay is the Director of Orchestras at Detroit School of Arts and is the 2022 Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association Music Teacher of the Year. She is the Co-Chair of the Committee for Equity for MSBOA and is the current MSBOA Vice President for Orchestral Activities.

In addition to conducting and teaching, Garibay performs homemade electronic instruments in the abrasive ambient duo Dominant Hand, with her fiancé Austin Richey. She resides in Hamtramck on a small urban farm with her partner and two wonderful dogs, Oliveros and Cosby.

Donna Olkowski

Donna Olkowski – Flute Choirs Conductor

Mrs. Olkowski received bachelors and masters degrees in music from the University of Michigan. After 14 years of experience directing grade school through high school band programs, she now has a private studio of 40 flute students. Mrs. Olkowski is second flute for the Dearborn Symphony.

Candace Chappell

Candace Chappell – Chamber Orchestra Conductor

Ms. Candace Chappell has been teaching elementary and middle school orchestra since 2015 and currently teaches in the Ann Arbor Public Schools. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Eastern Michigan University and recently obtained her Master of Music in Music Education from the University of Michigan. Ms. Chappell has enjoyed teaching at and directing orchestra camps around the state of Michigan throughout the years, and teaches private cello lessons. She has been playing the cello since 2003 and occasionally gigs in the community. In her spare time Ms. Chappell enjoys music, reading, crafting, time in nature, and spending time with her husband and two dogs. She is so excited and proud to be a part of the Dearborn Youth Symphony!