INTRODUCING OUR MUSIC DIRECTOR EMERITUS
As we begin our 2023/2024 concert season, CYSO is pleased to announce the appointment of our Music Director Emeritus. Over the past 39 years Gerry Jon Marsh’s vision and leadership have promoted the expansion of CYSO’s programs while providing quality performance experiences for our musicians and audiences. With his retirement at the end of last year, and the selection of our new Music Director (Tam Osborne), we recognize Gerry for his meritorious achievements by appointing him as CYSO”s Music Director Emeritus.
As we begin our 2023/2024 concert season, CYSO is pleased to announce the appointment of our Music Director Emeritus. Over the past 39 years Gerry Jon Marsh’s vision and leadership have promoted the expansion of CYSO’s programs while providing quality performance experiences for our musicians and audiences. With his retirement at the end of last year, and the selection of our new Music Director (Tam Osborne), we recognize Gerry for his meritorious achievements by appointing him as CYSO”s Music Director Emeritus.
Music Director Emeritus
Gerry Jon Marsh
Music Director Emeritus
Music Director Emeritus Gerry Jon Marsh was the Music Director and Conductor of the Cascade Youth Symphony from 1984 to 2023. During his tenure the organization grew from one orchestra to five orchestras that challenge the progressive performance levels of students from age 8 to 21. Under Mr. Marsh’s leadership, CYSO has performed concerts throughout
Europe on eleven concert tours. Gerry and his wife Marilyn had the privilege of initiating the CYSO music camp, Summer Sounds, for our students to further develop their musical training.
Mr. Marsh is also the Wind Ensemble Director Emeritus at Seattle Pacific University. Known for his panache at the podium, Marsh possesses extensive experience and giftedness as an educator, performer, conductor, choirmaster, jazz musician, and composer, and has been frequently involved as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator for music festivals. A member of the inaugural Washington Music Educators Association Hall of Fame, he has conducted music seminars throughout the West Coast, Canada, and England. Mr. Marsh is an award-winning published composer and arranger and has received numerous composition awards and commissions.
Music Director Emeritus
Music Director Emeritus Gerry Jon Marsh was the Music Director and Conductor of the Cascade Youth Symphony from 1984 to 2023. During his tenure the organization grew from one orchestra to five orchestras that challenge the progressive performance levels of students from age 8 to 21. Under Mr. Marsh’s leadership, CYSO has performed concerts throughout
Europe on eleven concert tours. Gerry and his wife Marilyn had the privilege of initiating the CYSO music camp, Summer Sounds, for our students to further develop their musical training.
Mr. Marsh is also the Wind Ensemble Director Emeritus at Seattle Pacific University. Known for his panache at the podium, Marsh possesses extensive experience and giftedness as an educator, performer, conductor, choirmaster, jazz musician, and composer, and has been frequently involved as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator for music festivals. A member of the inaugural Washington Music Educators Association Hall of Fame, he has conducted music seminars throughout the West Coast, Canada, and England. Mr. Marsh is an award-winning published composer and arranger and has received numerous composition awards and commissions.
Youth Orchestra
Tam Osborne
Music Director and Youth Symphony Conductor
Tam Osborne assumed the position as Music Director for Cascade Youth Symphony Organization (CYSO) in 2023. However, he began his affiliation with the CYSO at the invitation of Gerry Marsh (CYSO Music Director/Conductor) in 1984. At that time, Mr. Osborne was a frequent guest conductor with the Youth Symphony and, when the organization expanded, became the first principal conductor of the newly formed Junior Symphony. In subsequent years he was active in promoting the development of CYSO through a variety of positions including principal conductor for CYSO’s Premiere Orchestra, conductor for a CYSO European Touring Orchestra, and conductor at Summer Sounds.
Mr. Osborne’s tenure with CYSO and other youth organizations is extensive, and provides him a knowledge and experience that supports his leadership as CYSO’s new Music Director. In addition to working with Cascade Youth Symphony Organization, he has been the Music Director for the Everett Youth Symphony Organization, Interim Conductor for the Renton Youth Symphony, orchestra conductor for the Japan-Seattle Suzuki Institute, and a conductor with Seattle Youth Symphony’s Marrowstone in the City (MITC). He taught for seven years as a string specialist in the Shoreline School District, served as the String Curriculum Officer and Administrative Officer on the Board of Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA), and was the Administrator of
Visual and Performing Arts in the Edmonds School District. He has been a guest conductor for youth orchestras in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska, and is a popular clinician and adjudicator.
