The Detroit MYS Conductors

Detroit Metropolitan Youth Symphony hires amazing Conductors to mentor, teach and direct students in grades 2-13, in our four orchestras. Our Conductors are highly qualified musicians chosen for their expertise in working with young musicians. 

jeremy duby
CONDUCTOR, SYMPHONY Orchestra

Jeremy Duby is a music education specialist with A & G Central Music. He is also the Music Director for the Warren Concert Band, where he serves as only the third music director in the band’s 53-year history. He is now also the Music Director and Conductor of the Redford Civic Symphony Orchestra, and Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra with the Detroit Metropolitan Youth Symphony (DMYS). Duby earned his Master of Music degree in wind conducting at Oakland University and his Bachelor of Music degree in music education from Wayne State University, where he also worked as a librarian and historian for the music department, while concurrently working as the library assistant for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Duby began his career teaching music in the Michigan public schools at Sterling Heights and then L’Anse Creuse High School – North. He then served as the Director of Bands at The University of Olivet, where he reinstated the Marching Comets after a 30-year absence. Through his more than 20 years of teaching, Mr. Duby’s bands have performed, by invitation, in the coveted New Year’s Day Parades in London, England, Paris, France, and Rome, Italy. While abroad, his wind ensembles have performed in the American Cathedral (Paris), Cadogan Hall (London), and the Santa Maria dei Miracoli (Rome).

Duby is an active adjudicator, guest conductor, and clinician in the state, and has worked with many local groups including the: Red Cedar Festival, Marshall Rotary Band, Royal Oak Symphony Orchestra, Oakland University Concert Band and Wind Symphony, Detroit Symphony Orchestra Civic Wind Symphony, Detroit Metropolitan Chorale, Warren Consolidated School of Performing Arts, as well as many secondary school instrumental music programs.

Community and youth performing ensembles are very special entities in the world. A place where individuals can continue to perform their art and craft, whether it be instrumentally or vocally. These groups unite all walks of life and balance the world through a singular passion: MUSIC! Mr. Duby is honored to work so closely with these groups and to share the journey of life and music with these great souls. They are an inspiration to future generations of musicians, demonstrating that there is always a place for your music, no matter your age or background.

Mr. Duby is a multiple recipient of the Donald A. Morris Award from The University of Olivet, for being an influential professor to a top-five graduate. He has also been honored with a proclamation from Macomb County for his “outstanding contributions and years of service” to students and the community. Duby has served the professional community with the Michigan Music Education Association (MMEA). He has served as government advocacy chair, Instrumental Activities Coordinator and currently serves as the president-elect. He has served as Vice President for the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) District XVI, and currently serves MSBOA as an adjudicator for its festivals.  He is a returning presenter at the Michigan Music Conference and is an active member of the College Band Director’s National Association (CBDNA), MMEA, MSBOA, as well as the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME).

jOE lEWIN-zIEGLER
CONDUCTOR, CONCERT ORCHESTRA

Joseph Lewin-Ziegler is the Orchestra Director at the International Academy in Bloomfield Hills. He also teaches choir and IB Music (music history/theory). Mr. Lewin-Ziegler attended VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois, where he received a Bachelor of Music Education, focusing on orchestral conducting and viola performance. He received his Master of Music in Music Education from the University of Michigan. He has presented at the American String Teachers Association national conference and at the Michigan Music Conference. He is a board member of the Orchard Lake Philharmonic. While a member of OLP, he has conducted the ensemble and is a member of the viola section.

Mr. Lewin-Ziegler taught general music, choir, and orchestra in Chicago and Toledo before moving to Michigan with his wife Abby. In 2016 he started teaching general music, orchestra, and choir for the Pontiac School District, until accepting the job at the IA. Mr. Lewin-Ziegler and his wife have two amazing daughters, Nora and Ruth. In his free time, Mr. Lewin-Ziegler enjoys reading, photography, composing, and running.

GEOFFREY BENES
CONDUCTOR, STRING Orchestra

Geoffrey Benes has served as a conductor for DMYS since 2009, conducting the Concert Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra and now lending his talents as Conductor of the String Orchestra.

Mr. Benes is a retired Troy School District orchestra teacher. He now works on stringed instrument repair and setup at Wilson Fine Violins in Birmingham. He continues to perform as the violist in the VSO String Quartet. During the summers of 2017 and 2019 he also learned the art of violin building at the University of New Hampshire Violin Craftsmanship Institute. When he’s not working in the violin shop, working on his current violin in his basement workshop, or practicing for quartet, he enjoys reading, being outdoors, and spending time with his wife and 2 adult children.

Linden de Leeuw
CONDUCTOR, Sinfonia StrinG Orchestra

Linden de Leeuw (de LAY-yoo) is a Detroit-based music educator and cellist who believes that orchestra should center community, strive for equity, and allow students a place for self-expression. Mx. de Leeuw is currently an orchestra teacher in the Ferndale Public Schools and String Instructor in the Crescendo Detroit program.

Some of Linden’s favorite experiences as a musician have been playing classical music in concert halls with local orchestras, playing fiddle music in Scotland, playing improvised music in experimental venues/ local shows, and working with composers to premiere new music. These experiences helped shape Mx. de Leeuw’s belief that music education should include a variety of music practices and nurture individuals to grow within a community. As a young cellist, Linden won competitions allowing their cello quintet to perform in Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center as well as the opportunity to perform as a concerto soloist with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic.  Mx. de Leeuw holds Bachelor degrees in music education and cello performance from the University of Michigan.