The Yale Symphony Orchestra Roster

Albert Gang is a first-year violinist in Grace Hopper College. He comes from SoCal and is very excited to see his first snow. Albert currently studies with Ani Kavafian in the Yale School of Music’s Bachelor of Arts/Master of Music program. He was a Finalist Winner in the National YoungArts Competition and a finalist in the Stulberg International String Competition. Albert loves performing covers with his friends and busking in the streets. Even though he plays classical violin, the artist of his life is CL of 2NE1.

James Poe (SY ‘25) is a Taiwanese-American violinist majoring in Neuroscience and History. He currently holds a Master of Music (M.M.) degree from Yale School of Music, where he studied with Hyo Kang. He has also spent past summers playing at the Perlman Music Program, where he developed a passion for chamber music. His past teachers include Li Lin, Nancy Tsung, Wei He and Fang Lei. James can also be found playing pop violin on his Youtube channel, @jupiterpoe. Aside from music, James loves photography, nature, cooking, and working out. His favorite food is oatmeal, which you can find him eating every morning in the Saybrook Dining Hall. 

Aditya Chander is a fourth-year PhD candidate in Music Theory from London, United Kingdom. His research interests lie in the domain of music cognition, particularly in computational modelling of harmonic expectations. He holds a master’s degree from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cambridge. An active orchestral violinist, he has previously played in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, Cambridge University Chamber Orchestra, Cambridge University Collegium Musicum (baroque violin) and Stanford Philharmonia among other groups. He won concerto competitions at both Cambridge and Stanford, and in 2020 he was a laureate of the World Bach Competition (presented by the Boulder Bach Festival). As a chamber musician, he has participated in Cambridge’s Instrumental Award Scheme for Chamber Music and the St. Lawrence String Quartet Summer Seminar, receiving coaching from current and former members of the Danish and Belcea String Quartets. Outside music, Aditya loves cooking, travelling and RuPaul’s Drag Race. He is excited to return to YSO for his fourth year!

Soyoung Cho is a junior in Pauli Murray. She was born in Seoul, South Korea but grew up in Michigan where she began her musical studies at the age of six. She has performed with multiple orchestral groups, including the National Youth Orchestra 2 and Michigan MYAF All-State Orchestra, of which she served as concertmaster, and was privileged to perform concerti with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra and Oakland Youth Symphony. At Yale, she studies Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry. Outside of science and music, Soyoung enjoys baking, hiking, and spending time with her dog.

Camille Denman is a first-year in Trumbull College from Telluride, Colorado. She has been playing the violin since she was 5 years old, most recently studying with Eugenia Alikhanova, former first violinist of the Moscow String Quartet. At Yale, Camille plans to study chemistry on the pre-med track. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, skiing, and learning how to cook. 

Andrew DeWeese is a junior in Pierson College from Charlotte, North Carolina. He plans to double major in Classics and History, with a certificate in Chinese. His somewhat disparate research interests lie in Athenian war rhetoric and US-China relations. A violinist at heart, Andrew is an alumnus of the National Youth Orchestra of the USA and founding member of the Charlotte Piano Trio, in addition to his three years in the YSO. When he’s not playing the violin, you can find Andrew collecting old books he will never read or drinking oolong tea.

Dylan Fernandez de Lara is a junior in Berkeley studying Computer Science. This is his third year in the YSO and he is so grateful for all of the great friends and memories he has made. He hails from San Antonio, Texas, and his go to meal is a Patty Melt at Whataburger. He wears shorts for as long as possible to convince himself that summer continues throughout the year.

Ava is a senior majoring in Music and MB&B from Seattle. She loves playing with YSO and her chamber group and teaching with the Music in the Schools initiative on campus. She also loves learning about violin pedagogy, especially with coffee and the North Cascades nearby.

Samhitha Josyula is a senior in Davenport College from Ossining, NY majoring in Global Affairs with a certificate in Computer Science. She loves being in the YSO almost as much as she loves Coco-Roos, and is incredibly sad that the dining halls haven’t had them in stock since spring of 2020. She wants everyone to know that she loves Franck Piano Quintet (she’s basic), the opposite of fire is water (not no fire), and C-Sharp (not D-flat, thank you very much) is the best note. 

