Congratulations to the YOP class of 2026! This year, twenty students graduate from the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program. Weβre excited to honor each student at our May 2026 spring concerts, on social media, and in the article below. Blurbs are written using information provided in our annual survey, and students are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Claire Barnes, RSYO viola
Claire has been a member of our Youth Orchestra Program for three years, playing in both Youth Concert Orchestra and the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra. During her time in YOP, she hasΒ assistedΒ as a member of the social media team. After graduating from Midlothian High School, she will attend James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia to major in advertising and to minor in music. Her favorite memory from her time in YOP was playing Tchaikovskyβs Symphony No. 5 with the Richmond Symphony at Big Tent 2025. In her senior survey, she wroteΒ βShoutout to the viola section :)β.Β Congratulations, Claire!Β
Grace Boak, RSYO fluteΒ
Grace has been a member ofΒ ourΒ Youth Orchestra Program for two years, performing with bothΒ YouthΒ Concert Orchestra and the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra. During her time in high school, she has also performed in district band and the Central Virginia Wind Ensemble. After graduating from the Collegiate School, she will attend Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, where she will major in biophysics on a pre-med track. Her favorite memory from her time in YOP wasΒ playing atΒ her first and only side-by-side concert with the Richmond Symphony. Congratulations, Grace!Β
Elizabeth Chang, RSYO violinΒ
Elizabeth has been a member of the Youth Orchestra Program for six years. During her time in YOP, she performed with Camerata Strings, Youth Concert Orchestra, and the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra. During her time in high school, she alsoΒ participatedΒ inΒ CentralΒ Regional Orchestra and Senior Regional Orchestra. After graduating from Deep Run High School, she will attend the University of Virginiaβs Year in Wise program in Wise, Virginia, where she will major in biology. Her favorite memory from her time in YOP was when RSYO filmed and recorded a performance as part of a documentary about the Bluehead Chub. Congratulations, Elizabeth!Β
Porter Clark, RSYO clarinetΒ
Porter has played clarinet with the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra for one year. After graduating from Monticello High School, he will attend Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia to study clarinet performance and music education. During his time in high school, he was selected for the All-Virginia Band, Chorus, and Orchestra for two years,Β participatedΒ in South Central Regional Orchestra, and performed with the Raiders Drum & Bugle Corps. His favorite memory from his time in YOP was RSYO’s February 2026 side-by-side performance with the Richmond Symphony, where he enjoyed both performing with and talking to Richmond Symphony members. Porter adds,Β βThanks for everything, everyone was so kind and [YOP is] a great program.βΒ Congratulations, Porter!Β
Sophie Curtis, RSYO fluteΒ
Sophie has been a member of the Youth Orchestra Program for three years, performing with bothΒ YouthΒ Concert Orchestra and the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra. After graduating from Hermitage High School, she will attend Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania to study linguistics. Sophieβs favorite memory from YOP was performing BedΕich Smetana’sΒ MoldauΒ alongside their teacher in RSYO’s February 2026 Side-by-Side with the Richmond Symphony. Sophie addsΒ βThank you so much to the YOP team who put in the work to make it possible!βΒ Congratulations, Sophie!Β
Grayson Ebinger, YCO celloΒ
Grayson has performed withΒ YouthΒ Concert Orchestra for three years. Following his graduation from high school, Grayson will pursue a degree in aviation maintenance and technology, with his end goal to one day become a commercial pilot. His favorite memory from his time in YOP wasΒ βplaying amazing songs with the orchestra,βΒ and in his senior survey, he wroteΒ βThankΒ you Dr. Goldie for teaching so much about not just playing notes but making music.βΒ Congratulations, Grayson!Β
Minami Furukawa, RSYO oboeΒ
