Today, the Louisville Youth Orchestra (LYO) proudly announced the appointment of Gabriel Lefkowitz as its new Music Director effective July 1, 2025. In his role, Maestro Lefkowitz will lead the artistic vision of the organization that serves more than 450 young musicians across multiple ensembles, paving the way for innovation and growth for an organization that serves passionate student musicians in the Louisville and Southern Indiana area. He will also conduct the organization’s flagship ensemble, the Symphony Orchestra.
“I am deeply honored to be joining the Louisville Youth Orchestra, an institution cherished by our community for its steadfast commitment to musical and educational excellence for young musicians,” said Gabriel Lefkowitz, Music Director Designate. “I look forward to collaborating with the Board, our artistic and administrative staff, as well as the entire regional music community to uphold the LYO’s fantastic organizational reputation, while charting new paths to create ever more extraordinary musical opportunities for the young musicians in our community. I am myself the proud product of a youth orchestra program (in my hometown of Boston), an experience that was crucial to my development as both a musician and a person from the ages of 8 to 17, and so I feel especially privileged and humbled to be entrusted with the responsibility to bring the joys and rewards of music making to a new generation.”
Gabriel is a world-renowned conductor, violinist and composer. In addition to his role as Music Director of the LYO, he serves as the he Concertmaster & Resident Conductor of The Louisville Orchestra, Artistic Director of The Chamber Orchestra of Louisville, and is active as a soloist, guest conductor, guest concertmaster, chamber musician, and teacher. A progressive musician of the 21st century, Gabriel is also a composer who has written the music for several video games, composed several full-length albums of original music), and was the featured violin soloist on the soundtrack for the film Harriet. Previously, he served as the Artistic Director & Conductor of the Louisville Civic Orchestra, where he helped set an artistic vision that attracted notable guest artists, grow audiences and support music growth in the community.
“The LYO is excited to welcome Gabriel to lead the artistic vision of the organization,” said Ben Keeton, President of the LYO Board of Directors. “We are proud of the work we’ve done over the past 66 years and have growth-oriented plans to expand our reach to more students throughout our community. Gabriel is the visionary leader that will help transform our organization to be one of the premiere youth orchestras in the nation.”
Gabriel will partner with LYO Executive Director Matthew Vanover to help the organization achieve its mission in the ever-evolving landscape of music education. “I am thrilled to welcome Gabriel and his fresh perspective to the LYO as we enter our next phase of growth and leadership,” said Mr. Vanover. “His impressive artistic achievements and unmatched passion for music education will provide our students with a tremendous learning experience and ensure that this organization and its members continue to excel.”
Finally, as part of its commitment to supporting music education in the community, the Louisville Youth Orchestra will establish an advisory committee of music educators from across the Louisville and Southern Indiana area to provide new ideas and diverse perspectives to ensure a collaborative approach to providing the best resources for all student musicians.
