Joe Jaxson to succeed Damien Geter as Richmond Symphony Composer-in-Residence

Congratulations to the YOP class of 2026! This spring, twenty students graduated from the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program. The final senior we’d like to recognize is double bassist Peter Yanovitch! 🎻

Peter has been a member of our Youth Orchestra Program for five years, performing with Camerata Strings, Youth Concert Orchestra, and the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra. During his time in YOP, he participated in the All-Virginia Band, Chorus, and Orchestra for three years, serving as the orchestra’s principal bass in 2026. He was also selected from his high school orchestra to receive a National School Orchestra Award. He participated in the Richmond Symphony School of Music’s Young Composers Seminar in the 2024–25 season, and in 2026, he won the RSYO Concerto Competition, performing the first movement of Serge Koussevitzky’s Double Bass Concerto in RSYO’s spring 2026 concert.

After graduating from Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies, Peter will attend the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, where he will study double bass performance. “One of my favorite memories was performing Tchaikovsky’s fifth symphony side-by-side with the Richmond Symphony and having my teacher as my stand partner,” Peter says. He adds, “Thank you to the amazing YOP conductors for guiding me in my musical journey!” Congratulations, Peter! 🎉

@rvasymphony #doublebass #youthorchestra #musiced #classicalmusic #bass

Congratulations to the YOP class of 2026! This spring, twenty students graduated from the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program. The next senior we’d like to recognize is violinist James Trabaudo! 🎻

James has been a member of our Youth Orchestra Program for five years, performing with Camerata Strings, Youth Concert Orchestra, and the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra. During his time in YOP, he also participated in Central Regional and Senior Regional Orchestra. After graduating from the Collegiate School, he will attend the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he will major in psychology on a pre-med track. His happiest moment from his time in YOP was “finally making it to RSYO after 5 years in the program. I felt that I always had the potential, and finally worked up the courage to audition.” James adds a word of advice to his fellow musicians: “Take as many risks as you can and escape your comfort zone. You never know what you might achieve.” Congratulations, James! 🎉

@rvasymphony #violin #symphony #musiced #orchestra #classicalmusic

Congratulations to the YOP class of 2026! This spring, twenty students graduated from the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program. The next senior we’d like to recognize is violinist Fielding Teague! 🎶

Fielding has been a member of our Youth Orchestra Program for six years, first playing with Camerata Strings and then joining the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra. During her time in YOP, she played in Senior Regional Orchestra and the All-Virginia Orchestra in 2025. After graduating from Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies, she will attend Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, where she will study neuroscience on a pre-med track. Fielding says, “My favorite memory was the Big Tent Side-by-Side concert [with the Richmond Symphony] last summer because there were so many people there watching and we got to watch the Richmond Symphony play afterwards!” Fielding adds, “I’m so thankful to Hae Lee for a great last two years in RSYO and also to Mr. Myssyk for the years before that. Thank you also to Anna and Davey and everyone else that makes RSYO great!” Congratulations, Fielding! 🎉

@rvasymphony #violin #musiced #symphony #youthorchestra #orchestra

Congratulations to the YOP class of 2026! This spring, twenty students graduated from the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program. The next senior we’d like to recognize is clarinetist Audrey Tang! 🎶

Audrey has played with the Youth Orchestra Program for two years, playing with both Youth Concert Orchestra and the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra. During her time in high school, she participated in the Central Virginia Wind Ensemble, district band, and All-Virginia Band, Chorus, and Orchestra. She also performed a concerto in concert with her school band. After graduating from Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies, Audrey will attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee to study mechanical engineering. Her favorite memory from her time in YOP was with her classmate and RSYO colleague Peter, “telling [him] that he won the concerto competition and watching him get really giddy and excited to go tell our music teachers.” Audrey adds, “Thank you Anna for keeping me updated with the Richmond restaurant drama!” Congratulations, Audrey! 🎉

@rvasymphony #clarinet #musiced #orchestra #classicalmusic #youthorchestra

Congratulations to the YOP class of 2026! This spring, twenty students graduated from the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program. The next senior we’d like to recognize is violist Jeffrey Qureshi! 🎻

Jeffrey has been a member of our Youth Orchestra Program for five years, performing with Camerata Strings, Youth Concert Orchestra, and the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra. After graduating from the Collegiate School, he will attend the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he will major in international relations. His favorite moment from his time in YOP was “playing with others who chose the best instrument, the viola.” Jeffrey adds a word of advice to his fellow musicians: “[Life] may feel stressful now, but I promise you, you will look back on all of the memories and friends you made along the way, and be glad that you continued.” Congratulations, Jeffrey! 🎉

