The Russian-born violinist was an assistant conductor with the Moscow Philharmonic before emigrating to America in 1973. In addition to the Omaha Symphony, Yampolsky serves as music director for the Peninsula Music Festival in Wisconsin, and is a professor of music and Director of Orchestras at Northwestern University in Chicago. Primarily housed in Omaha's Orpheum Theater, the symphony also plays regularly at UNOmaha's Strauss Performing Arts Center and the Joslyn Art Museum. Imagination concerts may be the first opportunity for children to experience the sound of live orchestral music. Students are encouraged to think imaginatively, and are given the opportunity to participate in the concert experience through the interactive nature of the program.
Children participate with the orchestra in a sing-along, or are involved in playing an instrument.
Some children even get the chance to conduct. Students learn how musicians cooperate with one another to make great music. Concerts for Youth presents the full orchestra in the Orpheum Theater. In addition to experiencing the grandeur of the hall, children are encouraged to view orchestral music as an integral part of artistic expression. Last winter, nearly 20,000 Midlands children came to Omaha for these performances.