Staff - AMERICAN YOUTH SYMPHONY

AYS STAFF

Isabel Thiroux

Executive Director

isabel.thiroux@aysymphony.org

310-470-2332 ext. 103

Isabel Thiroux has been with the American Youth Symphony since she first joined the viola section in 2001. After seven years in the orchestra, she “graduated” to working in the office, becoming Orchestra Manager in 2010 and Director of Orchestra Operations in 2015.

Ms. Thiroux studied viola at CSU, Long Beach with LA Philharmonic violist John Hayhurst and maintains an active career as a freelance violist performing regularly around the Los Angeles area.

Nicolas Bejarano

Development Director

nicolas.bejarano@aysymphony.org

310-470-2332 ext. 104

Nicolas Bejarano was hired in 2022 after serving as the Director of Development for Long Beach Opera. He is also a trumpet player, and a former AYS orchestra member (2017–2020). He specializes in contemporary and new music and has appeared with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, WildUP, Monday Evening Concerts’ ECHOI Ensemble, The Industry Productions, the Ojai Festival Orchestra, and the Martha Graham Dance Company to name a few. He has also had the pleasure of working on projects for composers LaMonte Young, John Adams, David Rosenboom, Gabriella Smith, Ellen Reid, Chris Bowers, Nico Muhly, and Frederic Rzewsky to name a few. Bejarano holds a B.Mus. from McGill University and a M.F.A. from the California Institute of the Arts.

Michael Armstrong

Orchestra Manager

michael.armstrong@aysymphony.org

310-470-2332 ext. 102

Michael Ryan Armstrong is a pianist, conductor, and small-business owner. As a pianist, Michael regularly performs with orchestras and bands in the Los Angeles area. He is an alum of AYS (2008 – 2014), where he had the opportunity to work with such guest artists as John Williams, Danny Elfman, Alan Silvestri, and James Conlon. Michael was the Artistic Director and conductor of the Westlake Village Symphony from 2010-2017, as well as the Esperanza Azteca Youth Orchestra Los Angeles from 2015-2017. He has also conducted the YMF Debut Orchestra, Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra, and Los Angeles Symphonic Winds and has conducted performances in France, Luxembourg, and China.

Michael is the Founder and CEO of Armstrong Digital Media, which offers a wide range of professional services, including music contracting, music preparation, printing, graphic design, and audio/video editing. When he is not making music, Michael enjoys spending time with his two dogs and exploring the beauty of California’s mountains, lakes, beaches, and deserts.

Tim Kopacz is an artist, administrator, and producer at several Los Angeles area non-profit organizations. He is an active educator in the film and TV community, as well as a performer himself. He has degrees from both Boston College and Brown University.

Mark Gutierrez is a Los Angeles born upright/electric bassist, vocalist, composer, lyricist, and producer. He has been performing and creating music in the greater Los Angeles area for over ten years with a variety of ensembles, ranging in genre from Latin music, to Jazz, to Classical/Orchestral, to Hip Hop and more. An alumni of the American Youth Symphony, Mark now works with AYS’ Share-a-Stand program to bring advanced music training to students in LAUSD.

katie.speer@aysymphony.org

Katie Speer was hired in 2023 after serving as the Marketing and Patron Services Associate at Long Beach Opera. During her career in the performing arts, Katie has been a professional stage manager, company manager, and technician; she has also had the pleasure to perform as a dancer and aerialist with The Walt Disney Company. Katie holds a bachelor’s degree in technical theatre from California State University, Long Beach and is currently working towards her Master of Arts Leadership and Cultural Management degree remotely at Colorado State University.

AMERICAN YOUTH SYMPHONY

AMERICAN YOUTH SYMPHONY

AYS STAFF

Isabel Thiroux

Nicolas Bejarano

Michael Armstrong

Tim Kopacz

Mark Gutierrez

Katie Speer

American Youth Symphony

841 Apollo Street, Ste 344, El Segundo, CA 90245

(310) 470-2332 / info@AYSymphony.org

American Youth Symphony is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization. Tax ID: 95-2076046

© 2022 AMERICAN YOUTH SYMPHONY