Mission & History
Our mission is to offer quality orchestral experiences for young musicians living in Connecticut.
We play the great classical symphonic music as well as original contemporary compositions for orchestra. We create a great opportunity for students to musically grow, learn and contribute, all the while enjoying the company of other like-minded performers.
Ann & Bill Clemmons
Founders & First Conductors
SYSO was originally the Southern Connecticut Youth Symphony, founded by Reid Garrett.
In 1983, William and Ann Clemmons re-established the youth orchestra under the name of Shoreline Youth Symphony Orchestra (SYSO) and became the new conductors. SYSO was created to offer a full orchestra experience for students in the local area. The orchestra quickly grew, and the Clemmons’ created an additional younger preparatory orchestra called Whiz Kids.
The Youth Symphony often travels to attend yearly Music Festivals and to play for other audiences. They have traveled to Quebec, Philadelphia, Virginia Beach, Boston, Williamsburg, New Jersey, and Washington, DC.
In April, 2007, they performed at Carnegie Hall in NYC. They have played in London and Bournemouth, England. In the spring of 2009, they traveled to Boston for their performance and received the Heritage Festivals “Outstanding Orchestra” award. In later years, they performed in New York City at Alice Tully Hall and Avery Fischer Hall at Lincoln Center.
Bill and Ann also started the tradition of performing locally at the North Madison Congregational Church, at the Congregational Church on the Green (ABC Concert), at the Daniel Hand High School, and “On the Green” in Madison, Connecticut.
Former Assistant Conductor
Elizabeth Clemmons began teaching cello and violin privately while earning her degree from Central Connecticut State University. After earning her B.S. in Music Education in 2005, she began her public school teaching career in Branford, CT teaching strings.
From there, she taught in Farmington CT, teaching strings and later intermediate band. Beginning in the fall of 2015, Ms. Clemmons will be teaching strings at Ana Grace Elementary Arts Academy in Avon, CT. A certified Suzuki Teacher, Ms. Clemmons also teaches Suzuki cello at the Neighborhood Music School in New Haven, CT. As a cellist, Ms. Clemmons has performed with Orchestra New England, New Britain Symphony, and other regional ensembles throughout her career.
Elizabeth Clemmons
Susannah Bryan
Past Conductor
Susannah Bryan graduated from Ithaca College with a double degree in violin performance and music education before going on to earn a Masters in Music degree in violin performance from East Carolina University.
After graduating, Susannah taught orchestra in the Greenwich public schools in Greenwich, CT for six years. Since moving back to her home state of Connecticut, Susannah has performed with various orchestras in Connecticut including The Greenwich Symphony, Norwalk Symphony, New Haven Symphony, and Waterbury Symphony Orchestras.
Currently, she teaches high school instrumental music in the Fairfield Public Schools, maintains a private violin and viola teaching studio, and performs with both The Greater Bridgeport Symphony Orchestra and Waterbury Symphony. Susannah lives in Guilford, CT, with her husband Rodger, and their three children.