The American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras (AYPO) is pleased to welcome its new Conductor of the American Youth String Ensemble (AYSE), Laura Woollen Cahn. Mrs. Cahn is from Fairfax, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Viola Performance from the Indiana University Jacobs School of

Laura Woollen Cahn, Conductor

Music, a Master of Music degree from Butler University, and a Master of Arts and Teaching degree in Instrumental Music from the University of Indianapolis. In 2007, Mrs. Cahn made her debut as the conductor of the New World Concert Orchestra in Indianapolis. She completed her student teaching at the American International School in Vienna, Austria and, after graduation, Mrs. Cahn accepted the position of Music Director at KIPP DC: AIM Academy in Washington D.C. [Read More].

"I love making music with young people and feel there are few greater experiences than playing in an orchestra," said Cahn. "I am also an alumna of AYP, and would like to share the unforgettable experience I had in my youth. Being the conductor of the String Ensemble will allow me to continue the excellent tradition this organization has established. I can't wait to start next season with some exciting repertoire and talented musicians!"

"We are pleased to welcome Laura Woollen Cahn as the new conductor of AYSE," said Margaret Adams, President of the AYPO Board of Directors. "The selection process was rigorous, demanding from the candidates a high level of musicianship and the skills to engage and teach young people. I am especially pleased that our clear choice, Mrs. Cahn, is an alumna of our program."

The AYSE offers young strings musicians the fundamentals of ensemble playing as a gateway to orchestral performance. They learn the basic skills needed for ensemble playing, with a focus on the relationship between the various string parts, accurate rhythm and tempi, tone color, and orchestral procedure.

"The AYSE lays the foundation for the future of the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras," said Music Director Daniel Spalding. "So, the AYSE Conductor is an extremely important position in our organization and I'm excited to have Laura on our staff. Her background as a professional performer and as an accomplished teacher, including extensive work in Suzuki, and her extraordinary work with the New World Youth Orchestra in Indianapolis give me every confidence that she will quickly be leading the AYSE to new musical heights."