Queensland Youth Orchestras Prepare for 2025 with Exciting New Conductor Lineup

Queensland Youth Orchestras (QYO) is thrilled to announce our team of conductors for 2025.

First, we extend congratulations to our current QYO2 conductor, Paul Dean, who will be stepping down to take on an exciting new role at The University of Queensland School of Music. We are grateful for Paul's exceptional leadership, wish him every success in his new position, and hope to see him back at QYO from time to time.                       

Taking the lead as the new QYO2 conductor in 2025 will be the current QYO3 conductor, David Deacon. Over the past three years, David has made a big impact on QYO3, extending the repertoire played by the orchestra and working on strengthening the string sections.

We are delighted to welcome a new conductor to QYO3, Rachel Howley. Rachel is an accomplished conductor, music educator and researcher. She completed a Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and currently conducts the University of Queensland Wind Symphony, the Young Conservatorium Wind Ensemble and is actively involved in numerous other ensembles across Australia. Her research and advocacy for diversity and fair representation in repertoire selection, particularly championing the works of Australian female composers, make her a dynamic addition to the QYO family.

Simon Hewett, continues as Music Director and conductor of the Queensland Youth Symphony, joined by long standing conductors Prof. Rob McWilliams (Wind Symphony), David Law (Wind Ensemble), Bohdan Davison (Big Band), Chen Yang (Junior String Ensemble 1) and Cherie Deacon (Junior String Ensemble 2).

We look forward to the exciting developments these changes will bring to QYO in 2025 and beyond.

Rachel Howley