Artistic Leadership
Artistic Leadership
Christopher Wilkins
Music Director & Conductor
Christopher Wilkins is passionate about community-oriented projects. He has made it a priority to develop partnerships with artists and organizations based in Northeast Ohio, and to develop educational programming for people of all ages, interests and backgrounds.
Eric Benjamin
Associate Conductor, Akron Youth Symphony Music Director
Active as a composer and arranger, Eric Benjamin’s works have been performed by orchestras nationally. Eric is a committed educator and has taught music at the elementary, secondary and college level.
Chris Albanese
Director, Akron Symphony Chorus
Chris Albanese is the Director of the Akron Symphony Chorus.
Jonathon Turner
Gospel Meets Symphony Choirmaster
Jonathon Turner is the Gospel Meets Symphony Choirmaster.
Douglas A. Bayda
Director, Akron Youth Philharmonic
Douglas Bayda has extensive experience teaching orchestra in Akron Public Schools, as well as string instruction for students since 2007. He is active in the Ohio Music Education Association and National Association for Music Education.