Artistic Directors

Joseph Vranas is the Artistic Director for the Gay Freedom Band of Los Angeles and has conducted youth orchestras and bands with Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA), Harmony Project, the Saturday Conservatory of Music, and EduCare. His work as a conductor and music educator has been nationally recognized by the Pride Bands Alliance, the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), and the City of Bell, CA. As a composer, Vranas has written for concert halls, ballet, film, and theatre with premieres across the US and internationally. His scores have received commendations from the 48 Hour Film Competition, Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, the Cannes Film Festival, and the Bolivian Music Festival. Vranas’ concert works often include elements of dance and folklore in keeping with his passion for ballet and storytelling.

He is a graduate from the University of Oregon with Master’s degrees in Composition and Trumpet Performance and previously studied Composition and Music Education at Sam Houston State University. He is a Teaching Artist in Trumpet for YOLA and an accomplished performer on trumpet and horn. In his down time, Joseph is usually in the kitchen, recreating his favorite meals from cuisines from around the world or writing poetry and screenplays.