NYS ALUMNI
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MORE THAN SIX DECADES OF
MUSIC, FRIENDSHIP, AND COMMUNITY
Since it began, NYS has created a welcoming place where young musicians can learn and grow. Whether you were a member 60 years ago, or 6 years ago, please reach out.
We would love to hear from you!
Let's reconnect! Here's how you can get in touch.
NYS ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Angie Durell
NYS Member 2002-2007 (Violin)
"I loved attending Saturday morning rehearsals. Tara Simoncic was my first exposure and inspiration to 'women conductors' and women in the arts. I was then inspired to give back and founded a youth development program that connects youth and families to cross-cultural experiences and identities and makes classical music accessible to everyone. NYS has definitely made me a better human being."
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See Angie featured on a segment of Comcast Newsmakers on NBC.
Susie Ikeda
NYS Member 1978-1984 (Violin)
"NYS was definitely part of the groundwork that led to a lifelong enjoyment of music making."
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Susie is currently a member of the Boston Philharmonic, and teaches Physics and Math at Boston International High School.
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Read more about Susie from this interview with the Harvard Graduate School of Education
Bärli Nugent
NYS Member 1969-1972 (Flute)
"How I loved making glorious music with my NYS friends! I graduated from Juilliard, later a Stony Brook DMA; 20 years touring with the Aspen Wind Quintet; Marin Alsop's principal flute for 18 years in her Concordia Orchestra; taught at the Aspen Music Festival for 30 years; in 2001 shifted into full-time administration at Juilliard, where I am now the Assistant Dean and a member of the faculty."
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Read more in this interview with WNET.
David Ohanian
NYS Member 1959-1962 (French Horn)
"It was during my tenure with NYS that I decided to attend a conservatory and be a professional. I attended New England Conservatory, joined Boston Symphony, formed Empire Brass, played 12 years with Canadian Brass and remember my time with NYS as if it were last week."
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Kurt Civilette
NYS Member 1980-1982 (French Horn)
"I am in my 12th season as 3rd horn/associate principal horn of the New Mexico Symphony, based in Albuquerque. I was always very active in music, but it was the stimulating atmosphere of the Norwalk Youth Symphony which pushed me to strive to become a professional musician. I went to Northwestern and after 10 years and dozens of auditions, got a tenured position here. I still love music and playing in orchestra and feel privileged to still be doing it."
Fan-Chia Tao
NYS Member 1970-1977 (Violin)
"Saturday morning NYS rehearsals was always my favorite time! After many years working as an electrical engineer, I now combine my interests in science, engineering and music at D'Addario & Company where I design musical strings. I serve on the board of directors of the Violin Society of America (VSA) and I organize a violin acoustics workshop every summer at Oberlin College for violin makers interested in violin acoustics. I have run into many NYS alumni. During a recent trip to Houston, I played string quartets with violinist Mary-Ellen Shea for the first time since our Youth Symphony days!"
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Dr. Patricia Pukkila
NYS Member 1962-1966
Flute
I have the NYS to thank for a life-long engagement in making so many wonderful pieces (of music) a part of me.
Jeffrey Katz
NYS Member 1990-1992
Trumpet
I have had the good fortune to travel and perform all around the world, but some of my best memories are of those early Saturday mornings.
Paul Avgerinos
NYS Member 1972-1975
Bass
Thanks to a great start with NYS I went on with a full scholarship to the Peabody Conservatory and played with the Baltimore Symphony and Isaac Stern.