Wando High School Orchestras
Directors
Dr. Ryan Silvestri is in his fifteenth year at Wando High School as Director of Orchestras. A native of Boardman, Ohio,
Dr. Silvestri earned a bachelor's degree in instrumental music education from Florida State University, a master's degree in violin performance from UNC-Greensboro, and a doctor of music education degree from Liberty University. Ryan completed his string education studies with the late Dr. Michael Allen, co-author of the Essential Elements for Strings series, and Dr. Rebecca MacLeod.
As a violinist, Ryan has performed with the Charleston, Greensboro, and Tallahassee Symphonies and also served as Concertmaster of the Brevard Music Center Sinfonia Orchestra. Primary violin teachers include Marjorie Bagley, Corinne Stillwell, Eliot Chapo, John Wilcox, and Kathryn Walker. In addition to teaching at Wando, Ryan served as the inaugural director of the Charleston Symphony Youth Strings from 2019-2022 and as an adjunct professor of strings at Charleston Southern University.
Professional associations include NAFME and ASTA. Dr. Silvestri has frequently served as a guest adjudicator and clinician and published articles in the American String Teacher. Under his direction, the Wando Orchestras have tripled in size and consistently received Superior ratings at SCMEA Concert Performance Assessment. The Wando Honors Orchestra was invited to perform at the SCMEA state conference (2017/2024) and the ASTA National Orchestra Festival (2018). Ryan lives in Mount Pleasant, SC with his wife, who is also a music educator and violinist, and four children.
He looks forward to another great year with the Wando Orchestras as they constantly strive for even higher levels of success!
Christine Arroyo began playing the violin in sixth grade and quickly found her passion for music education. A native of Columbia, South Carolina, she actively participated in the Richland School District 2 orchestra program throughout middle and high school. Inspired by her dedicated strings teachers, Mrs. Becky Leonard and Mr. Phillip Pagal, she set her sights early on becoming an orchestra director.
Ms. Arroyo earned her Master of Music in Music Education with a Conducting Specialization from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, where she studied under esteemed conducting faculty including Professor Wes Kenney, Dr. Rebecca Phillips, and Dr. James Kim. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina (Columbia), graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Music, Emphasis in Education. During her time there, she was an active participant in the USC String Project under the direction of Dr. Gail Barnes.
Ms. Arroyo is currently the Associate Director of Wando High School Orchestra alongside Dr. Ryan Silvestri. Prior to this, she was Orchestra Director at Moultrie Middle School (since August 2021). In March 2025, she led the Moultrie 8th Grade Orchestra to a performance at the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) National Orchestra Festival. Her teaching career also includes positions in Charleston County School District (Haut Gap Middle School, Johns Island) and Greenville County School District (Ralph Chandler Middle School). Her ensembles consistently earn Superior Ratings at SCMEA Concert Performance Assessments.
Beyond the classroom, Ms. Arroyo has conducted Youth Orchestras including the Charleston Symphony Youth Sinfonietta and the Greenville County Youth Orchestra. At her most recent Youth Orchestra, the CSYS, she fostered a legacy of musical excellence and a supportive, student-centered culture.
A sought-after clinician and presenter, Ms. Arroyo has led region and all-county orchestras and has presented at the South Carolina Music Educator’s Association Conference, the South Carolina ASTA Conference and the National ASTA Conference.
Outside of her professional life, Ms. Arroyo enjoys CrossFit, nutrition, and spending time with her family (Penn, her fiance and Oliver and Fanny, her cats).
