Louis Scaglione
President, CEO & Music Director
Maestro Louis Scaglione has dedicated nearly 30 years as a conductor, educator, arts executive, and advocate for music education. Since 1996, he has served the PYO Music Institute (PYO), where he is currently President, CEO, and Music Director. Under his leadership, the Institute has expanded to eleven program divisions that serve over 800 students annually from over 20 counties across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Now in its 86th anniversary season, the PYO Music Institute is nationally recognized for its outstanding music education. Its program divisions attract the very best students from a diverse population who seek the pursuit of music excellence, while building a strong sense of character, discipline, and commitment.
Maestro Scaglione’s career reflects extensive experience in orchestral, choral, and operatic repertoire, as well as in executive administration. He is respected nationally as a colleague in the field and has cultivated strong partnerships with cultural, educational, and philanthropic institutions throughout the Greater Delaware Valley and beyond. In recognition of his leadership, he was named one of Musical America‘s Top 30 Professionals of 2024.
Through his work with PYO Music Institute, Maestro Scaglione has built a distinguished record of artistic leadership. He has conducted major works from the orchestral canon and choral-orchestral masterworks, collaborating with renowned soloists and ensembles such as the Mendelssohn Club Chorus and the Choral Society of Montgomery County. He established PYO’s prestigious concert series at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and launched a unique broadcast partnership with 90.1 WRTI-FM. He has also led five international tours with the Institute’s premier ensembles, with performances in countries including Brazil, China, and Russia.
In addition to his work with PYO, Scaglione has held leadership and artistic positions with several regional arts organizations. He served as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and then Chief Financial Officer of The Philly Pops (2011–2019), playing a key role in revitalizing the organization after bankruptcy. He was also Artistic Director of the Choral Society of Montgomery County (2002–2012), Resident Music Director and Conductor at Luzerne Music Center in New York (2006–2010), and a longtime faculty member of Temple University’s Music Preparatory Division. In 2019, he was appointed Visiting Guest Artist at Rowan University, conducting both orchestra and opera performances.
Maestro Scaglione is an active member of the national music education community. In 2006, he was elected Chair of the Youth Orchestra Division Board of the League of American Orchestras and served on its national Board of Directors. He is also a faculty member and conductor at the Philadelphia International Music Festival.
Deeply committed to service, Maestro Scaglione has served on numerous nonprofit boards throughout the Philadelphia region. He instills in his students the importance of using their talents to give back, fostering not only musical excellence but also a deep sense of character, community, and purpose.