[{"id":235,"date":"2024-05-02T11:32:25","date_gmt":"2024-05-02T11:32:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.keynote-music.org\/music-discovery\/?page_id=235"},"modified":"2024-05-02T11:32:25","modified_gmt":"2024-05-02T11:32:25","slug":"alumni","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.keynote-music.org\/music-discovery\/alumni\/","title":{"rendered":"Alumni"},"content":{"rendered":"
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ALUMNI ASSOCIATION<\/h1>\n

A great way to stay in touch with everything we are doing
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ALUMNI STORIES<\/em><\/h2>\n

San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory\u2019s Alumni Association is a great way to stay in touch with everything we are doing and to find out how you can get involved. If you are just coming back to check on us, please tell us what you have been up to, we love sharing stories about our alumni with current students and friends.<\/p>\n

We will fill you in on what other alums are up to, the latest SDYS news and upcoming alumni events.\u00a0Your information will be kept strictly confidential.<\/p>\n

JOIN SDYS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION<\/a><\/p>\n

Take the SDYS Alumni Survey<\/a> Join the SDYS Alumni Facebook Group<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Megan Matthew<\/h3>
Three Generations of SDYS Family<\/div>Read Bio<\/span><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t
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Megan Matthew<\/h2>

Three Generations of SDYS Family<\/h3><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Megan Matthew is an SDYS alumni (1995-2002), parent, and now serves on the SDYS Board of Directors. She currently co-leads the Alumni sub-committee of the Board. Her father, Dennis Lavine, is a former Board member (1997-2008) and saw SDYS grow through a transition period during his tenure. He is now retired and hopes to learn to play the cello and continue to accompany his granddaughter, Grace, to her SDYS ChIMES classes when they resume in-person.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\nMegan, what did you do following your time at SDYS?<\/strong>\r\nMegan:<\/strong>\u00a0I attended University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and at first majored in violin performance. After a year, I decided to pursue journalism and mass communication, with a focus on public relations and a minor in music. I love telling stories and shaping how a message is communicated. However, music is essential to who I am, so I combined my passion with my profession and now volunteer my PR prowess for the arts and nonprofit work. After returning to San Diego, I played with the University of San Diego Community Orchestra for a few years and dusted off the ole violin when I traveled to China with other SDYS alums on the 2015 tour. What an adventure!\r\n\r\nWhat are you up to now?<\/strong>\r\nMegan:<\/strong> I help tell the story of the Family Houses at UC San Diego Health, a small nonprofit that helps families with a loved one in long-term or critical care at UC San Diego Health. The families that I meet and the stories they tell are inspiring and remind me to be grateful for every moment. I also run around after my four-year-old, Grace, and try to keep up! I\u2019m proud to say that I am now a San Diego Youth Symphony parent since attending a ChIMES session with my daughter. She sometimes tries to use her toy ukulele as a violin which makes her mom proud. I look forward to enjoying music with her, as well as my experiences at San Diego Youth Symphony, as she grows up.\r\n\r\nHow has music influenced you?<\/strong>\r\nMegan:<\/strong>\u00a0Music has opened doors for me. From introducing me to long-ago composers in distant lands, to giving me my first job\u2026 I am where I am today because of music. It has been a thread that connects all parts of my life. My childhood was filled with New World Symphony playing loudly while we had pancakes on a Sunday morning. I single-handedly credit the Bruch violin concerto with getting me into college. When I got married, I walked down the aisle to Saint-Sa\u00ebns\u2019 The Swan, and waltzed with my dad to Tchaikovsky\u2019s Sleeping Beauty. I remember visiting my sister in Prague whenever The Moldau by Bedrich Smetana is played. When my daughter was born, Chopin was playing in the background. It\u2019s amazing to me the power that music has in transporting me back to another time in my life. Music defines me and has defined my life. It has given me direction. It has introduced me to so many new and wonderful friends. And it took me places I never expected.\r\n\r\nHow has your experience on the board been so far?<\/strong>\r\nMegan:<\/strong>\u00a0It\u2019s been an eye-opening experience, getting to know the organization again because it feels new. [There are so many] different types of music that I never thought the symphony was involved with, like jazz or conducting or music theory.\r\n\r\nDennis, what was your experience like?<\/strong>\r\nDennis:<\/strong>\u00a0[I served] from 1997-2008. Back then, the organization was smaller than it is now and members of the Board were primarily, if not exclusively, parents. During that time, I saw a lot of transition. It went from this parent Board to a more functioning Board in the traditional sense of not-for-profit. More people in the community started coming on Board, and Jeff Edmons came on as the Artistic Director. I think about the same time Angels\u2019 Angels was organized. It was a very interesting time and it was exciting to be part of that. I was also thrilled to be a stand-in volunteer when they needed someone to play the jingle bells at a holiday concert.\r\n\r\nMegan, as an alum how do you bring a different perspective to the board?<\/strong>\r\nMegan:<\/strong>\u00a0It is definitely a different perspective, and one that I am grateful for. The organization has grown and morphed into this bigger idea. I don\u2019t know if there are many other Board members that played music as a child or have seen the organization grow throughout the years. And it\u2019s interesting being part of an organization that\u2019s 75 years old! This organization is near and dear to my heart and it feels like a family member almost. I feel like it\u2019s just always been part of my life.\r\n\r\nWhat are your goals for the Alumni Association?<\/strong>\r\nMegan:<\/strong>\u00a0I think a lot of alums are a little intimidated to join the Alumni Association because they think, \u201cOh my gosh, I don\u2019t practice anymore\u201d. I want to share the message that it\u2019s okay. Music can still be a part of your life even if you\u2019re not a professional musician or practicing all the time. I don\u2019t want this Association to be intimidating. It\u2019s not meant to be, it\u2019s just supposed to be fun, a place for alumni to come back together, reconnect with old friends and share memories.\r\nDennis:<\/strong>\u00a0There\u2019s a lot of people and most students [that] don\u2019t go on to be professional musicians, but what the organization does, it provides a framework for learning some really good lessons that you picked up through your music. Music can still be part of your life whether it\u2019s listening to music or playing music. You know, all those things are really benefits to being a participant in SDYS.\r\n\r\nWhat role does music play in your life now?<\/strong>\r\nMegan:<\/strong>\u00a0With [my daughter] Grace, I\u2019m really trying share my love of music with her. [We\u2019ve been] getting her involved with ChIMES and other classes like that and playing music here in the house a lot. Mostly, listening to music and being part of the board is what I\u2019m able to give right now, but I do always dream! One day I want to go back and take lessons and be part of a community orchestra again. Because, now as an adult looking back, I can see that even though solo practice (while critical) wasn\u2019t always my favorite activity, I always looked forward to going to rehearsal at SDYS to meet friends and connect through playing together. I want to be part of something like that again, at some point!\r\nDennis:<\/strong>\u00a0In junior high, I played the cello for a while, and then when Megan started playing violin, I thought that I would go back to playing cello and we could play duets. I retired as of the first of the year [2020] and one of my goals was to go back [and learn to play].\r\n\r\nDo you have a special memory enjoying music as a family?<\/strong>\r\nDennis:<\/strong>\u00a0I\u2019ve always enjoyed listening to Megan play. For my 70th birthday [last year], she hired a bluegrass band to play. All of my closest friends and family were there, alongside delicious Southern-style cooking, and Megan played the fiddle with the bluegrass band. Oh, it was great!\r\nMegan:<\/strong>\u00a0It was super fascinating for me to play with that bluegrass band. I play one or two fiddling songs, but I still have to read music. When I talked to these bluegrass guys, [I learned] they don\u2019t read music! They kind of riff, it\u2019s like jazz almost. I made a few mistakes, but it was such a blast. My daughter got a big kick out of seeing her mom up there with the band!\r\n\r\nHow does it feel to see your daughter start her journey with music?<\/strong>\r\nMegan:<\/strong>\u00a0You know, I want to be careful because [the violin is] something that I chose for me. In third grade, they introduced the violin to us at school. And I\u2019ll never forget, I went up to my Mom and I said \u201cI want to take violin lessons\u201d. I pushed for it. With Grace, I want to show her what I think is really cool, but at the same time I want to respect her as an individual. If she wants to take up surfing or something like that, which I have no idea how to do, I want to support her in that too. In my role as a parent, I just want to expose her to all of my joys and things that I\u2019m passionate about. If she wants to pursue it, then I\u2019ll support that. And if not, that\u2019s okay.\r\nDennis:<\/strong>\u00a0I am very proud of Megan and all that she\u2019s achieved. [She\u2019s] staying involved with youth symphony, realizing how important it was to her and what she\u2019s gained from that organization. But more importantly, she recognizes the importance of giving back and staying involved. I\u2019m very proud.\r\n\r\n\"\"\"\"\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>
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Daniel Pate<\/h3>
Percussion Alumni<\/div>Read Bio<\/span><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t
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Daniel Pate<\/h2>

