Tanatchaya “Tanya"" Chanphanitpornkit is a double bassist, conductor, educator, and arts leader from Trat, Thailand. She studied double bass with James VanDemark at the Eastman School of Music, where she received the Howard Hanson and George Eastman Award and served as President of the Eastman School of Music Students' Association. In recognition of her leadership and service, she was honored with the Susan B. Anthony Women’s Leadership Award and the Linda Muise Student Life Award.
Chanphanitpornkit continued her studies at Teachers College, Columbia University, and has developed extensive teaching experience working with students from toddlers to adults. She currently teaches at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts, serves as Conductor of the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Symphony Orchestra, and Music Director of the New York Youth Symphony's Crescendo Orchestra.
Her Higher Education teaching experience includes appointments at Lehman College, Brooklyn College, Teachers College, Columbia University, William Paterson University, and The College of New Jersey. A passionate advocate for music education and leadership development, she is also a co-founder of the nonprofit organization Girls Who Conduct.
