Gwinnett County Youth Symphony

Mr. David Metrio

David Metrio is a Colombian-American educator, conductor, and double-bassist based in the Atlanta area. Mr. Metrio is currently the Director of Orchestras at North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, GA, as well as the conductor for the Gwinnett County Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Georgia Youth Symphony Philharmonic Orchestra. Mr. Metrio has also served as a double bass clinician for the New England Conservatory Preparatory School in Boston, MA. Mr. Metrio was named the Teacher of the Year at North Gwinnett High School for the 2022/2023 school year, and a Top 25 Finalist for County-Wide Teacher of the Year.

Orchestras under Mr. Metrio’s direction consistently receive superior ratings at performance evaluations and frequently perform in concert and invitational settings. Most recently, the North Gwinnett High School Chamber Orchestra has been invited to compete at the American String Teacher Association’s National Orchestra Festival in March of 2025. Under his direction, the North Gwinnett High School Chamber Orchestra was also invited to perform at the 2023 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, the Georgia Music Educator Association’s In-Service conference, the Capital Orchestra Festival at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, and the Kennesaw State University Orchestra Invitational. The North Gwinnett High School Orchestra has also been named a national winner in the Mark of Excellence/National Orchestra Honors project by the Foundation for Music Education. Mr. Metrio is in demand as a guest clinician and conductor, and has been invited to conduct, present, or adjudicate at various orchestra festivals around the southeast.

Mr. Metrio is an active member of the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), where he serves on the state board of directors as Chairman for District 13, as well as a member of the state standing committee for the orchestra division. Mr. Metrio is also the organizer for the GMEA Allstate 11/12 Full Orchestra. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and the American String Teachers Association (ASTA), where he serves as the membership liaison for the Georgia chapter. Before serving as Director of Orchestras at North Gwinnett High School, Mr. Metrio served as the Director of Orchestras at Lanier High School in Sugar Hill, GA. In 2020, Mr. Metrio was named the Professional Association of Georgia Educators STAR teacher for Lanier High School as well as a finalist for Lanier High School Teacher of the Year.

Mr. Benjamin Rezaeinia

Ben Rezaeinia is beginning his 17th year teaching and 8th year teaching in Gwinnett County Public Schools. He currently serves as Orchestra Director at Duluth High School and Lead teacher for Gwinnett County High School Orchestra. Before coming to Duluth High School, Mr. Rezaeinia was the director at Norcross High School. While at Norcross, he served as the International Bachelorette coordinator to the Fine Arts. Mr. Rezaeinia served as Orchestra Director at Tapp Middle School in Cobb County prior to teaching in Gwinnett County Schools. During this time, he served as the West District coordinator for 6th grade Jamboree.

Mr. Rezaeinia holds a master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting and a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Georgia State University (GSU). While at GSU, Mr. Rezaeinia served as the Manager of Orchestras and guest conducted several Symphony concerts as well as organizing and conducting a concert series of full orchestral music. While completing his undergraduate degree, Mr. Rezaeinia served as liaison between future music education majors and the GSU School of Music OutReach Program.

Mr. Rezaeinia has served as guest conductor in several schools and community orchestras around the State of Georgia. He has also served as a sectional coach to many local schools and orchestras. As well as conducting, Mr. Rezaeinia has also performed in local orchestras on his primary instrument, the violin, as a principal violinist.

Mrs. Maria Hesketh

Maria Phillips Hesketh is an accomplished music educator who currently serves as Associate Director of Bands at Norcross High School in Norcross, Georgia. With a passion for teaching and a commitment to excellence, she is dedicated to helping her students develop their musical abilities and achieve their goals.

As the lead teacher for the NHS Symphonic Winds and the NHS Concert Band, Mrs. Hesketh is responsible for guiding her students through a rigorous and rewarding curriculum. In addition to her work with Norcross High School, she is an active member of the music education community in her county and district. She serves as a GCPS High School Band Lead Teacher, a conductor of the Gwinnett County Youth Wind Symphony, and the Winds and Percussion Coordinator for the Gwinnett County Youth Symphony.

Before joining the Norcross family, Mrs. Hesketh taught at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia, where she played an instrumental role in the success of the school’s music program. As Assistant Band Director, she helped the Harrison Bands achieve impressive results, including performances at the Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival and the GMEA In-State Conference. As Woodwind Caption Head, Mrs. Hesketh contributed to the marching band’s achievement of the Bands of America Regional Champion title.

Mrs. Hesketh holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Kennesaw State University, where she excelled academically and musically. While at KSU, she studied flute with Christina Smith and voice with Leah Partridge, and performed with several of the university’s premier music ensembles, including the Wind Symphony, Women’s Choir, Marching Band, and Concert Band. As the first drum major for “The Marching Owls”, Mrs. Hesketh played a vital role in establishing the university’s marching band culture. She also helped colonize the Iota Psi chapter of Tau Beta Sigma as its founding Treasurer.

Mrs. Hesketh is an active member of the National Association for Music Education and the Georgia Music Educators Association. Her commitment to music education and her students is evident in everything she does, from her tireless work in the classroom to her ongoing efforts to advance the field. She currently resides in Norcross, Georgia with her husband, Daniel.