Staff & Teachers
String Project Director
Kathy Edgel
Kathy has had a lifelong love of music and has been playing piano since the age of 6 and the violin since the age of 12. Through high school, she knew she would become a music teacher. While studying for her Bachelor of Music Education degree at Weber State, she worked as a String Project teacher. After graduating in 2006, she worked as an orchestra director in public schools for the next 13 years, teaching 6th to 12th grade.
Kathy received a Master of Music Education degree with an emphasis in conducting from Colorado State University in 2018. Kathy loves teaching and seeing her students excel in their musical endeavors. She is super excited in her new role as Director of the Weber State String Project after being the Master Teacher for the past 5 years. Kathy loves to help mentor and guide future music teachers.
When she's not teaching, Kathy loves having adventures with her husband and two rambunctious boys, traveling, spending time outdoors spotting wildlife, and playing video games.
String Project Master Teacher
String Project Teachers and Private Instructors
Jexton Bodrero
Jexton Bodrero is a cellist and music educator from Elwood, Utah, pursuing two bachelor’s degrees at Weber State University: one in music instrumental performance and pedagogy and another in pre-dental studies.
At Weber State, Jexton performed as principal cellist of the Weber State Symphony Orchestra during its 2025 tour of Málaga and Estepona, Spain.
Through years of teaching private cello lessons, Jexton has watched his students grow into confident and successful musicians. He is passionate about building that confidence through performance, collaboration, and meaningful musical experiences, and plans to continue teaching throughout his career. He is also developing his skills as a conductor, finding that conducting has become another rewarding way to grow as a musician. For Jexton, teaching is one of the best ways to continue learning himself and one of the most rewarding ways to give back.
Alaina Petersen
Alaina is a junior at Weber State working on an Interdisciplinary Degree in Music, Psychology, and Family Studies. She has been studying viola for 9 years. 6 years of her study have been under Rebecca Iverson, and she is currently studying under Dr. Michael Palumbo. She also has experience in piano and most recently, guitar. Alaina is always excited to share her love of music with the String Project students.
In Alaina's free time, she enjoys reading, learning new skills, and spending time with family and friends.
Ade PfunderBrand
Ade is a Junior at Weber State working towards her Bachelor's degree in Instrumental Music Education and a minor in History Teaching! She has played the violin for 13 years and the viola for three years! Before her college education, Ade was able to study under Linda-Ghidossi DeLuca for 4 years and Bonnie Romkey for 6+ years. Ade loves teaching, and has been so lucky to be able to be teaching strings both privately and in a public school setting for over three years!
When she's not busy attempting to get 24 hours of practice a day, you can find Ade playing Mario Kart with her husband, or hanging out with her dog, Teddy!