WEATHER UPDATE 10:30 AM on Jan 10: Due to a declared state of emergency in North Carolina for impending severe weather conditions, and out of concern for the safety of our audience and musicians, tonight's Bach & Mozart concert at Knight Theater is cancelled. Ticketholders for tonight’s concert will receive an email with ticket options.

Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestras

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Join Our Programs!

 
Auditions
 
Please contact us at csyo@charlottesymphony.org if you have any questions.

Member Portal:

 
Member Portal
 
The member portal is only accessible to current members of the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestras.

About the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestras

The Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestras experience provides extraordinary music education in pursuit of musical excellence. The programs aim to inspire in our students a strong sense of character, discipline, commitment, and community. The ensembles are inclusive, diverse, and accessible to all students, regardless of financial resources. High-quality ensemble training is led by Charlotte Symphony Resident Conductor Christopher James Lees, Youth Camerata conductor Ian Passmore, Youth Philharmonic Co-Conductors Katie Ebert and Eric Thompson, Youth Ensemble Conductor Eric Thompson and professional Charlotte Symphony musicians, who provide a nurturing environment through which young musicians create lasting bonds in music and friendship. We offer regular performance opportunities throughout the city, including the Belk and Knight Theaters; plus, access to the Charlotte Symphony's renowned Music Director Designate, Kwamé Ryan, and international visiting artists. Follow us @cltsymphonyyo!
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Our Ensembles

 
 
 
 

Our Conductors

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Christopher James Lees

CSYO Principal Conductor & CSO Resident Conductor


Currently on sabbatical for the 2024-25 season, Christopher James Lees serves as the Resident Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony and has 15 years of experience conducting secondary, university, and honors-level orchestras all across the country. In addition to his extensive professional work, he also has served on the college faculties of the University of Michigan, Kent State University, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. >> Read More

The Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra Conductor Chair is made possible by a generous gift from The Symphony Guild of Charlotte.
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Ian Passmore

Interim Youth Symphony Conductor & Youth Camerata Conductor


Ian Passmore will serve as Interim Conductor of the Charlotte Youth Symphony and conductor of the new Youth Camerata for the 2024-25 season. He completed his Doctorate of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Masters of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Delaware, and Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. This past season, Ian led a program with the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra.>> Read More
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Katie Ebert

Youth Philharmonic Co-Conductor


Katie Ebert serves as Co-Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Youth Philharmonic. Mrs. Ebert holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Bachelor of Music Performance from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah GA, and a Master of Music Education from Western Carolina University. She is the Director of Bands at Cuthbertson Middle School in Waxhaw NC, and she also serves as the Assistant Director of Bands at Cuthbertson High School.
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Eric Thompson, III

Youth Philharmonic Co-Conductor & Youth Ensemble Conductor


Eric L. Thompson, III serves as the Conductor for the Charlotte Symphony Youth Ensemble and Co-Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Youth Philharmonic. He received his Bachelor of Music from the Curtis Institute of Music in 2007 where he held the Robert Ehrman Fellowship. Upon graduation, Eric played double bass with the Charlotte Symphony prior to joining Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Coaches

We hold sectional rehearsals frequently throughout the year for all CSYO ensembles. These sectionals offer young musicians the chance to receive coaching by Charlotte Symphony musicians and special training on musical aspects and issues unique to their instrument.
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Masterclasses

Masterclasses are hosted by the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra Programs -- all are welcome to attend!
 
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Clarinetist Anthony McGill

Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 10:30 AM | Knight Theater

Hailed for his "trademark brilliance, penetrating sound and rich character" (The New York Times), clarinetist Anthony McGill is one of classical music's most recognizable and brilliantly multifaceted figures. In addition to his dynamic international solo and chamber music career, McGill is principal clarinet of the New York Philharmonic -- the first African-American principal player in the organization's history.

Musical America named him the 2024 Instrumentalist of the Year. He is the recipient of the 2020 Avery Fisher Prize, one of classical music's most significant awards given in recognition of soloists who represent the highest level of musical excellence. McGill was honored to take part in the 2009 inauguration of President Barack Obama, premiering a piece written for the occasion by John Williams and performing alongside violinist Itzhak Perlman, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and pianist Gabriela Montero. He earned his first GRAMMY® nomination for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance for his album American Stories with the Pacifica Quartet (Cedille).
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Cellist Andrea Casarrubios

Saturday, April 26, 2025 | 10:30 AM | Bryant Recital Hall - CPCC

Praised by The New York Times for having "traversed the palette of emotions" with "gorgeous tone and an edge-of-seat intensity," GRAMMY® nominated Spanish-born cellist and composer Andrea Casarrubios has played as a soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. First Prize winner of numerous international competitions and awards, Casarrubios has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Beijing National Center for the Performing Arts, Madrid National Auditorium, and the Ravinia and Verbier Festivals.

As a guest soloist, Casarrubios expanded her own MIRAGE Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, a large-scale work that she premiered with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra in 2025.

Contact Us

For more information about Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestras, please contact us at csyo@charlottesymphony.org or 704-714-5131.