Percussion Alumni<\/h3><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Being a musician has been one of the most deeply rewarding choices I have made. Music has a way of becoming the cornerstone to every single important moment that we live.<\/strong><\/p>\r\nWhat did you do after SDYS?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nI was lucky enough to be able to still play with the Youth Symphony throughout much of my undergraduate years at San Diego State University. I left San Diego originally to pursue my master\u2019s degree in percussion at the University of Massachusetts Amherst where I specialized in contemporary music performance. I later returned to San Diego to work as a freelance musician and percussion instructor at several high schools in San Diego County.\r\n\r\nWhat are you up to now?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nI have just completed my DMA from Stony Brook University and I am now the Percussion Department Coordinator at the Juilliard School of Music as well as a freelance musician currently performing with \u201cSwarmius\u201d and \u201cDNA\u201d percussion duo. I work to be as active as I can in the research side of our art form by serving on the steering committee of the New York City Electro-Acoustic Music Festival and have had several articles featured in the Percussion Arts Society\u2019s \u201cPercussive Notes\u201d magazine.\r\n\r\nHow has music influenced you?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nBeing a musician has been one of the most deeply rewarding choices I have made. Music has a way of becoming the cornerstone to every single important moment that we live. For me, performing music is a chance to create lifelong memories; rather than revisiting memories that I cherish through other means like pictures and video, I revisit pieces that I performed with people that I deeply care about. When I do this, I\u2019m not thinking about the notes or the dynamics, but rather the late night rehearsals, and the feeling of energy and excitement of being on stage.\r\n\r\nWhat did you learn from your days at SDYS?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nHow to listen to the musicians around you and play, not as an individual performer, but as part of something much bigger. The skill of performing with others is such a big element to being a musician that can\u2019t be replicated by playing along with recordings and going to concerts. Not only are your listening skills sharpened within an ensemble, but you also learn that preparing your part for performance is much more important because everyone is relying on you to play at your best.\r\n\r\nWhat role does music play in your life now?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nMusic is and will always be a constant in my life and has been the catalyst for me to explore other art forms. I like to think of myself as a perpetual student and with music there is always something new that can be learned. One thing I\u2019m extremely excited about now is the commissioning of new works by composers that I love and helping them realize their works through performance.\r\n\r\nWhat advice can you give to young musicians?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nWhile practicing and perfecting your instrument is of course important, it is but one component to becoming a musician. To truly become an artist, it is important to enrich yourself through travel, visual art, literature, and other life experiences so that these experiences enrich the music that you perform.\r\n\r\nIs there anything else you\u2019d like to share?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nCherish the time and the music that you are making at this moment with these people. These moments will live with you the rest of your life and you will re-live them every time you set foot on stage to perform these works.<\/blockquote><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>

