HAMILTON, ON, June 25, 2025 — The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra is thrilled to share esteemed guest conductors joining the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s 25-26 season. Dr. Sommer Forrester leads HPYO’s summer intensive program Tune Up! August 18-21. Dr. Armand Hall takes the podium for HPYO’s Fall Term beginning in September, conducting the Philharmonic Orchestra. In the Winter term beginning in February, we welcome Dr. Leah McGray as conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra. HPYO General Manager Megan Benjafield steps up as conductor of the Concert Orchestra for both fall and winter terms.
“We are excited for our young musicians to enjoy a season of growth, development and exciting opportunities to learn from these conductors,” said Kim Varian, HPO Executive Director. “With strong international reputations and educational and conducting acumen, they each bring tremendous knowledge to the organization.”
With this announcement we also share our gratitude to David Willms, HPYO Music Director for the past three seasons. “With energy and vision, David Willms guided the orchestra’s artistic development, helping the ensemble grow stronger and more unified. We are grateful for David’s lasting contribution to the HPYO and we look forward to collaborating with him in the future,” said Kim Varian, Executive Director.
About the 25-26 HPYO Conductors
Dr. Sommer Forrester, Tune Up! Guest Conductor
Dr. Forrester joins the faculty at the University of Toronto this year after serving as Associate Professor of Music at the University of Massachusetts Boston where she taught courses in music education and conducted the UMass Boston Orchestra. Dr. Forrester is an active guest conductor and clinician in North America and the Middle East and has taught music in Canada, Palestine, Israel and Kuwait.
Dr. Armand Hall, HYPO Term 1 Guest Conductor
Dr. Hall is currently on faculty at the Eastman School of Music and is the Director of Programs for the Gateways Music Festival. A conductor and clarinetist, Dr. Hall earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from the University of Michigan and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting from Michigan State University. With a focus on serving underrepresented communities, Dr. Hall served as the Executive and Artistic Director of ROCmusic Collabortive, is the immediate past board chair of El Sistema USA® and serves on the boards of the Archipelago Project and the Rochester Youth Philharmonic.
Dr. Leah McGray, HPYO Term 2 Guest Conductor
Dr. McGray joins us from Wilfred Laurier University where she is conductor of the Wind Ensemble. Previously, she was the Director of Instrumental Studies for the State University of New York at Geneseo, and Rhodes College in Memphis TN, conducting the Geneseo Symphony Orchestra, Geneseo Wind Ensemble, the Rhodes College Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, and teaching classes in conducting and musicianship.
Megan Benjafield, HPYO Concert Orchestra Conductor
Megan brings a passion for youth music making and over 25 years of experience to the podium. Megan has taught instrumental, vocal and contemporary music in three school boards; the TLDSB, the TDSB and the HWDSB. In addition, she has provided professional development to music educators across the province. Since leaving the public education sector, Megan has also become a sought-after adjudicator and clinician. She is thrilled to be working with our junior orchestra and looking to expand our collaborations with other youth organizations through this role.
About the HPYO: Founded by Glenn Mallory in 1965, the HPYO has given the joy of orchestral music to generations of young people and has delighted thousands of audience members. This student-based symphony orchestra is the flagship education program of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. Graduates of the orchestra are involved in professional and community orchestras across Canada, in the United States and in Europe. In addition to performing regular local concerts, the orchestra has performed as far afield as Banff, Moosonee, New York City’s Carnegie Hall, Huntsville, Alabama and Northampton, England. The HPYO continues Dr. Mallory’s legacy of extraordinary music education.
About the HPO: For 140 years, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra has presented orchestral music and education programs with a mission to enrich the wellbeing of the greater Hamilton region. The HPO presents dynamic orchestral performances ranging from standard classical repertoire to popular music and world premieres by living composers. As one of Canada’s leading professional orchestras, the HPO has proudly contributed to the shaping of Hamilton’s cultural landscape.