NJSO recognizes youth orchestra graduates
EACH GRADUATING STUDENT TO ATTEND COLLEGE IN THE FALL
NEWARK, NJ—The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra recognizes the 12 graduating high-school seniors who participated in the NJSO’s Greater Newark Youth Orchestras. The three-ensemble youth-orchestra program gave its spring concert on May 4 and acknowledged the seniors, all of whom will attend college in the fall.
The graduates, with their high-school and college information, are:
- Jenny Amador (cello) of Westfield, Westfield High School, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Devaun Cleveland Armstrong (double bass) of East Orange, Cecily Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts, New Jersey City University
- Michael Aronson (trumpet) of Westfield, Westfield High School, Northwestern University
- Davon Berry (cello) of Newark, Arts High School, Essex County College
- Gabrielle Gutierrez (viola) of Bloomfield, Bloomfield High School, Bergen Community College
- Edmund Han (viola) of Westfield, Westfield High School, Rutgers University in New Brunswick
- Liam Keller (double bass) of Westfield, Westfield High School, Ohio Wesleyan University
- Joanne Li (violin) of Edison, J.P. Stevens High School, Northeastern University
- Luck Rasoanilana (violin) of Elizabeth, Union County Magnet High School, Seton Hall University
- Maximilian Schmidt (percussion) of Morris Plains, Morristown-Beard School, Dartmouth College
- Aaron Slepoi (clarinet) of Mountainside, Governor Livingston High School, Swarthmore College
- William Wei-Shyu Yen (violin) of Edison, Rutgers Preparatory School, Boston University
GNYO Artistic Director Jeffrey Grogan says: “Saying goodbye to our seniors is always full of mixed emotions. They have given so much of themselves to our program, and we owe them all a huge debt of gratitude. We are so proud of all they have accomplished, and we wish them all the very best as they move on to the next phase of life.”
Established in 1990, the NJSO’s Greater Newark Youth Orchestras give all qualified middle- and high-school students—especially minority youth—the opportunity to study weekly with NJSO musicians and gain performance experience in an encouraging and motivating environment. The program is comprised of three separate ensembles (the Greater Newark Youth Orchestra, Greater Newark Chamber Orchestra and Greater Newark Violin Ensemble) that perform two full concerts each year. Additionally, the Youth Orchestra performs a side-by-side concert with the NJSO, as well as two chamber ensemble performances.
Alumni credit the youth-orchestra program with enhancing their skills in time management, listening and collaboration—all essential life skills.
The significance and achievements of this program and its impact on the lives of these young musicians have received national recognition by the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities.
Middle- and high-school students who play orchestral instruments are invited to apply for membership in the NJSO’s Greater Newark Youth Orchestra ensembles. The next auditions will be held in the fall for all instruments. For more information and an application form, visit www.njsymphony.org/gnyo or contact Shirley Chang, Manager of Education & Community Engagement, at 973.735.1734 or schang@njsymphony.org.
Donations are essential to the future of the Greater Newark Youth Orchestras. To make a donation to the program, visit www.njsymphony.org/donate.