Musical leadership is shared by Matthew Poon, Assistant Professor of Music Theory at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, and Zachary Bartch, a music educator in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin School District. Together they guide the orchestra with a balance of professional excellence and community spirit.
Matthew Poon is Assistant Professor of Music Theory at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and maintains an active career as a scholar, conductor, and educator. His work bridges academic research and performance, with interests spanning music theory, orchestral conducting, and community engagement. As a theorist, Matthew’s research focuses on musical form and the analysis of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Western art music, with additional interests in music perception and Japanese anime music.
As a conductor, Matthew serves as Music Director of the St. Croix Valley Orchestra, Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra, and Chippewa Valley Youth Symphony. Prior to relocating to Wisconsin, he was active in Toronto’s musical community as Music Director of the Strings Attached Orchestra and conductor of the Toronto Chinese Orchestra. He also held assistant conducting positions with the Kindred Spirits Orchestra and ensembles at McMaster University. He remains connected to the Toronto arts community as Music Director of the ME &- Lau Family Foundation’s String Music and Art Exhibitions and as Artistic Advisor to the Canadian Chinese Orchestra.
Matthew previously taught at Oberlin College & Conservatory and the University of Toronto. He holds PhD, MA and MM degrees from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Music from McMaster University, and an ARCT diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Zachary Bartsch is a Director of Bands (Grade 7-12) and a General Music instructor for the St. Croix Falls School District. A National Board-Certified Teacher, he previously taught in the Hillsboro and Prairie Farm school districts.
Active in the Wisconsin music community, Zach serves as Council Chair for Composition and Improvisations for the Wisconsin Music Educators Association and was selected as Low Woodwinds Coach for the Wisconsin State Honors Band for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Zach is an avid performer and advocate for community music and has played with the Rice Lake, Reedsburg, and Westby community bands, as well as the Red Cedar Choir and Red Cedar Symphony Orchestra, and occasionally performs with the Dean’s List Big Band. Since 2023, he has served as Assistant Director of the St. Croix Valley Orchestra.
Zach holds a Bachelor of Music Education with an emphasis in Composition from UW-Eau Claire and a Master’s degree from Concordia College in Moorhead.