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Enrico Lopez-Ya\u00f1ez<\/h3>
Trumpet<\/div>Read Bio<\/span><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t
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Enrico Lopez-Ya\u00f1ez<\/h2>

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Ensembles: <\/strong>Alumni<\/div>\r\n
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“One thing I have learned in my journey is that the people around you are not your greatest competition but in fact your greatest asset.”<\/em><\/blockquote>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nWhat did you do in the years immediately following your time at SDYS?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nAfter graduating, I pursued my bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s degrees in trumpet performance at UCLA. I then transitioned into conducting and pursued my master\u2019s degree at the University of Maryland in orchestral conducting.\r\n\r\nWhat are you up to now?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nI am currently the Assistant Conductor of the Nashville Symphony, a position I previously held with the Omaha Symphony for two seasons. I lead over 50 performances annually on the Symphony\u2019s Pops, Education, and Family Series. I feel very fortunate that I have had the opportunity to conduct performances with artists of all genres. This season, for example, will include performances with Kenny Loggins, Megan Hilty, Jennifer Nettles, The Marcus Roberts Trio, and Priscilla Presley to name a few.\r\n\r\nHow has music influenced you?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nI have been exposed to music since my early childhood so it is difficult to think of ways in which music hasn\u2019t influenced me. What I can say is that whether or not you end up pursuing music professionally, there is always room for music in your life and it will inevitably make it better. You could play in a community orchestra, form a small ensemble or band, or simply attend and support your local symphony. Regardless, having music in our lives connects us to others and makes us better people.\r\n\r\nWhat did you learn from your days at SDYS?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nSDYS taught me a lot about the dedication required to be a professional musician and successful adult. It pushed me to maintain extremely high standards in my music making which directly translated to other aspects of my life. I learned a great deal about time management by finding ways to balance my academics with my practice needs, a skill that was essential in order to keep up with my peers both in school and the ensemble.\r\n\r\nWhat role does music play in your life now?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nMusic is at the center of my daily life. Living in Nashville (Music City) and working for the symphony means that the bulk of my daily interactions and activities are in some way related to music. It seems like there isn\u2019t a single block in the entire city where you can\u2019t come across live music to listen to, which I absolutely love. It also means endless opportunities for inspiration and interesting collaborations. Beyond that, all of my deepest friendships have been forged through or around music. Music truly does have the power to connect us to others in a way that language and other forms of expression often cannot.\r\n\r\nWhat advice can you give to young musicians?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nMy advice is to always be as well rounded a person as possible. You should constantly strive to grow yourself in every aspect of life. Inspiration for music comes in many forms. The ability to express different emotions grows out of having experienced different things. So learn about art, history, and politics; develop your public speaking skills, your ability to work with others, and your ability to think creatively. Every experience in life and every opportunity to learn and grow as a person can in some way shape your music making.\r\n\r\nIs there anything else you\u2019d like to share?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOne thing I have learned in my journey is that the people around you (your colleagues) are not your greatest competition but in fact your greatest asset. You never know where they will end up and how you might be able to help each other down the road. So, with that in mind, always treat the people with whom you work with respect. You never know who might be willing to recommend you for a job or be interested in collaborating on a project in the future so keep every door open.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>
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Victoria Bietz<\/h3>
Violin<\/div>Read Bio<\/span><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t
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Victoria Bietz<\/h2>