@rvasymphony #viola #musiced #orchestra #classicalmusic #symphony

Congratulations to the YOP class of 2026! This spring, twenty students graduated from the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program. The next senior we’d like to recognize is percussionist Eleanor Qureshi! 🥁

Eleanor was a member of Percussion Ensemble for four years, performing with both Youth Concert Orchestra and the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra. During her time in YOP, she has assisted as a member of the social media team. After graduating from the Collegiate School, she will attend the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, where she will major in business and non-profit management and minor in music. “My favorite memories from my time in YOP have been with my Percussion Ensemble girls,” says Eleanor. “We have truly become the bestest of friends while counting rhythms, picking on Dr. X, stealing each other’s mallets, and getting lost in the music, all while giggling through it and learning from each other. Even though one has graduated and I am about to as well, we still text weekly and often hang out outside of the YOP program. I will miss these girls but know I will keep in touch with them well beyond my time in YOP.” Eleanor adds, “Thank you Dr. X for the past five years! It’s been a blast!” Congratulations, Eleanor! 🎉

@rvasymphony #percussion #musiced #classicalmusic #timpani #symphony

Congratulations to the YOP class of 2026! This spring, twenty students graduated from the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program. The next senior we’d like to recognize is Madeline Osterfeld, RSYO oboe! 🪈

Madeline has played with the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra for one year. During her time in high school, she performed as first chair oboe in district band for four years, served as first chair oboe in Senior Regional Orchestra, and additionally participated in Solo and Ensemble through the Virginia Music Educators Association. After graduating from Mills E. Godwin High School, she plans to attend university to study architecture. Her favorite memory from her time in YOP was performing at RSYO’s February 2026 side-by-side concert with the Richmond Symphony, where she got to perform alongside her private teacher. Congratulations, Madeline! 🎉

@rvasymphony #oboe #symphony #musiceducation #classicalmusic #musiced

Congratulations to the YOP class of 2026! This spring, twenty students graduated from the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program. The next senior we’d like to recognize is Elizabeth Mackie, RSYO viola! 🎻

Elizabeth has played with the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra for three years. During her time in YOP, she served as the principal violist of Senior Regional Orchestra twice, and served as the associate principal violist of the All-Virginia Orchestra in 2026. After graduating from Midlothian High School, she will attend the University of Virginia in Charlottesville to study global public health. Her favorite memories from her time in RSYO include hanging out with her fellow musicians. She also adds, “I also really enjoyed the side-by-side concert because I got the chance to perform next to my private teacher.” Elizabeth adds, “Thank you to all of my teachers over the years and [I’m grateful for] the support of my family! And shoutout to the viola section!!” Congratulations, Elizabeth! 🎉

@rvasymphony #viola #musiced #youthorchestra #classicalmusic #orchestra

Congratulations to the YOP class of 2026! This spring, twenty students graduated from the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program. The next senior we’d like to recognize is Hannah Lorenzo, RSYO viola! 🎻

Hannah has played with the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra for one year. During her time in high school, she also performed with the Blue Ridge Area Virginia Orchestra and the Rapidan Orchestra. Hannah has participated in music education events across the state, including at the University of Virginia, Shenandoah Conservatory, Virginia Commonwealth University, and more. She also regularly performs chamber music with her siblings, who play violin and cello in YOP. After graduating, she will attend the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School, located in Colorado, where she will triple major in physics with an astrophysics concentration, chemistry, and political science. 

Hannah adds, “I am thankful for conductor Hae Lee, RSYO, Richmond Symphony musicians, and staff who have encouraged, challenged, and inspired me to share my love for the arts through music.” She is grateful for every moment she has had to rehearse and perform with her colleagues, A favorite memory of hers from her time in YOP was from February 2026’s Side-by-Side with the Richmond Symphony. “The opportunity to address the audience in a side-by-side concert with the Richmond Symphony was an honor,” Hannah says. “Bringing the history of a piece through the lens of a young musician made me reflect, analyze, and perform in a way made possible by RSYO.” Congratulations, Hannah! 🎉

@rvasymphony #youthorchestra #musiced #viola #orchestra #symphony

Congratulations to the YOP class of 2026! This spring, twenty students graduated from the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program. The next senior we’d like to recognize is Tomas Khatcheressian, RSYO violin! 🎻

Tomas has played with the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra for one year. During his time in high school, he also participated in Senior Regional Orchestra. After graduating from Midlothian High School, he will attend the University of Richmond. His favorite memory from his time in YOP was playing with the Richmond Symphony for their Side-by-Side concert. Tomas adds “Thanks to all my fellow violinists for always playing excellently.” Congratulations, Tomas!  🎉

@rvasymphony #violin #musiced #youthorchestra #orchestra #classicalmusic