New Apollo Youth Symphony Orchestra
King Middle School, 1781 Rose Street, Berkeley, CA 94702
About
The New Apollo Youth Symphony Orchestra creates music ensembles consisting of orchestras, bands, and choirs. The program provides scholarships for private music lessons and designs classes that support the growth of students' technical musical abilities.
Shannon Houston serves as Artistic Director and Orchestra Director, and Jonah Andreatta serves as Wind Ensemble Director. Shannon Houston earned his Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Sacramento State, followed by his teaching credential, and is a music teacher with Berkeley Unified School District who has performed with the Sacramento Philharmonic, Sacramento Baroque Soloists, and Oakland Civic Orchestra. Jonah Andreatta graduated with high distinction from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music with degrees in bassoon performance and music education, with minors in Spanish and wind conducting, and teaches middle school band, jazz band, and elementary instrumental music for Berkeley Unified School District; he had an article published in the Indiana Music Educators’ journal in fall 2020. The organization focuses on underprivileged students and students of color within the community, with a goal to create orchestras, bands, and choirs specifically for underprivileged students in the greater Bay Area, and to bring more musical opportunities to local students both in and outside of Berkeley. It provides scholarships for private music lessons for students who are not financially able and plans to design technical music classes to help students' musical growth. The New Apollo Youth Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to reshaping music education and making sure to give that opportunity to young musicians of all backgrounds, creating a community around the youth symphony that has a great understanding of music, is diverse in as many ways as possible, and sets each student up to pursue any goal they strive for. NAYSO is a registered 501(c)3. One testimonial shared with the program is the quote, "Without music, life would be a mistake." – Friedrich Nietzsche.
Last updated June 18, 2026.
Shannon Houston serves as Artistic Director and Orchestra Director, and Jonah Andreatta serves as Wind Ensemble Director. Shannon Houston earned his Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Sacramento State, followed by his teaching credential, and is a music teacher with Berkeley Unified School District who has performed with the Sacramento Philharmonic, Sacramento Baroque Soloists, and Oakland Civic Orchestra. Jonah Andreatta graduated with high distinction from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music with degrees in bassoon performance and music education, with minors in Spanish and wind conducting, and teaches middle school band, jazz band, and elementary instrumental music for Berkeley Unified School District; he had an article published in the Indiana Music Educators’ journal in fall 2020. The organization focuses on underprivileged students and students of color within the community, with a goal to create orchestras, bands, and choirs specifically for underprivileged students in the greater Bay Area, and to bring more musical opportunities to local students both in and outside of Berkeley. It provides scholarships for private music lessons for students who are not financially able and plans to design technical music classes to help students' musical growth. The New Apollo Youth Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to reshaping music education and making sure to give that opportunity to young musicians of all backgrounds, creating a community around the youth symphony that has a great understanding of music, is diverse in as many ways as possible, and sets each student up to pursue any goal they strive for. NAYSO is a registered 501(c)3. One testimonial shared with the program is the quote, "Without music, life would be a mistake." – Friedrich Nietzsche.
Last updated June 18, 2026.
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