It is bittersweet that we share the news that our beloved President and CEO, Cathy Weiskel, will retire in June of 2025 after nearly 28 years of inspiring leadership. Under Cathy's extraordinary guidance, BYSO has flourished, touching the lives of hundreds of young musicians and their families through the beauty and power of classical music

"Whenever I am asked what I do for work, I answer by saying I work for 600 children who play classical music," said Cathy. "The reaction is invariably the same: surprise and a curiosity to know more. This gives me the chance to speak again and then I tell them I have the best job in the world. For the last 28 years, this has been true for me every working day.

The greatest reward for me personally has been getting to know hundreds of children and their families as we shared the great gifts of classical music. It is the music that brought us together and it is its great power that keeps us connected now as I believe it will do in the future. I consider myself a very fortunate lady."

From countless concerts and long-standing partnerships, to the vision and creation of the BYSO Youth Center for Music, Cathy's legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of BYSO. We are immensely grateful for her vision, her unwavering commitment to the arts, and the many cherished memories she leaves behind. As we look ahead, we are excited for the future of BYSO, strengthened by the foundation Cathy has built.

Her crowning achievement is the successful completion of a 27-million-dollar capital campaign, which culminated in the creation of a new, state-of-the-art home for BYSO. The BYSO Youth Center for Music opened in March 2024, and has quickly become a hub for musical creativity, education, and community connection, ensuring that future generations of young musicians will have access to world-class resources.

“Cathy’s passion for our mission and unwavering dedication to our young musicians have been nothing short of inspirational,” said Margaret Chen, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Her tenacity and perseverance have led to unbelievable growth for BYSO– all while staying true to our core values and never losing sight of our most important asset– our children. Hers is a legacy that will guide us for years to come."

To celebrate her legacy, we will honor Cathy at our annual Gala on March 1, 2025 and we will continue to celebrate her throughout the season inviting community members, alumni, and supporters to honor Cathy’s extraordinary contributions and impact.  

Read Cathy's letter to the community. 

Read the full press release. 

Photos by Michael J. Lutch.