MinamiΒ hasΒ played with the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra for one year. After graduating from Albemarle High School, she will attend Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, where she will major in mechanical engineering and minor in applied music, continuing her studies on the oboe. During her time in high school, MinamiΒ participatedΒ in multiple All-Virginia Band, Chorus, and Orchestra ensembles, as well as South Central and Senior Regional Orchestra, Music for Allβs Honor Band of America, and the Charlottesville Symphony. Minami writes,Β βMy favorite memoryΒ has toΒ be playing with the Richmond Symphony in the side-by-side concert this year. It was unbelievable having the chance to play in the Carpenter Theater and play alongside musicians I have admired for years. The repertoire was also amazing, and it was genuinely the best feeling to play on stage that rehearsal and concert.βΒ She adds,Β βThank you to Conductor Lee for being such a wonderful conductor to work under! And thank you especially to Anna and Davey forΒ all ofΒ their support and friendly faces every rehearsal.βΒ Congratulations, Minami!Β
Andrew Grogan, RSYO double bassΒ
Andrew has played with the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra for one year. In 2026, heΒ participatedΒ in both the All-Virginia Orchestra and the All-Virginia Jazz Ensemble, where he performed as principal bass. After graduating from Thomas Dale High School, he will be attending James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia to study jazz. Andrew addsΒ βPlaying in the Side-by-Side was reallyΒ awesomeΒ and I was very fortunate to have that opportunity in my first year [with RSYO].βΒ Congratulations, Andrew!Β
Lydia Joh, YCO violinΒ
Lydia has played withΒ YouthΒ Concert Orchestra for four years. After graduating from Clover Hill High School, she will attend Columbia University in New York City, where she will study mechanical engineering. Her favorite memory from her time in YOP wasΒ βwalking into Mooney Hall for the first time and meeting a room full of people diligently prepared and practicing.Β AlsoΒ the snacks!βΒ Lydia adds, βThanks for all the memories and great playlist recommendations!βΒ Congratulations, Lydia!Β
TomasΒ Khatcheressian, RSYO violinΒ
Tomas has played with the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra for one year. During his time in high school, he alsoΒ participatedΒ inΒ SeniorΒ 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 addsΒ βThanks to all my fellow violinists for always playing excellently.βΒ Congratulations, Tomas!Β
Joe Legutko, RSYO violaΒ
Joe has played with the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra for two years. Previously, he played with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Cape Youth Symphony Orchestra, bothΒ locatedΒ in Massachusetts. After moving to Virginia, he also played with the American Youth Philharmonic in Washington, D.C. During his time in high school, he performed with a piano quartet, volunteered with the VCU Health Orchestra,Β participatedΒ in several events through the Virginia and Massachusetts Music EducatorsΒ Associations, and more.Β After graduating from the Collegiate School, Joe will be attending Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, where he will major in astrophysicsΒ and alsoΒ study history and music.Β
Joe’s favorite memory from his time in YOP was playing the first movement of Cecil Forsythβs Viola Concerto in G minor after winningΒ RSYOβsΒ 2024β25 Concerto Competition, both with RSYO and in anΒ additionalΒ concert with RSYO and the Richmond Symphony at theΒ Symphony’s Big Tent concert. He recalls, βPlaying my concerto with RSYO and the RSO was an experience I will never be able to top againβ[at Big Tent,] I remember a parent and daughter who were dancing on the grass to the music, and I wish I could play for them again!β Joe also adds, βIn my time at RSYO, the biggest standout has been the kindness of everyone thereβfrom the amazing leadership of Maestro Lee and all the administrators who make everything possible to my musical peers, thank you so much!!!β Congratulations, Joe!Β
Hannah Lorenzo, RSYO violaΒ
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 hasΒ participatedΒ 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.Β After graduating, she will attend the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School,Β locatedΒ in Colorado, where she will triple major in physics with an astrophysics concentration, chemistry, and political science.Β
Hannah adds, βI 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.β 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. βThe opportunity to address the audience in a side-by-side concert with the Richmond Symphony was an honor,β Hannah says. βBringing 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.β Congratulations, Hannah!Β
Elizabeth Mackie, RSYO violaΒ
Elizabeth has played with the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra for three years.Β During her time in YOP, she served as the principal violist of Senior Regional OrchestraΒ twice, andΒ served as the associate principal violist of the All-Virginia Orchestra in 2026.Β After graduating from Midlothian High School, she will attend the University of Virginia in Charlottesville to study global public health.Β Her favorite memories from her time in RSYO include hanging out with her fellow musicians. She also adds,Β βI also really enjoyed the side-by-side concert because I got the chance to perform next to my private teacher.β Elizabeth adds, βThank you toΒ all ofΒ my teachers over the years andΒ [IβmΒ grateful for]Β the support of my family! And shoutout to the viola section!!β Congratulations, Elizabeth!Β
