Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras
Kathryn Byers has a diverse work experience in the field of music education and arts administration. Kathryn began their career as an Administrative Assistant at the Hartwick College Summer Music Festival in 2006 and later worked as the General Manager of the New York Summer Music Festival from 2008 to 2014. In 2010, they held the position of Blossoms Program Coordinator at the Lotus Education and Arts Foundation, and also served as a Marketing Research and Event Planning Assistant at Jacobs School of Music, IU Opera and Ballet. From 2012 to 2015, Kathryn was the Director of Education at The New York Pops. Kathryn then joined the Jacksonville Symphony as the Director of Education and Community Engagement from 2015 to 2018. Currently, they are working as the Director of Operations and Community Programs at the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras since 2018, and will soon become the Chief Operating Officer. Kathryn Byers has consistently demonstrated a passion for music education and community involvement throughout their career.
Kathryn Byers received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Hartwick College in 2008. Kathryn further pursued their education and obtained a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from Indiana University Bloomington in 2012.
Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras
Founded in 1958, the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras' (BYSO) mission is to encourage musical excellence in a professional and supportive environment by providing the highest-quality orchestra training and performance opportunities to qualified musicians, grades K–12, while making its programs accessible to under-served communities through financial assistance and outreach. BYSO has evolved from a single orchestra to one of Boston’s most prestigious arts organizations, with a programmatic scope that includes three full symphonic orchestras, a string training orchestra, six chamber orchestras, a preparatory wind ensemble, a chamber music program, and a nationally recognized string training program that provides rigorous instruction to students from underrepresented communities. Each year BYSO auditions nearly 750 students from throughout New England, ages 7–18, and accepts approximately 450 young musicians. This opportunity offers the highest quality coaching and 20 performances in some of Boston’s finest venues. Every other year, the organization’s most advanced ensemble (BYS) concludes the season with an international tour. BYSO has served thousands of young musicians as one of the largest and most comprehensive youth orchestras in the United State and today is recognized nationally as a model music and arts education organization. With a vision to educate young people from all demographics, BYSO holds excellence in music education at the heart of all of its activities.