The Scottsdale Philharmonic Symphony Staff
The staff of the Scottsdale Philharmonic volunteer their time to work collaboratively to manage the responsibilities and provide the services necessary for the seamless operation of a high quality orchestra comprised of volunteer, professionally trained musicians.
Joy Partridge, CPA
Executive Director
As co-founder of the Scottsdale Philharmonic, Joy has realized her dream of creating a symphony orchestra in Scottsdale comprised of professional musicians who provide the highest quality of classical symphony music. Ms. Partridge’s expertise owning a Certified Public Accounting firm and serving over 25 years actively on Valley symphony boards provides her with a solid foundation for the establishment, organization and operation of the Scottsdale Philharmonic. Joy is the primary publicity contact, fundraiser, community liaison, and donor connection for the Philharmonic. She works with many civic organizations promoting the mission and vision of the orchestra. She oversees and coordinates the activities of key staff members to ensure all aspects of orchestra operations are well managed. For over 30 years Joy has performed as a violist in various Valley orchestras and continues her performing tradition with the Scottsdale Philharmonic.
Carl R. Reiter
Music Director and Trustee
Carl Reiter is co-founder of the Scottsdale Philharmonic and brings his broad experience and expertise to the organization both as a musician and an entrepreneur. His doctoral studies were done at Northern Arizona University. As our Director of Music, Carl is responsible for all the behind-the-scenes musical preparations for the concert seasons. This includes musician auditions, establishing the program of music for each season, identifying and negotiating with concert soloists, obtaining music and managing all licensing commitments.
Carl also performs in the first violin section of our symphony. His experience as a violinist and violist began with his first professional engagement at the age of 11. While Carl is currently playing 1st violin with the Scottsdale Philharmonic, he has been a performing member of the Phoenix Symphony, Tempe Symphony, Phoenix String Quartet, Tucson Symphony, Flagstaff Symphony, Mesa Symphony, Scottsdale Symphony, and is the concert master for Phoenix First Assembly.
For four summers Carl worked with Hidden Valley Music Seminars in Carmel Valley under the Assistant Director of the New York Philharmonic. His business experience includes handling public relations and doing instrument repair at the Reiter String Shop, a family owned business for over 30 years in Phoenix. He has also served as the Executive Director for the Arizona School of Fine Arts and Science, and has taught music on the faculty of Grand Canyon University.
Dmitry Polyakov
Principal Conductor
As our new principal conductor, Maestro Dmitry Polyakov represents the modern landscape of the classical music industry – the artistic leader with authentic vision as an interpreter of classical music masterworks of all genres – the personality who embodies the great Russian musical traditions of the Moscow Conservatory which brought the world the greatest musical names of Rachmaninov, Richter, Rostropovich, and others. He is a talent who can inspire all members of our artistic
and management teams to achieve new horizons of artistic success. He holds the keys to how to make an orchestra the diamond among arts organizations. Every concert under his direction this year was praised with standing ovations.
Over the course of his extraordinary career, Dmitry Polyakov has conducted in numerous countries such prominent orchestras as Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, Brandenburg State Orchestra, Castello Symphony Orchestra, Zielona Gora Philharmonic Orchestra, and many others. He won and participated in many international and national competitions, as well as in various music festivals and projects.
According to critics, Maestro Polyakov, has inherent talent, charisma, the highest professionalism, and personal magnetism. His manner of conducting has a unique combination of emotionality, tranquility, softness, and nobility. He is diplomatic in working with orchestras, but demanding and painstaking in working on creating the highest level of a musical experience for his audience.
As a composer, he is the author of symphonic works, instrumental concerts, chamber and instrumental music, vocal and choral works, which are performed in many countries.
He lives in Scottsdale with his wife and two children.
Vickie Thai
Concertmaster, Scottsdale Philharmonic
Vickie Thai holds degrees in church music from the Moody Bible Institute, violin performance from the American Conservatory of Music, and music education from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. For five seasons, as a member, principal second, and assistant concertmaster of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the training program of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Vickie had the honor of performing under the direction of Sir Georg Solti, Sir Neville Marriner, Leonard Slatkin, Claudio Abbado, Margaret Hillis and Gordon Peters. Here in the Valley, Vickie played with the Mesa Symphony for 20 years, serving as concertmaster for the 2004-2005 season. She was the assistant concertmaster of the Scottsdale Musical Arts Symphony and also played in the West Valley Symphony, the Phoenix Praise Orchestra, and the Palmcroft Church orchestra.
Since she was 18-years-old, Vickie has had the privilege of teaching music in public schools and home school groups. Currently, Vickie maintains a private studio at Harmony House Music Academy. For 8 years Vickie was a member of String Sounds, an organization providing inter-disciplinary arts programs in public schools. As a partner of the Allegro Quartet, Vickie helps brides plan the perfect music for their wedding, and leads the quartet performing for their special day. Currently serving as the orchestra’s Concertmaster, Vicki has performed with the Scottsdale Philharmonic since its inception.
Kat Bussey
Administrative Director
Kat grew up in New Mexico and attended Western Governor’s University focusing on a Bachelor’s in Accounting. She is currently pursuing her EA licensing. With over 20 years’ experience, she has an extensive background in administrative and office support, with an expertise in accounting and bookkeeping. She has been working with the Symphony for several years and is currently in charge of the administrative procedures and policies as Administrative Director. Kat is a self-proclaimed geek/nerd and is married with two sons and enjoys curling up with her family to watch, or read, anything sci-fi related.
Terese Pagliarini
Community Relations & Ticketing Director
After graduating from Westfield State College in New Jersey, Terese has worked as a published writer, in business management, and as a special education and elementary teacher. She is proud to have been honored with the Glendale “Everyday Hero” award! Terese is passionate about music and loves working for the Scottsdale Philharmonic for its vision, mission and community service.
Fred Smith
Development Director
As Development Director, Fred brings over 35 years of business development experience in the Valley, along with his passion to make Scottsdale Philharmonic one of the great symphonies in the country.
Mary Kelly
Music Librarian
As the Music Librarian, Mary assures that every musician has a complete folder of music for every concert. She maintains the organization and cataloging of the orchestra library and assures all rental music is properly managed. Mary has been playing string bass since she was 11-years-old. She has played in Arizona orchestras since 1972 and is proud to play bass with the Scottsdale Philharmonic. Mary is a retired Special Education teacher.