Meet our coaches.

Young musicians in the Maine Youth Orchestra play alongside professional performers from ensembles across Maine. Our coaches are members of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Midcoast Symphony Orchestra, Augusta Symphony Orchestra, and more.

Ray Libby
Winds & Brass Coach

Ray Libby graduated from the University of Maine, Orono with a B.A. in Music Education and a minor in English. Ray has taught in various Maine schools and retired as an instrumental music director at Brunswick High School. He has spent many summers at various music camps, has played clarinet in many orchestras, and has been a solo clarinetist for the pass 22 years with the Casco Bay Concert Band. Ray is the Manager of the Midcoast Symphony. He plays multiple woodwinds in several area jazz bands including the Mount Washington Hotel Big Band, Phil Rich Big Band, and the Mike Willette Swing Band. He performs in pit orchestras for productions throughout Maine, including the: Best of Broadway at the Merrill Auditorium, Portland Players, Freeport Players, Ogunquit Playhouse, and the Maine State Music Theater. Ray lives in Brunswick with his wonderful wife, Jean.

Jennifer Turmel
Assistant Strings Coach

Jennifer Turmel has an M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Oregon. She currently teaches chemistry at Southern Maine Community College and is active in the homeschooling community, teaching violin and viola and tutoring chemistry. She has played violin with the Augusta Symphony Orchestra and the Cathedral musicians, and volunteered with the Maine Youth Orchestra for two years before becoming an assistant strings coach. When she isn’t teaching math, science, or music, Jennifer enjoys knitting and spending time with her family.

Jeanie Wester
Strings Coach

Jeanie Wester attended Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. Ms. Wester teaches viola and violin in Yarmouth, Maine. She has been a member of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Maine Chamber Ensemble, and the Maine State Ballet Orchestra. She has been involved with music in the State of Maine, and with the Maine Youth Orchestra in particular, for many years. She has served as a board member, orchestra manager, strings coach, and librarian.