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ESYO Welcomes New Board Members

At its annual meeting this summer, the Empire State Youth Orchestra Board of Directors welcomed a new slate of board members who will contribute their time, talents, and experience to the orchestra's mission. ESYO's Board Members are dedicated volunteers from all walks of life and professional backgrounds. Together with ESYO's passionate young musicians, they work hard to realize the vision of exceptional youth ensembles and orchestras that reflect the diversity of our vibrant communities and that share a joyful passion for music making.

ESYO is thrilled to welcome Vic Bernstein, Brian Quiara, Randall Ellis, and Peter Lauricella to its Board of Directors.

MEET OUR NEW LEADERS

Vic Bernstein

Financial Advisor | Edward Jones

For 14 years, Vic Bernstien has proudly served Capital Region families as an Edward Jones Financial Advisor. He graduated from Rudgers University and earned the Accredited Asset Manager Specialist (AAMS) professional designation. Vic brings a wealth of knowledge and decades of experience in finance and the ever-changing investment landscape.

Brian Quiara

Senior Advisor | Statewide Public Affairs

An ESYO alum, Brian returns to ESYO with a B.A. from Harvard and more than 15 years of public policy experience. Having served as the Director of Policy for then-Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul and Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy, Brian traveled New York State extensively, working with elected officials at all levels and community organizations like ESYO. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Capital Region Classical and plays violin in two community orchestras.

Randall Ellis

Professional Oboist, Instructor, and Coach | Skidmore College & Manhattan School of Music

Two-time Grammy-nominated artist Randall Ellis attended the North Carolina School of the Arts and the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He served as principal oboist of Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra from 1988 until 2016 and is the principal oboist of the Little Orchestra Society and the Mozart Orchestra of New York. Randall is a member of Windscape Woodwind Quintet, the Emmy award-winning All-Star Orchestra, and plays English horn in the New York Pops Orchestra. In addition to performing, Randall is principal oboist and faculty member at the Eastern Music Festival, artist-in-residence at Manhattan School of Music, and teaches oboe and chamber music at Skidmore College.

Peter Lauricella

Regional Managing Partner | Wilson Elser Law Firm

Peter Lauricella is a proud ESYO parent, the regional managing partner of the Wilson Elser's Albany office, and co-chair of the firm's nationwide Commercial Litigation Practice. He represents clients in a wide variety of complex commercial, contract, and corporate litigation matters. Peter is very active in the local community, having served on the boards of directors for several not-for-profit organizations, including the Capital District YMCA. He was appointed to the Albany County Legislature in 2007 and served as Vice Chair of the Albany County Ethics Committee.