The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra (COYO), one of northern Ohio’s premier musical destinations for serious young musicians, will celebrate its 38th season in the fall of 2024. Since its founding in 1986, COYO has performed over 200 concerts and provided a musical home to more than 1,500 talented young musicians. Each season, students continue to be inspired by the depth and excellence of the COYO experience.

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Jahja Ling (1986–1992)

In 1984, Jahja Ling was appointed associate conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra. Drawing on his experience as founding director of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, he established the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra in 1986 and served as its first music director for six seasons. Mr. Ling also served as The Cleveland Orchestra’s resident conductor and Blossom Festival director. He is currently Music Director Emeritus of the San Diego Symphony.

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Gareth Morrell (1993–1998)

Gareth Morrell, former director of choruses for The Cleveland Orchestra, became COYO’s second music director in 1993 and was also the founding director of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus. After his departure in 1998, Harry Davidson conducted the remainder of the 1997–98 season.

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Steven Smith (1998–2003)

Former assistant conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra, Steven Smith was appointed COYO music director in 1998. Under his leadership, COYO was invited to perform a “Family Concert” at Carnegie Hall in 2001, part of a tour that also included a performance at Penn State University. In 1998, COYO was selected as one of only five youth orchestras nationwide to participate in the National Youth Orchestra Festival sponsored by the American Symphony Orchestra League.

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James Gaffigan (2003–2006)

James Gaffigan became COYO’s fourth music director in 2003. During his three-year tenure, he continued to elevate the orchestra’s high artistic standards while programming increasingly challenging repertoire.

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Jayce Ogren (2006–2009)

Appointed in 2006, Jayce Ogren further advanced COYO’s artistic excellence and reignited the orchestra’s touring tradition. His tenure culminated in a four-concert tour of the Boston area in June 2009.

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James Feddeck (2009–2013)

James Feddeck was named music director in 2009. In June 2012, he led COYO on its first international tour, with performances in Prague, Vienna, and Salzburg.

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Brett Mitchell (2013–2017)

Brett Mitchell began his four-year tenure in 2013 as COYO’s seventh music director. He focused on broadening the orchestra’s repertoire, including works by American composers, and led COYO on its second international tour to China in June 2015.

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Vinay Parameswaran (2017–2022)

Vinay Parameswaran was appointed in 2017. Highlights of his tenure include conducting a special arts advocacy concert at the Ohio Statehouse in 2018 and leading COYO’s third international tour in June 2019, which featured performances in Linz, Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest.

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Daniel Reith (2022–2025)

Daniel Reith was appointed COYO music director in 2022. In the summer of 2024, he led the orchestra on its fourth international tour and its first cultural exchange with the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO), conducting both ensembles in Cleveland and Toronto over two collaborative weekends.