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
Gillian Malacari
Junior Symphony 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.
Junior Symphony 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.
Camerata Orchestra |
Mark Adamo
Camerata Orchestra Conductor
Since the early 1980’s, Mark Adamo has taught a variety of musical ensembles at many educational levels. Since 2001, he has been the orchestra director at Kellogg Middle School and Shorecrest High School. Mr. Adamo was the conductor of the Debut Symphony of the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras for over 20 years, and conducted the Prelude Orchestra for the Everett Youth Symphony Orchestras prior to that. 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. 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 (WMEA) Board of Directors, and was inducted into the WMEA Hall of Fame, class of 2018. Mr. Adamo’s hobbies include reading, studying jazz and Latin drum set, and travelling with his wife, Kate Labiak. Kate and Mark live in Edmonds with two crazy, wonderful American shorthair cats—Sophie and Jack.
Camerata Orchestra Conductor
Since the early 1980’s, Mark Adamo has taught a variety of musical ensembles at many educational levels. Since 2001, he has been the orchestra director at Kellogg Middle School and Shorecrest High School. Mr. Adamo was the conductor of the Debut Symphony of the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras for over 20 years, and conducted the Prelude Orchestra for the Everett Youth Symphony Orchestras prior to that. 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. 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 (WMEA) Board of Directors, and was inducted into the WMEA Hall of Fame, class of 2018. Mr. Adamo’s hobbies include reading, studying jazz and Latin drum set, and travelling with his wife, Kate Labiak. Kate and Mark live in Edmonds with two crazy, wonderful American shorthair cats—Sophie and Jack.
Premiere Symphony
Hillary Radocaj
Premiere Orchestra Conductor
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.
Premiere Orchestra Conductor
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 |
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Ashley Giri
Sinfonette Orchestra Conductor Ashley grew up in the Edmonds School District, and is proud to continue to serve her community as a music educator in the Edmonds SD for the last 8 years. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Central Washington University, and a Master of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University. In addition to teaching in the classroom, Ashley serves as the regional president for the SKMEA region of the Washington Music Educators Association. She has also been involved with the Seattle Youth Symphony, serving as the bass coach for the Prelude Orchestra, and working with SYSO's Summer Music program. Ashley and her husband Tyler have a 9 year old Ragdoll cat named Simon and a 8 year old Great Pyrenees dog named Daisy. In her free time you can find her hiking in the beautiful PNW mountains, reading a great book, or performing with the Everett Philharmonic! |
Overture Strings
Andrea Talley
Overture Strings Conductor
Andrea holds a B.M. from Western Michigan University, and a M.M. from Michigan State University, both in violin performance. 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. 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 a member of NOCCO, a conductor-less
chamber orchestra performing in the Seattle area. 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 holds a B.M. from Western Michigan University, and a M.M. from Michigan State University, both in violin performance. 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. 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 a member of NOCCO, a conductor-less
chamber orchestra performing in the Seattle area. When not performing, teaching, or conducting, Andrea enjoys traveling, and
hiking the next section of the PCT with her violinist-husband Marcus.