New York, NY – At its Annual Meeting on July 13, 2021, the New York Youth Symphony (NYYS) elected Michael Crouch to its Board of Trustees.
Mr. Crouch is a corporate development and strategy manager at Two Sigma IQ, a SaaS company dedicated to improving insurance underwriting through data science. In this role, he focuses on identifying and implementing growth strategies through investment and commercialization. Prior to joining Two Sigma IQ, he worked on strategy and operations teams at Comcast, Palantir, and Goldman Sachs.
Born in South Africa, Mr. Crouch immigrated to the United States in 2001, and settled in New York City in 2013. He is an avid supporter of the arts and frequent patron of the New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera. He is a passionate supporter of music education, inspired by his experiences playing the saxophone and bassoon across multiple ensembles while in school. Mr. Crouch received his bachelor’s degree in Finance from Georgetown University and his MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University.
NYYS Board President William Kapell said, “We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Crouch to the Board of Trustees. His musical knowledge and passion for arts education, combined with his experience in growth strategy will be a tremendous asset to the organization.”
Shauna Quill, NYYS Executive Director said, “Mr. Crouch’s long-standing commitment to the arts, including his personal experience in the music community will prove invaluable to the New York Youth Symphony as we look beyond the effects of COVID-19. We all look forward to working with him immensely!”
The New York Youth Symphony educates and inspires young musicians through its Orchestra, Jazz, Chamber Music, Composition, Musical Theater Songwriting, Robert L. Poster Apprentice Conducting, and First Music commissioning programs. Founded in 1963, the NYYS is internationally recognized for its award-winning and innovative educational programs for talented young musicians. As the premier independent music education organization for ensemble training in the New York metropolitan area, the NYYS has provided over 7,000 music students unparalleled opportunities to perform at world-class venues including Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, Joe’s Pub, and The Times Center, and to study with world-renowned artists. Beyond the instruction from accomplished musicians, students gain valuable life skills — commitment, discipline, focus, collaboration — and friendships that last a lifetime.
The NYYS is committed to partnering with traditionally underrepresented communities to create pathways for young people to find their way to music, and to a life in music. These community partnerships go beyond the stage to in-school residencies, free community concerts, and family involvement, and make music accessible to a wider and more diverse audience. The NYYS partners with organizations including the Harmony Program, Harlem School for the Arts, SongSpace, Maestra, the Youth Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Interlochen Arts Academy, BMI and ASCAP. It offers fellowships to its current students and alumni/ae through the Vargas-Vetter/Ukena, Van Lier, and Orpheus Arts Management programs.
For more information, please visit www.nyys.org.