Austin Youth Orchestras
Prelude Orchestra
The Austin Youth Orchestra Academy Prelude Orchestra is limited to sixth and seventh grade students with one semester of orchestra class who are interested in supplemental training. The Orchestra will follow an advanced curriculum for rapid advancement, and will meet on Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m. in the spring semester of this school year at Austin High School.
Membership Requirements
Membership in the Austin Youth Prelude Orchestra is open to all interested students who qualify through the audition process. Must have at least half of year of orchestral experience in public/private school. Students from schools with orchestra programs must be a member in good standing in their school orchestra. Membership in the AYO program is contingent upon the submission of the membership acceptance agreements and payment of the tuition fee.
Rehearsals
The Prelude Orchestra rehearses fall and spring semesters on Monday evenings from 6:00-7:00 pm. All rehearsals are at Austin High School.
Conductor
Laurie Scott is Associate Professor of Music and Human Learning at The University of Texas at Austin. Additionally, she serves as the director of The University of Texas String Project and the Musical Lives string program at UT Elementary School. She has received both the Teaching Excellence Award from the Butler School of Music and from the College of Fine Arts. A former middle and high school orchestra director, she now mentors young professionals toward successful lives as string educators. In every facet of her teaching Dr. Scott serves as an advocate for inclusive and diverse music classrooms, adult music learners, and access to quality music instruction for all children. Her former students have become exemplary string educators, professional studio and symphony musicians, and passionate arts advocates. She is co-author of the books Mastery for Strings, Learning Together and From the Stage to the Studio: How Fine Performers become Great Teachers.
Contact Dr. Scott at lascott@austin.utexas.edu
Sarah Uy is a violinist and the current Orchestra Teacher at O. Henry Middle School and Mathews Elementary. She graduated with her Bachelor’s in Music Studies with a Recognition in Performance at the University of Texas at Austin in 2023, studying under Sandy Yamamoto and Dr. Laurie Scott.
Sarah began learning violin at age 5 through Sue Mann and the Betty Haag Academy of Music, who both worked with Shinichi Suzuki in Japan.
At The University of Texas at Austin, Sarah was a teacher through String Project for four years where she maintained her own private studio and directed group classes with students aged 0 through 18. She was also a member of the university’s Symphony Orchestra, the Pit Orchestra for the UT Opera, and the Chamber Music program. Sarah student taught at Austin High School and The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, where she was further inspired by her wonderful mentors (Ana-Maria Solis and Alejandro Tijerina) to fulfill her wish of becoming a teacher.
Recently, Sarah is enjoying her role as a public school orchestra teacher and continues to perform in the Austin area through the Castle Hill Quartet and the Sienna String Quartet. She is very passionate about promoting change and discovery through education. In her free time, Sarah loves to create visual art, learn new skills, and spend time with her dog.
Contact Ms. Uy at MsUy@austinyouthorchestra.org
Canzonetta Orchestra
The Austin Youth Canzonetta Orchestra is the entry level ensemble for string students in the central Texas area wishing to join the Austin Youth Orchestra program. Students wishing to join the Canzonetta Orchestra should have mastered the basic skills of right and left hand posture, accurate and reliable intonation, internalization of rhythmic pulse and tempo, mastery of fingerboard geography in first position, and a working knowledge of musical notation. All of these are skills are perquisite to a successful
ensemble/orchestral experience,
Membership Requirements
Membership in the Austin Youth Canzonetta Orchestra is open to all interested students who qualify through the audition process. Membership in the Canzonetta Orchestra is based on performance and skill ability. There is no age requirement. Students must have at least one year of playing experience in public/private school or private lessons. Students from schools with orchestra programs must be a member in good standing in their school orchestra. Membership in the AYO program is contingent upon the submission of the membership acceptance agreements and payment of the tuition fee.
Rehearsals
The Canzonetta Orchestra rehearses fall and spring semesters on Monday evenings from 6:00-7:00 pm. All rehearsals are at Austin High School.
Conductor
Originally from Mexico City, Mr. Fidencio Solis is the Director of Orchestras at Chapa and Simon MS in Hays CISD. He previously taught at O. Henry Middle School for 16 years in the Austin Independent School District, and he was Director for the Gulfport School District in Mississippi. Mr. Solis also serves as Austin Youth Orchestra Organizer. Mr. Solis holds a Bachelors Degree and a Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. In addition, he is certified in Suzuki Method.
Mr. Solis has contributed his expertise to the Austin Youth Orchestra for 16 years and gives his time to fellow music educators and their projects. He plays chamber music, performs with community orchestras and freelances around town. He enjoys sharing time with family and friends, making people laugh, making and listening to music, going to the movies, and traveling.
Contact Mr. Solis at mr.solis@AustinYouthOrchestra.org
Serenata Orchestra
The Austin Youth Serenata Orchestra is designed to propel the aspiring string player to a higher level of instrumental technique, musical sophistication, and ensemble /orchestral skills. The AYO Serenata Orchestra prepares students to not only move through the hierarchy of AYO, but also prepares them for success in their school orchestra. The major technical skills of playing in positions, shifting, vibrato, stylistic bow articulations, and interpretative skills are the goals of the AYO Serenata Orchestra.
