Medford Resident Selected to Lead Youth Symphony

South Shore Conservatory’s Bay Youth Symphony Names Jonathan Lam as New Music Director

South Shore Conservatory is pleased to announce that after a year-long search, Jonathan Lam has been selected as the new Music Director/Symphony Conductor for Bay Youth Symphony (BaYS). BaYS is an auditioned, sequential, youth orchestra program designed to provide opportunities for talented young musicians living in Southeastern Massachusetts, to perform symphonic music at a high level in a well-organized and supportive environment.

Lam, of Medford, is currently Music Director for the Springfield Symphony Youth Orchestras and the Nashoba Youth Orchestras. He has served as the Associate Conductor for the MetroWest Symphony Orchestra and the North Shore Philharmonic. A graduate of Tufts University and Southern Illinois University, Lam studied at the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors. He has played violin and viola professionally, and was a member of the Greater Boston Youth Symphony as a high school student.

In January 2011, Lam conducted the Western Massachusetts Senior District Orchestra. He is excited to be working with BaYS and is looking forward to his involvement with the student musicians and the SSC staff. He will also be working with the Conservatory’s DMF Prep ensembles in Duxbury this summer.

“We are excited to welcome Mr. Lam to the BaYS team, and we believe that his experience will be very valuable as we continue to build and improve the BaYS program,” says BaYS Managing Director Candace Kniffen.

Having had experience with youth orchestras, Lam understands that between athletics, academics, and musical studies, teenagers are often pulled in many directions nowadays.

“My philosophy has been to adopt rehearsal strategies where high expectations and a high level of performance are expected, but the foundation of it all is to play music with passion and enjoyment,” says Lam. “During my rehearsals I like to blend humor and music together, creating an atmosphere of fun, learning, and enjoyment. Music is a mixture of hard work, dedication, enjoyment, talent, and skill.”

BaYS, which is a collaboration between the Conservatory and Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, starts its fifth season this fall. All rehearsals take place on Wednesdays at the Performing Arts Center in Duxbury. BaYS offers ensembles at three levels: a non-auditioned string ensemble for younger students (Dolce Strings), a full symphonic orchestra for intermediate level students (Sinfonia), and a senior full symphonic orchestra (Symphony). Artistic Advisor Steven Karidoyanes meets and rehearses with the orchestras three times per year.

For more information or to register for a BaYS audition, visit http://www.sscmusic.org/orchestra.html, email Candace Kniffen at c.kniffen@sscmusic.org, or call 781-749-7565, ext. 32.

About South Shore Conservatory

The largest not-for-profit community school for the arts in Massachusetts, South Shore Conservatory (SSC) was founded in 1970. Over the last 40 years the Conservatory has remained true to its original mission to provide access to quality education in the arts, and now serves more than 2,500 students ages 9 months to 90, at all skill levels, participating in over 50 programs on site and in outreach programs in partnership with schools and social service agencies throughout the South Shore. SSC’s campuses are located at One Conservatory Drive in Hingham (781-749-7565) and at the Ellison Center for the Arts, 64 St. George Street in Duxbury (781-934-2731). For more information, please visit www.sscmusic.org.

– Information from South Shore Conservatory