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Musical Directors
Mr. James Nackley joined York Junior Symphony in 2021 as the Musical Director and Conductor. Mr. Nackley graduated from Penn State University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Orchestral Conducting from Messiah University in 2021, achieving summa cum laude at both institutions. Mr. Nackley joined Northeastern York School District in 2017 where he directs third through sixth grade orchestra. Mr. Nackley was the recipient of the Pennsylvania Music Educators’ Association (PMEA) 2021 Outstanding Young Educator Award and has served as a guest conductor throughout different festivals throughout Pennsylvania. Mr. Nackley serves on the State Board for the Pennsylvania Delaware String Teachers’ Association (PADESTA) as Membership Chair. He maintains an active cello studio of 30 students.
Kim Finnigan is thrilled to be joining the York Junior Symphony as the Assistant Director. Originally from Northern Virginia, Kim attended West Virginia University and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and later pursued graduate studies in Viola Pedagogy from Shenandoah University. Kim served as the Orchestra Director at Hylton High School in Woodbridge, Virginia overseeing an orchestra program which included 150 students across three separate orchestras. She has maintained a private studio teaching violin, viola, and cello for over twenty years, and continues to perform as a freelance violist. When Kim is not making music, she can usually be found enjoying outdoor activities, such as hiking, gardening, and kayaking. She lives in Southern York County with her husband and three children.
Ryan Kriebel is excited to join the York Junior Symphony Orchestra as the Director of Brass and Woodwind Sections. Ryan is Director of Elementary Bands in the Red Lion Area School District. He conducts the Elementary Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Beginner Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble. He also serves as the Assistant Director, Visual Coordinator, and Visual Designer of the Red Lion Marching Lions. Prior to joining the faculty of the Red Lion Area School District in 2005, Ryan taught elementary band in New Providence, NJ. Ryan’s undergraduate degree in Music Education is from West Chester University, and his postgraduate studies were done at Lebanon Valley College. He is active as a freelance euphonium player in York and Lancaster Counties. Ryan lives in the city of Lancaster with his wife Danielle and their three cats, Harper, Max, and Leonard Purrnstein.
Brian Gambler is thrilled to be joining the York Junior Symphony Orchestra as the Percussion Coordinator. Brian is currently a senior Music Education major at Messiah University, where he studies percussion with Dr. Erik Forst. In addition to being a full time student, Brian gigs in the Mechanicsburg area whenever he can, and is an aspiring young composer. In 2024, Brian won the Pennsylvania Music Educators’ Association (PMEA) Young Composer competition at the collegiate level. Brian currently has a small private studio. He will begin student teaching in the spring semester of 2026, and is hoping to find a teaching job in the area.