Youth Orchestra
Founded in 1993, Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (PSYO) has emerged as the premier training orchestra of Orange County. Under the artistic guidance of Pacific Symphony’s renowned music director Carl St.Clair, PSYO is quickly being recognized as one of the most outstanding youth orchestras in the country.
Representing over thirty-four schools in the SoCal region, PSYO offers performance opportunities to instrumentalists in grades 9-12 and is one of four youth ensembles offered by Pacific Symphony’s Youth Ensembles program. PSYO provides members with advanced and innovative artistic experiences and encourages musical and personal growth through the art of performance. Each season students enjoy regular interactions with Maestro Carl St.Clair, with guest artists and composers, and with the professional musicians of Pacific Symphony. Students also engage in an annual weekend retreat and are offered free and discounted tickets to Pacific Symphony performances throughout the season. PSYO also enjoys periodic international tours, including to Bulgaria in 2011, to China in 2016, and to the Czech Republic and Austria in 2023.
Each season PSYO presents a three concert series, generously sponsored by individual donors. Members also participate in an annual side-by-side performance with Pacific Symphony, where students rehearse and perform in concert with their professional counterparts. Additionally, PSYO’s Spring concert each season features the winner(s) of the annual concerto competition auditions, open to all current PSYO members. All performances take place at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
Weekly rehearsals are held at UC Irvine between September and May each season and members are selected through annual auditions each Spring.
Pola Benke
PSYO Music Director
Pola Benke is a distinguished conductor and cellist, celebrated for her innovative approach to
orchestral leadership and her commitment to standardizing diverse programming in the modern
symphonic repertoire. Beginning in the 2025/26 season, she will serve as Assistant Conductor
of the Pacific Symphony and Music Director of the Santa Monica Symphony. She currently
holds the position of Assistant Conductor with the Long Beach Symphony and the Riverside
Philharmonic, demonstrating her growing influence across Southern California’s musical
landscape.
Born in Poland, Pola began her musical journey as a cellist and holds Master’s degrees in both
cello performance and orchestral conducting. Her dual expertise gives her a rare perspective—
combining the analytical insight of a conductor with the empathy of a performer. Whether
leading a full symphony or an intimate ensemble, she brings warmth, clarity, and a deep sense of
purpose to every rehearsal and performance.
At the core of Pola’s artistry is her dedication to diverse programming that reflects the world’s
rich cultural tapestry. She believes that music has the power to unite and inspire, and she is
committed to curating concerts that showcase voices from underrepresented communities while
reimagining the classics through fresh interpretations. Her leadership style is marked by
kindness, collaboration, and the ability to inspire musicians of all generations to perform at their
best. Whether leading a large-scale symphonic work or rehearsing an intimate chamber
ensemble, Pola brings energy and precision that elevates every performance.
Pola’s professional path has been shaped by collaborations with leading conductors and
ensembles, including Maestro Neeme Järvi, Sian Edwards, and Paavo Järvi. Her participation in
prestigious programs like the Järvi Academy in Estonia, the Dartington Music Festival in
England, and the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music has further refined her craft, earning
her recognition as a forward-thinking and impactful conductor.
Influenced by composers like Krzysztof Penderecki, Igor Stravinsky, and Jennifer Higdon, Pola
embodies a modern approach to conducting—honoring the past while boldly shaping the future
of orchestral music.