Rina is a second-semester junior in Benjamin Franklin College studying Neuroscience.  She enjoys playing with her piano trio on campus.  On the weekends, she loves going biking (very slowly, often with deflated tires) and grocery shopping with friends.  A fairly recent hobby she picked up is making watercolor sketches of her everyday thoughts and feelings and putting them on her wall– she finds that it brings beauty to the mundane and humor to the stressors of daily life.

JooUn is a junior in Benjamin Franklin College from Tenafly, New Jersey. He started playing violin in second grade, and he’s loved playing in orchestras since then. Academically, he is pursuing molecular biophysics and biochemistry in hopes of becoming a physician-researcher. In addition to doing science and playing the violin, he also loves listening to movie soundtracks and playing board games.

Oliver Leitner (PC ’23) is a violinist from Reno, NV and is majoring in Chemistry. He started the violin at 4 years old playing the Bob The Builder theme song and has been in love with the instrument ever since. He has been student in multiple music festivals including Aspen, Bowdoin, and most recently the Tanglewood Music Center. Outside of music, he loves to run and ski, and is also highly particular about the chocolate he eats, only considering “real” chocolate to be 85% or higher.

Tobias Liu is a first-year violinist in Trumbull College from Johns Creek, Georgia. He has spent past summers at the Bowdoin and Orford International Music Festivals, as a member in NYO-USA, and studying abroad in Argentina and Spain. Outside of music, Tobias loves swimming, Atlanta sports, and oatmeal.

Naomi-Jeanne Main is a first-year in Davenport College. A native of Lancaster, PA, she attended the Temple Music Preparatory program, participated in the Advanced Study chamber music program at Settlement Music School, and was a member of NAfME All-National Honors Orchestra. Naomi has spent her summers at the Northwestern Summer Violin Institute, the Meadowmount School of Music, and the Saint Paul Chamber Music Institute.  At Yale, she studies violin with Professor Wendy Sharp and intends to major in Music and Latin American Studies. She enjoys chamber music, ice cream, running slowly, and the passive periphrastic.

Atticus Margulis-Ohnuma is a sophomore violinist in Branford College and this year’s Social Chair. From Westchester NY, he was accepted into the All-National Symphony Orchestra, and has played in the New York All-State Orchestra, the New York Youth Symphony Orchestra, and many other orchestras and chamber groups. In addition to Woolsey Hall, Atticus has performed in Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center and some other places too. He also writes music, and is trying to do that more. Other than music, he loves hiking, reading, watching Star Wars movies repeatedly, and natural bodies of water.

Sophia Schwaner is a first year violinist residing in Silliman. She comes from Staunton, Virginia, a small but artistic town home to the Heifetz Music Institute, which she attended for three consecutive summers. Her high school musical endeavors included playing in her local symphony orchestra, singing and arranging a cappella music, and being a regular pit orchestra member for various community theatres in the area. She also composes music for plays and writes musicals. She plans to major in either chemistry or theater studies and enjoys fencing, jazz double bass, tap dancing, and philosophy.

Lila Schweinfurth ‘25, a Computer Science and Mathematics major in Timothy Dwight College, began studying the violin at an early age in her hometown of Portland, Oregon. Besides playing orchestral and chamber music, she also sings and is a member of the Yale Glee Club. Additionally, Lila enjoys traveling and finding new places to eat. Her favorite foods include poke, shave ice, and mooncake.

Nate Strothkamp is a first-year violinist in Pierson College. He began playing the violin at age 5 in his hometown of Portland, Oregon. Nate has attended the Bowdoin, Castleman, Chamber Music NW, and Boston University Tanglewood Institute summer programs. Besides music, he is interested in education and the humanities. Outside of school, Nate enjoys hiking, trying new foods, spontaneous trips, and going to coffee shops.

Audrey Wang is a junior from Scottsdale, Arizona in Ezra Stiles college. She is a music and art history double major.  In her free time she enjoys reading Murakami, drinking darjeeling tea, and listening to R&B.

