Mr. Kiser most recently served as the Education and Community Engagement Manager of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra where he oversaw the symphony’s extensive education programs. In Spring 2022, he introduced the newest program called Student Ambassadors that connected local high school music students with the symphony. He is married to the pianist Lisa Won Jung Kiser and they live with their family in Greenville, SC. He is the second oldest of ten children.

David holds a Bachelor of Music from University of SC, and a master’s degree in Piano Performance from Converse College. He is a trained organist and harpsichordist and is a substitute keyboardist for Asheville, Greenville, and Spartanburg Symphonies. David is the long-time host and producer of On the Keys, an hour of piano music played by virtuoso pianists for South Carolina Public Radio. As the producer of On the Keys he gets to regularly interview acclaimed performers and composers. Besides his life in music, education and arts administration, David is a writer and has the distinct honor of being the first ever Writer-in-Residence at the Pat Conroy Literary Center.

Marie Pearce is a harpist with the Greenville County Young Artist Orchestra and serves as the administrative assistant for the Greenville County Youth Orchestras. In addition to her musical pursuits, she has a strong interest in 3D modeling and art, with a focus on creating detailed environments and props. Marie is also studying Swedish and has traveled to over 40 countries with her family.

Grace Jackson works as the Music Librarian for GCYO, she holds the position of principal Flutist in both the Young Artist Orchestra and Philharmonic, and she is currently serving as the Event Coordinator on the Young Artist Orchestra’s student government. She is a senior in highschool and her hobbies include music, reading, writing, and playing with her dog.

In addition to a Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting from the University of South Carolina, Gary received a B.F.A. from the University of Connecticut, Education Certification from the Hartt School of Music, and an M.M. in Instrumental Conducting from Mississippi College. He received additional training in orchestral conducting from the Symphony School of America, the Florida Festival Conductors Symposium, and the Conductors Guild Institute.

Robinson served as Director of the Greenville County Young Artist Orchestra from 1985 to 2022 (with a three-year hiatus from 2016 to 2019, and was Music Director of Greenville’s Foothills Philharmonic from 2000 until 2010. He has appeared as a guest conductor with the Spartanburg Philharmonic, the Bob Jones University Symphony Orchestra, and the Clemson University Symphony Orchestra. Robinson has held conducting posts with the Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra of Jackson, Mississippi (Founder and Director), the 1993 and 1997 SC All-State orchestras, and served as Artist Clinician for the Kenosha (WI) United School District Orchestral Festival in 2005.

In the 1990s, Robinson teamed up with then-GSO conductor David Pollitt to found the Side-By-Side project (later called Shoulder-to-Shoulder) which paired GSO and student musicians for rehearsal and performance. Following the 1997 completion of his DMA, Robinson began GSO assignments that included conducting a chamber concert as well as the GSO/Greenville Ballet production of the Nutcracker ballet. In partnership with then GSO Director of Education Carol Roosevelt, Robinson founded and conducted the Symphonic Expeditions concerts for school-aged children. Most recently, Robinson led the Greenville Symphony (Chamber) Orchestra in a concert entitled Everything Old is New Again, featuring music from the 18th through the 21st centuries.

Robinson served on the faculty of Greenville’s Fine Arts Center from 1985 to 2019, where he developed its percussion and winds & brass chamber music programs and taught music theory. He has served as percussion instructor at Limestone University and filled sabbatical posts at the University of Connecticut and at Furman University. Robinson was a member of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra’s percussion section from 1985 until his retirement in 2024. He has performed as an orchestral percussionist since 1977 in Connecticut, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, and North and South Carolina, as well as with the American Wind Symphony Orchestra of Pittsburgh, PA

Charis Burger is the Director of the Greenville County Sinfonia Orchestra, the Mauldin High School Orchestra and a professional musician. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Converse College and a Master of Arts Degree from Lesley University. Charis is the violist for the Starlight String Quartet and performs regularly for churches and orchestras in the Greenville area. A native of Greenville, Charis enjoys spending time with her family and friends. In her spare time, she can be found behind a sewing machine crafting quilts, bags, or clothes. Charis is married, has three children, three dogs, and serves on her Homeowners Association board.

