The Dublin Youth String Orchestra
Established in 2000, DYSO began as an outlet for students in the Dublin Orchestra program desiring a challenge above and beyond their regular classroom learning. Through its first 20 seasons, DYSO grew to include over 100 members each year, and remains recognized as an exemplary youth orchestra program in and out of Ohio. In 2015, DYSO expanded to two ensembles, Green and Gold. The end of the 19-20 season was cut short by pandemic school shut-downs. We were grateful to return as one ensemble in the fall of 2021 to start the rebuilding process. Now the DYSO program again brings together students from all three Dublin high schools, all five Dublin middle schools, and several Dublin elementary schools, in the combined pursuit of musical excellence.
In 2017, DYSO Gold competed in the National Orchestra Festival in Pittsburgh, earning a Superior rating. DYSO ensembles have been selected to perform at the Ohio Music Education Association's Professional Conference in 2003, 2008, 2016, 2020, and 2026.
The piece "Dublin" was commissioned from Bob Phillips for the 2008 OMEA conference performance, and the piece "Deliberate Diversions" was commissioned from Brian Balmages for the 2020 OMEA conference. DYSO commissioned another work in 2023, this time collaborating with local composer Erica Donahoe for "Moroccan Nights." In spring 2024, Dublin teacher Jason Nippert composed his first piece for string orchestra, and DYSO premiered "Broadside." Brian Balmages commissioned another work for DYSO in 2025, and will have its' premiere performance at the 2026 OMEA conference.
DYSO ensembles have also traveled extensively around the state, participating in masterclasses with conductors at the Cincinnati Symphony, the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music, The Ohio State University, the Cleveland Institute of Music, Baldwin-Wallace Unviersity Conservatory of Music, and Mount Vernon Nazarene University. DYSO has performed at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, and performs regularly throughout the Dublin community.
DYSO rehearses one evening each week, October through March. Membership is open to any Dublin Orchestra student in grades 5-9, while students in grades 10-12 may volunteer as an "RA" - Rehearsal Assistants gain leadership experience and service hours by helping with administrative work, coaching sectionals, and modeling technique and musicality during rehearsals.
In 2017, DYSO Gold competed in the National Orchestra Festival in Pittsburgh, earning a Superior rating. DYSO ensembles have been selected to perform at the Ohio Music Education Association's Professional Conference in 2003, 2008, 2016, 2020, and 2026.
The piece "Dublin" was commissioned from Bob Phillips for the 2008 OMEA conference performance, and the piece "Deliberate Diversions" was commissioned from Brian Balmages for the 2020 OMEA conference. DYSO commissioned another work in 2023, this time collaborating with local composer Erica Donahoe for "Moroccan Nights." In spring 2024, Dublin teacher Jason Nippert composed his first piece for string orchestra, and DYSO premiered "Broadside." Brian Balmages commissioned another work for DYSO in 2025, and will have its' premiere performance at the 2026 OMEA conference.
DYSO ensembles have also traveled extensively around the state, participating in masterclasses with conductors at the Cincinnati Symphony, the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music, The Ohio State University, the Cleveland Institute of Music, Baldwin-Wallace Unviersity Conservatory of Music, and Mount Vernon Nazarene University. DYSO has performed at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, and performs regularly throughout the Dublin community.
DYSO rehearses one evening each week, October through March. Membership is open to any Dublin Orchestra student in grades 5-9, while students in grades 10-12 may volunteer as an "RA" - Rehearsal Assistants gain leadership experience and service hours by helping with administrative work, coaching sectionals, and modeling technique and musicality during rehearsals.
The Directors
|
Mr. Matthew Hawley
Karrer Middle School, 1999-Present MA Educational Administration - The Ohio State University Bachelor of Music Education & Cello Performance - The Ohio State University Matthew Hawley is in his 27th year as Director of Orchestras at Dr. Henry Karrer Middle School in Dublin, Ohio. Mr. Hawley is a graduate of The Ohio State University, holding Bachelor's Degrees in Cello Performance and Instrumental Education, as well as a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration. He founded the Dublin Youth String Orchestra in 1999 and was the director from 1999-2025. Mr. Hawley’s ensembles have appeared at the OMEA Conference on four occasions, and have also performed at the ASTA National Orchestra Festival.