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“My SDYS experiences shaped me as a person and ultimately paved my decision to major in violin performance.”<\/em><\/blockquote>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nWhat did you do after SDYS?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nAfter SDYS I went to SDSU for 2 years and starting subbing with San Diego Symphony. I then transferred to UCLA to study with Mark Kaplan where I majored in Violin Performance. While in Los Angeles I played with American Youth Symphony and Debut Orchestra. For my Master\u2019s in Violin Performance I went to The Boston Conservatory and studied with Joseph McGauley of the BSO. While in Boston I played many off-Broadway shows and played in regional orchestras in nearby states.\r\n\r\nWhat are you up to now?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nAfter I graduated, I moved back to San Diego in 2005 and have been working as a freelance musician ever since. I have played shows at La Jolla Playhouse and The Old Globe; I continue to sub with San Diego Symphony and San Diego Opera; I play in Classics for Kids, California Chamber Orchestra, among other groups. With my group Avonlea Strings, I play many weddings and private events across San Diego and Orange County. In addition to performing, I teach over 20 students in my private violin studio with ages ranging from 4 to 65.\r\n\r\nWhat advice can you give to young musicians?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nPracticing is just one small component of the music world in which we live. Many connections and friendships you have when you are in SDYS will be important and enriching to your music career for decades to come. Try to look at the big picture and not get caught in the small stuff like who sits where and what happened at the last audition. The reason we play our instruments is to play beautiful music together. I still remember clearly the friendships and the magical feeling I had when I played my first symphony at age 11. Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 will continue to hold a very special place in my heart.\r\n\r\nYou were invited to join SDYS on its 70th\u00a0Anniversary China Tour. What was your most memorable moment from the China Tour?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nI was honored to be asked to join the orchestra on the China Tour. It was wonderful to spend time with Mr. Edmons and reconnect with the other alumni, as well as meet all the young and talented students of SDYS. There is one memory from the trip in which stands out from the rest. There was a lot of time between a certain rehearsal and concert so a couple students started playing repertoire from the concert without music. Over a short period of time the group got larger and larger and by the end, almost every member of the orchestra was playing along. It was amazing to see how well every section knew their parts, and how they played together without a conductor! This little snapshot showed me how much the students loved making music together and what a great appreciation for music Mr. Edmons has given each of us.\r\n\r\nWhat did you take away from the China Tour?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe people we met and the audiences we played for absolutely loved our music. Even though we come from very different types of governments and countries, the love for music is universal. The packed concerts and the way the Chinese government took care of us during our stay was wonderful to experience. The concert halls we played in were amazing, as were the schools we visited. At the advanced music school we enjoyed a wonderful concert performed for us on traditional instruments. Seeing the Chinese students play their instruments with such mastery and dedication was truly inspiring.\r\n\r\nWhat did you learn from your days at SDYS?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nI grew exponentially as a musician during my 10 years with the SDYS organization. When I was 8 years old I started playing in the back of the 2nd violins in \u201cPrep Orchestra,\u201d to then become the youngest member of the \u201cBig Orchestra\u201d at 11 years old. When I joined I would have never imagined I would have the privilege to be Concertmistress for three years. Practicing hard and being exposed to great composers such as Mahler, Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, and Beethoven expanded my music world at such a young age. I was able to travel to Sun Valley, Idaho, Spain, Canada, and Eastern Europe with all the orchestra tours. My SDYS experiences shaped me as a person and ultimately paved my decision to major in violin performance. Without my decade of experience with SDYS I am certain I would not have found the love for the violin and made my life all about music.\r\n\r\nIs there anything else you would like to share?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nI still remember when we, the orchestra and the board, chose Mr. Edmons for the conductor position. We had had a rough couple of years without a steady conductor and without a vision for the future. The orchestra was divided and needed a strong force to bring us together again. It makes me very happy to see how the organization has grown and how over the past 20 years Mr. Edmons has made SDYS a genuine conservatory, by expertly preparing motivated students for careers in music.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>
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Sophie Graf<\/h3>
Harp<\/div>Read Bio<\/span><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t
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Sophie Graf<\/h2>

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“The point of an orchestra is to explore all of the rich textures available in classical music. You, as an individual instrumentalist, are just one texture in this vast array.”<\/em><\/blockquote>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nWe recently caught up with Sophie Graf, a harpist and SDYS alum from 2010 \u2013 2012. A current junior at Duquesne University, learn more about her recent award win, her recommendations for current SDYS students and her favorite memories from her time with SDYS.<\/strong>\r\n
\r\n\r\nWhat are you up to now?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nRight now I am a junior studying for a degree in harp performance at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. \u00a0At this point I hope to get a master\u2019s in harp performance and then to hopefully become an orchestral harpist.\r\n\r\nRecently, the American Harp Society (AHS) named you as one of its 2014 Anne Adams Awards winners, which includes a $2,000 scholarship for full-time study of the harp. What\u2019s a highlight from that exciting day?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite parts about winning was being led into the exhibit hall where each of the harp makers had brought harps to display and sell. As a winner, I was allowed to choose any harp there to play at the winners\u2019 recital \u2013 I chose a lovely, natural concert grand harp.\r\n\r\n
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SDYS Music Director Jeff Edmons coaching Sophie Graf for her AHS Adams Awards performance<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\r\nAny recommendations for current\u00a0SDYS\u00a0musicians?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nLearn to become part of the group. \u00a0As a solo harpist coming from a piano background, I was not used to playing with other people at all. \u00a0It was a huge adjustment for me to learn to sit there counting 186 bars of rests before playing for four bars (no joke, this actually happens in harp parts). \u00a0Now with four years of orchestral playing under my belt, I have come to love listening to all of the incredible musicians around me while I am not playing. \u00a0The point of an orchestra is to explore all of the rich textures available in classical music. \u00a0You, as an individual instrumentalist, are just one texture in this vast array. \u00a0Each instrument plays an important role in the orchestra, but that role is not to play the most notes (well, unless you are a violinist) \u2013 it is to provide your unique color when it will best contribute to a piece as a whole.\r\n\r\nAnything else you would like to share?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nMy short time playing with SDYS (2010-2012) has already been helpful repertoire-wise. \u00a0This coming school year we will play Shosty 5 and Pictures at an Exhibition, both of which I first played with SDYS. \u00a0I have to audition with excerpts from them when I get back to school and having already played them is making it a lot easier! \u00a0Last year we played the Carmen Suites, which I had already played with the Sinfonia.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
Join the SDYS Alumni Association at www.sdys.org\/alumni\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>
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Jonathan Piper<\/h3>
Tuba<\/div>Read Bio<\/span><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t
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Jonathan Piper<\/h2>

