Artistic Staff

Dr. Alvaro Gomez
Artistic Director, Florida Young Artists Orchestra

Dr. Alvaro Gomez made his first public appearance at the age of nine with the Chilean Symphony. He received his music degrees from the University of Chile-Santiago, and completed his post graduate studies at the P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow under the tutelage of Galina A. Barinova, Victor Pikaisen, and David Oistrach. He is the first prizewinner of the “Jeunesse Musical” competition of Latin America, and won the “Japan Foundation Prize” in 1982. He was also the recipient of the Fullbright Foundation Award in 1987. Today, Dr. Gomez is recognized as one of the most brilliant violinists that has emerged from the prestigious P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory. He has performed as a violin and viola soloist with orchestras and in chamber groups around the world.

Dr. Gomez made his conducting debut in 1975 with the Chilean Philharmonic Orchestra, and was later appointed as Assistant Conductor and Concertmaster of the Chilean National Symphony Orchestra. With his success as a conductor, Dr. Gomez has been a guest conductor with orchestras in China, Europe, North and South America. He has conducted the All-State Orchestra for the Florida Music Educators

Today Dr. Gomez is recognized as one of the most brilliant violinists that has emerged from the prestigious P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory.

Association in Tampa, Florida, the Sienna Chamber Orchestra Tour of Italy and Switzerland, Florida International Festival, and the Daytona Beach Civic Orchestra.  He has conducted orchestras at the Fairbanks Summer Fine Arts Camp and Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival in Fairbanks Alaska. Dr Gomez is the Music Director and Conductor of the Winter Park Chamber Music Academy, Orlando, and teaches conducting and viola at the Orfeo International Music Festival held in the Italian Alps.

Dr. Gomez’s 35 years of music experiences also include teaching. He currently maintains an active teaching studio in Orlando.  He teaches master classes to students all over the world. He has taught at the University of Florida, Rollins College, Daytona Beach College, Stetson University, and Colleges and Universities in Arkansas, Tennessee, and his home country of Chile.

Jon Territo, Assistant Conductor

Since 1989, Jon Territo has worked as a conductor and musician with various artists and musical ensembles of all ages throughout Central Florida, including the Orlando Philharmonic, Walt Disney World, the Celebration Orchestra at the First Baptist Church of Orlando, Lane and Company, and the Florida Young Artists Orchestra. In addition to his duties with the Florida Young Artists Orchestra, Jon is the Director of the Orlando Concert Band.  Jon was raised in the rich concert band traditions of the Midwest. Originally from the Detroit area, he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Michigan. He spent three years performing in Michigan before settling in Orlando with his wife Michelle. After working for several years in entertainment at Walt Disney World, Jon was tapped to begin a Fine Arts program and become the first band director at The First Academy in Orlando. A genuine love for music and musicians led him to greater involvement in the artistic community of Central Florida. In 2000, he became the Orchestra Director at the First Baptist Church of Orlando. At First Orlando he grew the Celebration Orchestra and prepared them for the church’s weekly television broadcast. Under his leadership, that group also performed several community concerts and events such as the popular Singing Christmas Trees. Jon earned a Masters Degree in Music Education from Rollins College. He is an active clinician, conductor, performer, and speaker around Central Florida.

Ross Amkraut – Assistant Conductor

Ross Amkraut is currently the Orchestra Director at Avalon Middle School, where he teaches 100 beginning and intermediate string students. He has served in the Orange County Public School system as an Elementary Strings Specialist, where he traveled to five elementary schools each week and taught fourth and fifth grade violin students.  Ross also acts as the Orange County Music Coordinator for Orchestra, and in that capacity, he organizes the All State Orchestra auditions and the District Solo and Ensemble Competitions. Ross earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Florida and recently received his Master of Arts in Music – Violin Performance from the University of Central Florida, where he was the Concertmaster of the UCF Symphony Orchestra.  Ross also plays the piano, French horn and clarinet, and maintains a private teaching studio in the Orlando area. Ross’ private teachers include Ayako Yonetani and (beginning at age 7) Alvaro Gomez.