Leadership & Instructors

  • Nancy Laturno co-founded Mainly Mozart in 1988. She is responsible for all aspects of the organization’s strategic, artistic and operational planning and implementation. Under Laturno’s leadership, Mainly Mozart has grown from a two week festival into a year-round producer of world-class orchestral and chamber music concerts, a 250+ student youth orchestra, and home to the Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra, the largest gathering of concertmasters and principal players in North America.

  • Mr. Constantino is in his 8th season with the Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra as Music Director and Conductor of the Intermediate and Advanced Orchestras. Born and raised in the Philippines, Mr. Constantino was inspired to take violin lessons because of his father’s love of the instrument.

    In 1990, Mr. Constantino won a position with the San Diego Symphony. As a conductor, his credits include the Oregon Coast Music Festival, Interlochen Arts Camp and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. He has held posts with such respected organizations as the Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra, Portland Opera Orchestra, and West Coast Chamber Orchestra.

    Ensembles:

    Intermediate Orchestra and Advanced Orchestra

  • Prelude Strings and Intermediate Strings instructor Robyn Glasson is a professional musician, band program administrator and music educator. Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Ms. Glasson started the violin at age 9 and viola at age 13. While completing her degree at Stellenbosch Conservatory, she played in professional orchestras in South Africa. In 1997 she moved to San Diego and played full time in the viola section of the San Diego Symphony. As a music educator Ms. Glasson has maintained a large studio and currently works as assistant band director for the Solana Beach School District. Ms. Glasson also manages the Solana Beach School District Band Program. ​

    Ensembles:
    Prelude Strings and Intermediate Strings

  • An accomplished jazz performer, Concert Band instructor Frank Glasson received a Grammy nomination for “Best Jazz Instrumental Solo” for his improvised solos on the recording “Jazztet” in 2006. A native of Solana Beach, he has performed locally and abroad with the San Diego Chamber Orchestra, San Diego Opera, Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk Orchestra of Germany, Tokyo Opera Nomori of Japan, Cape Town Symphony Orchestra, State Theater and National Chamber Orchestras of South Africa and as a soloist with the latter two.  Frank is a Yamaha performing artist and can currently be seen performing with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, Pacific Symphony of Orange County, La Jolla Playhouse, Broadway San Diego, and Classics 4 Kids Orchestra.

    Ensemble: Concert Band

  • Suzuki Strings instructor Karla Contreras holds two Master’s degrees from the Eastman School of Music in New York: one in Violin Performance and one in Music Education with a specialization in String Pedagogy. In addition to her degrees, Karla has participated in several Suzuki teacher training courses. Throughout her career, Karla has consistently demonstrated a passion for teaching children. Currently, she serves as the lead teacher for the Allegro Strings Program for elementary school students in the Escondido School District, coaches violin for the award-winning orchestra program at Rancho Bernardo High School, and maintains a thriving private studio in Escondido. In addition to her teaching role, Karla is a professional, active freelance violinist who has performed throughout the San Diego area.

    Ensemble: Suzuki Stars and Suzuki Comets

  • Music was an integral part of Joseph’s upbringing, who began piano lessons at age five. After many years as a pianist, he took violin lessons before switching to viola. Joseph completed his BA in Music at California Polytechnic University (Cal Poly) and was awarded his MM degree in viola performance from San Diego State University, where he served as principal violist for both the symphony orchestra and chamber orchestra. Joseph has performed regularly with the San Luis Obispo Symphony, the San Luis Obispo Master Chorale, and Orchestra Novo. In addition to his musical pursuits, Joseph enjoys road cycling, helping out his local church, and spending time with family.

  • Luke Ryu has played with several bands and orchestras at both the community and professional level in the Greater San Diego Area. Throughout middle school and high school, he has participated in California’s honor groups, and has played principal trumpet at the SCSBOA and CODA High School All-State Symphony Orchestras, and also played in the CBDA All-State High School Wind Symphony. Luke currently holds the principal trumpet position in the Greater San Diego Music Coterie Chamber Orchestra, and you can also see him playing with the Finest City Brass Ensemble and the Miracosta Symphony Orchestra. He has also has played in pit orchestras with schools and theater productions all around San Diego.