Travis Jürgens, assistant professor and music director for Ohio Northern University Symphony and Musical Theatre was appointed as the music director for the Lima Area Youth Orchestra.

The Lima Area Youth Orchestra serves as an educational opportunity for young musicians throughout northwest Ohio to further develop their musical skills and talents in a professional setting.

LAYO seeks to develop pride and self-esteem in young musicians from all cultural backgrounds, linking them with musical achievement and instilling values and discipline that they will carry throughout their lives.

Jürgens, a winner of the American Prize in Orchestral Conducting, has conducted the Colorado and Alabama Symphony Orchestras, Boulder Philharmonic, Denver Philharmonic, Macon Symphony, Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic, Illinois Valley Symphony, Rose City Chamber Orchestra, South Carolina Philharmonic, and the Orquestra de Cadaqués, among others.

He has worked with esteemed conductors, including Michael Tilson Thomas and Marin Alsop, who invited Travis to attend the Conductors Guild Composer/ Conductor Workshop at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music for two consecutive summers. He also studied conducting at the Aspen Music Festival, which is under the direction of Robert Spano.

Jürgens has performed in the United States, Europe, and Japan. He has been praised as "a superior conductor" and "well on his way to becoming a major conductor in the world of symphony orchestras" (Opus Colorado). Musicians who have played under his baton have commented on his exceptional talent, dynamic musicianship, efficient rehearsals, and strong leadership.

Jürgens, an Assistant Professor at Ohio Northern University, has been the Music Director of the Ohio Northern Symphony and Musical Theatre since 2014

He also conducted many world premieres by emerging composers, and organized a video shoot with ESPN for a 2011 Halloween Special that was aired on Monday Night Football.

As an advocate of new music, Jürgens has performed many world premieres by emerging composers, and creates innovative programs to engage communities.