About Us
Colorado Springs
Youth Symphony
Founded in 1980 by Gary Nicholson, the CSYSA has grown from 70 musicians to over 600 students across 12 programs. Serving the Pikes Peak Region and beyond, the CSYSA offers elite audition-based ensembles, the Mozart String Project for beginners, and various summer intensives like the Manitou Chamber Music Festival, Summer Orchestra, and various music camps. CSYSA remains dedicated to providing premier musical education to young people across our region.
What We Offer
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We offer a nurturing musical home for young musicians to discover and grow.
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We foster a vibrant community where peer coaching and mentoring happen naturally.
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We develop meaningful relationships.
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We provide a sense of place that instills stability, focus, and identity.
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We believe music diminishes boundaries between people.
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We enable our students to feel valued, safe, and freely express themselves.
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We create a sense of belonging and collaboration with peers
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We develop students musically and personally.
Why We Matter
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The Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Association enriches the Pikes Peak region through inspiring performances that foster a lifelong appreciation for music.
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We provide young musicians with a positive, challenging, and supportive environment where they build confidence, discipline, teamwork, leadership, and friendships that extend far beyond the concert stage.
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Our students demonstrate what young people can accomplish through dedication and excellence, creating a sense of pride while inspiring younger musicians to follow in their footsteps.
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Through the guidance of exceptional conductors, coaches, and mentors, students learn from experienced musicians who encourage both artistic achievement and personal growth.
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Our concerts and events strengthen the local arts community, welcome thousands of audience members each season, and contribute to the cultural vitality of Colorado Springs.
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By investing in young musicians today, we strengthen the cultural vitality of Colorado Springs, inspire future generations, and help create a community where creativity, education, and the arts - qualities that attract families, businesses, and future generations.
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Most importantly, we inspire a lifelong love of music, helping students become confident performers, engaged citizens, and future leaders who will continue to enrich our community for years to come.
Read About Our Impact
Our Staff

Deborah Liles
Executive Director

Kathryn Vickous
Office Administrator

Miranda Colwell
Office Manager
Our Board of Directors

Cheryl Schwartz
President

Deborah Liles
Executive Director, ex-officio

Stephen Hock
Member

Amanda Schroeder
Member

Melissa Foster
Vice President

Gary Nicholson
Music Director, ex-officio

Bruce Latimer
Member

Ninet Sinaii
Member

Shannon Jones
Treasurer

Gary Foote
Member

Nancy Pittman
Member

David Schwartz
Secretary

Jennifer Dahle-Mesaether
Member

Nicole Anthony Schiff
Member
Our Supporters & Partnerships
Serving our community is a top priority of the CSYSA. We offer over 60 performances a year in our community and online, 20 of which are part of performance tours for each of our ensembles to area schools. The CSYSA actively seeks to strengthen our community offerings by partnering with other local artistic and service groups. Your support makes a difference in the community. Your generous donation will be doubled by our matching donors, allowing students from all communities to participate in our programs and its partnerships with the Colorado Springs performing arts community.

Regular concerts at the Ent Center for the Arts
College credit for participation in CSYSA ensembles

Co-host guest artists
Collaborate with outreach performances
Develop new programs to serve the community
