Membership Requirements
Membership in the Austin Youth Serenata Orchestra is open to all interested students who qualify through the audition process. Membership in the Serenata Orchestra is based on performance and skill ability, there is no age requirement. Students must have at least one year of orchestral experience either in AYO orchestras or public/private school. Students from schools with orchestra programs must be a member in good standing in their school orchestra. Membership in the AYO program is contingent upon the submission of the membership acceptance agreements and payment of the tuition fee.
Rehearsals
The Serenata Orchestra rehearses fall and spring semesters on Monday evenings from 6:00-7:00 pm. All rehearsals are at Austin High School.
Conductor
Colleen Whatley is the Associate Orchestra Director at Westwood High School in Round Rock ISD. She opened the Pearson Ranch Middle School Orchestra in 2017. Mrs. Whatley also taught in the Katy Independent School District (Katy, TX) and Houston Independent School District (Houston, TX). Currently in her 15th year of teaching, she has taught strings to all grade levels from 1st to 12th grade. In the spring of 2020, her PRMS orchestra was selected as a National Winner in the Mark of Excellence/National Orchestra Honors Project by The Foundation of Music Education, and in 2017, her orchestra was invited to perform at the Music for All's national festival in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Mrs. Whatley received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently serving her second year on the Executive Board for the Texas Orchestra Directors Association, and is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association.
When she is not teaching, Mrs. Whatley enjoys spending time with her family (husband Ragan--also an orchestra director, twin sons Connor and Reilly, and daughter Nora), running, and exploring the outdoors.
Mrs. Whatley was a 7-year member of the Austin Youth Orchestra, and is excited to return to AYO as a conductor.
Contact Ms. Whatley at mswhatley@austinyouthorchestra.org
Sinfonietta Orchestra
The Austin Youth Orchestra Sinfonietta is designed to provide an accelerated orchestral experience for advanced intermediate string players. Acceptance into the AYO Sinfonietta Orchestra is mainly on performance and skill ability, There is no age requirement. Repertoire for the AYO Sinfonietta includes complete performances of Baroque Concerti Grossi, challenging selections from the UIL String Orchestra Prescribed Music List, and new music from contemporary and modern composers.
Membership Requirements
Membership in the Austin Youth Sinfonietta Orchestra is open to all interested students who qualify through the audition process. Students must have at least two years of orchestral experience either in AYO orchestras or public/private school. Students from schools with orchestra programs must be a member in good standing in their school orchestra. Membership in the AYO program is contingent upon the submission or the membership acceptance agreements and payment of the tuition fee.
Rehearsals
The Sinfonietta Orchestra rehearses fall and spring semesters on Monday evenings from 7:15-8:30 pm. All rehearsals are at Austin High School.
Conductor
Ragan Whatley, a graduate of the University of North Texas, will be entering his 14th year of teaching and his 6th year as Director of Orchestras at Canyon Vista Middle School in Round Rock ISD. Prior to that, he taught at Seven Lakes Junior High School and Pershing Middle School in the Houston area. While at Canyon Vista, his groups have maintained state and national distinction through organizations such as the Foundation for Music Education's Mark of Excellence Award and the TMEA Honor Orchestra Competition, including 1st place in the TMEA Honor String Orchestra competition in 2020 and 2nd Runner-Up in the TMEA Honor Full Orchestra Competition in 2022. In 2023, the Texas Orchestra Directors Association named him their Director of Distinction. Mr. Whatley is an active clinician and judge throughout the state of Texas, and maintains professional memberships in TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association), TODA (Texas Orchestra Director's Association), and TMAA (Texas Music Adjudicators Association). He served as TMEA Region Orchestra Chair in TMEA Region 23 for 5 years, and is currently serving his 5th year as the MS/JH Region Orchestra Coordinator for TMEA Region 26. Mr. Whatley lives in Cedar Park with his wife, Colleen, their twin sons Reilly (a cellist) and Connor (a violinist), and their daughter Nora (also a violinist).
Contact Mr. Whatley at mrwhatley@austinyouthorchestra.org
Philharmonic Orchestra
The Austin Youth Orchestra Philharmonic is designed to polish and refine the technique of advancing student performers. musical, technical, and reading challenges are presented to AYO Philharmonic players through the performance of advanced orchestral repertoire. A major goal of the AYO Philharmonic Orchestra is to prepare players for advancement to the AYO Symphony.
The AYO Symphony performs as a String Orchestra in the fall semester and as Full Symphony Orchestra in the spring semester
Membership Requirements
Membership in the Austin Youth Philharmonic Orchestra is open to all interested students who qualify through the audition process. Students must have at least three years of orchestral experience either in AYO orchestras or public/private school. Students from schools with orchestra programs must be a member in good standing in their school orchestra. Wind and percussion students must be members in good standing in their school band programs. Membership in the AYO program is contingent upon the submission of the membership acceptance agreements and payment of the tuition fee.
