Dawn Thrailkill
Conductor, Chamber Orchestra
Dawn Thrailkill is a graduate of Norman High School and the University of Oklahoma, where she earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree. She was very blessed to have Dr. John Clinton, Marjory Cornelius, Ann Strong, and Gene Thrailkill as wonderful teachers and mentors in her career and life.
Miss Thrailkill is currently teaching in Norman as orchestra director at Alcott Middle School and Monroe Elementary. Previously she taught in the Putnam City School District for 28 years, nineteen years as orchestra director at Western Oaks Middle School, and seven years as orchestra director at Putnam City High School.
Miss Thrailkill has been on the artistic faculty of the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra program since 1996. She first served as conductor of the Festival Strings (1996-1999) and since 1999 she has been the conductor of the Chamber Orchestra. She was a cellist in the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra during its first season.
Professionally, Miss Thrailkill has served as All-State Orchestra Chairman, Oklahoma Music Educators Association Orchestra Vice-President, Treasurer of the Oklahoma Chapter of the American String Teacher’s Association, Central Oklahoma Honor Orchestra Chair and North Central Oklahoma Honor Orchestra 8th/9th grade Chair. She has been a clinician and judge in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Montana.
Honors and recognitions include Western Oaks Middle School Teacher of the Year (2000), Oklahoma Music Teacher of the Year from the National Federation of High Schools (2008), and the Oklahoma Chapter of the American String Teachers Association Teacher of the Year (2009), 2010 Oklahoma representative for 50 Teachers Who Make A Difference in SBO Magazine, and Oklahoma Music Educators Association Exemplary Teacher (2013).