Bill Benson has served as coach and Artistic Director for the Conejo Valley Youth Orchestras for over 25 years. He began his youth orchestra work in 1974 while completing his undergraduate degree at Ball State University in Indiana with the Burris School Youth Orchestra. He continued conducting youth orchestras while working on his masters degree at Butler University in Indianapolis as the Assistant Conductor of the Butler Symphony and the East Central Indiana Youth Symphony. Bill relocated to Southern Michigan where he was the Conductor of the Livonia Youth Symphony.
After moving to Southern California 1982, Maestro Benson worked as a studio teacher and freelance double bassist. His conducting travels include the Koncerthaus in Vienna Austria and on the deck of the USS Missouri in Honolulu, Hawaii. In addition to his position with CVYO, he is currently an adjudicator for Heritage Music Festivals. The 2020-21 season will bring Maestro Benson to a different position as Conductor Emeritus. He will continue to rehearse with the orchestras and conduct at concerts. This new position will help guide and support a new Artistic Director.
