Meet the Staff
West Michigan Symphony Staff may be contacted at 231.726.3231 and the following extensions or info@westmichigansymphony.org:
Andy Buelow ext. 222
President/CEO
CEO since 2018, Andy has dedicated his professional life to revitalizing orchestras and building strong connections with patrons and communities. At WMS, he led the development of Strategic, DEI and Artistic frameworks to guide the organization’s mission delivery, inclusion and concert curation. He collaborated with Board leadership in revising and revitalizing governance and committee structures, expanded staffing in the areas of audience development and community engagement, and led a campaign that increased the endowment and reserves to $4.5 million. Previously he led the orchestras in Tacoma and Traverse City and was a marketing and PR administrator with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Andy is an avocational keyboardist, an avid sailor and a Great Lakes historian. He and his wife Beth live in Muskegon and have a rustic cottage in the woods north of Traverse City.
Amanda Dykhouse
Music Librarian
Amanda Walvoord Dykhouse began to study the violin at age five with Ellen Rizner. She went on to graduate from Interlochen Arts Academy and attend Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio. She graduated with highest honors from Rice University in Houston, Texas, with degrees in music and religious studies. She pursued further training at the Meadowmount School of Music and Music Academy of the West. Her primary teachers were Kathleen Winkler and Julia Bushkova. She subsequently pursued a Master of Divinity at Western Theological Seminary in Holland.
Amanda is currently the concertmaster of the Holland Symphony Orchestra and the principal second violin of the West Michigan Symphony in Muskegon. She has also been the orchestra librarian for West Michigan Symphony since 2011. She performs frequently throughout the area, including several appearances as a soloist with the Holland Symphony Orchestra. She also plays regularly on the Free@3 recital series and the Chamber Music Festival of Saugatuck. She maintains a violin studio in Holland. Her students have won numerous local awards, including the Holland Symphony Orchestra’s concerto competition, have appeared on the NPR program, “From the Top,” and have been admitted into highly competitive undergraduate music programs. In addition to her musical activities, Amanda has served as a pastor (RCA) at two churches in Holland, Michigan.
Megan James ext. 228
Marketing & Design Manager
A graduate of Kendall College of Art and Design, Megan thrives in the creative process—from early-stage research, collaboration, and brainstorming to crafting layouts and graphic elements. As Marketing & Design Manager, she serves as a full-service in-house creative agency, overseeing visual communications, publications, digital marketing, and more—all to support and elevate the WMS brand. Megan lives in Shelby with her husband Michael and their son Thomas.
Karen Mueller O'Neill ext. 225
Vice President of Development & Marketing
Karen’s 30-year career in nonprofit management includes leadership roles in media consulting, education and the performing arts sectors. Her specialty is building, engaging and growing patron bases to create sustainable revenue streams for small to mid-size nonprofit organizations.
Prior to joining the WMS team, Karen led the marketing, ticket sales and communications efforts for two other professional American orchestras. Highlights of her twenty years as VP of Marketing and PR for the Grand Rapids Symphony include presenting the orchestra at Carnegie Hall and launching the outdoor Picnic Pops series. More recently, she led the marketing and patron experience initiatives of the Charlotte Symphony, serving on the leadership team responsible for the orchestra’s financial turnaround.
Karen is cellist and is rediscovering the joy of playing again after a long hiatus. She and her husband Jim live in Spring Lake, are serial home renovators, foodies, new grandparents and together enjoy gardening, golfing and taking walks with their golden retriever.
Maris Myers ext. 223
Patron Services Manager
Maris Myers' extensive passion for music and the arts has led to a lengthy career supporting arts organizations for over 40 years.
After taking education at Davenport College and ONU Maris began working for the Frauenthal Theater taking on various roles from Ticket Manager, Stage Manager, and Front of House Manager. She transitioned her career to the Grand Rapids Symphony and continued to fulfill her love of people and the arts by running the ticket office. Now back in Muskegon Maris holds the role of Patron Service Manager at the West Michigan Symphony.
Maris's commitment to the arts has extended to many volunteering roles with the St Cecilia Great Artist series, Summer Celebration Festival and Irish and Unity Festivals in Muskegon. She is a multi-instrumentalist, playing the cornet, baritone, saxophone, and piano, she enjoys playing the euphonium at Festival of the Trees and singing in church.
Gabe Slimko ext. 227 or 231.855.6010
Vice President of Operations & Orchestra
Gabe is a graduate of Butler University, where he earned a BS in Arts Administration with a concentration in violin performance. A native of Grosse Pointe Park in Michigan, he has been working in the arts in West Michigan since 2001. He served as Development Director and International Program Assistant at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and was an intern with both the Dallas and Indianapolis symphonies. In 2010 Gabe joined WMS as Orchestra Personnel Manager and later Youth Symphony Manager. His current responsibilities span artistic planning and logistics for all WMS performances at the Frauenthal Center and The Block.
Gabe has been involved with the community as a former member of the City of North Muskegon Planning Commission, a volunteer for the North Muskegon Public Schools Choir Program, and a youth sports coach. In his free time he enjoys boating, downhill skiing, travel, and home improvement projects. He lives in North Muskegon with is wife Beth and sons Logan and Jonas.
Lisa Tabaczka ext. 229
Finance & Office Manager
Bio coming soon.
Karen Vander Zanden ext. 231
Vice President of Community Learning & Engagement
For 20 years Karen has poured her passion for education and love of music into building a vibrant and robust array of education and community programs at West Michigan Symphony, all under the umbrella of the Community Music Encounters platform. Using her background in business and her musical experiences as a drummer, vocalist and educator, Karen has developed and now directs seven successful learning programs with a staff of six teaching artists. Her leadership of the Carnegie Hall Link Up program has provided over 75,000 students from 50 area elementary schools with free beginner music education since its 2004 launch. She created the popular Click Clack Moosic series of musical story-time shows for WMS and continues to find new ways to bring music to families and children. In her spare time Karen drums at church and in her family band with her husband, two sons and daughter-in-law; partners with her husband in working their organic farm; and spends as much time as possible outdoors.
