A Bold Beginning: Demetrius Fuller’s Vision for Sinfonia

Looking Back on 20 Years of Memories, Milestones and Magical Moments

By Zandra Wolfgram

“I am thrilled to present for you a new sound, a new season and a new symphony. It is my

honor to introduce Sinfonia Gulf Coast as the only full professional orchestra ready to set the

standard for exhilarating entertainment along our Emerald Coast.

Sinfonia will redefine the symphonic experience for both seasoned aficionados and those new

to the classical genre. Talented musicians, amazing guest artists, and premier events will

make this season feel like a breath of fresh air.”

Sinfonia Gulf Coast Music & Artistic Director Demetrius Fuller wrote this gracious, yet bold

prophecy in his first Director’s Letter published in the program for the inaugural season,

2006-2007.

Fast forward, 20 years later, and maestro Fuller has delivered on his prophetic promise …

and more.

And, yes, this 40-something-year-old entrepreneurial music maker is still “thrilled … and

honored” to “set the standard for exhilarating entertainment along our Emerald Coast.”

The first year, Sinfonia launched a series called Coffee with the Conductor to introduce

Fuller to the community and help get the word out about Sinfonia. We invite you to grab a

coffee, settle in to hear from the maestro as he reflects and reminisces about the early days

of Sinfonia Gulf Coast and how it has evolved since it formed 20 years ago.

Q: What does making music mean to you?

DF: Music is a way to share joy, emotion and feelings and a way to convey thoughts that you

can’t use words for. Even before learning piano or clarinet, I was singing along to Sesame

Street.

Q: Do you believe music is a universal truth?

DF: It sounds cliché, but it really is true. You can have a guest artist who doesn’t speak

English, such as SooBeen Lee, a Young Concert Artist violinist. It didn’t matter when we

were rehearsing and playing. It’s almost an existential type of experience that translates

through music.

Q: Why did you want to form Sinfonia Gulf Coast?

DF: It was more than just about the music to me. It was a community endeavor. It was an

educational endeavor. We created Sinfonia, because our area did not have a professional

stand-alone symphony orchestra to serve the community and it did not have an

opportunity for school children to have an outlet to learn a string instrument and

experience quality outreach opportunities. A civilization is only as good as its arts and

culture.

Pianist Ying Li makes her Sinfonia Gulf Coast debut during the orchestra’s 20th anniversary season

By Zandra Wolfgram

As Sinfonia Gulf Coast celebrates its 20th anniversary season, each concert offers an opportunity to reflect on the artistry, ambition and sense of discovery that have defined the orchestra for two decades. On Saturday, Feb. 7, that spirit takes center stage with Classical Connections featuring Ying Li, piano—an evening that brings together timeless masterworks and one of today’s most compelling young pianists.

Making her Sinfonia Gulf Coast debut, Ying Li is an artist on a remarkable ascent. Winner of the 2021 Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsworth International Auditions, Li has quickly earned international recognition for performances that combine technical brilliance with expressive depth. She has appeared as a soloist with major orchestras across the United States and Europe, including The Philadelphia Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony and Orlando Philharmonic, and has been praised for her ability to bring clarity, warmth and emotional insight to the music she performs.

At the heart of the program is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488, one of the composer’s most beloved works. Graceful, luminous and deeply expressive, the concerto showcases Mozart’s gift for melody while allowing the pianist to shine as both soloist and collaborator. The work’s radiant outer movements frame a slow movement of striking intimacy—music that invites listeners into a moment of reflection and quiet beauty.

The program also includes Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21, a piece that marks the composer’s confident arrival as a symphonist. While rooted in classical tradition, the symphony hints at the bold originality that would soon reshape the musical landscape. Together, these works create a program that bridges elegance and innovation—perfectly aligned with the spirit of Sinfonia’s Classical Connections series.

Led by Music Director Demetrius Fuller, the Sinfonia Gulf Coast orchestra brings these masterworks to life at Destin High School at 7:30 p.m. The evening is not only a celebration of great music, but also a reflection of Sinfonia’s mission over the past 20 years: to entertain, educate and inspire through exceptional live performances.

Ticket purchases do more than support the concert experience itself. Proceeds from Sinfonia Gulf Coast performances help fund the organization’s expansive music education and outreach initiatives, which reach more than 250,000 children across Northwest Florida through programs such as Sinfonia Guest Artists in the Schools, youth orchestras, after-school strings instruction and partnerships with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Institute of Music.

Whether you are a longtime classical music lover or attending your first symphony concert, Classical Connections featuring Ying Li, piano offers a welcoming and meaningful way to experience the power of live orchestral music. With tickets priced at just $35, this concert is an exceptional opportunity to be part of Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s milestone season while directly supporting music education in our community.

Tickets are available now at SinfoniaGulfCoast.org or by calling the box office at (850) 460-8800. Join us Feb. 7 and celebrate 20 years of music, community and unforgettable performances.

Sinfonia Youth Orchestra Spring Concerts Set for May 4

Get ready to journey through the cosmos with Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s talented young musicians! On Sunday, May 4, the Sinfonia Youth Orchestra will present its annual spring concert, “Spring Concert: Out of This World,” at Destin High School. This free, family-friendly event will feature two performances celebrating both musical excellence and the achievements of graduating seniors.

