Youth Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Stephen Rogers Radcliffe

Stephen Rogers Radcliffe continues to fulfill the promise recognized when he made his Lincoln Center conducting debut with Metropolitan Opera sopranos Jan DeGaetani, Susan Graham and Dawn Upshaw. Since then Mr. Radcliffe has conducted orchestras on four continents, produced compact disc recordings of operatic, orchestral, and chamber music works, and has fostered the development of audiences through innovative educational and artistic programs. An Assistant Conductor of the Boston Lyric Opera, Mr. Radcliffe was Founder and Music Director of the New York Chamber Ensemble - performing for over a decade at Lincoln Center, Artistic Director of the Cape May Music Festival, and Principal Guest Conductor of the Hungarian Virtuosi, ensemble which he led in international touring, television and radio broadcast performances and recording projects.  Mr. Radcliffe is currently the Harry and Mildred Remis Endowed Fellow at Brandeis University, and served as the Director of Orchestral and Operatic Activities at the University of Massachusetts and Music Director of the Five College Opera Project. Mr. Radcliffe holds a degree in Music Education from the New England Conservatory and has led youth orchestra programs throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia.  He holds a Masters degree in conducting from the University of Michigan and has studied at the Aspen and Tanglewood Music Centers as well as at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Florence. His principal teachers include Gustav Meier, Leonard Bernstein and Franco Ferrara.

Junior Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Marcus Tsutakawa

Marcus Tsutakawa has been a music teacher in the Seattle Public Schools since 1979. He became the Director of the Garfield High School Orchestras in 1985 and has since led the orchestra to critical acclaim, capturing 13 of 15 first places at the NW Orchestra Festival. His groups have toured Japan and Europe, and (most recently) won top honors at the Festival of Gold in Boston’s Symphony Hall in April 2007 and Chicago in 2009. Last year he conducted the Indiana All-State Orchestra, and the Suzuki Youth Orchestra of America in Minneapolis. Tsutakawa received the 2005 Mayor’s Arts Awards at Bumbershoot, and has served three terms on the Seattle Symphony Board of Directors. In October, he received the Pioneers in Asian Music Award. He is also part of the faculty at Marrowstone-in-the-City. This is his 11th year with the Junior Symphony Orchestra.

Debut Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Mark Adamo

Since the early 1980’s, Mark Adamo has taught musical ensembles of diverse styles and at varied educational levels. His many teaching positions have included elementary, middle school and high school orchestras; middle school and high school concert bands, marching bands, and jazz bands; middle school and high school choir; collegiate marching band; and competitive junior drum and bugle corps. His instructional services have been provided for the Port Townsend, Northshore, and Shoreline school districts, as well as the Central Washington University Marching Band, the Seattle Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps, the Everett Youth Symphony Orchestras and the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras. Mr. Adamo is much sought after as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout Washington State. In addition to his teaching duties, Mark has served two terms on the Washington Music Educators Association Board of Directors. His hobbies include reading, studying jazz and latin drum set, traveling, X-Box NCAA Football, and eating his wife’s delicious meals. He and his wife, Kate, live in Edmonds.

MITC Program Coordinator: Chris Harshman

Orchestra Coaches:

Symphonette Orchestra
Violin I: Judith I. Beatie
Violin II: Kim Merkley
Viola: Randie Sidlinger
Cello: Lauren Root
Bass: Bryan Kolk
Woodwinds: Kate Labiak
Brass: Todd Merkley/ Kate Labiak
Percussion: Emmy Ulmer

Debut Symphony Orchestra
Violin I: Judith I. Beatie
Violin II: Pam Liu
Viola: Jason Sah
Cello: Lauren Root
Bass: Bryan Kolk
Percussion: Emmy Ulmer

Junior Symphony Orchestra
Violin I: Kim Zabelle
Violin II: Pam Liu
Viola: Jason Sah
Cello: Chuck Jacot
Bass: Patrick Marckx
Woodwinds: Francine Petersen
Brass: Todd Merkley
Percussion: Emmy Ulmer

Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra
Violin: John Kim
Viola: Roxanna Patterson
Cello: Walter Gray
Bass: Todd Larsen
Flute: Zart Eby
Oboe: Dan Williams
Clarinet: Mary Kantor
Bassoon: Francine Peterson
Trumpet: Justin Emerich
Low Brass: David Ritt
French Horn: Mark Robbins
Percussion: Gunnar Folsom