Meet Carly Addison: Junior String Orchestra's New Conductor

We're thrilled to welcome Carly Addison as the new conductor of the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra's Junior String Orchestra (JSO) beginning Fall 2026!

Mrs. Addison brings a wealth of experience as an orchestra educator, conductor, and advocate for inclusive music education. Throughout her distinguished career, she has served as an orchestra director at Wylie ISD, Irving High School, Austin Middle School, and Little Rock Central High School. Under her leadership, her students have consistently earned top placements in TMEA All-Region Orchestras and Sweepstakes Awards at the UIL Concert and Sightreading Evaluation for ten consecutive years.

Mrs. Addison's students have earned recognition well beyond Texas, including a feature on CBS News highlighting her work creating an inclusive classroom environment. Her orchestras have performed throughout the state and across the country, most recently aboard the USS Midway in San Diego.

I’m thrilled and deeply honored to begin as the new JSO conductor for the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra, an organization I deeply admire for its commitment to fostering a love of music and nurturing talent in young musicians. It is a privilege to work with such incredible students at the beginning of their musical journey!  - Carly Addison, JSO Conductor

Her commitment to music education extends far beyond the podium. Mrs. Addison has conducted TMEA All-Region Orchestras, presented clinics at TMEA and TODA conventions, and served on TMEA Committees. She regularly shares her expertise in string education through professional development sessions, work with new teachers, and teaching aspiring music educators at the university level.

One of her most innovative projects has been her work creating 3D-printed prosthetics that enable students with limb differences to participate fully in their school orchestras. This work has made an impact locally, nationally, and internationally, reflecting her belief that every student should have the opportunity to experience the joy and community of making music.

We're excited to welcome Carly to the FWYO family. Her energy, experience, and passion for helping young musicians thrive will make her a wonderful addition to the JSO and to our organization as a whole.                                            - Andrew Reynolds, Executive Director

JSO Rehearsals Begin Next Week!

The Junior String Orchestra will begin rehearsals next week, and we can't wait to welcome our returning and new JSO musicians to the 2026–27 season!

Mrs. Addison is looking forward to meeting the students, getting to know the ensemble, and beginning a new year of learning, collaboration, and music-making together.

Welcome to FWYO, Mrs. Addison!

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About FWYO:

Celebrating 60 years of extraordinary music education during the 2024-2025 season, the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra has won local, national, and international recognition as one of the finest youth orchestra programs in the United States. Through ten programs - including four major orchestras, two wind ensembles, a jazz band, Early Childhood Music, FWYO Suzuki School, and chamber programs - the FWYO delivers high-quality musical instruction to nearly 500 students ranging in age from four to eighteen years, representing communities throughout North Texas.

Founded by a community group headed by Betty Utter and under the direction of conductors Ezra Rachlin and John Giordano, the FWYO was founded to promote and inspire the continuing development of musical talent in qualified area youth through intensive education in classical orchestral rooted music and performance. The programs offer students the opportunity to further develop their talent as well as their leadership skills, self-discipline, confidence, and pride in personal achievement. Many of the nearly 20,000 alumni of the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra program have gone on to become members of major symphony orchestras, music educators, or leaders in their fields.

The Orchestra's accomplishments include international concert tours in Europe, Mexico, Canada, and the Far East; music festivals in Switzerland and Washington, D.C.; and numerous other concert appearances across Texas and the Southwest. Its most recent tour in 2024 was to Spain with performances in Barcelona, Valencia, and Cullera. The Youth Orchestra has also been honored to perform with artists such as Van Cliburn, Jose Feghali, Yakov Kasman, Tamàs Ungàr, and John Owings, and composers Morton Gould and Samuel Adler. In 2021, the FWYO also received 2nd in the Youth Orchestra Division of the prestigious American Prize and 3rd place in the 2024 American Prize. The Wind Ensemble also won 1st place in the American Prize Youth Band division in 2024.

Under the leadership of Music Director Dr. Germán Gutiérrez since 2000 and Executive Director Andrew Reynolds since 2021, the FWYO has become one of North Texas’ most prestigious performing arts organizations. In addition to its educational programs, the FWYO owns and operates historic Orchestra Hall, located in Foster Park, which has been home to numerous performing arts organizations since 1975.