Tuba<\/h3><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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“One of the strongest lessons I learned from SDYS was personal responsibility. Show up to rehearsal on time, fully practiced, and ready to focus for however long the group needs you.”<\/em>\r\n\r\n <\/blockquote>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nIt\u2019s the holiday season and to kick it off, we sat down with SDYS alum Jonathan Piper, education manager for La Jolla Music Society, to learn more about his jug band, how music keeps him sane, why not to borrow a friend\u2019s euphonium and more! Have a safe and happy holiday season and look for more great alumni content in the New Year!\r\n\r\nWhat did you do after SDYS?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nAfter high school and SDYS, I attended UCLA for a BA in Music Performance, studying with legendary tubist Tommy Johnson. There, I pursued numerous performance opportunities \u2013 wind ensemble, orchestra, brass quintet, brass choir, duos, solos, etc \u2013 and became very interested in both music theory and music history. I ended up writing a senior thesis, supervised by members of the Musicology faculty, on listening strategies in contemporary music. Based on my interests in contemporary music and theory, I pursued an MA and then PhD in the UC San Diego Music Department\u2019s Critical Studies\/Experimental Practices program. This program allowed a fairly wide-open approach to the study of music, including performance, musicology and ethnomusicology. I ended up focusing on popular music for both my thesis and dissertation, with a hefty dose of experimental music performance thrown in.\r\n\r\nHow has music influenced you?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nMusic has directly influenced me in myriad ways, as you can imagine. On a fairly basic level, I make music in some form just about every day \u2013 singing, practicing the tuba, rehearsing with my jug band, or just playing with a group of friends. These are more than \u201cjust music;\u201d they\u2019re all rich activities. Singing calms me down, cheers me up, or lets me be goofy. Practicing gives me focus and a strong sense of accomplishment. Rehearsal is an intense social process that gets me outside of myself. Music keeps me sane, it keeps me social, and it keeps me going. It might be a bit of a clich\u00e9, but I\u2019m really not sure what my life would be like without music.\r\n\r\nWhat are you up to now?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nPost-PhD, I work as the Education Manager for La Jolla Music Society, one of the premier performing arts presenters in Southern California. Our concert series feature world-renowned soloists, chamber ensembles, orchestras, dance companies, and a variety of incredible performers who don\u2019t fit neatly into any category. We also produce SummerFest, a three-week chamber music festival in La Jolla every August. The festival brings musicians from around the world for an intense period of rehearsing and concertizing. My work centers on the educational offerings that supplement our performances: master classes and coaching workshops for both music and dance, in-class performances around San Diego, pre-concert lectures, and open rehearsals. We also manage the Community Music Center, a free afterschool music program in Logan Heights. Students who complete the CMC curriculum get to keep their instruments, making it unique among similar programs in the region.\r\n\r\nHow does the La Jolla Music Society and SDYS work together?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nLJMS and SDYS work closely to provide amazing opportunities for San Diego\u2019s young musicians. Many SDYS students are selected to perform in master classes with our visiting musicians. Recently, Sofia Hashemi-Asasi was coached by Frederikland of the Danish String Quartet, and Austin Su participated in a master class with Branford Marsalis. SDYS students are also invited to many of our performances free of charge so that they can experience the work of the world\u2019s most amazing musicians. Winners of SDYS\u2019 solo competitions are selected to perform before our Discovery Series concerts and as featured guest at CMC recitals. Finally, a select number of students from the CMC are given tuition-free scholarships to participate in SDYS programs. We\u2019re working to make our partnership even more valuable for San Diego\u2019s wonderful community of student musicians.\r\n\r\nWhat is one thing you learned from your days at SDYS?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOne of the strongest lessons I learned from SDYS was personal responsibility. Show up to rehearsal on time, fully practiced, and ready to focus for however long the group needs you. Get to concerts and other events early enough that you\u2019re ready to perform your best before the first downbeat. And one I learned the hard way, make sure your instrument is in perfect working condition every time. More specifically, don\u2019t borrow a friend\u2019s euphonium to play the \u201cBydlo\u201d solo in Pictures at an Exhibition and then blame the instrument every time the valves stick. An instrument problem quickly becomes a problem for you, and a problem for you quickly becomes a problem for the rest of the orchestra. Respect the instrument, respect yourself and respect the ensemble.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>
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Flora Li<\/h3>
18 Yrs Old | Violin<\/div>Read Bio<\/span><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t
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Flora Li<\/h2>

