South Coast Youth Symphony Orchestra

Maestro Rocky Lee, is a graduate of Chapman University, where he studied conducting with Maestro John Koshak and violin performance with Mischa Lefkowitz. With three decades of teaching experience, he has become one of the most respected music educators in Southern California. His revolutionary approach to music education has made classical music enjoyable and simple to grasp for young musicians.

As a conductor, he has received accolades in the United States and abroad. Under his leadership, the South Coast Youth Symphony Orchestra performed SCYSO exclusive concerts to filled concert halls at the Los Angeles Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2012 and the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in 2014, 2016 and 2018.  Internationally he has led the SCYSO, representing the United States on nine international concert tours performing in Czech Republic & Austria in 2005, Italy in 2007, Spain in 2009, England, Ireland & Wales in 2011, France & Germany in 2013, Greece in 2015, Austria in 2017, Germany & Czech Republic in 2019 and Spain & France in 2023. One review from the South Wales Evening Post had this to say about the orchestra: “A captivating performance, thoroughly deserving the standing ovation they were given at the end.” The orchestras were received with great applause performing in the magnificent cities of Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, Rome, Florence, Venice, Madrid, Toledo, Seville, Costa del Sol, Granada, Barcelona, Dublin, Cardiff, London, Paris, Avignon, Nice, Arles, Aix-en-Provence, Cannes, Menton, Berlin, Leipzig, Munich, Heidelberg, Halle, Athens, Larissa and Thessaloniki. The orchestra will embark on its 10th international concert tour in 2025 to Germany, the Czech Republic & Austria. 

His work in conducting and education has earned him recognition from the European Cultural Initiative for the Young Generation, presented to him by Dr. Jutta Unkart-Seifert. Together with his staff of selected professional musicians, his orchestras create an environment where young musicians are challenged and encouraged to develop and refine their musical abilities. Maestro Lee inspires the musicians to achieve their highest potential from every stage of their musical development. These attributes are recognized by the enthusiasm expressed by the orchestras he conducts.

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