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
Christian Parish
Christian began playing the cello at the age of 9 and has loved music ever since. He studied music education at the University of Utah where he discovered how much he loves to share his passion for music with students. After graduating in 2024, he began teaching elementary general music in the Ogden School District. An orchestra musician at heart, Christian is excited to be the new Master Teacher for the Weber State String Project!
When outside the classroom, Christian loves board games, video games, and watching movies with his wife.
String Project Teachers and Private Instructors
Tiana Ben
Tiana is a music student at Weber State University studying music performance. She has always had a strong connection to music and the way it can bring people together, tell stories, and express emotions that can sometimes be difficult to put into words.
Tiana plays viola and enjoys exploring different styles of music while continuing to grow as a musician. Being part of the String Project gives her the opportunity to learn from others, improve her skills, and share her love of music with the community.
Outside of music, Tiana enjoys crocheting, writing, spending time with her animals, and creating things that allow her to express herself. She hopes to continue growing as a performer and use music to connect with and encourage others.
Gabbie Benton
Gabbie is a freshman at Weber State pursuing a minor in music studies and exploring majors in the medical field. She has been playing the viola for seven years and has spent the last two and a half years studying under Helen Watts, recently beginning studies under Dr. Michael Palumbo. Gabbie has loved participating in orchestra for the past seven years and is excited to share that passion with new students and to begin teaching!
When Gabbie is not busy with schoolwork or practicing, she enjoys reading, crocheting, watching movies, and hanging out with friends and family.
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.
Brooke Howell
Brooke started piano lessons during elementary school and played viola during junior and high school. She taught herself guitar over the summer of 2021 and decided the following fall to take private lessons at Weber. She's been a regular member of the guitar ensemble ever since and has enjoyed every minute. She's looking forward to another semester of String Project!
Alaina Petersen
Alaina is a senior at Weber State working on an Interdisciplinary Degree in Music, Psychology, and Family Studies. She has been studying viola for nine years and is currently studying under Dr. Michael Palumbo. She has been teaching viola and violin privately for about four years and has been a String Project teacher for two and a half years. Alaina is always excited to share her love of music with the String Project students.
In Alaina's free time, she enjoys reading, clay stop motion animation, and spending time with her family and friends.