New York Youth Symphony Names New Musical Director

Conductor Andrew Jinhong Kim will succeed Michael Repper at the helm

Conductor Andrew Jinhong Kim was selected from a field of 85 candidates, following an international search. He replaces New York Youth Symphony's (NYYS) outgoing Musical Director Michael Repper, who has held the position for the past six years.

Kim is presently pursuing a doctoral degree at the University of Minnesota, where he is the James Sample Fellow of Orchestral Conducting. He is highly active in the university's music department, co-directing the UMN Campus Orchestra program and serving as the assistant conductor of both the University Symphony Orchestra and the Opera Theater.

He also previously led the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra and served as the Youth Symphony Conductor of the Duluth Superior Symphony Youth Orchestras.

Kim received his master's degree from Ithaca College, where he studied with Octavio Más-Arocas, and prior to that, he received undergraduate degrees in Music and English Literature from Swarthmore College.

Previous directors of the NYYS include Leonard Slatkin, David Alan Miller, Ryan McAdams, Joshua Gersen, and Miguel Harth-Bedoya.

"Working with passionate young musicians is one of the most meaningful aspects of my life, so I’m thrilled and honored to be joining the distinguished New York Youth Symphony family," Kim said.

"I am immensely looking forward to creating a memorable journey from the first rehearsal to the concert and to engaging the community with the love of music and pursuit of excellence that everyone in the organization shares."

"Andrew embodies everything that NYYS stands for — the goals of inspiring and educating the next generation of musical citizens are ones that he truly takes to heart," said Shauna Quill, the orchestra's Executive Director. "We look forward to partnering with him on this next phase of growth at the NYYS."