Originally from Chicago, IL, Elizabeth Conrad began studying violin at the age of 31/2 and continued for the next 22 years with private instruction. From elementary to high school, shewas actively involved in multiple fine arts competitions, youth orchestras, and string camps inthe Chicagoland area. Upon graduating high school, Ms. Conrad studied both at Maranatha Baptist University and Bob Jones University pursuing a degree in music education with an intensive focus on string pedagogy. During her time in college she served as the Assistant Choral Director for the Madrigal Choir, Handbell Director for the Madrigal Handbell Choir, played in multiple chamber groups, and was principal second violin for the MBU Symphony Orchestra. She was also a member of the BJU Symphony Orchestra and worked as the principal music librarian for the BJUSO. She has served as a logistics coordinator, director’s assistant, and instructor at multiple music camps around the country for the last 8 years. While in college, she also taught private violin lessons, theory, and group string classes along with early childhood music classes through Maranatha Music Prep School. After graduating college, Ms. Conrad immediately accepted the position of orchestra director at Woodmont High School where she currently teaches both orchestra and piano. This marching band season, Ms. Conrad is also stepping in as the front ensemble pit instructor for the Woodmont Band of Pride. Teaching young musicians has always been Ms. Conrad’s heart passion and working with the GCYO orchestras as a coach, and now conductor, is a highlight of her week.

Mr. Murch wrote his first orchestral composition, “Momentarily Silent”, as a junior in high school and it was performed by GAMAC (Greater Anderson Music Arts Consortium) Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Alex Spainhour. He won first place in the music composition contest through MTNA (Music Teachers National Association) in 1996 for the state of South Carolina and placed second in the southeast region. He attended the University of South Carolina where he received a scholarship for the viola, composition, and a teaching scholarship through the USC String Project. In 2008 Mr. Murch was awarded the “Golden Apple Award” from WYFF News Channel 4 and was selected as the Teacher of the Year for McCants Middle School. After he taught for ten years at three different middle schools in Anderson School District Five he was granted a full graduate assistantship at the University of South Carolina and completed his masters degree in music education. Mr. Murch is a published composer through Alfred Publishing Co. and composes music performed around the state. He taught for four years at Richland Northeast HS in Columbia, SC where his electric strings ensemble called, “Northeast Current”, performed at the SCMEA (South Carolina Music Educators Association) Conference on February 9th, 2016 playing his arrangements and original compositions. Mr. Murch is currently teaching his ninth year with GCYO and at Northwood Middle School in Greenville, SC.

Kathleen S. Robinson is a graduate of the Hartt School of Music where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. She holds a Master of Music in Chamber Music from the University of Connecticut where she was a member of the Graduate String Quartet in residence. Kathleen has freelanced extensively in the southeast performing with many regional orchestras and holding titled positions with both the Asheville and Mississippi Symphony Orchestras. A full scholarship award afforded her the opportunity to tour in Italy with the Siena Summer Music Festival Orchestra. As a member of the Florida Festival Orchestra, Kathleen also performed in Costa Rica. Serving for over 25 years as the Assistant Principal Second Violin of the Greenville Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, Kathleen continues to perform with the GSO as a section violinist. In addition, she performs with the Hendersonville and Spartanburg Symphonies. She is co-owner of Classic Touch Music, which presents music for special events. Her experience as an educator and youth orchestra conductor spans 38 years. During her tenure in Mississippi, she reorganized and co-conducted Jackson Symphony Youth Orchestra. In Greenville, Kathleen conducted the GCYO Philharmonic Orchestra for ten seasons. She has been invited to direct many festival orchestras and lead masterclasses throughout the region. Kathleen retired from the School District of Greenville County where she taught at many middle and high schools as an itinerant string teacher, including Beck Academy which was her last and longest assignment. Kathleen is a past president of the South Carolina chapter of the American String Teachers Association. During her two terms as president, she co-authored a grant which initiated the formation of the annual SC ASTA Violin-Viola Choir.