Matthew Averyt

YOSA Philharmonic, Cello
NYO-USA

Tell us about your experience at NYO.

The program started with a ten-day quarantine period during which we participated in virtual private lessons, sectionals, and seminars. After the quarantine period, all 100+ musicians were able to gather on stage to rehearse our repertoire in relatively normal conditions. The strict COVID-19 precautions and testing protocol resulted in zero positive cases throughout the residency. 

What was the best part of the experience?

My favorite memory was playing an arrangement of Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller for 12 cellos with the cellists of NYO-USA. It was a nice change in pace from the classical repertoire we would play with the full orchestra and a fun opportunity to work with a talented group of musicians.

How did NYO impact you as a musician?

Being surrounded by some of the best young musicians and renowned professionals from around the country inspired me to refine my approach to music in respect to both my technique and my musical decisions.

Samuel Igbo

YOSA Philharmonic, Violin
NYO2

Tell us about your experience at NYO.

NYO was incredibly life-changing for me, both as a musician and person. Not only did I get to work with incredible faculty and conductors from top American orchestras and institutions, but also became inspired by the peers I was surrounded by every day and I made connections and friendships that will be lifelong. NYO also gave me the opportunity to apply for and be accepted to be on NPR’s From the Top program, a show highlighting the stories and successes of teen musicians. From hours of rehearsal to boundless free time, it was an experience that I’ll truly never forget as I advance as a musician.

What was the best part of the experience?

The best part of the NYO experience was honestly having the casual opportunity to collaborate with other musicians outside of rehearsals through chamber music, duets, and self-made sectionals before rehearsals started. It gave me the opportunity to expand my skills as a player who observes and listens to contrasting parts to my own, which was extremely useful once our official orchestral rehearsals began.

How did NYO impact you as a musician?

NYO really impacted me as a musician. Before NYO, I had never had the opportunity to work in person with a nationally-gathered cohort of teens who all appreciate and are dedicated to the art of classical music, and being around everyone inspired me to continue towards becoming a better violinist.

Ray Zhang

YOSA Philharmonic, Viola
NYO2

Tell us about your experience at NYO.

NYO2 was a very intense and rewarding experience. We had lots of rehearsal almost every day, and this hard work culminated into a studio recording of our performances. The level of musicianship in NYO2, as well as Maestra Mei-Ann Chen’s high expectations, allowed us to have some really nice musical moments during our recordings. Additionally, having really dedicated peers is such a humbling experience. Everyone at NYO is amazing, and we’re all just kids who are really into music. It was so fun to meet the other musicians, and I can tell I’ll be friends with some of them for a long time.

What was the best part of the experience?

I felt so lucky to be able to rehearse and play with everyone else in an almost normal configuration during this pandemic. Recording our performance without any COVID restrictions made it feel like everything was back to normal, and I feel so grateful for the chance to play music normally.

How did NYO impact you as a musician?

Meeting peers who put so effort much into music has humbled and inspired me. Having the opportunity to play in NYO2 has really raised my standards for my playing.

Melissa Muñoz, YOSA Class of 2014

After graduating high school I attended The University of Texas at Austin and received my Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis in trumpet performance. I then went to the Yale School of Music and received my Master of Music degree - also with an emphasis in trumpet performance. I am currently pursuing the Professional Studies Certificate at the Colburn School under the tutelage of Jim Wilt.

I am a co-founder of Brass Out Loud, an organization dedicated to uplifting the voices of underrepresented brass players. We had our inaugural virtual workshop this January, which was a three-day event that featured a wide variety of courses including, but not limited to: instrument-specific performance masterclasses, mindset seminars, a yoga course, and two panel discussions that featured prominent musicians speaking about relevant social issues. We continue to host events throughout the year, in which most are free! Check us out at brassoutloud.com.

YOSA was instrumental in my development as a young musician, as I had never performed in an orchestral setting. Interacting with my section and working under the baton of Troy Peters are some of my fondest memories from high school. It is what ultimately led me to pursuing orchestral trumpet as a career, and I am so grateful for my time spent in YOSA!

Paula Wilson, YOSA Class of 2017

I am currently a senior at Indiana University and will receive a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance with a minor in Arts Management. Afterwards, I plan to attend American University to pursue a master’s degree in Arts Management.

