After an extensive search, Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras’ (FSYO) Board of Directors is honored to appoint teacher, composer, and conductor, Dr. James O. Welsch, as Music Director and Symphonic Orchestra Conductor, effective November 21, 2021.

Dr. Welsch is an experienced educator who is dedicated to the development of the whole student through the nurturing of each musician’s unique talent. He has held the dual positions of Associate Conductor of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and Music Director and General Manager of the El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestras, where he conducts their premier ensemble. In his role with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, he has conducted the professional musicians in a variety of Pops and educational concerts, including Carnegie Hall’s Link Up program. Dr. Welsch is the founding Music Director/Principal Conductor of Orquesta Filarmónica Juvenil México-USA “The Bridge.” This binational youth program validates his belief in the universal power of symphonic music to create bonds among people in diverse communities. The initiative brings together talented musicians from Ciudad Juarez and El Paso for orchestral performances on both sides of the border.

An active adjudicator, master class teacher, and festival conductor, Dr. Welsch has considerable experience arranging music. He received a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the Setnor School of Music at Syracuse University, and a Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition from Stetson University.