Greenville County Youth Orchestra

About GCYO

Greenville County Youth Orchestra (GCYO) has been educating young musicians for over 50 years. Our mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing a quality orchestral program that develops and educates young musicians in the art of performance and enhances their personal musicianship. We strive to make our programs available to all qualifying students, regardless of their socioeconomic situation.

It began in the 1970s as the after school orchestra of the Greenville County School district. Now a partnership between the school district and the not-for-profit GCYO Association, GCYO's 4 ensembles offer outstanding age and skill level appropriate musical challenges to 180+ students.

The Fine Arts Center is the official home of Greenville County Youth Orchestras. Rehearsals are held Monday evenings following the Greenville County Schools academic calendar. All participants must audition. Please see the links below to learn more. Auditions are held at the beginning of May. If you have any questions please contact the Executive Director, David Kiser at the email below.

In 2025, Mr. Neil Casey became music director and conductor of the Young Artist Orchestra, GCYO’s top level ensemble. Previously Dr. Gary Robinson had held that position, leading the orchestra to many artistic highlights over the years including a tour to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Neil Casey continues GCYO’s penchant for artistic excellence. He comes to GCYO from a long career at the University of South Carolina where he was a sought after expert in strings pedagogy, instrumental conducting, violin performance and opera conducting. An expert in youth orchestra education, he was previously youth orchestra conductor of the South Carolina Philharmonic’s Youth Orchestra. 

David Kiser, GCYO Executive Director - david.kiser@gcyo.net