Our staff
Dr. Mark R. Jelinek, DMA - Artistic Director
Dr. Mark R. Jelinek, emeritus professor of music at Bloomsburg University, conducted the University Community Orchestra and the University Chamber Orchestra during his BU tenure. He was also Music Department Chair for nine years. This season marks his 26th season as artistic director of the Southwest Symphony in Hobbs, New Mexico. Dr. Jelinek, a native of Hobbs, NM holds a BMed and a MA from Eastern New Mexico University, where he studied cello and conducting under Arthur M. Welker. Dr. Jelinek received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Arizona State University, where he studied cello with Takayori Atsumi and conducting with Eugene Lombardi.
Dr. Jelinek conducted the 2012 Pennsylvania All-State Orchestra, Northeast Region Orchestra, several District Orchestra and String Fests, the Montgomery County Honors String Orchestra, the Texas Region 6 Orchestra, the Southwest Symphony, the 567th Air Force Band, Weekend for Strings, the cello orchestra of the Annual Arizona Cello Symposium, and the American Cello Congress. He has published articles in Yamaha Instruments’ New Ways, The American String Teacher, and Band and Orchestra Product News. Most recently, Dr. Jelinek was featured in the “PMEA News” Spring 2020 edition in an article entitled “‘The Orchestra Man’ – Mark Jelinek.” He taught orchestra in the public schools of Abilene, TX, Alamogordo, NM, and Tempe, AZ. Dr. Jelinek’s Alamogordo orchestra was chosen to perform as the Honor Orchestra of the 1984 NMMEA All-State convention.
Notable guest artists with Dr. Jelinek’s orchestra include the FORTE Tenors, R. Carlos Nakai, Riders in the Sky, Leslie Parnas, Bob McGrath, David Hickman, Edgar Meyer, Jubilant Sykes, Michael Martin Murphey, and BJ Thomas.
Dr. Jelinek performed in cello sections of orchestras in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Pennsylvania where he played with such notables as Emanuel Ax, Leonard Rose, Ferrante and Teicher, Steve Allen, Doc Severinsen, Chet Atkins, Empire Brass, Floyd Cramer, Lou Rawls, Smokey Robinson, Andrae Crouch, and the Three Irish Tenors.
Dr. Jelinek’s professional affiliations include PMEA, APSCURF, Phi Mu Alpha, and Kappa Kappa Psi.
Dr. Jelinek is the son of the late Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. and Gladys L. Jelinek of Hobbs, NM.
Leanne Isselhard Salgado - Executive Director
Leanne Salgado accepted the position of Southwest Symphony Executive Director in October 2021. She received a B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of New Mexico and teaching certification from University of the Southwest. She is a former high school teacher and has served in several volunteer organizations including Southwest Symphony Board of Directors. Leanne is a mother to three sons Robert, Jonathon and Andrew Salgado. She is enthusiastic about joining the wonderful staff and promoting the amazing programs offered by the Southwest Symphony and its Orchestra.
Cindy Walker - Concert Manager
Cindy Walker has been the Concert Manager for the Southwest Symphony since 1995. She has a Bachelors of Music in Piano Performance and a Masters of Music in Music Theory & Composition from Texas Tech University. A recent retiree as manager of Griffin Funeral Home, she also has an Associate Degree in Mortuary Science from Amarillo College. In addition, Ms. Walker is Chancel Choir accompanist and organist at First United Methodist Church.
Christy Hepp - Office and Youth Series Coordinator
Christy Hepp began working with the Southwest Symphony in 2014. A retired elementary teacher with Hobbs Municipal Schools, she graduated with a Bachelor of Education Degree from University of the Southwest and a Masters Degree in Teaching from Grand Canyon University. Christy is excited to be coordinating the Youth Series Events with Lea County schools to enhance the existing music programs and to inspire students through the performing arts.
Board of Directors
President
Erin Anderson
Vice President
Lucy Acosta
Treasurer
Shannon Flowers
Secretary
Mona Mroz
Directors
Dan Bryan
Shannon Bush
Kay Hannum
James Lackey
Don Williams
Ex-Officio Members
Dr. Mark Jelinek, Artistic Director
Leanne Isselhard Salgado, Executive Director
Cindy Walker, Concert Manager
Christy Hepp, Office/Youth Series Coordinator