About Us

Dr. Alison Banikowski, retired Deputy Superintendent for the Olathe School District, was a founding member of OYS and has been the president of the OYS board since the group’s inception in 1993.  Dr. B., as she is affectionately known, has a deep passion for young people and the fine arts. In addition to her work with OYS, the Dr. B. Musical Instrument Fund was initiated upon her retirement after 34 years with the district.  The fund obtains and refurbishes instruments for students from financially-challenged families and is operated through the Olathe Public Schools Foundation (OPSF). The Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) recognized Dr. B. in 2016 as a KMEA Honor Administrator for supporting music education.  Dr. B. was named as an Olathe Distinguished Person of Honor by the district in 2021.  Dr. B. holds her undergrad degree from the Univ. of Saint Mary (KS) in music performance and education and a Master of Science in special education and a Ph. D. in education and educational administration from the University of Kansas.  Dr. B. has been the president of the OYS board since the inception of the group in 1993.

Martha Gabel has been a music educator for 34 years.  Currently, Martha is the Fine Arts Coordinator for the Olathe Public Schools providing support and leadership to all areas of fine arts, including band and orchestra.  Prior to taking this position, she taught elementary general music and directed children's choirs in several of the Olathe District's elementary schools.  Martha has been a presenter at state and national conferences, as well as a leader in music education at the state and national levels, most recently leading the revision of the KS State Music Standards. Mrs. Gabel is a past president for the Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) and is currently the president-elect for the Southwestern Division of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).  Martha holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, a Master of Liberal Arts in Education, and a Master of Science in School Leadership, both from Baker University.  Martha and her husband Chris reside in Olathe.  Both of their daughter’s participated in OYS with one of her daughters, Hannah, a music educator in Wichita.  Martha has been a proud member of the OYS board since 2006 and serves in the capacity of Vice President.

Laura Beckman is a music educator currently teaching Kindermusik™, piano, and ukulele lessons.  Laura holds an undergraduate degree in music education from Graceland University and a Master of Arts in teaching from the University of Saint Mary (KS).  She is an accompanist and the choir director at her church.  Laura brings both a private music education and parent perspective to the board.  Laura, and her husband, have three sons who all participate in Olathe Youth Symphony in the brass sections, in addition to their school band and jazz band programs.  Laura joined the OYS board in 2021.

 Mariah Boos is a dedicated and passionate music educator with nearly a decade of experience in teaching orchestra in public schools. A proud alumnus of both the Olathe Youth Symphony and Olathe South High School, Mariah has deep roots in the Olathe Public Schools district and a lifelong commitment to fostering a love of music in students. Mariah holds two degrees from the University of Kansas (KU), where she earned both a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Master’s degree in Special Education. Throughout her career, she has worked tirelessly to build a strong, inclusive music community that fosters creativity, discipline, and collaboration among students. In addition to her work as a music educator, Mariah is an active member of the Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA), the American String Teachers Association (ASTA), and the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME) staying engaged with the broader music education community to continue learning and growing as an educator, director, and musician. Mariah also enjoys staying engaged in the performance world in her free time where she can be seen playing in pit orchestras across the metro and participating in various ensembles and gigs that come her way. Mariah has been a proud member of the OYS board since 2024. 

Bob Davis is a music teacher and the Director of Bands at Olathe Northwest High School. In his musical education thus far, Bob has been a student of the Olathe School District, Baker University, VanderCook College of Music, and several other great ensembles including the Olathe Youth Symphony!  Yes, Mr. Davis is an OYS alum! Teaching students, working with individuals and ensembles to help them find their greatest potential, and playing with old cars are Mr. Davis’ favorite things to do. He is honored to serve on the OYS board, and is excited to see the great music the 30th anniversary season will bring to the symphony members and our Olathe music community.  Bob became an OYS board member in 2023.

Eric Griffin is currently Director of Bands at Mission Trail Middle School in the Olathe Public Schools. Prior to his current position, Eric was Director of Bands at Olathe East High School. Throughout his teaching career, Mr. Griffin’s bands consistently rate in the “Superior” category at various adjudicated events.  Groups under his direction have performed at the Kansas Music Educators Association convention, Lincoln Center in New York City, Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii, and with award-winning composers Eric Whitacre and Andrew Boysen, Jr.  Eric holds degrees in music education from Southwest Missouri State University and the University of Kansas, as well as a degree in educational administration from Emporia State University. Eric is also well known for his expertise in music technology.  Eric is an active jazz pianist and church musician.  When not involved in music endeavors, Eric enjoys mountain biking and disc golf.  Eric is married to Amy Hoffsommer-Griffin, physical education teacher and volleyball coach at Olathe West High School.  They have three children.   Eric joined the OYS board in 2021. 

Stacey Jolliff Light is an alumni of the Olathe Youth Symphony, where she spent 7 years as a cellist (1998‐2005).  She found her love of the cello with Mrs. Mary Jo Peters in elementary school, and continued to flourish under the direction of Mr. Randy Detrick and Mr. Greg Ferguson through HS.

