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

Mr. Duby is the Olivet College Director of Bands, conducting the Wind Ensemble and Marching Comets. Since his tenure as the director of bands, the program has undergone significant growth and is receiving national and international recognition.  At Olivet, Mr. Duby also works closely with the college admissions department, meeting with prospective families to guide them through the college selection process.  He has been a frequent DMYS Guest Conductor and also directs the Warren Concert Band and Redford Civic Symphony Orchestra.  Mr. Duby is an active adjudicator, guest conductor, and clinician in the state.  His ensembles have performed, by invitation, in London, Paris, and Rome.  Mr. Duby earned his Master of Music in conducting at Oakland University and his Bachelor of Music in music education from WSU. Duby began his career teaching music for ten years in the Michigan public schools at Sterling Heights and then L’Anse Creuse High School – North. 

Mr. Duby is a multiple recipient of the Donald A. Morris Award from Olivet College, 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 as a 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 serves as the Instrumental Activities Coordinator with the Michigan Music Education Association (MMEA).  Duby is an active member of the College Band Director’s National Association (CBDNA), MMEA, MSBOA, and the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME).

Mr. Duby wholeheartedly believes that community ensembles bring together all walks of life and balance the world through a singular passion—MUSIC— and says that there is always a place for your music, no matter your age or background. He is happy to be a part of the DMYS “strong musical legacy and to work with student musicians and foster their passion to remain lifelong music makers.” 

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.

Lyd de Leeuw
CONDUCTOR, Sinfonia StrinG Orchestra

Lyd 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 Lyd’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, Lyd 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.