Part 4: Get to Know the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra
Betty, Artistic Director of MYO, is a native of New York City and a product of the renowned Third Street Settlement Music School. She has held a career as a successful violist, master teacher and conductor.
During her time with the Third Street Music
School Settlement, Perry was inspired to devote her life to teaching and
providing music opportunities for youth regardless of economic need. Her focus was to use music as a vehicle to
help strengthen families and to bring diverse communities together. To that end, Ms. Perry developed music
programs for youth in cities throughout Indiana, including the Tri-County Youth
Orchestra, the Ebony and Essence Chamber Orchestra, and currently the
Metropolitan Youth Orchestra which was established in 1995.
Perry attended the
New York College of Music, Mannes College of Music, and Butler University. She was a co-founder and former principal
violist of the Harlem Symphony Orchestra in NYC. Perry has been a member of the Symphony of
the New World, NYC, the Richmond Symphony, IN and has held principal positions
in the Kokomo Symphony and the Wabash College Chamber Orchestra.
