Upcoming Youth Orchestra Concert Will Feature Nearly 200 Student Performers

Congratulations to the YOP class of 2026! This year, twenty students graduated from the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program. The next senior we’d like to recognize is cellist Grayson Ebinger! 🎶

Grayson has performed with Youth 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 was “playing amazing songs with the orchestra,” and in his senior survey, he wrote “Thank you Dr. Goldie for teaching so much about not just playing notes but making music [too].” Congratulations, Grayson! 🎉

@rvasymphony #cello #youthorchestra #orchestra #musiced #classicalmusic

Congratulations to the YOP class of 2026! This year, twenty students graduated from the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program. The next senior we’d like to recognize is RSYO flutist Sophie Curtis! 🎶

Sophie has been a member of the Youth Orchestra Program for three years, performing with both Youth 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. Sophie’s favorite memory from YOP was performing Bedřich Smetana’s Moldau alongside their teacher in RSYO’s February 2026 Side-by-Side with the Richmond Symphony. Sophie adds, “Thank you so much to the YOP team who put in the work to make it possible!” Congratulations, Sophie! 🎉

@rvasymphony #flute #musiced #youthorchestra #classicalmusic #orchestra

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

Porter has played clarinet with the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra (RSYO) 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, participated 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, “Thanks for everything, everyone was so kind and [YOP is] a great program.” Congratulations, Porter! 🎉

@rvasymphony #clarinet #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 congratulate is Elizabeth Chang, RSYO violin! 🎻

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 also participated in Central Regional Orchestra and Senior Regional Orchestra. After graduating from Deep Run High School, she will attend the University of Virginia’s 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! 🎉

@rvasymphony #violin #musiced #orchestra #youthorchestra #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 congratulate is Grace Boak, RSYO flute! 🪈

Grace has been a member of our Youth Orchestra Program for two years, performing with both Youth Concert Orchestra (YCO) and the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra (RSYO). 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 was playing at RSYO’s February 2026 side-by-side concert with the Richmond Symphony. Congratulations, Grace! 🎉

@rvasymphony #flute #musiced #orchestra #symphony #classicalmusic

Congratulations to the YOP class of 2026! This spring, twenty students graduated from the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program. The first of our seniors we’d like to congratulate is 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 has assisted 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 Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 with the Richmond Symphony at Big Tent 2025. In her senior survey, she wrote “Shoutout to the viola section :)”. Congratulations, Claire! 🎉

@rvasymphony #viola #orchestra #musiced #jmu

The Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program is thrilled to announce the newest addition to the YOP family: Christie-Jo Adams, who will conduct String Sinfonietta! Mrs. Adams previously conducted Sinfonietta, our entry-level string orchestra, for twelve years. We are beyond excited to welcome her back to the YOP community this fall! 🎻🎉

Registration for String Sinfonietta will open in early July. To fill out the Sinfonietta inquiry form, visit the link in our bio. To learn more about Mrs. Adams, see her biography pinned in the comments below. 🎶

@rvasymphony #YouthOrchestra #MusicEd #Orchestra #ClassicalMusic #RVA