Nicholas Cerny is a third-year student in Timothy Dwight College from Fort Worth, Texas. He has been playing violin since the age of six and is currently a student of Professor Tai Murray at the Yale School of Music, having previously studied with Professor Syoko Aki before her retirement last year. This year, he is the student president of the YSO, where he works with the executive committee to discuss day-to-day operations of the YSO as well as plan season events. Outside of violin, Nicholas does chemistry research in the Ellman laboratory, serves as a peer tutor, and is a frequent customer of New Haven’s many ice cream places.   

Miriam Viazmenski is a sophomore violinist in Benjamin Franklin College studying Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. Most recently, she served as a fellow at the Colorado College Summer Music Festival and studied at the Bowdoin and Aspen Music Festivals. Miriam has studied privately with Scott Yoo, Syoko Aki, and Kristopher Tong and performed both in orchestra and with a trio at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School. Outside of the YSO, you’ll find Miriam researching HIV latency at the Yale School of Medicine, dancing ballet, and playing chamber music with friends. She also loves to hike, cook, and listen to Schubert.

Natalie Bhak is a first-year violinist in Silliman College from London, UK. She began her music studies on the piano at the age of three and developed a love for the violin a few years later. From the age of nine, she was concertmaster and associate concertmaster of the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain for 4 years. During that time, she continued her violin studies at the Royal College of Music with Professor Maciej Rakowski. More recently, Natalie has performed as soloist and chamber musician at Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and Wigmore Hall. In the summers, she has participated in the Musica Mundi Festival in Belgium, Curtis Summerfest, BU Tanglewood Institute. Besides music, Natalie has a passion for the Classics and can be found indulging in Sappho’s poetry or absorbed in Herodotus’ account of Thermopylae. 

Keeley Brooks is a sophomore violinist in Morse College. She plans to major in Music and/or American Studies with a concentration in visual, literary, audio and performance cultures. Keeley studies with Professor Wendy Sharp and is very excited about chamber music in addition to orchestra. She spent the past summer studying at the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival in Burlington, VT. From Washington state, she loves spending her free time running, skiing, hiking in the mountains, and hanging out with friends.

Inés Chung-Halpern is a senior in Jonathan Edwards College, pursuing a major in Mathematics. Originally from London, UK, she began studying violin at the age of four. She played with the Royal College of Music Junior Department for 6 years, and studied under Professor Natalia Boyarsky since 2012. In her free time, you can find her listening to audiobooks or trawling Ebay for vintage cameras. Ines is excited to return to play with YSO for her final year!

Felix Fein is a first-year violinist in Benjamin Franklin College from San Francisco, CA. He has been playing the violin since the age of five and was most recently a member of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, studying with Catherine Van Hoesen. Felix has enjoyed performing orchestral and chamber music as well as other styles, like fiddling and electric violin. When he is not playing the violin, Felix loves gardening and distance running.

Lea Kim is a junior violinist in Grace Hopper College from Solon, Ohio. She began playing the violin since the age of five, and she has performed with the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra. At Yale, she is studying Chemistry and Music, and she can be found listening to K-R&B, exploring coffee shops, and playing the carillon (the bells) in Harkness Tower. 

Rachel Kim is a first-year in Davenport College from Irvine, California. She has played in a variety of orchestras including the National Youth Orchestra 2 and Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra, in both of which she held principal positions. She has performed as a soloist with the Bellflower Symphony Orchestra and has played in chamber groups such as the Pacific Symphony Youth Quartet, Junior Chamber Music, and the Chamber Music OC Pre-College Program. Rachel was chosen for a master class with world-renowned violinist Ray Chen. In her free time, she enjoys going on walks, satisfying her boba addiction, and spending time with friends and family. 

Julia is a junior violinist in Pauli Murray majoring in astrophysics and ecology & evolutionary biology. Originally from Massachusetts, she has played in many Boston-area orchestras and is so excited to be making music in person again! Outside of playing the violin and obsessing over dark matter and frogs, she also loves to bake, cook up terrible puns, and hoard plants. 

