ORLANDO, FL – Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras, a beacon of music education and young musical talent, is thrilled to announce the addition of three ensemble directors to our distinguished Artistic Team. These new additions exemplify our commitment to enhancing the opportunities for young musicians to learn and perform while delivering unparalleled musical experiences to our audience.
Meet Our Ensemble Conductors:
Dr. Jeannine Mongeon will serve as the conductor of the Overture Strings ensemble. She earned music education degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (BM), University of Rochester Eastman School of Music (MM), and the University of Miami (PhD). She has worked as a professional violinist and violist in symphonies across the United States. Currently, she performs regularly with the Florida Lakes Symphony. Dr. Mongeon has been an Orchestra Director and music educator since 1990 in various public and private schools, most recently at Montverde Academy (FL). As an educator, she has directed orchestras of all levels, taught courses in a plethora of musical disciplines, and often is the piano accompanist for her students. She has been the Music Director for several musical theater productions. Additionally, she has taught collegiate music education classes at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL.
Andrea Reynolds is honored to serve as conductor of Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras' Sinfonia Orchestra. Andrea Reynolds is currently the Orchestra Director at West Orange High School in Winter Garden, Florida. Prior to her appointment at West Orange, Mrs. Reynolds held positions at Horizon High School (Orange County) and Seminole High School (Seminole County). During the summer, she conducts FSYO’s Stringmania Summer Camp Mezzo Orchestra. Mrs. Reynolds holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Stetson University with an emphasis in instrumental music. Orchestras and Bands under Mrs. Reynolds’ direction have consistently earned “Superior” ratings at Florida Music Performance Assessments (MPA). She is an active member of NAfME, Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA), Florida Orchestra Association (FOA) and Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA). Mrs. Reynolds served as the FOA District 6 Chair from 2018-2020, and is an active clinician and adjudicator for FBA and FOA.
Jaysen Rosario will serve as the Percussion Ensemble director. Jaysen is a distinguished percussionist and dedicated educator based in Seminole County. He currently teaches percussion at Winter Springs High School and Hagerty High School and serves as a charter instructor for the front ensemble at Siege Percussion. Jaysen holds a bachelor's degree in Music Performance from the University of Central Florida and is dedicated to providing accessible percussion education to all.
“I am excited to more formally announce the new (and returning) faces of FSYO. Dr. Jeannine Mongeon has been a long time friend and supporter of FSYO, and I am looking forward to seeing her back as part of the Artistic Team as the Overture Strings Conductor. For our newest ensemble, Sinfonia Orchestra, Ms. Andrea Reynolds is joining the team as their conductor, and I know these students will thrive under her leadership. Mr. Jaysen Rosario is leading the Percussion Ensemble, and we are thrilled to be bringing him into the FSYO family as the Percussion Ensemble Director. These conductors, along with our returning conductors of Ms. Sarah Morrison, Mr. Matthew Davis, Mr. Marc Kolodinsky, and Mr. Kenneth Boyd, and our new Music Director, Mr. Charles Watford, make up the 68th Season Artistic Team, and I am looking forward to furthering FSYO's mission with their support and help.”
-Abigail Tran, Executive Director of FSYO
These appointments further mark a new chapter in Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras' illustrious history with the confirmation of our new Music Director and Symphonic Orchestra Conductor, Charles Watford. As we look to the future, we are excited to embark on this journey with Dr. Mongeon, Ms. Reynolds, and Mr. Rosario, whose talents will undoubtedly enrich our artistic endeavors and inspire our audiences.
ABOUT FSYO: Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras empowers young musicians to achieve excellence and inspire their communities through a shared love of music. In its 68th Concert Season, FSYO serves over 300 musicians and comprises eight ensembles - three symphony orchestras, two string orchestras, two jazz bands, and a percussion ensemble - as well as Stringmania Summer Camp.
FSYO programs are carefully structured to encourage growth with FSYO throughout their primary and secondary years. Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras’ full range of ensembles gives each member a place to excel with peers at a similar level and an opportunity to collaborate with seasoned music professionals on local, national, and international levels. During summers, the Tour Orchestra and Tour Jazz Band members participate in life-changing experiences of organized tours, alternating between international and national travel.
Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras is sponsored in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. FSYO is also funded in part by United Arts of Central Florida, your local agency for the arts, and by the Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program. Thank you to our 2023-2024 Scholarship sponsor, Kiwanis Club of Orlando Foundation, and our 2023-2024 Venue Sponsor, Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation. FSYO thanks these groups for their generous support!
For more information, please visit www.fsyo.org | facebook.com/THEFSYO | @f_s_y_o (instagram) | youtube.com/fsyo
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