VYOA News & Updates

Our Executive Director was featured on last night’s broadcast. Watch it HERE.

The VYCW Saxophone Ensemble meets weekly on Saturdays at 11:00 beginning January 28, 2012.  For more information about the Saxophone Ensemble (including calendar, fees and registration) please contact Tony Pietricola at tonyvje@gmail.com or Berta Frank, director of the VYCW program: berta@vyo.org

The Vermont Youth Orchestra Association is pleased to announce that Rosina Cannizzaro has accepted the position of Executive Director for the VYOA. Ms. Cannizzaro has extensive experience as an arts educator and working musician in the New York City area. She has taught students of all ages and musical abilities and she has also worked to cultivate arts and music-based programming for teaching artists, public service programs and school music education programs throughout much of her career.

“I am thrilled to be joining the VYOA,” states Ms. Cannizzaro, adding, “I look forward to working with the VYOA students, parents, and staff in continuing to build a community that fosters students’ relationships with the arts, allowing them to reach their full potential as musicians.”

Most recently, Ms. Cannizzaro served as the Program Associate Manager for The Academy, a program of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School and the Weill Music Institute. There, she was responsible for the design and implementation of The Academy’s professional development component, which provides high levels of guidance and training to professional and post-graduate musicians in the areas of performance, education, advocacy and leadership. Prior to this, Ms. Cannizzaro also worked as the Director of Education for the Little Orchestra Society, an in-school music composition residency program specializing in educational outreach to students and senior adults through three established partnership programs in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and New Jersey. Ms. Cannizzaro has also taught percussion, music theory, piano and early childhood programs in many New York schools, including the Diller-Quaille School of Music, the 92nd Street Y, the Sacred Heart School, the Yonkers Music Academy and at the Amadeus Conservatory of Music. Her performances include engagements as principal percussionist/timpanist with Opera North, the SONOS Chamber Ensemble, and the School of American Ballet.

Ms. Cannizzaro is no stranger to Vermont. She has performed on numerous occasions with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and has been a member of their school program, “Drumschtick.” Her husband, Burlington native Nic Cannizzaro is a former VYOA member, Juilliard graduate and working percussionist who also performs regularly with the VSO and the New York Philharmonic. The couple, along with their three young daughters, is eager to return to Vermont.

Ms. Cannizzaro holds a percussion performance degree from Indiana University (BM, 1996). She will receive an MS in Management & Nonprofit Leadership from New England College in spring 2012.

She succeeds exiting Interim Executive Director Randolph Rowland, who has successfully served the VYOA since January 2011. During his tenure, Mr. Rowland initiated and accomplished significant improvements to the organization’s business and operational systems.

Ms. Cannizzaro is expected to assume her new position in early January 2012.

Now is the chance to audition for placement in one of the VYOA Choruses or Orchestras! Rehearsals will begin in January 2012.

Orchestral Auditions  – December 7 from 5:45-8 pm & Thursday, December 15 from 5-8 pm

Young String Players – Friday, December 16 from 4-6 pm

& Saturday, December 17 from 2-4 pm

Choral Auditions – Monday, December 19 from 5-8 pm

& Tuesday, December 20 from 3:30-6:30 pm

For detailed information and to schedule an audition appointment, please email auditions@vyo.org

There are two things to note about this weekend’s Orchestrapalooza performance:

1. Please pick up your tickets in advance to avoid long lines!

2. The Box Office will be opening at 2:00 pm on concert day.

Tickets are still available at the Flynn Box Office by calling 802-655-5030 or visiting www.flynntix.org.