Meet Our Conductor Emeritus, Russell E. Berlin, Jr.

Conductor Russell E. Berlin, Jr. is active as a clinician and adjudicator in the Midwest. He was an instrumental music instructor in the Lee’s Summit School District from 1969–1999, working at the elementary and secondary levels. During his tenure, Mr. Berlin built the national reputation of the Lee’s Summit orchestral program. Under his direction, ensembles performed for the Missouri Music Educators’ Association, the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago and the Music Educators’ National Conference. Mr. Berlin’s orchestras have performed at Carnegie Hall and the International Youth and Music Festival in Vienna, Austria. Mr. Berlin has received many honors, including the Excellence in Teaching Award given by Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce, the Missouri School Music Educator of the Year Award given by the Missouri Chapter of the American String Teachers Association and the Silver Shoe Award given by Lee’s Summit North High School for significant contributions to the students and staff of Lee’s Summit North High School.

After completing his 20th season with the Youth Symphony of Kansas City, Mr. Berlin decided to retire from his work with these outstanding young musicians. He is very appreciative of this opportunity provided him. Mr. Berlin co-founded and conducts the Lee’s Summit Symphony Orchestra, a community orchestra, in 2003. During their 16 successful seasons, they have enhanced the local cultural experience by providing high-quality, accessible live performances that inspire, educate, and entertain. The Truman Heartland Community Foundation presented him with the City of Lee’s Summit Citizen of the Year Award in 2004. Mr. Berlin was recently honored by being inducted in the Missouri Music Educators Association Hall of Fame.