Directors

Pianist, Dr. Stephen Cook has dedicated his life to building culture through musical performance, education, and nonprofit leadership.

A student of luminary pianists Ursula Oppens, Robert Hamilton, and Eteri Andjaparidze, Cook trained at DePaul University, Northwestern University, and Arizona State University where he earned his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree. 

He has participated in masterclasses with legendary pianists Vladimir Feltsman, Alexander Slobodyanik, Philip Kawin, and Alexander Toradze and is prizewinner of numerous competitions including the Jacob Flier International Piano Competition, Klatzkin Contemporary Music Competition, Beverly Hills National Auditions, North Shore Musicians Club Competition, DePaul University's Concerto Competition, National Society of Arts and Letters Piano Competition, Arizona State University Concerto Competition, & Yamaha/Sherman Clay Young Artists Piano Competition. 

A visionary pianist, Dr. Cook expands the traditional piano recital with distinctive elements of artistic fusion. His innovative performance projects harmoniously merge music with visual arts, literature and film. His newly released interactive book Picturing Rachmaninoff is an example of this format.

As an educator, Dr. Cook fosters appreciation for artistic tradition. He leads a private piano studio, serves on the faculty of Scottsdale Community College and Mesa Community College, and is founder and director of the Oracle Chamber Music Festival and the Oracle Conservatory. 

Dedicated to community outreach and cultural development, Dr. Cook founded the Oracle Piano Society in 2012. Under Cook's leadership, the organization has grown into a thriving institution providing barrier-free music education to rural and Tribal Communities through music instruction and performance. 

When thinking of my childhood music education, I’m remembering grade school classrooms, each one had a piano, and all of the teachers could play. Though I yearned for a piano of my own, I did not grow up in a musical family. My music education was limited to church music, the 45-record player we had at home, and my high school band experience (I was a majorette). 

Music was ‘play’ for me… childhood friends and I would hold talent contests in the backyard, perform plays we created out of thin air, and sing karaoke in front of the big living room mirror at my friend’s house, pretending we were the Supremes. 

Opportunities for extensive world travel changed everything for me deepening my appreciation of all things artful and musical. Everywhere I traveled, I was exposed to the music and art of different cultures from the cathedrals and museums of Europe and Asia to the haunting calls to prayer in the Middle East. I would buy original art and attend musical events at every opportunity reminding me that even though these cultures are different from mine, we all share a common bond--an appreciation for the music that moves us and the art that enchants us; realizing in this way, we are all one. 

My professional background: I studied art history, graphic design, and English in college, graduating with a BA in Communication; an easily transferrable skill set to Marketing Communication, Art Direction, and writing and editing in the corporate/technology environment of Silicon Valley. Retired now, I’m grateful to be serving on the board of directors using my experience in marketing and digital arts to support my community through the music and art offerings of the Oracle Piano Society.

Growing up in Tucson, I never had the opportunity to study music. It unfortunately wasn’t in the family budget. However, at the age of 8 we moved into a neighborhood that sponsored a competitive swim team. That became my passion and my life for seven years! I loved the sport-the cohesiveness, the challenges, the trust, the commitment and empathy for team members. I blossomed from a very shy child into one with confidence. 

I have known Director Cook since he was 8 years old. His mother and I were on PTA together and we taught in the same school district. She asked for a referral for piano lessons for her sons, and I recommended my daughters’ piano teacher. The rest is obviously history. When Stephen developed his vision of OPS in 2012, he asked if I would sit upon the board of directors.

Although not familiar with music, I feel my swim experience has always encouraged me to seek out challenges and thus I accepted this opportunity. I find it exciting to bring about changes, create growth & provide opportunities to others who otherwise may not have that opportunity. 

I was on the board for the first 5 years, working alongside many incredible board members who brought OPS from originally meeting at the firehouse to securing the Oracle Center for the Arts! Seeing another opportunity, I resigned from the board to create the OPS art gallery. Visual arts has always been an integral part of Oracle. Combining visual arts with music intensifies the overall experience for attendees. 

Last year, OPS board member Diane Clark worked collaboratively with me in the visual arts. She was asked to take on the leadership role of the board and since we work together so well, I was asked to rejoin the board as co-chair with her.  Since I never had that opportunity to study music, it excites me to participate in the next phase of OPS which is providing music opportunities for students.  

My husband and I moved to Oracle in 2005, after health issues forced me to retire from teaching. We have always loved nature and remote areas which originally attracted us to Oracle. However, it’s this community that keeps us here! As part of this Oracle community, I am committed to preserve Oracle’s roots and to bring forth opportunities that protect its beauty and uniqueness. As a board member of the Oracle Piano Society, I cherish this opportunity to support OPS and enhance the cultural experiences of Oracle. 

Lorena Candelaria is an Arizona native. She is a 1993 graduate from the University of Arizona holding a Bachelor's degree in Music Education. 

Lorena has directed many instrumental performing groups throughout her 29 year teaching career. Twenty five of those years were spent teaching in Nogales, Arizona. She served on multiple boards  of organizations that worked specifically to the benefit of music education. Under privileged students were her main passion and working to have an instrument in the hands of every student regardless of social or economic status.

She taught the elementary honor band consisting of 4th and 5th graders. They attended middle school music festivals and competitions even though they were the youngest  in attendance. Their very first middle school festival they received the rating of "Superior With Distinction" , with all judges giving them the highest ratings. Years after they received multiple Superior and  Excellent ratings.

Lorena left teaching elementary students and started her middle school adventure in 2008. Desert Shadows Middle School in Nogales became her home. She taught Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Mariachi, Concert Band, and Marching Band there. Each of these groups participated in festivals earning top ratings.

 It was a rarity to march middle school students but she marched a minimum of 150 students in every parade. Under her direction the marching band won 1st place three separate times in the Green Valley White Elephant parade beating out high school bands. They also received second place one year. They were a sight to see in the 3 annual hometown parades as well sometimes marching up to 180 kids. 

The mariachi program at DSMS attended the Tucson International Mariachi Conference every year getting the opportunity to learn, practice, and perform with world famous mariachi performers. Mariachi Desierto was the name of their performing group and they were highlighted in the Conference famous Showcase. 

Both the jazz band and mariachi group performed for various functions in the community in addition to competitions. The location of the town being on the US Mexico border allowed for special opportunities and collaborations. Lorena's groups performed in multiple International concerts that were organized by the Mexican Consulate. The students performed for an audience from another country as well as watched groups from another country performing.

Lorena is now retired due to health issues and resides in Oracle. She is happy to be serving on the board of the Oracle Piano Society.

My early musical sensitivities we are based on nursery rhymes and songs, camp songs, and classical music. I took piano lessons as a child and sang folk songs and played guitar in high school. Because I had music-playing older siblings, I went to concerts (orchestral) from a very young age. Still do.

While working full time as a Registered Nurse, I sang in church groups and did a lot of musical theater. However, I raised a child who played violin and Scottish fiddle back in the 80s, and when I turned 60, 10 years ago, I decided to start playing fiddle, specifically to play the Scottish fiddle tunes that I loved.

I love live music, and my desire to share this has led to my support of the Oracle piano society and OrCA.

Sarah Hardin  BA (anthropology), BSN