Marshall Marcus is a British-American arts leader whose distinguished career spans performance, leadership, and systems-level cultural innovation. He currently serves as Executive & Artistic Director of the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO), where he shapes programs that train young musicians from across the EU to achieve professional excellence.

He is also Founder and President of Sistema Europe, a movement that supports national El Sistema-inspired music education programs. In that role, he has launched regional orchestras, established research and evaluation initiatives, and overseen large-scale projects including the European Music Campus and the Creative Europe “Towards 2020” platform.

From 1985 to 2006, Marcus co-founded and led the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment—later serving as CEO of London’s Royal Festival Hall and Southbank Centre. He continues to advise cultural institutions including the International Youth Foundation, National Orchestra for All, and the Honorary Council of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.

A former professional violinist, he performed and recorded in more than 60 countries with ensembles such as the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta Filarmónica de Caracas, and Amsterdam Baroque. He holds an MA in Philosophy and Experimental Psychology from Oxford and completed postgraduate studies in English education at Cambridge.

Marshall’s focus on the intersection of culture, education, and societal impact led him to act as General Editor for the European Commission’s report “Culture and the UN Sustainable Development Goals” in 2022. He also collaborates closely with EUYO Principal Conductor Iván Fischer to advance sustainable, future-facing youth orchestral programs.

As an Advisory Board member, Marshall brings extensive expertise in orchestral leadership, systems development, and international fundraising. His guidance supports our mission to build global, sustainable career pathways for young talented artists.