Founded in 1993 to bring high-level orchestral training to the youth of the Chattahoochee Valley.
The Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus was formed in May of 1993 by Lynn Whiddon and Charlyn Kerr, staunch supporters of the arts in our community, with a mission to provide a high level of musical instruction to the youth in our area. Today the program serves roughly 100 young musicians from over thirty area public, private, and home schools across Georgia and Alabama, with students as young as 11 all the way through their senior year of high school.
Since our founding 32 years ago, we have been proud to witness how our work has benefited the Valley Area community and beyond. Want to take part? Contribute to our work by donating today.
To teach young people about music. To provide young instrumentalists the highest quality musical experience in an orchestral setting. To foster the discipline that makes musicians successful, a discipline invaluable in life and every other pursuit. To instill the value of the arts as an enrichment in every aspect of life.
Music Director & Conductor
Recipient of the American String Teachers Association Elizabeth A. H. Green Award for a distinguished career in string teaching, Jim Palmer has been Music Director of YOGC for 21 years and Orchestra Director at Allatoona High School for 18 years. An editor, arranger, and featured clinician for Alfred Music, he has published over 20 orchestra arrangements and co-authored “Sound Orchestra,” a method book for symphony orchestra.
Academy Director & Associate Conductor
Laszlo Stan began his musical education at the age of 5 in his native country of Romania. Trained in Romania and Hungary, he came to the U.S. at the age of 16 after winning a violin competition in Budapest, Hungary, for a scholarship to a private academy. Laszlo received a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Violin Performance from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University. During this time, he had a solo performance with the violinist Midori, and quartet performances with the Eroica Trio and the Ying Quartet.
Laszlo also attended the Brevard Music Festival in Brevard, North Carolina, where he participated in performances with internationally renowned soloists, conductors, and composers such as Janos Starker, Gunther Schuller, and Peter Schickele (PDQ Bach). Mr. Stan toured as a violinist with the Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company across the United States and Canada, performing Gilbert and Sullivan’s Mikado and H.M.S. Pinafore.
Professional memberships have included serving with the Albany Symphony Orchestra, Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Chamber Orchestra, Columbus Opera Orchestra, Columbus Bach Orchestra, LaGrange Symphony Orchestra, and the Macon Symphony Orchestra.
Laszlo has been the Associate Conductor of the Albany Youth Symphony Orchestra in Albany, Georgia, served as a violin and viola teacher at the Greater Columbus School of Music, as well as years of private teaching violin and viola.
Laszlo has been the Orchestra Director at Richards Middle School since 2014. Mr. Stan has served as Orchestra Director at Veterans Middle School and Radium Springs Middle Magnet School of the Arts in Albany, Georgia.
He is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association and has been a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas.
Executive Director
Originally from Kingsland, Georgia, Keyla Núñez has proudly called Columbus, Georgia home for the past ten years. A graduate of Columbus State University’s Schwob School of Music, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance and developed a lifelong love for music education and the performing arts.
Prior to serving as the Executive Director of the Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus, Keyla worked in the legal field as a paralegal since covid19. Through this experience, she developed strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills that now support the continued growth and success of the organization.
Keyla is passionate about expanding access to quality music education for children throughout the community. She believes every child deserves the opportunity to learn an instrument, perform in an ensemble setting, and experience all the benefits that a music education has to offer. As Executive Director, Keyla is committed to helping this organization grow beyond expectations while serving students and families with compassion, integrity, and the wisdom God provides each day.
Alongside her role as Executive Director, Keyla frequently performs as a guest artist for the Schwob School of Music’s Opera Department and sings as part of the worship team at her church.
Middle school strings (violin, viola, cello), rehearsing weekly with Jim Palmer and Laszlo Stan.
Our largest program. A full high-school symphonic ensemble of strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.
Launched 2024-25 with a Bradley-Turner Foundation grant. MCSD students nominated by their Music Directors.
Small-group ensembles coached weekly by specialists, performing at seasonal concerts and community events.
President Karen Lewis · Vice President Janet Handy · Treasurer Joseph Brannan
Dr. Michael Cater · Sean Chapman · George Del Gobbo · Dr. Bonnie Ellis · Yaritza Vazquez · Dr. Mariko Izumi · Edson Jean-Jacques · Jeanne Martz
YOGC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Every contribution funds instruments, instruction, performances, and the Academy program that brings classical training to MCSD students who would not otherwise have it.