Tyler Tan is a first-year violinist in Pauli Murray College. He is from Cheshire, Connecticut and studied at the Juilliard Pre-College program throughout high school. Tyler was a National YoungArts Finalist and a member of the National Youth Orchestra of the USA. At Yale, he plans to study computer science. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis, finding new places to eat, and taking the occasional nap.

Austin Wang is a sophomore violinist in Berkeley College, double majoring in Physics and Computer Science & Economics. Austin currently studies with Professor Kyung Yu at the Yale School of Music. Originally from Southern California, Austin has been playing the violin for 9 years and has been in the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra & the California All State Orchestras for 4+ years. Other than music, Austin has interests in astrophysics & resource allocation, where he constantly thinks about how asteroid mining could hypothetically crash the world’s economy. When Austin is not contemplating life or shredding his violin, he enjoys hacking new projects and startup ideas, playing basketball with friends, stargazing during late night walks around campus, or listening to Studio Ghibli & Hans Zimmer’s majestic soundtracks as he pretends to study. Austin is ecstatic to play with YSO on the tour to Peru!

Natsume Wu is a first-year in Davenport College from Carmel, Indiana. She previously studied violin with Professor Mimi Zweig at the Indiana University String Academy, where she was a member of the Violin Virtuosi. She has performed with several orchestral groups, including the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Side-by-Side program, the Indiana All-State Orchestra, and the Honor Orchestra of America.

Natsume is hoping to study chemistry, and she enjoys baking and doing embroidery in her free time. Her go-to fun fact is that she has a sixth toe conjoined to her right pinky toe. Natsume (and her extra toe) are very excited to play in YSO this year!

Andrew Yang is a freshman violinist in Pierson College from Los Angeles, California. He was the Associate Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra and has enjoyed various solo performances, chamber music and music ministry opportunities. His favorite performances, however, are with his sister in epic violin-piano duets. A prospective Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics major, he plans to realize his childhood dreams of becoming a mad chemist. When not making music or uttering ominous incantations in the lab, he spends his time thinking about food and theorycrafting “the perfect 7-course dinner”.

Sheeline Yu is a sophomore violinist in Stiles. She is from Nashville, TN, where she studied at Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music. At Yale, she plans to study statistics and data science on the pre-med track. Sheeline loves playing chamber music and Mendelssohn, with whom she shares a birthday. Outside of music, she loves biking, cooking, and finding wildlife on hiking trips.

Sophia Zhang is a violinist in Pierson College. Having grown up in Connecticut for most of her childhood before moving to Arizona, she is a true Connecticut native at heart. She was the concertmaster of the Phoenix Youth Symphony, AZ all-region orchestra, and the Idyllwild Summer Chamber Festival Orchestra, and has performed a variety of solo repertoire as well. Sophia is an MCDB major and always loves a late night study session accompanied by her signature Starbucks order: a blonde flat white with soy. In her free time, you’ll probably find her hiking, playing some tennis, or nostalgically binging 2000s shows.

Andy Park is a junior in Benjamin Franklin majoring in Chemical Engineering. He was a quarter-finalist in the 2021 Primrose International Viola Competition, where he was deeply inspired by all great repertoires (we violists don’t have that many). Besides music , Andy loves to hibernate; you will most likely find him on his bed wrapped around in his blanket during the day, and sleeping at night.

Jackie Liu is a first year in Berkeley College looking to major in history. She has been playing viola since she was 8 years old and has served as principal of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra as well as the TMEA All State Symphony Orchestra. Outside of rehearsal, she enjoys doing crossword puzzles, writing, cooking, and trying new foods. 

Hi my name is Cyrus and I am a Freshman at Ezra Stiles College. I am originally a violinist but the Viola King kidnapped me a couple weeks ago and now I’m “expanding my musical horizons.” Aside from music, I enjoy playing ping pong and I plan on majoring in Computer Science.