18 Yrs Old | Violin<\/h3><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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“I love music because it is a way for me to express my feelings freely. I have been involved in musical activities for over half of my life, and it has become a part of me.”<\/em><\/strong><\/blockquote>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIn case you haven\u2019t heard, San Diego Youth Symphony is touring China this summer! The Beijing concert will be at the Forbidden City Concert Hall, home of the China Philharmonic, as the kickoff to its annual summer youth music festival. In Yantai, we will perform two concerts at the invitation of the local government to deepen ties between our two cities. Shanghai\u2019s performance will be in the amazing Oriental Arts Center on\u00a0July 4th\u00a0and serve as the culmination of the tour. In the first part of our China Tour Interview Series, we spoke with current SDYS Concertmistress (2014-15), Flora Li, to see what she is looking forward to, her love for music and future plans.\r\n\r\nWhat are you most excited about for the SDYS China Tour this summer?<\/strong>\r\n
I am most excited to experience the culture of China as well as perform in some of the country\u2019s largest concert halls.\u00a0The China Tour will be my first time touring with a musical group, so I am extremely excited for this new opportunity.\u00a0The last time I visited China was over 5 years ago, I look forward to being able to see all the change that has happened since then. It\u2019s a very beautiful country.<\/div>\r\n
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What are you hoping to take away from the tour?<\/strong><\/div>\r\n
I\u2019m hoping to be able to learn more about the musical culture of China and take away many memories of the beautiful sights on our tour.<\/div>\r\n
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What do you love about music?<\/strong><\/div>\r\n
I love music because it is a way for me to express my feelings freely. I have been involved in musical activities for over half of my life, and it has become a part of me.<\/div>\r\n
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What are your future plans?\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\r\n
I was accepted into Harvard University last December and will attend in the fall. I am looking to audition for the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra as well as take music classes at Harvard.<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>
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Alex Wong<\/h3>
Viola<\/div>Read Bio<\/span><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t
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Alex Wong<\/h2>

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“It\u2019s always amazing to me that no matter where you\u2019re from or what language you speak, music is universal.”<\/em><\/strong><\/blockquote>\r\n \r\n

This month we were thrilled to find out that Alum Alex Wong is interning at VH1 Save The Music Foundation whilst studying for his degree at NYU. SDYS began a partnership with VH1 Save The Music Foundation and Chula Vista Elementary School District last year to provide instrument grants to schools that hire a full time music teacher.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Read our interview with Alex below to find out about his studies, performance highlights at NYU, SDYS memories and his musical ambitions.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

What have you been up to since leaving SDYS? Are you still studying and performing music?<\/strong><\/p>\r\nAfter I graduated high school, I moved to New York to study at New York University. I am currently a senior at NYU receiving my Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Viola performance. I study with Karen Ritscher and Stephanie Baer who have both been phenomenal role models and mentors during my time in the city. Outside of school, I perform regularly around the city doing as many freelance performances as I can.\r\n

What\u2019s been a highlight of your studies at NYU?<\/strong><\/p>\r\nOne of the many highlights, besides the incredible staff and students, is the amazing performance opportunities. During my time at NYU, I have played in multiple pit orchestras for musical theater and opera productions as well as performing symphonic and chamber works in some of the greatest halls in the country. Most recently, I performed with Paul Simon at the Beacon Theater at the Steinhardt School Gala Event. It was such an honor to perform on stage to a cheering crowd with a musical legend.\r\n

Tell us about what you\u2019re doing at VH1 Save The Music Foundation? What attracted you to work at the Foundation? Have you been working on the partnership with SDYS\u2019 Community Opus Project?<\/strong><\/p>\r\nAt the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, we are working to fundraise money to support music education around the country. Our next fundraising event is the VH1 Save The Music Honors in the Hamptons where we will honor individuals who have used their influence to support music education. Last week, I visited a Save The Music grant recipient elementary school in Queen, NY. It was incredible to see the joy in the faces of the students as they performed on stage for their peers. It reminded me why I play music and why it\u2019s so important for every child to experience.\r\n

How has music education changed your life?<\/strong><\/p>\r\nI like to think of myself as a \u201cproduct\u201d of what the Save The Music Foundation has to offer. I began playing violin through my public elementary school music program and found my love for music there. My passion for music has taken me across the country and around the world to perform with some truly amazing musicians. I think it\u2019s unfair to say that music \u201cchanged\u201d my life, because my life has\u00a0always<\/em>\u00a0been music.\r\n

What is your favorite SDYS memory?<\/strong><\/p>\r\nI will ALWAYS remember my summers with the International Youth Symphony. To this day, I am still in contact with many of the musicians I met, even though I haven\u2019t seen some of them in 5 years. It\u2019s always amazing to me that no matter where you\u2019re from or what language you speak, music is universal. I had no idea who any of the international students were, but the fact that we could all come together regardless of age, nationality or language barrier to play music always inspired me.\r\n

What are your hopes for the future?<\/strong><\/p>\r\nMy future plans had always included graduate school at a conservatory. I will be applying in the fall and have been practicing all summer to prepare! Auditions are always so stressful and having my job at the Save The Music Foundation has been a great outlet and a wonderful experience. My dream would be to form a string quartet to perform professionally or to play in a professional orchestra.<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>

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Greg Hix<\/h3>
Piano, French Horn<\/div>Read Bio<\/span><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t
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Greg Hix<\/h2>

