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 a guest stint with the Minnesota Orchestra. He has been in demand as a clinician for young orchestras throughout the state. In 2002, 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. Manny served as Assistant Conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra during the 2005-06 season, and was selected to conduct the 2009 Minnesota All-State 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. That same year Claudette, along with her husband Manny, was hired as co-director of MYS. Over the years, Claudette has guest conducted at various conferences and festivals in the Twin Cities. She was the guest conductor of the Northwest Suburban Conference Music Festival in 2003. In 2002, Manny and Claudette were invited to guest-conduct the National Suzuki Youth Orchestra Festival Orchestra and were invited to serve again in 2004. In February 2005, Claudette conducted the Minnesota All-State Junior High School Honors Orchestra at the MMEA convention. She has been the guest conductor for the St. Paul Honors Orchestra at the Ordway Music Theater since 2002, and has also been a guest clinician for the Classic Lake Festival. In autumn 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 Peo9ple’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 for many programs, including all-district festivals in Robbinsdale, Osseo and Rapid City, S.D., and State High School Orchestra Festivals in North Dakota and Montana. He has been a guest cvlinician for MNSOTA’s Middle Level Orchestra Festival, the Classic Lakes Festival, and others. 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 has been teaching orchestra at Ramsey International Fine Arts Magnet Center in Minneapolis since 1986. In 1998 Pat received the “Master String Educator Award” from the American String Teachers Association. Pat has a BA in Music Education and Journalism from the College of St. Catherine, an MA in Music Education from the University of Minnesota where she is currently writing her Ph.D. dissertation in Music Education. Pat plays viola in the Nicollet Quartet. She joined MYS in 1997.

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.

Sara Preus

Instructor, MYS/Andersen Schools String Studio Program

Sara has a BA in Music Education from Concordia College and an MA in Violin Performance from the University of Iowa. She has taught strings and conducted orchestras for 10 years in public schools in Minnesota, Iowa, and most recently for 12 years in an international school in South Korea. She has played in numerous community and professional orchestras. Sara joined MYS in 2006.

Josh Carlson

Percussion Assistant

Josh received his BA in Music from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2005. While an undergrad, he studied percussion with Bob Adney, timpani with Peter Kogan, and drum set with Dave Hanzel. He’s a member of the Minnesota Percussion Trio, plays regularly with the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra, Minnesota Dance Theater, and the Northern Lights Music Festival. He has played in orchestras with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, jazz piano with the great Frank Mantooth, fiddle virtuoso Natalie McMaster, Grammy award winners Riders in the Sky, and Celtic sensations Cherish The Ladies. Josh is a member of the percussion faculty at MacPhail Center for Music. He joined the MYS staff in 2005.

Jessica Wilson Newhouse

Strings Assistant, Summer Program Coordinator

Jessica is currently studying music at the University of Minnesota. She plays piano, guitar, violin, and also composes. An MYS student from 2003-2006, Jessica joined the MYS staff in the summer of 2006.