Matthew Chan is a passionate violinist, conductor, and teacher. He obtained his bachelor's degrees in biology and music education at the University of Texas at Austin studying violin with Sandy Yamamoto, where he served as both a teacher and the Assistant Director of the University of Texas String Project under the guidance of string pedagogue Dr. Laurie Scott. He obtained his master's degree in violin performance at University of Wisconsin-Madison studying violin with Dr. Soh-Hyun Altino, where he served as the instructor for String Fundamentals classes and the head conductor of the All-University Strings. He regularly teaches in summer music camps such as the Longhorn Music Camp, the Summer Music Clinic in Madison, and the Sam Houston State University Orchestra Camp.

Mr. Chan is in his 7th year of teaching at Memorial High School, where he also serves as the Region 27 Orchestra Division Chair. Outside of teaching, Mr. Chan keeps active in performing as well. He has subbed for regional orchestras such as the Lacrosse Symphony Orchestra, the Dubuque Symphony Orchestras, the Galveston Symphony, and the Texas Chamber Symphony. Currently, he serves as the associate concertmaster of the Houston Civic Symphony and he regularly performs chamber music recitals as a founding member of the Calba Quartet.

Leslie Campbell is excited to join the Memorial High School orchestra team this year as the new assistant director. Ms. Campbell received bachelor’s degrees in violin performance and music education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she studied with Simin Ganatra and Dr. Louis Bergonzi. She then went on to complete a master’s degree in music education at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where she studied with Dr. Brenda Brenner. Her research at Indiana University focused around self-directed learning specifically as it applies to practicing a musical instrument and is passionate about teaching students how to practice effectively. She has presented on this topic at the American String Teachers Association national conference and the Texas Music Educators Association conference. Previously, Ms. Campbell has taught at Sugar Land Middle School in Fort Bend, Willow Wood Junior High School in Tomball, and Arlington High School in LaGrangeville, NY. 

Ms. Campbell spends her free time chasing her twin toddlers, Alice and Ellie, around the house. In the rare moments when both twins are asleep, she enjoys running, yoga, and reading. She also is an animal lover and has two dogs, Kingsley and Luna, and one cat, Tonks.