M 1-2, 3-4; W 1-2
Cyrus Ginwala has lead a varied career in music as conductor, educator, arts advocate and community activist. He recently joined the faculty at San Francisco State University, where he is director of the university orchestra. From 1996-2005, he was Music Director of Symphony of the Mountains, a professional orchestra, youth orchestra, symphony chorus and education-in-the-schools outreach program. In addition to conducting performances of more than 100 works, ranging from Bach to Orff, Dr. Ginwala launched grassroots initiatives ranging from outdoor performance to community building and social justice.
Under his leadership, Symphony of the Mountains was transformed from a small, town-based orchestra into a regional ensemble, serving a large geographical area. He guided the organization toward adopting its current name and incorporated it in Virginia, expanding its activities to include the entire greater Tri-Cities region. Dr. Ginwala created the Henry Kegley Concert Series and guided the combining of Symphony of the Mountains Chorus and Bristol Concert Choir into “Voices of the Mountains,” a regional vocal ensemble. Mr. Ginwala facilitated a dramatic expansion of outreach programs in TN/VA schools, a free “Youth for Youth” concert and the Symphony of the Mountains Youth Orchestra, which is now 80-members strong.
Dr. Ginwala’s guest conducting engagements include the, National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, Chattanooga Ballet and Symphony, Aspen Concert Orchestra, Young Victorian Opera (Baltimore), Peabody Conservatory Symphony and Opera Theater and Center Stage. He has taught at Towson University, Peabody Conservatory, St. Petersburg Conservatory, and with numerous youth orchestras and choruses in All-State Festivals. Dr. Ginwala has appeared at summer festivals including Tanglewood (Young Artist Vocal Program), Aspen (as a conducting fellow), Sewanee Summer Festival and Musica Piccola at the North Carolina School for the Arts.
Dr. Ginwala is a graduate of Boston University, where he earned B. Mus in Piano as a student of Boris Berman and the Peabody Conservatory, where he earned masters and doctoral degrees in Orchestral Conducting.
Education
- M.M., D.M.A., Peabody Conservatory, Orchestral Conducting
- B.M., Boston University, Piano