A graduate of Pittsburg State University, Stacey was involved with music through her college years -participating in Southeast Kansas Symphony (cellist) & the Pride of the Plains Marching Band (Color Guard). In addition to captaining the PSU Guard for 2 years, she coached at a local HS for 3 years. Stacey is a proud sister of Sigma Alpha Iota, an international women's music fraternity. A favorite SAI achievement was assisting in the creation music camp for elementary students in  Southeast Kansas which continues today.

Currently, Stacey works as an analyst for a large insurance company. She and her husband Daniel live in Overland Park, where they enjoy traveling, playing sand volleyball, & supporting senior animal rescue groups. Stacey believes music is essential for a growing mind, and attributes the OYS and her directors for creating a solid foundation for all of her musical success. Driven by a desire to pay it forward, she joined the OYS Board of Directors in 2023. 

A long-time member and supporter of the OYS Board, Dr. Earl Martin is retired from a long-time career in education in the Olathe School District [USD 233] and at Emporia State University.  Dr. Martin's connection with OYS began when his son Joel Martin conducted for OYS while son Jeremy Martin (both now orchestra teachers) played for OYS in the 1990's.  Dr. Martin joined the OYS board soon after. Dr.  Martin is an active community member, including involvement in the Rotary, recently serving as president of the group, and the Olathe Retired Employees Association. Earl is involved in music as a long-time member of the Trails West Barbershop Chorus.  Dr. Martin and his wife Pam, a retired teacher, live in Olathe. Earl received his undergraduate degree from Harding University (AL), master’s degree in education from Rutgers University, and doctorate degree from Baker University.  

Dr. Tes Mehring is a professor at Baker University in the higher education doctoral program. Prior to serving at Baker University, Dr. Mehring served for 36 years at Emporia State University as a professor, dean, and provost.  Dr. Mehring is also a member of Board of Trustees at the University of Saint Mary.  Tes has a life-long love of music, having majored in music performance (clarinet) and music education in her undergrad program at then Saint Mary College in Leavenworth KS. Tes studied clarinet with Bob Lyben while he was principle clarinetist with the K. C. Symphony. Tes holds several undergrad degrees from the Univ. of Saint Mary, a Master of Science in Counseling from Southwest Missouri State, and a doctorate in special education from the University of Kansas.  Tes has served on the OYS board since 2019.

Texanna Ollenberger, affectionately known as Mrs. O, served as Choral Music teacher in the Olathe District Schools for 32 years (1969 until retirement in 2001), serving at Santa Fe Trail Jr. High, Olathe South High School, and Olathe East High School. After retiring from the district, Texanna then taught at MidAmerica Nazarene University as an adjunct choral and music education professor from 2001 until 2005.  She conducted the choir at Beth Torah Synagogue 2001-2014, the Atriums retirement center 2001-2020, and in 2014 until the present, does a weekly music program at Shelter KC Women's Center. She has served as Choral Director and Handbell/Chime director in various churches and also as adjudicator and clinician.  Texanna was inducted in the Kansas Music Educators Association Hall of Fame in 2016.  Texanna was named in 2016 as a Distinguished Person of Honor for the Olathe District. Texanna has a music education degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Master of Liberal Arts from Baker University.  She joined the OYS board because of her love for young people to learn, participate and perform music.

Ken Roberts is a retired elementary school principal, serving 42 years in education with 33 years as a building principal in the Olathe District.  During Ken’s years as an administrator, he was an active supporter of the elementary instrumental music programs, especially the strings program.  He would often sit in with the classes, playing violin.  In addition to the violin, Ken has played guitar and saxophone. Ken has been involved in the Olathe community, serving as president of the Johnson County Old Settlers and the Olathe High School Alumni Association, as well as serving on the Olathe Library Board.  Ken was a founding member of the Olathe Historical Society, currently serving on the board.  Ken also spent several years coaching girls softball and basketball.  In 2018, Ken was inducted into the Olathe School District’s Wall of Honor.  Ken attended Washburn University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and a master’s degree in Educational Administration.  When not involved in community activities, Ken and his wife Joyce enjoy traveling and attending their five grandsons’ school and sports activities. Ken has served on the Olathe Youth Symphony Board for over 5 years. Give customers a reason to do business with you.

Sara Smitko is the Director of Bands at Frontier Trail Middle School in Olathe, Kansas. Through her years at Frontier Trail, Sara's concert and jazz bands have earned high accolades including numerous "superior" concert festival ratings, named five consecutive years as the "outstanding middle school jazz band" at KU Jazz Fest, sweepstakes winner at the Worlds of Fun Music Festival, as well as being selected to perform at both the 2017 and the 2020 KMEA In-Service Workshop. The band was also invited to perform our National Anthem at the KC Comets game in 2019. Sara was named "Outstanding Middle Level ECKMEA Director of the Year" by her colleagues in 2018. She enjoys giving back to her profession as clinician and adjudicator. In addition to a busy teaching career, Sara enjoys spending time with her family. Her husband Brent (her high school sweetheart who she met in band at Olathe North), and she are proudly raising their three kids; Parker, Riley, and Dawson, 2 who LOVED their time playing in OYS! Sara is honored to be a member of the OYS Board of Directors. She also serves on the Olathe North Cheer Booster Executive Board and is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties. When Sara isn't with the band, you can catch her at a KSU football game [son Parker is in the KSU Band!], on the golf course, or behind the boat slalom skiing!