Music Director and Youth Symphony Conductor
Tam Osborne assumed the position as Music Director for Cascade Youth Symphony Organization (CYSO) in 2023. However, he began his affiliation with the CYSO at the invitation of Gerry Marsh (CYSO Music Director/Conductor) in 1984. At that time, Mr. Osborne was a frequent guest conductor with the Youth Symphony and, when the organization expanded, became the first principal conductor of the newly formed Junior Symphony. In subsequent years he was active in promoting the development of CYSO through a variety of positions including principal conductor for CYSO’s Premiere Orchestra, conductor for a CYSO European Touring Orchestra, and conductor at Summer Sounds.
Mr. Osborne’s tenure with CYSO and other youth organizations is extensive, and provides him a knowledge and experience that supports his leadership as CYSO’s new Music Director. In addition to working with Cascade Youth Symphony Organization, he has been the Music Director for the Everett Youth Symphony Organization, Interim Conductor for the Renton Youth Symphony, orchestra conductor for the Japan-Seattle Suzuki Institute, and a conductor with Seattle Youth Symphony’s Marrowstone in the City (MITC). He taught for seven years as a string specialist in the Shoreline School District, served as the String Curriculum Officer and Administrative Officer on the Board of Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA), and was the Administrator of
Visual and Performing Arts in the Edmonds School District. He has been a guest conductor for youth orchestras in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska, and is a popular clinician and adjudicator.
Junior Symphony
Todd Mahaffey
Junior Symphony Conductor
Todd Mahaffey has been an active member of the Cascade Youth Symphony Orchestra since 1988. He started with the organization by playing trumpet for four years in the Youth Symphony. Todd began as a coach for CYSO in 1992 by serving as brass coach for all four levels of CYSO, he has coached Summer Sounds every year since 1992. Mr. Mahaffey started conducting the Premiere Orchestra in 2004, in 2006 he began conducting the Junior Symphony where he continues today. A graduate of the University of Washington in 1996, he is currently the Band Director at Chinook Middle School in Bellevue, WA, where his program has over 190 students in grades 6-8. He also continues to play the trumpet as a freelance musician in the Seattle area and is a regular member of the Lake Union Civic Orchestra and the Seattle Wind Symphony.
Junior Symphony Conductor
Todd Mahaffey has been an active member of the Cascade Youth Symphony Orchestra since 1988. He started with the organization by playing trumpet for four years in the Youth Symphony. Todd began as a coach for CYSO in 1992 by serving as brass coach for all four levels of CYSO, he has coached Summer Sounds every year since 1992. Mr. Mahaffey started conducting the Premiere Orchestra in 2004, in 2006 he began conducting the Junior Symphony where he continues today. A graduate of the University of Washington in 1996, he is currently the Band Director at Chinook Middle School in Bellevue, WA, where his program has over 190 students in grades 6-8. He also continues to play the trumpet as a freelance musician in the Seattle area and is a regular member of the Lake Union Civic Orchestra and the Seattle Wind Symphony.
Premiere Symphony
Hillary Radocaj is a graduate of Western Washington University where she earned a degree in Music Education. Hillary taught band and orchestra in the Northshore School District for seven years and then served as the District Music Coordinator, supporting K-12 music programs district-wide. In 2022, Hillary earned her Master's degree in Educational Leadership from Seattle Pacific University. She currently works as an Assistant Principal at Canyon Park Middle School in the Northshore School District. Hillary began her affiliation with Cascade Youth Symphony Orchestras over 20 years ago as a student performer in the organization. She is passionate about working with young musicians and helping foster a love of classical music.
Sinfonette Orchestra
Gillian Malacari
Cascade Sinfonette Conductor
Gillian Malacari graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education (Honors) and recently completed her Masters Degree in education. She has taught music in Australia, Thailand and the US ranging from early childhood programs to IB Diploma Music. She has established string programs, examined for the International Baccalaureate Diploma, and has conducted all levels of school and youth orchestras. Gillian arrived in Seattle in 2008, and in 2013 started teaching orchestra from 5-8th Grade in the Edmonds School District and is currently teaching Orchestra at Maplewood Parent Cooperative School and College Place Middle School. She loves working with middle schoolers and enjoys helping kids emerge into their musical lives. Gillian plays her violin (including an electric one) in several neighborhood ensembles, she teachers an early childhood music program with the Seattle Children’s Chorus and enjoys a little composing. On the weekends you can often find Gillian running on the Burke Gilman trail and hanging out with her husband and two boys.
