Lindsey Nova
Executive Director
Mrs. Nova became executive director of Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras at the start of the 2011-12 season. During her tenure, TRYPO has dramatically expanded its program offerings, significantly increased the number of students it serves annually, and created numerous new community partnerships, resulting in a thriving and fiscally sound organization that is truly making a difference in the lives of Pittsburgh’s musically talented youth.
Mrs. Nova has a Bachelor’s of Music Performance in French Horn from the Eastman School of Music, where she also received the prestigious Performer’s Certificate, and a Bachelor’s of Arts in French from the University of Rochester. After graduating from Eastman, she spent a year as a guest lecturer at the Université de Rennes II in Rennes, France before earning a Master’s of Music Performance in French Horn from the University of Utah. She was the Director of Operations for Utah Symphony | Utah Opera prior to moving to Pittsburgh with her husband James Nova, who is the second/utility trombonist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Mrs. Nova serves on the Arts Advisory Council of the Pittsburgh Public Schools, as well as on the boards of the League of American Orchestras Youth Orchestra Division, the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Youth Chorus. She is proud have participated in Leadership Pittsburgh XXXIV.
Alyssa Hensley
Director of Operations
Harpist Alyssa Hensley takes on the role of manager for Youth Chamber Connection this year! Having performed as a chamber and orchestral musician, she is excited to take on new projects and grow the chamber performance opportunities for students in the Pittsburgh area.
Ms. Hensley holds a Bachelor of Music in Harp Performance from Northwestern University, where she studied with Lynn Williams and Liz Cifani, and her Master of Music from Carnegie Mellon University, where she studies with Gretchen Van Hoesen. Her other teachers include Laura Fako-Utley and Joan Holland.
Coming from a very musical family, Ms. Hensley was thrown into playing chamber music with her brothers and sister when she began at age seven. She is an advocate for new music and serves on the board of directors for the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Harp Society.
Robin Thompson
Director of Marketing and Communications
Robin Thompson is the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Three Rivers Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras (TRYPO), where she oversees all marketing, branding, and communications efforts to support the organization’s mission of inspiring young musicians. Since joining TRYPO, Robin has led innovative campaigns that have increased audience engagement, strengthened the organization’s brand, and celebrated milestone events, including the 50th Anniversary season.
A graduate of Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, NJ, Robin holds a BA in Music (Voice) and Arts Administration. She is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota and have remained deeply involved in the Pittsburgh music community, previously singing with the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh and currently serving as a staff musician and section leader at East Liberty Presbyterian Church.
With a career dedicated to arts administration, Robin has worked with theaters and performing arts organizations throughout the greater Pittsburgh region, combining her passion for storytelling with strategic marketing to support the arts. Outside of work, she enjoys Pittsburgh’s vibrant arts scene, crafting, and exploring life with her husband and two cats.
Shana Slaybaugh
Assistant Manager of Business Operations
Shana Slaybaugh joined the TRYPO administrative team in the fall of 2024. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Messiah University and a master’s degree in Library Science from Clarion University. Her career path has varied widely, from librarian to self-employed quilter/sewist to her current role as Assistant Manager of Business Operations with TRYPO. She is passionate about youth programs and education, and has extensive volunteer experience in various leadership roles within both her church and the school PTA. She resides in Mt. Lebanon with her husband and son, and some of her happiest moments are watching her son experience the joy of musical performance.
Andrew Taylor
Assistant Manager of Young Peoples Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and Percussion Ensemble
Andrew Taylor is a trumpet player and music educator from Buffalo, NY. He received his Bachelor’s in Music education from the State University of New York at Fredonia in 2023, and was a middle school band director. He is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Trumpet Performance at Duquesne University, and is a frequent substitute with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Amaya Williams
Assistant Manager of Symphonette and Tutti Strings
Amaya Williams joined the TRYPO team in 2021 as a Program Assistant, working both administratively and artistically with students. A native of Lancaster, PA, she began her violin studies at age five. Amaya is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Violin Performance at Duquesne University where she studies under Rachel Stegeman and in May of 2023, Amaya earned her Bachelor of Science in Music Education, Summa Cum Laude also from Duquesne University. In 2022, Amaya began teaching private string lessons at Newlonsburg Music Academy in Murrysville, PA. She also enjoys performing in orchestras around the Pittsburgh Region.
Danielle Polizzi
Program Assistant of Youth Chamber Connection
Danielle Polizzi is a current senior at Duquesne University, majoring in music education with a primary focus on violin. At Duquesne, she studies violin under Rachel Stegeman of the Wheeling and Youngstown Symphony Orchestras. Danielle is also a member of the American String Teacher Association and serves as the co-president of the chapter at Duquesne. Outside of music, Danielle is also a Resident Assistant, working with current students residing in the Living Learning Centers and building community on campus.
Hailey Flood
Program Assistant of Symphonette and Tutti Strings
Hailey Flood has been working with TRYPO since the Fall of 2023 as an Operations Assistant, where she works administratively and closely with students. Hailey is a Bethel Park native and began her cello studies at age nine. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Music Education at Duquesne University, where she studies cello under Pittsburgh Symphony Cellist, Adam Liu. Outside of TRYPO, Hailey also works with the High Note Festival and in the summers, she works closely with Allison Craig at her string summer camp.