Dawn Thrailkill, Conductor - Harrison Chamber Orchestra
Dawn Thrailkill, a Norman High School graduate, was a student of Dr. John Clinton, and studied cello with Marjory Cornelius at the University of Oklahoma, where she earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree. At the University of Oklahoma she was awarded the Colbert Hackler Music Education Award for the most outstanding music education major, and the Lolagene Chaudion Award for most versatile graduating senior.
She has taught in the Putnam City School District for 25 years, nineteen years as orchestra director at Western Oaks Middle School, and currently as orchestra director at Putnam City High School, Rollingwood Elementary, and Coronado Heights Elementary.
Miss Thrailkill has been on the artistic faculty of the Guy Fraser Harrison Academy since 1996. She first served as conductor of the Festival Strings (1996-1999) and since 1999 she has been the conductor of the Harrison Chamber Orchestra.
Professionally, Miss Thrailkill has served as All-State Orchestra Chairman, Oklahoma Music Educator’s 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 selected her their 2009 Teacher of the Year.
