Ellen Faye Mindell

ELLEN FAYE MINDELL DEC. 11, 1948 - MAY 24, 2007 It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the death of Ellen Faye Mindell, suddenly, on May 24th, 2007. Ellen graduated from Pomona College Music Conservatory and received her teaching credential from Holy Names College. She was a teacher, conductor and chamber music coach for over 30 years. Ellen founded the Young People's Chamber Orchestra (YPCO) in 1983 in Berkeley, California. Ellen wanted to provide an opportunity beyond school orchestras for young musicians that would challenge them with learning the chamber music repertoire, not readily available in schools. In 1998 Ellen left to bring her unique teaching methods to Conway, Arkansas and then to Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2005 Ellen became the Head of the String Department for the Sun Valley Summer Symphony School of Music in Hailey, Idaho, where she was at the time of her death. A Memorial was held for Ellen on May 31st. She was much respected and loved in her Community of Hailey. Many of her students participated in honoring her by playing various works by Mozart, Teleman and Vivaldi. Her impact on young musicians will be widely felt as her ability to inspire them was unparalleled. She will be greatly missed by family, friends and students. Ellen is survived by her father, Harold Mindell, sisters Susan, Barbara and Judy and her much loved daughter Miranda. Donations in Ellen's Memory can be made to the Sun Valley Summer Symphony P.O. Box 1914 Sun Valley, ID 83353 or the Silverlake Music Conservatory, 3920 Sunset Blvd; Los Angeles, CA 90029.