Alaska Youth Orchestras (AYO) begins a new chapter in the 2023-24 season. After five and a half years of leadership, our Executive Director, Denise Brown-Chythlook, is starting a new professional journey.
“It is with mixed emotions that I end my time as Executive Director of AYO,” says Denise. “Although it is difficult for me to step away from such a remarkable organization, I am confident that AYO will continue to flourish and evolve under new leadership. Together we have built a solid foundation that we can be proud of, and I have every faith in the organization’s ability to achieve even greater heights in the future.”
Denise leaves her role with AYO on July 31st, to accept the position of Transitional Executive Director for the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra (ASO) on August 1st, as their 36-year Executive Director, Sherri Burkhart Reddick, prepares for retirement.
“I am deeply honored to join the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra leading alongside my mentor, Sherri Burkhart Reddick, as she prepares for retirement,” says Denise. “The ASO holds a special place in my heart and in the hearts of many in the Anchorage community. Through Sherri’s decades of leadership, the organization has become a foundational part of the Anchorage Arts community. I’m excited to embrace the challenge of continuing the ASO’s high level of artistic excellence, expanding its community reach, and cultivating an inclusive and inspiring environment that celebrates the transformative power of music.”
Denise has led AYO through numerous growth points including restructuring the board and bylaws, expanding AYO programs from one to three which increased the service reach from 100 to 500 youth each year, increasing AYO’s contributed income through individual and corporate giving, strengthening the organization’s grant funding portfolio, and raising the profile of AYO in the community and beyond through outreach and advocacy, both locally and nationwide. Denise attributes this growth to an engaged board and a dynamic staff all working to serve AYO’s youth musicians in the best way possible.
“I have been profoundly inspired by the talented young musicians we have nurtured, witnessed their growth, and marveled at their exceptional performances,” Denise says. “It has been an honor to work alongside an outstanding team of professionals who are truly passionate about empowering our youth. Together, we have made a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals while building a community where music education and performance are valued and shared.”
“I am grateful to the AYO Board of Directors and staff for their unwavering support and guidance throughout my tenure,” continues Denise. “Their dedication to AYO’s mission and their commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive musical community have been instrumental in our collective success. But this is not goodbye! I’ll be right next door and I’ll visit often!”
The AYO Board of Directors has begun a transition process and is committed to maintaining the high level of leadership and meaningful relationships that Denise has established for AYO in the Anchorage Arts Community.