Helen H. Cha-Pyo is the Music Director & Conductor of the New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS), now in her ninth season. An award-winning conductor and arts leader, she is passionate about inspiring musicians to pursue artistic excellence while discovering music’s power to connect people, cultures, and communities.
At the heart of Cha-Pyo’s work is the belief that artistic excellence and social purpose can strengthen one another. A committed champion of living and underrepresented composers, she creates innovative programs connecting music with history, culture, and contemporary social issues. Her initiatives have received support from New Music USA, American Composers Forum, and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), and her adventurous programming has been recognized with ASCAP awards. Under her leadership, NJYS has performed at Carnegie Hall’s Juneteenth Celebration concerts in 2022 and 2024, toured internationally to Italy and, most recently, Finland and the Baltic States, and released its first professional recording, Microvids, featuring music by Stefania de Kenessey with pianist Donna Weng Friedman (Navona Records, 2025).
From 2018 to 2026, Cha-Pyo served for eight years as Artistic Director of Wharton Arts, helping lead significant growth in both reach and breadth of programming while shaping a more cohesive, inclusive, and accessible artistic vision. Under her leadership, Wharton Arts expanded its jazz programs, launched lifelong learning for 55+ participants, and community theater opportunities for adults and increased free educational and community performances through Wharton Arts in the Community, and presented impactful projects including Violins of Hope at NJPAC. She also championed new music, culturally responsive programming, and cross-community partnerships.
Previously, Cha-Pyo served for 16 years as Music Director and Conductor of the Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO), leading international tours to Europe and Asia and helping launch ESYO CHIME, an El Sistema inspired free music education program for underserved youth. In recognition of her legacy, ESYO established the Helen Cha-Pyo Golden Baton Award and Scholarships.
Since 2023, Cha-Pyo has also served as Artistic Director of the Bella Music Foundation (BMF), empowering blind and visually impaired musicians through education and performance opportunities. In 2025, she conducted the BMF International Music Festival for the Blind at UNESCO House in Paris.
A sought-after guest conductor and clinician, Cha-Pyo conducts professional, All-State, regional, and festival orchestras throughout the United States and has led workshops and performances internationally. In July 2027, she will return to conduct the Sewanee Summer Music Festival Symphony Orchestra. She has taught at Montclair State University and Rutgers University and serves on the board of the Youth Orchestra Division of the League of American Orchestras.
Her honors include the Dove Leadership Award, Angelos Artist Award, and Eastman Centennial Award. Born in Seoul, South Korea, Cha-Pyo studied at The Juilliard School’s Pre-College Program and holds degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and the Eastman School of Music. Learn more at helenchapyo.com.