Rehearsals
The Philharmonic Orchestra rehearses fall and spring semesters on Monday evenings from 7:15-9:00 pm. All rehearsals are at Austin High School.
Conductor
Anna Macias has served as the Director of Orchestras at Lake Travis High School in the Lake Travis ISD since 1996 and has served as a conductor with the Austin Youth Orchestras since 2003. Ms. Macias has served as an organizer for the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) High School Region Orchestra since 1999. Since 2002, she has served as a faculty member of the Texas State University Strings Camp. Ms. Macias is affiliated with TMEA, Texas Orchestra Directors Association (TODA), Texas Music Adjudicators Association (TMAA), and Mu Omicron.
In addition to her work with public schools, Ms. Macias maintains a private double bass studio. A graduate of Southwest Texas State University with a degree in Music Education, she has studied Double Bass with Xuang Yuan Lu, David Neubert, and Howard Hudiburg. Ms. Macias has participated in master classes with Gary Karr and attended the Northwestern Bass Camp, hosted by Jeff Bradetich. She has performed with the Balcones Orchestra, the Mid-Texas Symphony, the Abilene Symphony, and the Brazos Valley Symphony. Ms. Macias currently performs with the Temple Symphony Orchestra. She enjoys playing the double bass in musical productions and has performed in several popular shows around Austin during the past decade.
Ms. Macias is an active freelance bassist who has been a member of two Salsa bands and a Western Swing band. In 1997, she attended the Texas Music Camp, hosted by Johnny Gimble, and fell in love with Texas old time fiddling and Western Swing music. In 2000, Ms. Macias formed the Lake Travis Fiddlers, a group of talented middle school and high school students who perform old time fiddle tunes and Western Swing music at various hill country functions.
Contact Ms. Macias at maciasa@ltisdschools.org
Josue Martinez is the Director of Orchestras at Westlake High School. Mr. Martinez started teaching in Eanes ISD in 2016 as the Assistant Director of Orchestras at West Ridge Middle School before joining the high school faculty in 2021.
Mr. Martinez holds a Bachelor of Music Education (2016) and a Masters of Music in Instrumental Conducting (2019) from Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas. While at Texas State, Mr. Martinez performed with numerous concert ensembles, including the Texas State Symphony Orchestra, Texas State Opera Orchestra, and the Texas State Wind Symphony.
Mr. Martinez is an active musician in the Greater Austin Area as a freelance double bass player and works with the Austin Youth Orchestra Acadamy's Camerata Philharmonic as their co-conductor. Mr. Martinez is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, American String Teacher’s Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, International Society of Bassists, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, and many more local and international organizations.
When Mr. Martinez is not working or studying, he can be found at home with his two terriers, Artemis and Buster.
Contact Mr. Martinez at mrmartinez@austinyouthorchestra.org
Symphony Orchestra
The Austin Youth Orchestra Symphony is designed for advanced players whose technic has reached an interpretive level capable of artistic performance of standard orchestral literature. The Symphony is the top level of the AYO’s curriculum and is conducted by Maestro Pablo Zamora, Assistant Conductor of the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Membership in the AYO Symphony is highly competitive and strives to provide the best possible training for student musicians living and refining their skills in the Austin area. The AYO Symphony performs as a String Orchestra in the fall semester and as a Full Symphony Orchestra in the spring semester,
Membership Requirements
Membership in the Austin Youth Symphony Orchestra is open to all interested students who qualify through the audition process. Students must have at least four years of orchestral experience either in AYO orchestras or public/private school and be in the 9th grade. Students from schools with orchestra programs must be a member in good standing in their school orchestra. Wind and percussion students must be members in good standing in their school band programs. Membership in the AYO program is contingent upon the submission of the membership acceptance agreements and payment of the tuition fee.
Rehearsals
The Symphony Orchestra rehearses fall and spring semesters on Monday evenings from 7:15-9:00 pm. All rehearsals are at Austin High School.
Conductor
Pablo Zamora Mata is a Costa Rican orchestra conductor and music educator. He currently serves as assistant conductor of the Austin Symphony Orchestra, and music director of the Austin Youth Orchestra Symphony. His conducting engagements include the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, the National Symphony Orchestra of Argentina, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra. As an educator he has worked with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Atlanta Music Project, the National Honor Orchestras of the National System of Music Education of Costa Rica, and Orquesta Humanidades of the University of Costa Rica. He has worked in the teams of Carnegie Hall's National Youth Orchestras, the Encuentros Festival of the Dudamel Foundation, the YOLA National Festival of the LA Philharmonic, the Carlos Miguel Prieto Fellowship of the OAcademy, and the Sphinx Connect conference of the Sphinx Organization. He has studied under Marianne Ploger, Catherine Larsen-Maguire, Molly Turner, Sarah Ioannides, Ligia Amadio, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, and Marin Alsop.
Contact Maestro Zamora at MaestroZamora@austinyouthorchestra.org