Madeline Osterfeld, RSYO oboeΒ
Madeline has played with the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra for one year.Β 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 additionallyΒ participatedΒ inΒ Solo and EnsembleΒ through the Virginia Music Educators Association.Β After graduating from Mills E. Godwin High School, sheΒ plans to attend university to study architecture. Her favorite memory from her time in YOP was performing at RSYOβs February 2026 Side-by-side concert with the Richmond Symphony, where she got to perform alongside her private teacher. Congratulations, Madeline!Β
Eleanor Qureshi, Percussion EnsembleΒ
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. βMy favorite memories from my time in YOP have been with my Percussion Ensemble girls,β says Eleanor. βWe have truly become the bestest of friends while counting rhythms, picking on Dr. X, stealing each otherβs 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.β Eleanor adds, βThank you Dr. X for the past five years! Itβs been a blast!β Congratulations, Eleanor!Β
Jeffrey Qureshi, RSYO violaΒ
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 internationalΒ relations.Β HisΒ favorite moment from his time in YOP wasΒ βplaying with others who chose the best instrument, the viola.βΒ Jeffrey adds a word of advice to his fellow musicians: β[Life] may feel stressful now, but I promise you, you will look back on all of the memories and friends you made along theΒ way, andΒ be glad that you continued.β Congratulations, Jeffrey!Β
Audrey Tang, RSYO clarinetΒ
Audrey has played with the Youth Orchestra Program for two years, playing with bothΒ YouthΒ Concert Orchestra and the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra.Β During her time in high school, sheΒ participatedΒ in the Central Virginia Wind Ensemble, district band, and All-Virginia Band, Chorus, and Orchestra.Β She also performed a concerto in concert with her school band.Β After graduating from Maggie L. Walker Governorβs School for Government and International Studies,Β AudreyΒ will attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee to study mechanical engineering. Her favorite memory from her time in YOP was withΒ her classmate and RSYO colleague Peter,Β βtellingΒ [him]Β that he won the concerto competition and watching him get really giddy and excited to go tell our music teachers.βΒ Audrey adds, βThank you Anna for keeping me updated with the Richmond restaurant drama!β Congratulations, Audrey!Β
Fielding Teague, RSYO violinΒ
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.Β During her time in YOP, she played in Senior Regional Orchestra and the All-Virginia Orchestra in 2025.Β After graduating from Maggie L. Walker Governorβs 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, βMy favorite memoryΒ was theΒ Big Tent Side-by-Side concertΒ [with the Richmond Symphony]Β last summer because there were so many people there watching and we got to watch the Richmond Symphony play afterwards!βΒ Fielding adds, βI’mΒ so thankful to Hae Lee forΒ a greatΒ last two years in RSYOΒ and alsoΒ to Mr. Myssyk for the years before that. Thank you also to Anna and Davey and everyone else that makes RSYO great!β Congratulations, Fielding!Β
James Trabaudo, RSYO violinΒ
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 alsoΒ participatedΒ inΒ CentralΒ 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 wasΒ βfinally making it to RSYO after 5 years in theΒ program.Β I felt that IΒ always had theΒ potential, andΒ finally worked up the courage to audition.β James adds a word of advice to his fellow musicians: βTake as many risks as you can and escape your comfort zone. You never know what you might achieve.β Congratulations, James!Β
Peter Yanovitch, RSYO double bassΒ
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.Β During his time in YOP, heΒ participatedΒ in the All-Virginia Band, Chorus, and Orchestra for three years, serving as the orchestraβs principal bass in 2026. He was also selected from his high school orchestraΒ toΒ receiveΒ a National School Orchestra Award.Β HeΒ participatedΒ in the Richmond Symphony School of Musicβs Young Composers Seminar in the 2024β25 season, and in 2026, heΒ won the RSYOΒ Concerto Competition, performing the first movement of Serge Koussevitzkyβs Double Bass ConcertoΒ in RSYOβs spring 2026 concert.Β Β
After graduating from Maggie L. Walker Governorβs School for Government and International Studies,Β PeterΒ will attend the Jacobs School of Music atΒ Indiana UniversityΒ in Bloomington, Indiana, where he will study double bass performance. βOne 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,β Peter says.Β HeΒ adds, βThank you to the amazing YOP conductors for guiding me in my musical journey!βΒ Congratulations, Peter!Β
