SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) today announces Michael Roest as the new Director of Pre-College and Adult Extension divisions beginning September 1.

"Michael Roest's broad experience as a musician, educator, and administrator will be a great asset to the institution," says SFCM Provost and Dean Kate Sheeran. "I know that our Pre-College students, families, and faculty will benefit from his leadership, and I look forward to working with Michael to develop and implement a bold, new vision for our Adult Extension division." 

"I am thrilled to join the San Francisco Conservatory of Music's incredible team of visionary leaders, distinguished faculty, and dedicated staff," says Roest. "It will be an honor to work with such extraordinary musicians, and I look forward to building on the school's longstanding reputation of providing high-caliber, comprehensive music training. After developing successful programs at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra, I am excited to continue this work as the Director of Pre-College and Adult Extension divisions."

From 2013 to 2016, Roest served as the Executive Director of the Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra (NOYO) where he was instrumental in developing new programs and curricula. He created the organization's first chamber music program and Young Composer's Program, a partnership with the Oberlin Conservatory of Music's composition department. Roest also conducted the Philharmonia Orchestra, NOYO's full symphonic orchestra, regularly running rehearsals and presenting three concerts each year. Alongside his work with NOYO, he served as Operations and Personnel Manager at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music from 2008 to 2015, also acting as Teacher of Brass Studies and directing the Oberlin Brass Ensemble. He was also the Principal Librarian of the Cleveland Orchestra's Blossom Music Festival Band and Orchestra from 2009 to 2013.

A native of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Roest earned his Bachelor of Music from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and his Master of Music from The Juilliard School. As a tuba player, he has performed with the Lucerne Festival Academy Orchestra, National Repertory Orchestra, National Orchestral Institute, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, and Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall.

The academic year at SFCM's Pre-College consists of two semesters between August and May, meeting Saturdays for 30 weeks. The program provides a comprehensive and immersive musical education based on private instruction, courses in musicianship and composition, small and large ensemble experiences, master classes, performances, assessments, and other electives. The Pre-College also fosters musical development and understanding in an early childhood program, comprising students ages four to eight. The Conservatory's Adult Extension division offers varied programs for adults who wish to further develop their skills, technique, and understanding of music through private instruction and applied music courses at beginning and intermediate levels.