One project I am especially proud of is envisioning and developing a symposium entitled “Music School of Tomorrow” with the Alliance for the Transformation of the Musical Academe in partnership with the College Music Society. This virtual event was held in April and featured distinguished panelists from across the nation to continue the conversation on decolonizing the music curriculum at universities.

The summer after my freshman year at Indiana University, I was a YOSA Operations intern and discovered my passion for arts administration. Thanks to that experience being a catalyst for my career development, I will intern with the Nashville Symphony this summer through the Diversity in Arts Leadership Program at Americans for the Arts.

Raymond Macias

Percussion, YOSA Rising Star Fellow

What challenges have you encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic?        

I have been fortunate that I have not had to experience many challenges during the pandemic. The only challenge I experienced at the beginning was our internet service was very spotty, and it was giving me difficulty in logging on to my Zoom classes. Not being on campus has been challenging, as I really work well with engaging in class assignments and participation.

How has being a YOSA Rising Star Fellow helped you on your musical journey?

It has given me the opportunity to work with well known musicians and has challenged me to see and play new styles of music from many different cultures.  

What new percussion instruments are you working on this year?  

This year I am learning to play the drum set in our school jazz band. 

What are you most excited about for YOSA Percussion Ensemble? 

To have others hear the wonderful music Percussion Ensemble makes. Not many people know that percussion ensembles can produce such an array of sounds and music.

David Escamilla

Violin, YOSA Sinfonietta Strings

What was your favorite part of YOSA Virtual Summer Symphony Camp?

My favorite part of YOSA Summer Symphony Camp was having the opportunity to learn conducting and playing different genres during my Orchestra X rehearsal. It was fun to record my performances and work towards making the songs sound beautiful.

What was your best memory of YOSA Live Chats this summer?

My best memory of YOSA Live Chats was getting to know André Raphel. He has a passion for conducting and is a very inspirational person. I am grateful I had the opportunity to chat with him. 

How has music helped you during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Music has helped me stay calm during these tough times. Practicing my music daily has helped me keep a positive attitude.

What are you most excited about this season with YOSA?

I’m excited about getting to play new music and interacting with other musicians. I look forward to another eventful YOSA season.

Sam Igbo

Violin, YOSA Symphony
The Children’s Shelter of San Antonio Volunteer

Tell us about your volunteer experience.

I enjoy volunteering at The Children’s Shelter of San Antonio and perform various tasks, such as running the front desk, organizing items donated, or playing the violin!

Why did you become interested in volunteering, and why is this volunteer work important to you?

I became involved in the organization after I saw the effects of poverty in the greater Atlanta area where I once lived. I believe it is vital to invest in youth, because many people’s futures and dreams depend on it!

Why should your friends and peers also volunteer with you or elsewhere?

By contributing to the lives of other kids, we are creating more impact on others—kind of a “pay it forward” notion.

Aria Nguyen

Violin, YOSA Philharmonic
Center for Refugee Services Volunteer

Tell us about your volunteer experience.

The refugee center accommodates refugees of all ages; they have classes for adults and children, as well as a nursery for babies.
Classes are separated by age and level of fluency. Although tasks depend on what you sign up for, I volunteered as a teacher assistant for elementary-aged students around one or two times a week. We helped students with worksheets and reading books, as well as explaining unfamiliar terms and phrases. In addition, we assisted in handing out clothing items to families in need. My favorite part of the shift was during the kids’ break time, in which we went outside and engaged in fun group activities with them. I was able to develop a more personal connection with the kids during this time, and it was very exciting when I would come back the following week and they would remember my name.

Why did you become interested in volunteering, and why is this volunteer work important to you?

I thought it would be a cool experience to help others learn English, since I myself was an immigrant and faced similar struggles of learning English at a young age in an unfamiliar environment.

Why should your friends and peers also volunteer at the refugee center or elsewhere?

I think others should definitely dedicate some time to volunteering, because the feeling of helping others is truly priceless and reminds you how important it is to give back to your community. It not only helps the people you volunteer for, but also helps give you opportunities to learn from others and benefit from your community. In addition, volunteering is great way to make new friends!