Mr. Hawley has received The Golden Shamrock Award, a lifetime achievement award presented by the Dublin City Schools. He has also received the Ohio School Boards Association Outstanding Teacher Award and the Dublin Community Champion Award. In addition, he has been nominated on multiple occasions for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra Music Educator Award, and in 2010 was nominated for the Ohio Teacher of the Year Award. As a cellist, Mr. Hawley maintains a small studio of private students, and is Principal Cellist with the Central Ohio Symphony. Mr. Hawley enjoys being outdoors, watching the Buckeyes, and spending time with his wife Amy and their two daughters Hayden (19) and Hanna (16). |
|
Ms. Kathryn Liddle
Grizzell Middle School, 2006-Present MA String Pedagogy - The Ohio State University BM Music Education & Violin Performance - Miami University Ms. Liddle is in her 21st year as an educator - she enjoys collaborating with the other Dublin Middle School Strings Teachers and working with talented students from across the district in the DYSO program. In addition to teaching, Ms. Liddle is proud to serve on the Executive Board of the Dublin Educators' Association and the Board of Directors for Capriccio Columbus and the Dublin Community Bands organization. Musically, Ms. Liddle is a member of the Dublin Cornet Band, Dublin Wind Symphony, Capriccio Columbus Choir, performs in the Central Ohio Symphony on violin and viola, and plays violin in a Celtic Combo band for fun.
|
|
Mr. Mike Brosius
Davis Middle School, 2012-Present MA Educational Leadership - Ashland University Bachelor of Music Education - The Ohio State University Mr. Brosius received the OSTA Young String Teacher of the Year Award for the 2015-2016 school year and served as OMEA South Central Region Orchestra Chair for 2016-2019. As a bassist, he performs with the Newark-Granville Symphony and regularly appears as a clinician and guest artist for The Ohio State University's "Bass Day" workshop and summer Bass Camp. Mr. Brosius lives in Dublin with his wife, Liz, daughter Molly, son Andrew, and cat Fozzie Bear Brosius.
|
|
Mrs. Stephanie Hanson
Sells Middle School, 2022-Present Bachelor of Music Education - The Ohio State University Stephanie Hanson is in her 10th year as an educator and fourth year in Dublin City Schools. Mrs. Hanson graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor's of Music Education in 2016. She currently studying to receive her Master’s in Conducting with Wes Kenney at Colorado State University.
Previous to Dublin, Mrs. Hanson spent 5 years in Ashland City Schools, where she taught Orchestra to grades 4-12. Mrs. Hanson’s middle school and high school ensembles consistently receive Superior ratings at OMEA Large Group State Orchestra Contest and the Central Ohio String Festival in Upper Arlington. Mrs. Hanson has been a guest clinician for many programs across Ohio. In her spare time, Mrs. Hanson enjoys hiking, exercising, and spending time with her family in the Leelanau Peninsula. |
|
Ms.Abigail Miles
Eversole Run Middle School, 2025-Present Bachelor of Music Education -Baldwin Wallace University Ms. Miles is the orchestra director at Eversole Run Middle School in Dublin City Schools. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace University in 2019 and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Music Education at The Ohio State University. Before joining the Dublin team, Ms. Miles taught 5th–12th grade orchestra in Perrysburg Schools in Perrysburg, Ohio, where her ensembles consistently earned superior ratings at OMEA Large Group contests. Her groups also performed multiple times at the OMEA State Professional Development Conference and the 2024 National Orchestra Festival in Louisville, Kentucky, as part of the ASTA National Convention.
In addition to her work in the classroom, Ms. Miles is an active performer and conductor. She has served as a conductor for the Baldwin Wallace University Middle School Strings Camp, Ohio State University Morning Strings Workshop and actively performs her cello throughout the state of Ohio. Abigail is passionate about providing inclusive, high-quality music education and fostering a lifelong love of music in her students. |