Piano, French Horn<\/h3><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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“Working personally with him (Yo-Yo Ma) was sort of a trip to be honest. His brain is always, ALWAYS thinking of how to tweak musical ideas- whether it was phrasing, dynamics, seating, dress etc. He seems to exist a few seconds in the future at all times.”<\/em><\/blockquote>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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SDYS French Horn 2000 to 2005<\/strong><\/div>\r\n
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This month we caught up with SDYS Alumni Greg Hix (2000-2005)\u00a0who just performed with Yo-Yo Ma as part of the\u00a0Civic Orchestra of Chicago\u2019s project the \u201cArtistic Challenge.\u201d \u00a0Greg graduated from Northwestern University in Chicago with a Masters in French horn performance and has an undergraduate degree from UCLA. In addition to recently performing with Yo-Yo Ma, he has substituted\u00a0for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for several concerts and for Les Miserables, and has played on stage with Andrea Bocelli, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter.<\/strong><\/div>\r\n
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Tell us about the\u00a0<\/strong>Civic Orchestra of Chicago\u2019s\u00a0<\/strong>performance with Yo-Yo Ma.\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\r\n
The event was the culmination of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago\u2019s season-long project, the \u201cArtistic Challenge\u201d. \u00a0The goal of the project was for the orchestra to gain complete ownership of a single piece of music, in whatever way we deemed most appropriate. \u00a0For some people, this meant memorization, or learning as much of the historical context into which the piece was born, or as much about the story on which the piece was based, etc.<\/div>\r\n
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Can you tell us your personal goal for the Artistic Challenge?<\/strong><\/div>\r\n
One of my main goals with the piece was to provide a unique concert that would leave the audience saturated with as much musical background and appreciation of the piece as possible. \u00a0It seemed silly for us to spend so much time preparing a special concert only to have the audience listen for 45 minutes and then walk out. \u00a0It was of the utmost importance for me that the audience feel as much of the ownership that we had, and that they were fully sucked in to our musical world, however small and briefly it existed.<\/div>\r\n
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What piece did the orchestra perform and how was Yo-Yo Ma involved?\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\r\n
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We performed Richard Strauss\u2019 Don Quixote with Yo-Yo playing the solo cello part. \u00a0He was present on and off throughout the 6 month rehearsal process to provide guidance (both musical and otherwise) and to help shape what was to be an extremely memorable and rewarding concert experience. \u00a0The impetus of the project came from his Citizen Musician Initiative that he began with the Chicago Symphony the season prior. \u00a0The main goals of that are to be a much more well-rounded and multi-faceted musician, and to be more than just a \u201cpracticing machine,\u201d finding new and innovative ways to bring what we love to do out to the masses.<\/div>\r\n
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Tell us about your\u00a0experience\u00a0of working closely with Yo-Yo Ma.<\/strong><\/div>\r\n\"\"\r\n
Working personally with him (sometimes one-on-one) was sort of a trip to be honest. \u00a0His brain is always, ALWAYS thinking of how to tweak musical ideas- whether it was phrasing, dynamics, seating, dress etc. \u00a0He seems to exist a few seconds in the future at all times. \u00a0His energy, and his uncanny ability to capture your attention with his seemingly perpetually hoarse voice became hallmarks of our rehearsals with him. \u00a0We could always count on trying things that were way out of our comfort zones, and way out of the classical music \u201cbox.\u201d Next season in Civic should have a similar project lined up with Yo-Yo, and I can\u2019t wait to see what he has in store for us next season.<\/div>\r\n
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Tanya Solomon<\/h3>
Violin<\/div>Read Bio<\/span><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t
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Tanya Solomon<\/h2>

Violin<\/h3><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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“My advice to younger musicians is to learn how to play (and get along) with a section. This skill helps you learn to work with others, which is helpful in whatever career you choose.”<\/em><\/strong><\/blockquote>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Continuing our Alumni Spotlight series, we spoke with Tanya Solomon, a former SDYS violinist from the 1990\u2019s, to see what she is up to today.<\/strong><\/p>\r\nThe San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory was a great place to be able to play music with other kids my age, although I\u2019m sure it was my parents\u2019 decision at that point. And I made a lot of friends! My happiest memory of SDYS was our Spain Tour. I uploaded photos from the tour onto our SDYS Alumni\u00a0Facebook group<\/a>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0check it out<\/a>!\r\n\r\nAfter SDYS, I attended Oberlin Conservatory (Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance), Northwestern University (Master\u2019s of Music in Viola performance) and then was a violist in orchestras for many years. I now teach violin and viola privately and perform in the Slapin-Solomon Viola Duo with my husband.\r\n\r\nMusic has enriched my life by introducing me to a lot of interesting people and traveling to many countries\u2026something I may not have been able to do otherwise. I\u2019ve made several recordings, mostly with my husband as a viola duo, as well as a recording of the Bach Cello Suites on viola. We both teach privately in Western Massachusetts and online worldwide via Skype.\r\n\r\nMy advice to younger musicians is to learn how to play (and get along) with a section. This skill helps you learn to work with others, which is helpful in whatever career you choose.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>

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Janet Hwu<\/h3>
Violin<\/div>Read Bio<\/span><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t
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Janet Hwu<\/h2>

