People of Canton Symphony Orchestra
To run a symphony, it takes many talented, passionate, and creative individuals who love what they do and love the organization they serve. As you can see, it absolutely cannot be accomplished alone.

In Memoriam- Gerhardt Zimmermann

Music Director

On June 10, 2023, our beloved Maestro Gerhardt Zimmermann suddenly passed away after a brief illness. Gerhardt was a remarkable conductor, musician, husband, father, friend, and ultimately, an extraordinary human being who dedicated his life to the pursuit of musical excellence. We will celebrate his profound interpretations, exceptional musicianship, and the fatherly mentorship he bestowed upon us all throughout his more than five decade-long career in music this entire season. For more information regarding his memorial concert, endowment fund campaign, and obituary, please visit the link below. 

Artistic Staff

Matthew Jenkins Jaroszewicz

Music Director Designate

Douglas
Beery

Chorus Director

Raylena Mae Bevington

Program Director of The Saturday Strings Program and Violin INstructor

Michele Monigold

Conductor of the Intermediate Canton Youth Symphony

Administrative Staff

Rachel Hagemeier

President & CEO

Rachel Hagemeier became the President & CEO of the Canton Symphony Orchestra in October 2022. From 2019-2022, she served as the CSO Manager of Education and Community Engagement and expanded educational and community engagement programming despite a global pandemic. She is the producer and co-host of the podcast Orchestrating Change, a podcast dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of orchestral music. In 2019, Rachel was a member of the Essentials of Orchestra Management program through the League of American Orchestras where she studied with industry professionals for two weeks in Los Angeles, California. In Canton, she is a member of the board of directors for Lighthouse Ministries and participates in Leadership Stark County where she is a 2019 Spotlight Program and 2020-2021 Signature Program graduate. Rachel graduated from Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music with degrees in Bassoon Performance and Arts Management and Entrepreneurship. Growing up in Edmond, Oklahoma, she began studying the bassoon at the age of 11 under Dr. Lori Wooden. In college, she studied bassoon under Cleveland Orchestra members Phil Austin and Jonathan Sherwin. Rachel is a member of OMEA (Ohio Music Educators Association) and NAfME (National Association for Music Education) and runs a bassoon studio out of her home. She is happy to call Canton, Ohio her home and looks forward to serving the Canton Symphony Orchestra for years to come.

Michael Koscso

Director of Artistic Operations

Jennifer Sloane

Director of Finance

Nathan Maslyk

Director of Marketing & Development

Caroline Eberhard

Manager of Education & Community Engagement

Thomas Pleban

LIBRARIAN

Jodi Hall

Finance assistant

ZOE STIER

Marketing & Development Assistant

Rachael Mosley

Patron Relations & Office Manager

Interns of the Canton Symphony Orchestra

Community Engagement & Education

We are searching for a new Education & Community Engagement Intern for the 23-24 Season! The application is out now! Find more details on the employment page of our website: