Alaska Youth Orchestras is pleased to announce that Pierre Derycz will assume the role of Executive Director for the Alaska Youth Orchestras (AYO) in August 2023.
“We are delighted to welcome Pierre as our new Executive Director! says AYO Board President Nate Berry. “We are confident that Pierre’s leadership will further enrich the artistic and educational experiences we offer to our youth musicians and their families. We look forward to working closely with him and witnessing the positive impact he will undoubtedly make on our organization.”
Pierre brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for music education and youth development. Prior to joining AYO, he has served in leadership roles within various music organizations, including the YMF Debut Orchestra and Esperanza Azteca Youth Orchestra in Los Angeles. Pierre is also an accomplished cellist and composer, most recently serving as the Executive Director of the Anchorage Chamber Music Festival. We are delighted to inform you that Pierre will continue his involvement with the Anchorage Chamber Music Festival during the summer months, while dedicating the remainder of the year to his role as the AYO Executive Director. This unique arrangement will undoubtedly enhance the synergy and collaboration between both organizations.
“I am honored to be joining the AYO family!” says Pierre. “I am so inspired by the incredible impact of our organization in the community, and I look forward to working with the AYO team and our musicians, families, volunteers, and partners to continue bringing exceptional educational opportunities for our young musicians.
Pierre Derycz – Biography
Pierre is a cellist and composer with a passion for promoting novel concert experiences that reach new audiences. An experienced concert presenter, he worked with the YMF Debut Chamber Orchestra in Los Angeles to produce the world-premiere performance of YEETHOVEN, a program comparing the pioneering artistry of western classical and hip-hop artists, which garnered international media coverage and overflow attendance. As a performer, he has worked with the Los Angeles Opera and Los Angeles Virtuosi orchestras, and is a co-founder of the cross-genre cello ensemble Splntrd Wood and electro-acoustic band String Fever.
Previously, Pierre worked on the development team at UCLA, where he contributed to the stewardship of transformational philanthropy to benefit the university. He concurrently received an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management, with a concentration in nonprofit and social impact enterprises. Pierre currently serves as Executive Director of the Anchorage Chamber Music Festival in Anchorage, Alaska, and recently founded his own venture, Foogmasta Studios, which creates custom covers and arrangements for classical ensembles seeking to diversify their repertoire. Pierre has also left his mark on the scores of several big-picture films; look carefully and you may spot his credit in titles such as Thor: Love and Thunder, Lightyear, Spider-man: Far From Home, and Coco.