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My musical upbringing taught me diligence and patience. Also, it helped me put fear into perspective, as nothing is as scary as playing solo in front of a large group of people.<\/strong><\/div><\/blockquote>\r\n
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In our second instalment of our Alumni Spotlight series, we spoke with Janet Hwu, a former SDYS violinist from 2000-2005, to see what she is up to today. Learn more about her cool job at Disney, advice to current SDYS members and her happiest memories from SDYS, below.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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\r\n\r\nWhat did you do after graduating high school and SDYS?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nI attended Stanford University. At Stanford, I joined and toured Thailand in a taiko, or Japanese drum, ensemble and majored in Product Design. While in college, I entered a design competition that led to my current job as a production designer at\u00a0Walt Disney Imagineering<\/a>. Right now, I\u2019m preparing for an October relocation to Shanghai for two years to build a\u00a0new Disneyland<\/a>\u00a0there! What a ride it has been.\r\n\r\nHas your musical experience influenced you in any way?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nMy musical upbringing taught me diligence and patience. Also, it helped me put fear into perspective, as nothing is as scary as playing solo in front of a large group of people.\r\n\r\nIf you aren\u2019t busy at Disney, what do you do in your spare time?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nI play taiko occasionally and I swing dance.\r\n\r\nHow has music enriched your life?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIt gave me an appreciation for the arts and for history.\r\n\r\nIf you could tell a young SDYS musician one thing you learned while participating in SDYS, what would you tell them?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nDon\u2019t play loudly when you\u2019re playing it wrong. Don\u2019t over-rosin your bow. And win points with your stand partner by writing in excellent fingering notes!\r\n\r\nWhat is your happiest moment from SDYS?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nPlaying Scheherazade in concert at Copley and walking around Balboa Park with friends during rehearsal breaks.\r\n\r\nOk, be honest \u2013 what\u2019s your least favorite memory?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nWhen Mr. Edmons went one-by-one down the line of first violinists to find out who could really play the third movement of Tchaikovsky\u2019s Pathetique Symphony.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>
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Jessica Reinis<\/h3>
Flute<\/div>Read Bio<\/span><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t
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Jessica Reinis<\/h2>

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“I adored playing Principal Flute in SDYS my senior year of high school. There was a lot of pressure with college applications and conservatory audition tapes, but leading the flute section was my fantasy all through high school and I had to pinch myself that whole year when it finally became a reality.”<\/strong><\/em><\/blockquote>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nWe sat down with Jessica Reinis, a flutist who played with the San Diego Youth Symphony (SDYS) Philharmonia and the Symphonic Orchestra from 2000 to 2005, to see what she\u2019s been up to since she graduated. Continue reading to find out her favorite SDYS memory, her experience at CNN and ABC News in New York City, and her tip to current SDYS members.\r\n\r\nShare your favorite memory of playing with SDYS?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nAhh! It\u2019s so hard to pick. I loved performing on stage at Copley Symphony Hall.\u00a0 My senior year it was such a thrill to lead the flute section. In college, my sophomore year I played at Weill Hall (part of Carnegie Hall) in New York and I remember playing Copland in this very exposed section and imagining I was back in San Diego onstage at Copley so it wasn\u2019t so scary. It worked! The performance was great.\r\n\r\nWhat did you do after graduating from SDYS?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nI attended Barnard College at Columbia University in New York and graduated in 2009 with a degree in Political Science. While at Barnard, I was part of a joint program with the Manhattan School of Music where I took flute lessons with Linda Chesis for three years and also performed in Columbia\u2019s orchestra.\r\n\r\nWe hear you work in television news as the Senior Administrative Assistant to CNN anchor Erin Burnett. What\u2019s that like?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nAs Erin\u2019s assistant, I manage her schedule, expenses and travel and also help her with research for big interviews. I have traveled with her for breaking news to help her book guests in the field for her primetime show. In my spare time I write articles for Erin\u2019s CNN blog. Check it out at\u00a0outfront.blogs.cnn.com<\/a>. I\u2019ve also booked big sit down interviews for the show with Maria Sharapova and Shawn Johnson.\r\n\r\nWhen I graduated from Columbia, I started working full time for ABC News, first as a teleprompter operator on the set of Good Morning America and then as the Production Coordinator and Assistant to the Executive Producer of their breaking news department, Special Events. I fell in love with television mainly because of the adrenaline rush that I got when news was breaking. That nervous and exciting energy reminded me a lot of how I felt onstage during a musical performance.\r\n\r\nWhat\u2019s the coolest project you worked on while at ABC?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nAt ABC, I helped produce the live coverage of the Royal Wedding and the election. I also did red carpet reporting.\r\n\r\nHow has music enriched your life?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe flute got me to New York. I definitely think it set me apart and helped me get into college. I also probably would have never worked in network news. I still spend most of the day listening to Brahms and Tchaikovsky and dissuade my colleagues from picking Taylor Swift for the background of their television segments.\r\n\r\nIf you could tell a young SDYS musician one thing you learned while participating in SDYS, what would you tell them?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nTake a quiet moment on stage, especially if you\u2019re at Copley Symphony Hall, before a big performance. Look at the orchestra warming up around you and out at the audience. Take a deep breath and soak it in. If you don\u2019t end up being a professional musician, that high energy flashbulb moment will be one that you remember for the rest of your life. It\u2019s a supportive environment with your friends and family in the audience and a wonderful mentor, Mr. Edmons, out there with you. It\u2019s something to cherish and remember.\r\n\r\nWhat is your happiest moment from SDYS? What\u2019s your worst memory?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nI adored playing Principal Flute in SDYS my senior year of high school. There was a lot of pressure with college applications and conservatory audition tapes, but leading the flute section was my fantasy all through high school and I had to pinch myself that whole year when it finally became a reality. I was pretty proud. I lived about an hour away from Balboa Park so I always worried that I would be late to rehearsal. I remember traffic being bad on the way to Monday night sectionals and thinking \u2018oh god\u2026 they\u2019re going to kill me!\u2019 But we somehow always made it without a speeding ticket. I\u2019m very much indebted to my parents who always drove me to rehearsals and back home.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\r\n