The afternoon begins at 2 p.m. with performances by the After School Beginning Strings, Sinfonietta Strings, Intermediate Strings, and the Chamber Group. At 5 p.m., the Chamber Group returns alongside the full Symphonic Youth Orchestra for an exciting second concert.

Audiences will be treated to a musical experience that is truly, well, out of this world! The program includes a collection of space-inspired works, including themes from Star Wars and Gustav Holst’s The Planets, all designed to ignite imaginations and showcase the full range of talent within Sinfonia’s Music Education programs.

“This performance is set to be our most exciting yet,” said Sinfonia Youth Orchestra Music Director Margaret Gordon. “Our students are thrilled to take you on a journey through planetary themes and anthems.”

The 5 p.m. concert will also feature a special recognition ceremony for the orchestra’s graduating high school seniors, along with the presentation of the 2025 Grace Fulcher Memorial Scholarship to one outstanding student.

“The leadership from our seniors has allowed our ensemble to grow in incredible ways,” Gordon added. “I am looking forward to recognizing them for their efforts and commitment. Each one has a bright future ahead of them and we are so excited to see what they will do next!”

Education has been the cornerstone of Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s mission since its founding in 2005. What began as an innovative way to bring classical music to the community has evolved into a powerful advocate for music education across Northwest Florida.

“Education is the centerpiece of Sinfonia,” said Music & Artistic Director Demetrius Fuller. “The Sinfonia Youth Orchestra program is a wonderful catalyst for local young musicians to expand their musical talents, but it would not be a full experience without an audience. We hope everyone will come out and support our youth orchestras.”

Both concerts are free and open to the public. So, mark your calendar, gather your family and friends, and join us for a celestial celebration of music, talent, and community spirit.

For more information about the Sinfonia Youth Orchestra, contact Margaret Gordon at mg*****@***************st.org or call (850) 460-8800.

Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s Link Up Hits the Right Notes for Students

By Zandra Wolfgram

On March 12, the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center transformed into a kid-inspired jazz festival. Nearly 3,000 energetic 3rd to 5th graders, recorders in hand, swayed, clapped, and played along with Sinfonia Gulf Coast for its 13th Link Up performance, "The Orchestra Swings." With a lively program conducted by Aaron King Vaughn and featuring classics like Duke Ellington’s It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) and George Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm, this year’s performance was a high-energy celebration of music education at its finest.

For many of these students, this was their first time experiencing a live symphony orchestra. Some had never held an instrument before Link Up. "For most of these kids, they’ve never even seen a symphony orchestra," said Sinfonia Treble Maker and former Sinfonia Gulf Coast employee Elaine Tucker. "They don’t even realize what they’re getting to do." But as the performance unfolded, any nervousness faded into sheer joy as young musicians found themselves immersed in the music.

The Link Up program, a national initiative by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, pairs professional orchestras with students in a year-long curriculum exploring rhythm, melody, and musical expression. Locally, it serves as the only music education some students receive all year.

"Link Up is my favorite concert of the year because it's a culmination of all of our partnership activities with Carnegie Hall in the schools," said Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s Music & Artistic Director, Demetrius Fuller. "And while it's the craziest sound you've ever heard, it’s just a wonderful amalgamation of music, theory, and learning how to play the recorder. And often, it’s the only arts education these kids get, so it’s very important that we continue to support this."

For students like 9-year-old Cecilia Owen, the experience was pure magic. "I was most excited to play my recorder," she said, grinning ear to ear. "And the dance moves! We practiced at school!" That enthusiasm is echoed by teachers who witness firsthand the impact of Link Up on their students. "As soon as we get here, the environment, the atmosphere—it’s just lively, it’s fun," said Katie McCullen, a teacher at Butler Elementary. "Music helps their thinking skills and problem-solving. It’s amazing to see how much they enjoy it."

Music educator Shalyce Kauzlarich, a longtime Link Up hostess, has seen that joy for nearly a decade. "I love seeing the joy on the kids' faces when it combines the recorder with the orchestra," she said. "This has become a tradition. I look forward to it every year."

But for all its joyful noise, Link Up also serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of funding music education. With school budgets tightening, programs like these are critical to ensuring students still have access to the arts. "If we cut music programs, we’re hurting ourselves," said Tucker. "Music and science and math are all connected. When we lose one, we limit opportunities for our kids."

Thanks to the support from the St. Joe Community Foundation, the Dugas Family Foundation, and the Emeril Lagasse Family Foundation—along with funding from Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s Crescendo! annual fundraiser, Treble Makers (an honorary membership committee of Crescendo!), and community donors—Link Up has grown into Sinfonia’s largest education outreach program. And if this year’s performance is any indication, it is hitting all the right notes for students, educators, and the community alike.

"It’s all about giving kids an experience they’ll never forget," Fuller said. "Who knows? Maybe one of them will be inspired to become a musician. But at the very least, they’ve had a moment where they connected with music in a way that will stay with them forever."

With instruments packed away and the echoes of swing music still lingering, one thing is clear: Link Up is more than just a concert—it’s a movement, keeping the rhythm of music education alive for the next generation.