The Glendale Youth Orchestra was founded in 1989 to provide an opportunity for dedicated young musicians to perform great orchestral repertoire in a professional venue. Over the last thirty years, the orchestra has evolved from a small neighborhood ensemble into one of the best youth orchestras in Los Angeles County. Under the baton of Brad Keimach, the GYO music director and conductor for the past 19 years, the Glendale Youth Orchestra was one of two orchestras chosen to be a Premier Los Angeles Philharmonic Youth Orchestra in the Youth Orchestra Mentorship Program. The GYO is proud to call Glendale's Alex Theater its home, but it has also performed in the prestigious Disney Hall. The orchestra is renowned for consistent excellence and inspiring, passionate performances.
Students who have played in the Glendale Youth Orchestra have been accepted into some of the most prestigious and renowned conservatories and universities, including: Juilliard, New England Conservatory, Peabody, San Francisco Conservatory, Oberlin, Rice, MIT, Harvard, and Stanford. Orchestra members are chosen through a process of merit-based auditions, as the orchestra strongly believes that all students should have access to the life-changing power of music.
Our beloved conductor of 19 years, Brad Keimach, retired at the end of the 2019 Season. Mr. Keimach at his retirement was given the title of Conductor Emeritus. The 2019-2020 season marks the beginning of a new era with a new Music Director and Conductor. Henry Shin was selected from a very competitive field to lead the Glendale Youth Orchestra. Mr. Shin is known for his “keen sense of timing, charisma, and leadership,” and is steadily building a reputation as one of the most “versatile conductors of his generation.” We look forward to Henry’s unique musical voice and impressive educational talents as he leads the GYO into the future.