Friday, June 26th
4:00pm Pacific | 7:00pm Eastern
FREE livestream on our YouTube Channel
We are hosting our first recital in celebration of the newest cohort of AYS Alumni. This year, 25 musicians will be leaving AYS to take the next step on their musical journey and joining a network of over 2,500 AYS Alumni. We want to honor their time and dedication to AYS with this recital send off. Read more about the four soloists below or on our blog.
Soloists
Lieza Hansen
“Being a part of AYS for the past few years has had an enormous impact on my life as a musician. Playing important repertoire in a supportive group alongside my good friends has helped me cultivate the confidence needed in this profession. Our concerts are always exciting, challenging, and forward-thinking, which represents who we are as musicians.”
Will Stevens
“AYS taught me everything I needed to know about pro orchestra decorum. After completing my first season with AYS, I won my first professional orchestra position with the Redlands Symphony, the same chair that I hold with AYS (English Horn/Oboe 3). My experience with AYS’s audition process, rehearsal process, and performances directly contributed to my success at
Redlands. AYS also cultivated an environment where I could meet and network with musicians outside of my university (UCLA). My fellow oboists in the section have taught me new perspectives on oboe playing, provided friendship, and always helped me find work. I am really grateful for my time with you all!”
Johanna Nowik
“The American Youth Symphony serves as a professional training ground of the highest quality for young musicians. Thanks to the rich performance opportunities which AYS provides, and the diverse selection of repertoire studied and performed each season, students emerge from the program equipped with the necessary skills to bridge the music of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, bringing young musicians to the forefront of the arts.”
Tatum Hodgson
“AYS has provided a professional environment for me to grow as a performer. The community is supportive and dedicated to the mission of bringing young artists together to give quality music to the community.I began subbing with AYS as a sophomore in High School. It gave me a glimpse of what a professional career in music looked like and inspired me to become a better musician. This year, as a member, I left every rehearsal and concert inspired by the level ofdedication. A unique aspect of the orchestra is the diversity of repertoire, with clear and knowledgeable instruction from Maestro Izcaray. I hope to stay connected with AYS in the future as I continue to pursue a career in music at Cleveland Institute of Music.”
