Since its inception, the SSYO has been guided by a series of dedicated directors. Over the years, the SSYO Directors have been:
Born in Prague, Rudolf Sternadel started violin lessons at the age of five. He completed his Bachelor of Music at the University of Toronto in 1991 under Prof. David Zafer. He then enrolled at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, where he studied violin with Prof. Václav Snítil and chamber music with Prof. Lubomír Kostecký of the Smetana Quartet.
During his stay in Europe, Rudolf also toured Germany and Italy as a member of the RIAS Jugendorchester, Berlin, and participated in several chamber music seminars.
Upon returning to Canada in 1993, he enrolled at the University of Toronto, completing his Master of Music degree in September 1994 under the tutelage of Prof. Loránd Fenyves. Until October 2000, he was involved in numerous freelance and chamber music activities in Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo.
Upon his moving to Regina in 2000, Rudolf was appointed the head of the Child / Parent String Program at the University of Regina Conservatory of Performing Arts, a role in which he served until 2015. His professional development includes Fall and Winter residencies at the Banff centre under the direction of Henk Guittart (2012), and the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute (June 2021). Rudolf has been a member of the Saskatchewan-based ensembles the Amati String Quartet (2012-2017), and the per Sonatori Baroque Ensemble (2008-2023).
Currently, he is head of the String Department at the University of Regina Conservatory of Performing Arts, Music Director of the South Saskatchewan Youth Orchestra, and member of the Regina Symphony Orchestra.
On the international scene, he has served as a faculty member at La Pellegrina Summer Music Courses since 2013, and recently joined the International Association for Music Education, both in the Czech Republic. Rudolf is committed to enriching the strings community in Regina and beyond. Through private teaching, coaching, and his leadership roles, he has contributed to developing the next generation of talented musicians.
Alan Denike was the Principal Bassoonist in the Regina Symphony Orchestra and the Regina Symphony Chamber Players from 1974 to 2017. He holds a Bachelor of Music Degree and a Performer’s Certificate in Bassoon Performance from the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, New York, and a Masters Degree in Conducting from the University of Regina.
