Youth Orchestra Conductors
Kenneth Andrews, Syracuse Symphony Youth Orchestra (SSYO) Conductor
Music Director and Conductor of the Syracuse Symphony Youth Orchestra since 2000, Kenneth Andrews brings a wealth of experience as a conductor and performer to the SSYO. Mr. Andrews is currently Music Director and conductor of the Orchestra of Northern New York and has guest conducted or been music director for several other orchestras and festivals. He has served as Director of Orchestras at Ohio University and for the Crane Chamber Orchestra. He is a frequent guest conductor for youth and all-state orchestras throughout the U.S. and Canada.
As a flutist, Mr. Andrews performed as Associate Principal Flute with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and has played under noted conductors Zubin Mehta, Leonard Slatkin, Jean Martinon, Charles Dutoit and Franz Paul Decker. In addition to his orchestral career, Mr. Andrews has also performed as a recitalist, orchestral soloist, and chamber musician throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, and has been featured on public radio and television. He has performed and conducted at the Canna International Chamber Music Festival in Italy.
Since the fall of 1986, Mr. Andrews has been on the faculty of the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York at Potsdam, where he teaches flute, coaches chamber music, and is Music Director of the Contemporary Music Ensemble. He also performs with the Potsdam Woodwind Quintet. Awards he has received include the President's Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Endeavors, the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the New York State United University Professors Excellence Award for Outstanding Professional Performance and Community Service.
Mr. Andrews received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Indiana University, where he studied with noted flutist James Pellerite and received the Performer's Certificate. He has also done further studies in conducting with Dr. Karl Ahrendt.
Muriel Bodley, Syracuse Symphony Youth String Orchestra (SSYSO) Conductor
Muriel Bodley has been the conductor of the Syracuse Symphony Youth String Orchestra since its founding in 1995. She also leads the Syracuse Symphony Youth String Chamber Orchestra, founded in 2001, which was invited to perform in March 2003 at Ohio State University during the National Conference of the American String Teachers Association and National School Orchestra Association.
Ms. Bodley earned both the Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Crane School of Music. Co-founder and past director of the Suzuki School of Syracuse, she teaches "Suzuki Techniques in the Public Schools" during Ithaca College's summer sessions. She is an active All-County and festival clinician and conductor and is currently co-director of the American String Teachers Association with the National School Orchestra Association String Conference at SUNY Fredonia.
In 1995, Ms. Bodley was awarded the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra's String Educator of the Year Award. She is also a recipient of the National School Orchestra Association's National School Orchestra Director of the Year Award, and in 1998 she received the Helen Hosmer Excellence in Teaching Award. She has also earned national recognition for her outstanding efforts in advancing public school string education.
Ms. Bodley currently serves as President of the New York State American String Teachers Association-National School Orchestra Association.