Youth Orchestra Salinas (YOSAL) has welcomed Jeffrey de Seriere as its new music director. De Seriere, who initially took on the role in an interim capacity in January, has already made a notable impact, according to YOSAL. Alongside his role at the orchestra, he serves as a faculty member at Cabrillo College in Aptos, balancing both commitments with a schedule that allows him to nurture young talent on Mondays.
De Seriere’s teaching experience spans a wide range of ages, from middle schoolers at YOSAL to seniors in their 80s at Cabrillo. His students, he says, are at different stages of their musical journeys, and he strives to shape them into not only musicians but also lifelong patrons of the arts.
Inspired by mentors early in his own education, de Seriere developed a passion for conducting after discovering a recording of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide. He went on to make his international debut with the Cal State Long Beach Wind Symphony in Seoul, South Korea, and earned his doctorate in conducting from Northwestern University.
Now, at YOSAL, he is focused on building connections with students and helping them discover the transformative power of music. “It’s a great challenge because music can become their life,” de Seriere said, emphasizing his goal of reaching students on an individual level.
The new appointment marks a promising chapter for YOSAL, as de Seriere brings both experience and enthusiasm to inspire the next generation of musicians.
Source: Monterey County Now
