Staff
Andrew Burton is the Orchestra Director at Desert Ridge High School. A seventh year teacher, Mr. Burton previously taught at Desert Mountain High School and Mountainside Middle School in Scottsdale. Prior to teaching in Scottsdale, Andrew received his Master's Degree in Orchestral Conducting from Northern Arizona University, where he studied with Dr. Daniel O'Bryant. While attending NAU, Andrew served as principal conductor of the NAU Chamber and Opera Orchestras, assistant conductor of the Symphony Orchestra, and graduate teaching assistant. Andrew also holds a Bachelor's in Music Education from Iowa State University, where he studied Cello with Professor George Work, percussion with Dr. Matthew Coley, and conducting with Dr. Jacob Harrison. As a performer, Andrew played in the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Ames Municipal Band, and multiple opera and musical productions, such as Kiss Me Kate, Candide, and Les Misérables. During his undergrad, Andrew also took private lessons with ISU’s violin professor, Dr. Borivoj “Boro” Martinic-Jercic, former concertmaster of the Phoenix Symphony.
Mr. Burton currently resides in Mesa with his wife Elaine, 3 year old daughter Annabelle, 1 year old son Ben, and their two cats, Bert and Barry.
Hi! My name is Olivia, and I’m from Chandler. I graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder studying classical violin where I also played fiddle in a bluegrass band called Honeyshed String Band. After spending the past year studying and performing traditional Irish music in Galway, Ireland, I’m excited to return to our wonderful Arizona music community. As a student, I participated in the Gilbert Town Fiddlers, the Metropolitan Youth Symphony, Tetra Chamber Music Institute (TCMI), Stringplay!, and my own quartet The Willow String Quartet. This year, I’ll be a Teaching Assistant at TCMI and an Associate Teacher in the studio of Taylor Morris. Please reach out for private lessons if you’d like to strengthen your skills in violin, fiddle, or both! Oliviabreen17@gmail.com
My name is Erica Gledhill and I'm so excited to be able to work with the Desert Ridge Viola sections again this year. I currently play with the Millennial Choirs and Orchestra as the principal violist and have for over 13 years. I also play with the Gilbert Symphony Orchestra. I have taught private viola and violin lessons for over 35 years and still do. I studied Music Education at Arizona State University on a viola scholarship and hold a current teaching certificate. I have a wonderful husband, I'm an empty nester of 5 adult children and the proud "Gigi" to 2 amazing grandchildren. I love musicals, watching movies, spending time with family and sewing. Please reach out if you are looking for private lessons. ericagledhill7@gmail.com
Melissa Silva is a passionate cellist and educator in the East Valley. Her love of music began at the early age of 4 with piano. In elementary school, she discovered cello and was fascinated by the dynamic range of its voice. Cello has been a part of her life every day since.
For over ten years, Ms. Silva has run a thriving and successful private studio, East Valley String Institute, based on the Suzuki philosophy and its principles. Her mission is to provide every student with a nurturing and effective music education that develops character by learning with love while challenging her students to strive for their best playing and growth as musicians. Her expertise in cello pedagogy, combined with her understanding of body mechanics, regularly produces excellent students. Many of her students have been studying with her for over ten years. Helping cello families achieve their musical goals is one of the best parts of her job. Students of Ms. Silva’s studio regularly hold top chair positions in their school orchestra as well as local youth symphonies, regionals, and all-state orchestras.
Ms. Silva is an active performer and educator. Symphonies she regularly performs with include Chandler Symphony Orchestra, Scottsdale Philharmonic Orchestra, Scottsdale Symphonic Orchestra, Women’s Orchestra of Arizona, West Valley Symphony, Symphony of the Southwest, and Gilbert Symphony Orchestra where she previously served as their principal cellist. In addition, her cello quartet, the Desert Rose Celli, regularly performs across the valley. Ms. Silva also had the pleasure of performing and teaching with the American Festival Orchestra on their tours to China and Tibet. Her most recent musical project includes performing on a soundtrack for a movie.
When she is not teaching or performing, Ms. Silva is an active member of the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, hiking, and spending time with her husband and their three cats, Panther, Nitro, and Todd.
Interested in private lessons? Contact Ms. Silva at the following email: melissa@eastvalleystringinstitute.com