Welcome to the
Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras
GBYO Guest Symphony Conductors
The Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras are excited to announce two guest Symphony Conductors for the 2026-2027 season: Jacob Kaminski and Dr. Sara Parkinson.
Jacob Kaminski will conduct the fall semester. Jacob is the director of CU Boulder’s Campus Orchestra, the ensemble lead at El Sistema Colorado, and string coach and assistant conductor for Denver Young Artists Orchestra. He also has worked as a guest clinician in the Boulder Valley School District and served as the music director for the 2026 Pikes Peak Honors Orchestra in Colorado Springs. Jacob holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Baldwin Wallace Conservatory in Double Bass Performance, a Master’s Degree in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Colorado Boulder, and is pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Orchestral Conducting and Literature from CU.
Dr. Sara Parkinson will conduct the spring semester. She has devoted more than 25 years to music education, performance, and arts leadership, establishing herself as a respected and dynamic presence in Colorado’s musical community. Dr. Parkinson is Assistant Conductor of the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra and has led performances with Boulder Opera, Flatirons Community Orchestra, St. Aidan's Choir, Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, and PlainsSong Symphony Orchestra. She served as Executive Director of the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra from 2020–2023, following a season as Director of Education and Community Engagement, and most recently served as Executive Director of the Longmont Symphony Orchestra. As a pianist, Sara has performed since 2012 as a soloist and orchestral pianist with the Colorado Ballet Orchestra and as a touring artist for Central City Opera. She holds degrees in piano performance from the University of Iowa (BM) and the New England Conservatory (MM), as well as a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Read more about our guest conductors and the GBYO artistic team.
GBYO guest Symphony conductors Jacob Kaminski and Sara Parkinson
Join GBYO!
Young musicians ages 6-21 participate in GBYO’s three orchestras, wind ensemble, and chamber ensembles in weekly rehearsals during the school year.
Students join from Boulder County, Broomfield, Fort Collins, Thornton, Littleton, and everywhere in between to work with like-minded students and outstanding conductors.
Auditions are held for all instruments, all ages. Audition to join:
Sinfonia, Philharmonic, or Symphony Orchestras
Wind Ensemble
Chamber music
Auditions for the 2026-2027 season held in August!
A home for young musicians 6-21
•
A home for young musicians 6-21 •
The Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras provide a variety of opportunities for young musicians to deepen their musical skills and passion and to engage the community through performances of the highest possible artistic level. Learn more about our mission and history.
Support GBYO
Help us reach our seasonal fundraising goal of $60,000 by donating, sponsoring a concert, or advertising in our program.
Contributions help us sustain our programs, work with excellent artists, and offer financial assistance to many families.
Recent events
GBYO has had a busy spring! Recent events include:
Music After High School online event
Mini-retreat for Wind Ensemble
Spring concert at Macky Auditorium
Chamber music at Balfour Lodge
Más Música performance at Escuela Bilingüe Pioneer Elementary
What people are saying
about GBYO
“GBYO has connected me to some wonderful musicians, and has enabled me to engage with my instrument at a higher level, ultimately deepening my love for music and influencing me to pursue it in the future.”
“I especially love the community of fellow musicians and mentors that surround every musician including me.”
“The concert was stunning yesterday. Thank you so much for what this organization is for all these kids. It’s amazing.”
“My first rehearsal was an absolute blast and I told myself ‘this is the best day I’ve ever had.’”
“GBYO is incredibly important to me.”
Three Orchestras, Wind Ensemble, and Chamber Music
Ensembles
Artistic Team
Get to know GBYO
Questions
2026/27 Season
Welcome to our 16th season!
Rehearsals take place Monday evenings beginning August 31 at Mt. View United Methodist Church, 355 Ponca Place, Boulder, CO.
Rehearsal Schedule
Sinfonia: 4:30-6:00 PM
Philharmonic (Strings, Winds, Brass): 4:45-5:30 PM
Philharmonic (Strings Only): 5:30-6:15 PM
Wind Ensemble: 5:30-6:45 PM
Symphony (Strings Only): 6:30-7:00 PM
Symphony (Strings, Winds, Brass): 7:00-8:30 PM
Send us a note 🎵
Supporters