Cascade Sinfonette Conductor
Gillian Malacari graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education (Honors) and recently completed her Masters Degree in education. She has taught music in Australia, Thailand and the US ranging from early childhood programs to IB Diploma Music. She has established string programs, examined for the International Baccalaureate Diploma, and has conducted all levels of school and youth orchestras. Gillian arrived in Seattle in 2008, and in 2013 started teaching orchestra from 5-8th Grade in the Edmonds School District and is currently teaching Orchestra at Maplewood Parent Cooperative School and College Place Middle School. She loves working with middle schoolers and enjoys helping kids emerge into their musical lives. Gillian plays her violin (including an electric one) in several neighborhood ensembles, she teachers an early childhood music program with the Seattle Children’s Chorus and enjoys a little composing. On the weekends you can often find Gillian running on the Burke Gilman trail and hanging out with her husband and two boys.
Overture Strings
Andrea Talley
Overture Strings Conductor Andrea began playing the violin in the public school system at age nine and hasn’t stopped since. She holds a B.M. from Western Michigan University, and a M.M. from Michigan State University, both in violin performance. In grad-school, Andrea was an active member of the Community Music School at Michigan State University, a Suzuki school servicing the greater Lansing area. A registered Suzuki violin teacher, Andrea has completed training seminars with Judy Weight Bossuat, Christie Felsing, Martha Shackford, and Ed Sprunger. Andrea has taught as part of the Foothills Suzuki Institute, and most recently, helped to co-create Issaquah Suzuki Strings in 2014 where she currently teaches. She instructs over 40 young violin students, both private and group lessons, and helps to run Camp Tierra, an annual Suzuki Strings summer camp held at the Tierra Learning Center in Leavenworth, WA. Besides studio teaching, Andrea gets a kick out of conducting student orchestras. She spent 4 years with the Everett Youth Symphony organization as the director of the Prelude String orchestra, and is currently conducting the Overture String group with the Cascade Youth Symphony Organization. Previously, Andrea has worked as a strings specialist for the Northshore, Edmonds, and Mukilteo School districts, and as a clinician for regional solo and ensemble competitions. She was the primary teacher/developer of a Suzuki strings program for the La Conner School District, and directed the violin program at Immaculate Conception Regional School in Mt. Vernon. As a performer, Andrea has played with the Juneau Symphony, Federal Way Symphony, Bellevue Philharmonic, Skagit Opera Orchestra, and the Lake Washington Symphony. She is also a member of NOCCO, a conductor-less chamber orchestra performing in the Seattle area. Andrea is the President of the Suzuki Association of Washington State, and a member of the Suzuki Association of America and the American String Teachers Association. When not performing, teaching, or conducting, Andrea enjoys traveling, and hiking the next section of the PCT with her violinist-husband Marcus.
Overture Strings Conductor Andrea began playing the violin in the public school system at age nine and hasn’t stopped since. She holds a B.M. from Western Michigan University, and a M.M. from Michigan State University, both in violin performance. In grad-school, Andrea was an active member of the Community Music School at Michigan State University, a Suzuki school servicing the greater Lansing area. A registered Suzuki violin teacher, Andrea has completed training seminars with Judy Weight Bossuat, Christie Felsing, Martha Shackford, and Ed Sprunger. Andrea has taught as part of the Foothills Suzuki Institute, and most recently, helped to co-create Issaquah Suzuki Strings in 2014 where she currently teaches. She instructs over 40 young violin students, both private and group lessons, and helps to run Camp Tierra, an annual Suzuki Strings summer camp held at the Tierra Learning Center in Leavenworth, WA. Besides studio teaching, Andrea gets a kick out of conducting student orchestras. She spent 4 years with the Everett Youth Symphony organization as the director of the Prelude String orchestra, and is currently conducting the Overture String group with the Cascade Youth Symphony Organization. Previously, Andrea has worked as a strings specialist for the Northshore, Edmonds, and Mukilteo School districts, and as a clinician for regional solo and ensemble competitions. She was the primary teacher/developer of a Suzuki strings program for the La Conner School District, and directed the violin program at Immaculate Conception Regional School in Mt. Vernon. As a performer, Andrea has played with the Juneau Symphony, Federal Way Symphony, Bellevue Philharmonic, Skagit Opera Orchestra, and the Lake Washington Symphony. She is also a member of NOCCO, a conductor-less chamber orchestra performing in the Seattle area. Andrea is the President of the Suzuki Association of Washington State, and a member of the Suzuki Association of America and the American String Teachers Association. When not performing, teaching, or conducting, Andrea enjoys traveling, and hiking the next section of the PCT with her violinist-husband Marcus.