Minnesota Youth Symphonies

Manny Laureano

Co-Artistic Director and Conductor, Symphony Orchestra

Manny began his musical studies in the New York City public school system and received his Bachelor of Music Degree from the Juilliard School in 1977. He was appointed principal trumpet of the Seattle Symphony, a post he held for four years before serving in his current position as principal trumpet with the Minnesota Orchestra. As a conductor, he has worked with a variety of ensembles, ranging from having been Music Director of the Calhoun-Isles Community Band, Music Director of the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, to several guest conducting appearances with the Minnesota Orchestra, including serving as Assistant Conductor during the 2005-06 season. Most recently, Manny has been invited to serve as a guest conductor at the Eastern Music Festival in North Carolina during the summer of 2012. Manny has guest conducted the St. Olaf Orchestra, and was recently acclaimed as a guest conductor at Indiana University’s Jacob’s School of Music. He has conducted the Viva City Orchestra through the Minneapolis School District for several years, was selected to conduct the 2009 Minnesota All-State Orchestra, and is in demand as a clinician for young orchestras throughout the state. Manny and Claudette were invited to guest-conduct the National Suzuki Youth Orchestra Festival Orchestra and were invited to serve again in 2004. Manny has served as Co-Artistic Director of MYS since 1988, conducts the MYS Symphony Orchestra, and is the brass and woodwind coach for the MYS Repertory Orchestra.

Claudette Laureano

Co-Artistic Director and Conductor, Repertory Orchestra

Claudette’s musical training began in the public schools of New York City. She is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and was a teacher and freelance violinist in Seattle before coming to the Twin Cities in 1981. In 1982 Claudette was hired to begin a string program at Breck School where she remained until 1988. In that same year Claudette, along with her husband Manny, were hired as co-directors of the Minnesota Youth Symphonies, which is recognized as one of the leading youth orchestra programs in the United States. They are currently in their twenty-fourth season at MYS.

Over the years, Claudette has guest conducted at various conferences and festivals in the Twin Cities. They include the Northwest Suburban Conference Music Festival, the National Suzuki Conference, the Minnesota All-State Junior High School Honors Orchestra, the Classic Lake Festival, and the St. Paul Honors Orchestra. In addition, Claudette is on the MacPhail faculty as a conductor for the Allegro Camp summer program.

In the autumn of 2003, Claudette resumed her position as String Director of Breck School and continues to enjoy working with her students on a daily basis. In 2007 Breck School awarded Claudette the Jean Wigley Award for teaching excellence.

Jim Bartsch

Conductor, Philharmonic Orchestra

Jim joined MYS in 1990 as conductor of the String Orchestra, moving to Philharmonic in 1997. After teaching public school orchestra programs in Northfield and Red Wing for 16 years he became the Minnesota Orchestra’s Director of Education in 1999. He is responsible for Young People’s and Family Concerts, as well as many other education and outreach programs. He writes teacher materials and speaks at dozens of schools annually, preparing students who will attend Minnesota Orchestra concerts. Jim has been a guest conductor/clinician for many programs, including all-district festivals in Robbinsdale, Osseo and Rapid City, S.D., State High School Orchestra Festivals in North Dakota and Montana, and the Minnesota Opera’s Summer Opera Camp orchestra. He has been a guest clinician/adjudicator for MNSOTA’s Middle Level Orchestra Festival, the Classic Lakes Festival, the Saint Paul Public Schools Honors Orchestra, and others. He taught viola at the 2011 Upper Midwest String and Chamber Music Clinic at the College of St. Benedict, and has led violin sectionals for the MMEA All-State Orchestra. Jim is active as a freelance violinist/violst, performing regularly with the Minnesota Opera Orchestra, the Royal Strings and other area ensembles.

Patricia Kelly

Conductor, String Orchestra

Pat holds degrees in Music Education and Journalism from the University of St. Catherine and a masters degree in Music Education from the University of Minnesota. She is proud to have taught in the public schools since 1983. In 1998 she received the Master String Educator Award from the American String Teachers Association and last year was nominated as Teacher of the Year. Her urban school orchestras have been chosen to perform numerous times at the Minnesota Music Teachers Conference, Tier II MNSOTA Concert, the National Principal Convention and were invited to open the MN Legislature in 2001. She performs professionally as a violist with the Nicollet String Quartet and the Borderline Philharmonic and was conductor of the MacPhail Camerata Orchestra. She is still working on her dissertation at the University of Minnesota and plans to finish it this year! She has been the director o the MYS String Orchestra and the Summer Chamber Strings since 1994.

Terry Burk

Instructor, Music Education, Piano, Theory & Composition

Terry holds degrees in composition, music theory and vocal music education from the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music. He has taught music theory and ear training at several music schools in the Twin Cities area and currently serves as a music specialist for the Forest Lake Public Schools. Terry is a professional composer and ensembles throughout the Midwest have commissioned and performed his choral works. Terry joined the MYS staff in 1992 and also conducts choirs for MYS performances of choral pieces with the orchestras.

Greg Grimes

Coach, Brass

Greg received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Trumpet Performance at the University of Minnesota in 2006. He works as the Information Technology Manager for Destineer Studios, a video game development studio in Plymouth. He also performs as a freelance trumpet player in the Twin Cities. Greg joined MYS in 2006.

Shelley Hanson

Coach, Woodwinds

Shelley Hanson’s compositions have been performed throughout the United States, and in Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Also a record producer, clarinetist, and conductor, she and her band, Klezmer and All That Jazz, have performed her concerto for klezmer band and orchestra with The Minnesota Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. She received a Ph.D. in Performance, Music Theory, and Music Literature from Michigan State University. More recently, MYS commissioned La Vida Sefardi (The Sephardic Life), which was premiered by the Repertory Orchestra. She received a Ph.D. in Performance, Music Theory, and Music Literature from Michigan State University. Her Master’s degree in the Woodwind Specialist program involved her studying and performing on each of the orchestral woodwind instruments. Shelley joined the MYS staff in 2002.

Sue Bennefeld

Instructor, MYS/Andersen Schools String Studio Program

Sue holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in violin from the University of Minnesota. She maintains a private violin studio, teaching in both Suzuki and traditional methods. Since 1999, Sue has been Concertmaster of the Wayzata Symphony Orchestra (formerly known as Allegro Sinfonia) under the direction of Marlene Pauley. She is also an active freelance musician. Since 1997, Sue has attended the Borderline Philharmonic Summer Chamber Music Camp. From 2006-2009 Sue was a violin coach for the Allegro Orchestra Camp in Wayzata, MN. Sue was the MYS Andersen String Studio instructor from 1999-2006 and joined the program again in the 2010-11 season.

Jay Bluhm

Percussion Assistant

Jay is an alum of MYS, who played percussion in the Symphony Orchestra from 2002-2007. Since his time in MYS, life has taken Jay on many journeys, from being a laborer, to marketing and sales, to being a dance instructor. MYS has instilled a love of music in Jay which has shaped his personality and made him who he is today. Since graduating in 2007, Jay has continued to perform in ensembles and bands and has coached all levels of students through various music programs. Jay joined the MYS staff in 2010.

Jessica Newhouse

Strings Assistant, Summer Program Coordinator

An MYS student from 2003-2006, Jessica joined the MYS staff in the summer of 2006. She received her Bachelors of Music degree in Violin Performance at the University of Minnesota. In addition to being a part of MYS, Jessica is currently teaching privately in the greater Twin Cities area. She plays piano, guitar, and violin, and loves being a part of small ensembles. MYS played and continues to play a big role in inspiring Jessica’s musical aspirations.