Maestra Deanne Bryant

has been the Director of the Bloominton Normal Youth Symphony since January, 1995.

Mrs. Bryant has guest conducted festival orchestras and adjudicated contests for the Illinois High School Association, Illinois Grade School Association, and Illinois Elementary School Association, as well as others. She has served in many capacities as an active member of the National Music Educators Conference including Orchestra Division Vice President for Illinois Music Educators Association for two consecutive three-year terms. She also served on the Board and the Executive Board of I.M.E.A. during that time.

Mrs. Bryant came to the Unit 5, Normal, Illinois schools in 1968 after teaching in Carbondale and Elmhurst and was asked to start the String Program district-wide in 1969. The first two years included running an experimental string class for Paul Rolland as part of his U of I String Project which eventually became a highly respected text. She retired in 1993 after having built it into a highly regarded program with an award winning orchestra at Normal Community High School.

A violinist and violist, Mrs. Bryant received both her Bachelor and Masters of Music Education Degrees from Illinois State University. She is currently an adjunct instructor in the Music Department of Illinois Wesleyan University and performs with the Classic Touch Quartet. She is deeply dedicated to the Bloomington Normal Youth Symphony and loves working with our talented, young musicians.