Gustav Hoyer, Artistic Director- The music of composer/conductor Gustav Hoyer has been heard in concert, in
film, and on radio around the world. His music has been released on award winning and nominated CD releases. He has composed for a wide-variety of ensembles, but his great love is the richness of the orchestra. Born in Denver, CO, he was raised on a standard diet of American Pop music. His musical world was forever changed upon first hearing the orchestral music of Beethoven in High School. He has multiple degrees in music and has studied with some of the most celebrated composers of our time. His artistic passion is sharing the orchestral music with audiences in a way that strips away their preconceptions of ‘classical music’ and its stereotypes, and invites them to experience the music in a personal and intimate way.
John Hester, Director of Operations- John Hester moved to Los Angeles from Northern California in 1987. He 
performs with many orchestras in Southern California such as the Pasadena Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, New West Symphony, Santa Barbara Symphony, San Bernardino Symphony, Santa Clarita Symphony, and Riverside Philharmonic as well as others. As a chamber musician his noted Los Angeles performances include new works by Esa-Pekka Salonen and William Toutant. He has performed in Europe as well as in music festivals in the U.S. including Round Top and Malibu Strawberry Creek. He holds a Bachelor of Music in performance from California State University Northridge and is currently pursuing graduate studies at California Institute of the Arts. His principal teachers were Charles Siani, Ed Meares, Peter Rofé, and further studies with Julius Levine. As a string bass teacher Mr. Hester is passionate about the encouragement and development of musicians both young and old. He has trained aspiring artists for international television performances with Disney’s Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra as well as working with students at the Idyllwild Arts Academy. As an adjunct faculty member he has taught at California State University at Northridge and currently teaches string bass at California Lutheran University as well as Pepperdine University.
Advisory Board
Don Baird- A composer and clarinetist that has been involved in music since he was 7. He has performed as principal clarinetist in several symphony orchestras as well as involved as a recording artist for most major studios such as Warner Bros., Disney, MGM and many others. Today he specializes in writing, playing and producing his own projects and cds. He is also focusing on teaching advanced students, giving master’s classes on various topics from tone development to dynamic performance practices. His nature is invigorating and engaging which clearly radiates from him during his presentations, lessons and performances.
Special thanks to NoHoArtsDistrict.com for their enthusiasm for this project!