Jessie Geada

Viola, YOSA Symphony
Camp CAMP Volunteer

Tell us about Camp CAMP and your volunteer experience.

Camp CAMP is specifically designed for people who have special needs. It includes all regular camp activities like horseback riding, canoeing, etc. but makes it accessible to people who otherwise would not have been able to do those activities. I personally try to go to camp every spring break and at least three sessions over the summer. Volunteers at CAMP definitely have more responsibilities than the average camp counselor! It is our job to provide all help needed to our camper, which usually includes helping them with hygiene and transfers in and out of wheelchairs (which we are taught how to do of course!).

Why did you become interested in volunteering, and why is this work important to you?

My brother has special needs, and when we were younger my brother and I would go to CAMP (they have a program there for siblings of those who have special needs too!). Volunteering at CAMP is important to me because I get to see how happy the campers are! Outside of CAMP, people with special needs are often associated with the disability they have, not with their actual personality, but at CAMP we get to see who they are and what they are interested in.

Why should your friends and peers also volunteer at the camp or elsewhere?

I would love for my friends and peers to volunteer at CAMP! Or just volunteer in general! It feels really good to break out of your normal routine and help make someone’s day a little better.

Riley Bemis

YOSA Philharmonic
Viola, YOSA musician since 2015
Cactus Pear Music Festival Young Artist Program

Tell us about your experience.

The Cactus Pear Music Festival was quite possibly one of the most defining moments in not only my career as a musician, but in my life as a whole. I found many new friends and a small little family consisting of YOSA alumni like Simon Phoa, Heidi Schuppenhauer, Giuliano Bucheli, and Elisabeth Wang, as well as some former and new members of YOSA Philharmonic including Emily Seddigzadeh and Emily Rivera.

What music did you play?

We played a wide variety of composers—many who I never knew existed—such as George Enescu, Gabriel Fauré, and William Herschel. Every song was interesting as well as unique. On top of this, we performed the world premiere of Judith Lynn Stillman’s Small Step, Giant Leap: A Lunar Fantasy, and we were even featured in the San Antonio Express-News.

What is your biggest takeaway from the program?

My takeaway from this is simple: a good attitude is the most important thing for success. There was not a single morning throughout the entire program that any of the musicians walked in without a smile on their face as we got started for the day. There is so much more I want to say. I would like to thank the amazing directors from Cactus Pear, the other musicians, the Wang family, and most importantly YOSA for making me aware of

Emily Averyt

Violin, YOSA musician since 2012
Saint Mary’s Hall, class of 2019
Will attend Trinity University

What inspired you to be in YOSA?

From an early age, music has been a prominent fixture in my life. Nearly all of my extended family plays an instrument. It only seemed natural when I began studying the violin at age five. However, it wasn’t until I joined YOSA that I began to understand the magic of music.

What have you enjoyed most during your time in YOSA?

There are many highlights from my time in YOSA including the international tours, performing with local bands in the Classic Albums Live Series, with San Antonio Symphony in the YOSA Side-by- Sides, learning amazing repertoire, accompanying world-class musicians, and soloing with the San Antonio Symphony as the 2016/17 YOSA Concerto Competition winner. What I’ve enjoyed most about YOSA is the weekly journey of discovering the exciting intricacies of instrumental ensemble work with a group of students who share my love of music.

One memory in particular stands out to me. While playing Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony at my first concert in the YOSA Philharmonic, there was something exhilarating about the way in which over one hundred student musicians were able to unify their drastically different sounds into a coherent musical statement.

Dylan Fernandez de Lara

Violin, YOSA Philharmonic
Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson High School Class of 2019

Congratulations on earning a spot with the Texas All- State Orchestras. What was your favorite part of the All-State experience?

My favorite part of the All- State experience was having the opportunity to play with an orchestra of such a high caliber.

You were also selected for the National Youth Orchestra (NYO-USA). What are you most looking forward to about this opportunity?

With NYO-USA, I’m looking forward to touring Europe and meeting other musicians from across the country.

You’ve been in YOSA since 2014. What keeps you coming back year after year?

All of the great friends and memories I have made are what keep me coming back to YOSA year after year.

What do you plan to do after you graduate from high school?

After I graduate from high school I hope to continue playing violin, however I’m interested in studying electrical engineering.