Christine Arroyo began playing violin in 6th grade in middle school. A native of Columbia, South Carolina she continued enthusiastically to be a part of the public school orchestra program from middle to high school in Richland 2 (Columbia, SC). Inspired by her strings teachers (Mrs. Becky Leonard and Mr. Phillip Pagal), Ms. Arroyo remained very resolute in her quest as an Orchestra Director.
An up-and-coming young conductor and versatile arts advocate, Ryo Hasegawa currently serves as a conductor of the Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra, Assistant Conductor of the Peabody Symphony Orchestra, and Chair & Founder of Mudita Corporation. Under the mentorship of the world- renowned conductor, Marin Alsop, Hasegawa has performed at numerous concerts in the U.S., Europe, and Asia and launched several projects to promote interdisciplinary collaborations and advocate diversity in music and art education.
Concertmaster, Principal Pops Conductor, Artistic Director
Yuriy Bekker is a critically-acclaimed violinist and conductor, and an impassioned community ambassador. Bekker has been a mainstay of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO) for 17 years. He has led the CSO as Artistic Director since 2021 and concurrently leads as Concertmaster (2007) and Principal Pops Conductor (2016). Bekker previously served as the orchestra’s Acting Artistic Director from 2010-2014 and has a long history of dedication and vision for the CSO. In 2011, he was given the Outstanding Artistic Achievement award from the city of Charleston to honor his cultural contributions to the community.
