Board of Directors

Wendy Rawlings

Board of Directors, Musicians, Violin I

Wendy started playing the violin in 2nd grade when she was given a full-sized violin by her Grandfather—a Jr. High Music teacher.  She now plays his violin (after a break of fifty years) and the orchestra was kind enough to let her make music with them.

She is married with five children and sixteen grandchildren.  Professionally, Wendy taught Suzuki Piano and Violin while her children were young and when they started school, she became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with offices in Federal Way and Tacoma.  She enjoys serving on community and professional boards and is active in her church.

Matthew Underwood

Board of Directors, Conductors, Musicians

Matthew Underwood was destined to be a conductor. (No, he doesn’t ride a lot of trains – yet.) The story goes that as soon as he was old enough to stand, he would wave his arms and “direct” the radio. In junior high, he was given an opportunity to direct a real orchestra and the rest, as they say, is history. It was that moment, in eighth grade, that he decided that he would be a music educator. (Thanks, Vern Hayes!)

With that focus, he launched himself into the University of Washington (a couple of times) and in the process earned his B.A., B.M. and M.A. in music education. He has studied privately on the viola with Eileen Swanson (Northwest Chamber Orchestra), Paul Colletti (world renowned violist) and not Milton Katims (founder of the Seattle Symphony). By the way, that’s kind of a funny story.

Matthew began his teaching career as the instrumental music director at Charles Wright Academy and currently teaches string orchestra at Meeker Middle School and Stadium High School (The Castle) in the Tacoma Public Schools. In addition, he is currently the director of the Peninsula Youth Orchestra. He is also sought as an adjudicator for both solo and large ensemble contests.

He has been the Executive Director and conductor of the Gig Harbor Peninsula Civic Orchestra since its inception in 2004. His leadership continues to expand the orchestra both in size and in the scope of its literature. He also just really likes making music with the members of this orchestra.

“The man who leads the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd.”

James Crook