Operations Assistant (SO, PO, JO, CHM)
Scott Bakshis comes to CYSO after six years as a teaching artist with Sistema Ravinia. He loves to play piano, conduct, and compose. He maintains a private bass studio, performs with two bands (a third in the works), a summer opera company, and freelances throughout the Midwest.
A graduate of Libertyville High School, Scott attended the Cleveland Institute of Music as a double bass major before joining the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. In the Fall of 2019, he graduated from North Park University with a B.A. in Arts Administration – Music and a certificate in Music for Social Change and Human Values.
His appointment as Operations Assistant is a happy homecoming for Scott. He spent one year in CYSO’s Concert Orchestra under Maestro Terrance Gray, and for three years Scott was a member of Symphony Orchestra under Maestro Allen Tinkham.
His other interests include yoga, meditation, hiking with his fiancé, Lera, cooking, and spending time with his cats.
Who is your favorite piece to listen to and why?
My favorite conductors and pieces are Carlos Kleiber conducting Beethoven Symphony 7, and Sergiu Celibidache conducting Strauss and Death and Transfiguration or anything by Bruckner. My favorites change often, though. Outside of classical music, I love to listen to jazz, world music, folk music, Zero 7, Cinematic Orchestra, Belle and Sebastian, the Beatles. I enjoy good song craft and catchy arrangements.
Fun fact about you that might surprise people?
I cannot dunk a basketball.
