Directors

Smiling elderly woman outdoors with curly hair.

Dawn Tedesco

Dawn Tedesco has long been associated with strings, children, and Sussex County. After graduating with a music degree from The College of New Jersey (Trenton State College), where she majored in Violin and Music Education, Mrs. Tedesco taught vocal and string music in the Caldwell/West Caldwell Public School system. After obtaining additional certification in Early Childhood Education, she set up and operated two very successful preschools in Forest Lakes and Andover. In 1987, she organized the Sussex County Youth Orchestra as an outlet for her many students, as well as students from other schools which did not provide significant orchestral programs. This has now grown to include musicians from virtually every elementary school, middle school and high school in Sussex County as well as many from surrounding areas. Under her direction, the orchestra has given more than fifty concerts, and has commissioned three major orchestral works which have become part of the national educational orchestral repertoire. Dawn was awarded the 2007 Presidential Award from the Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council which recognized her contributions to promoting the Arts in Sussex County.

Man in formal wear holding a conductor baton.

Gerald Tedesco

Gerald Tedesco holds a Masters Degree in Trumpet Performance from the Juilliard School of Music. As an educator, he taught instrumental music for 33 years on the high school level. During that time, he conducted the All North Jersey Area Band, Region One Symphonic Band, and the All State Jazz Ensemble. He retired from teaching in 1998 to pursue his performance career. Mr. Tedesco has been active in the tri-state area as a freelance musician for the last 35 years performing for Tony Bennett, Warren Covington, Ringling Brothers Circus, Ice Capades, the Jimmy Dorsey and the New Glenn Miller Band, among others. He was a member of the New Jersey Pops Symphony Orchestra for 15 years, where he also served as an associate conductor. Mr. Tedesco toured China in 1997 on a State Department tour as a cornet soloist with the Pittsburg-based Allegheny Brass Band. He is currently on the music education staff at Rutgers University. Mr. Tedesco is in demand as a guest lecturer, adjudicator, and conductor. He has guest conducted the Sussex County Symphonic Band on three occasions.

Alan Tedesco

Alan Tedesco has been associated with the Sussex County Youth Orchestra since 1987 as both a member and mentor. A dedicated music educator for 28 years, he holds Master’s degrees in Trumpet Performance, Music Theory, and Conducting from Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts. In addition to his work in music education and conducting, Alan is the owner of Al Louis Entertainment an event entertainment company specializing in DJ entertainment and productions.

In his spare time, Alan enjoys publishing children’s books and is currently collaborating with publisher Jupiter Stevens on upcoming projects. He is honored to be taking over the Sussex County Youth Orchestra as conductor beginning in Fall 2026, and looks forward to continuing the organization’s long tradition of musical excellence. Alan is especially grateful for the opportunity to continue working alongside the orchestra’s current mentors during rehearsals and performances as he transitions into his new role.

Aimee Jimenez, Conductor

Aimee was a late musical bloomer, not beginning her violin studies until the ripe old age of 12. She earned a full scholarship to New Jersey City University and graduated with a degree in violin and music education. Aimee went on to earn a job at Mt. Olive Middle School, where she currently wrangles other late bloomer musical prodigies. Aimee initially joined SCYO so her cellist sister could go on the European tour in 2016. She continued on after as an adult mentor, and eventually scored the conducting position for the Preparatory orchestra, while her sister went on to quit the cello. Aimee currently performs with the Stone Soup Symphony of Hackettstown. She looks forward to taking the Prep Orchestra to places it's never been before.