Michael Neumann has led the Sacramento Youth Symphony since 1979, growing it from a single orchestra of about 55 members into multiple orchestras and several ensembles. His acclaimed Premier Orchestra has toured China, Europe, Costa Rica, Finland, Russia, England, Scotland, and Wales, and won top prize at the Youth and Music Festival in Vienna.

 

Neumann’s first violin teacher in South Africa was a great-great-granddaughter of Antonin Dvořák. After graduating from Lowell High School in San Francisco, he earned full scholarships to the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, receiving a Bachelor of Music in violin performance and a Master of Music in orchestral conducting.

 

He has guest conducted the Cheyenne Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony, Fresno Philharmonic, Napa Valley Symphony, and Camellia Orchestra, as well as the California All-State Orchestra. He was founding Music Director of the Folsom Symphony (2004-2014) and is now Music Director Emeritus.

 

Neumann introduces young musicians to the great works of Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler, Shostakovich, and Tchaikovsky. His honors include a Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission fellowship, recognition from the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts, and the 2009 Arts Educator of the Year award from the Arts and Business Council of Sacramento. He also realized his vision of the “Symphony of 1000” and “Symphony of 2000” concerts at Sacramento’s Memorial Auditorium.