I’m Aaron Dean, a first year violist in Branford College. I am originally from the Washington DC area and have been playing for 10 years. Orchestral playing has been an important part of my life, and throughout high school I participated in the District of Columbia Youth Orchestra where I had the pleasure of touring to both Columbia and Italy. Outside of playing I enjoy running and baking. I am really excited to be a part of the YSO this year!

Frank is a first-year in Pauli Murray college thinking of majoring in Chemistry and Statistics & Data Science. He has played the violin for most of his life in Maryland Classical Youth Orchestras (MCYO) but recently began playing the viola as well. Outside of music, he likes to tend to his chickens back home, run around as an EMT, and collect old pennies that might one day be worth something.

Victoria is a junior in Silliman double-majoring in art and environmental studies. She is excited to return to an orchestra after two years away. You can find her playing the bells in Harkness Tower, following campus squirrels around, and spamming pictures of her dogs on social media.

Erin Nishi is a sophomore in Pauli Murray College from Honolulu, Hawaii. She plans to study Music and Psychology on the Neuroscience track and aspires to research the effects of music on cognition. She has proudly been playing violin since the age of three and currently studies with Professor Kyung Yu at the Yale School of Music. During her first year at Yale, Erin tried her hand at playing the viola in the Performance of Chamber Music class. Ever since, viola has opened many incredible opportunities for which Erin is immensely grateful! This year, she decided to join the loving family of YSO violists, who have welcomed her with open arms. In her free time, she also enjoys piano, hula, fishing, Japanese tea ceremony, and giving free haircuts to her friends.

Hi everybody! I’m Eleni, a freshman in Branford college. I’ve been playing the violin since I was six, but I recently started viola (yes, I’m another dark side convert! Cue Darth Vader noises…). Playing with others in orchestra and chamber music are some of my favorite things about music. At Yale, I hope to major in math, learn Chinese, and try ice skating! Outside of music, I love math, arts and crafts (especially woodworking, crocheting, drawing, painting, and photography), collecting things (coins, office supplies, hotel soaps…), eating ice cream, hanging out with my two cats, and meeting new people (come say hi if you see me around campus!).

Jacob Shin is a sophomore violist in Benjamin Franklin College from Fort Lee, New Jersey. Having studied with Patinka Kopec at Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division, Jacob spent his past summers at Heifetz International Music Institute and Bowdoin International Music Festival. He appeared on NPR’s From the Top  as a Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist. Outside of music, Jacob enjoys sports, food, and cinematography.

Derek Song is a sophomore in Pierson College studying cognitive science on the premed track. He is from Hinsdale, Illinois (although he tells people that he’s from Chicago), and has played in numerous ensembles, including the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Elm Elementary School Philharmonia. Outside of viola, he can be found longboarding, nursing his longboard-related injuries (much to Brian’s chagrin), and taking pictures of his cat, Emmy.

Spencer Adler is a senior chemistry major from Durham, North Carolina. Outside of Yale, he was recently principal cellist for the Aspen Music Festival’s 2022 production of Don Giovanni with conductor Jane Glover. You might spot him making the long trek from his house on Pearl Street to YSO rehearsals, or overhear him complaining about the long trek he makes (upwards of twice weekly!) from his house on Pearl Street to YSO rehearsals.

Giacomo Glotzer is a third-year cellist from Chicago, IL dedicated to pursuing music and neuroscience at Yale. Giacomo is the current president of Low Strung, a cello rock band on campus.

Norah Fong is a prospective neuroscience major in Pauli Murray College, interested in studying how music affects the brain. She has been a cellist since the age of 5 and most recently served as Principal Cellist for the Colburn Chamber Orchestra. In 2022, she was invited to Moscow as a quarterfinalist in the XI International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians. Having studied composition as a composer fellow at the LA Philharmonic Composer Fellowship Program from 2020-2022, Norah’s pieces have been played by various members of the LA Phil and other professional ensembles, such as Hub New Music and the Southeast Symphony. In her free time, when she isn’t binge watching Criminal minds, Norah enjoys listening to Hans Zimmer’s soundtracks and eating bingsu with friends.

Cellist Isabel Nayoon Koh is a sophomore in Davenport College. She began playing the cello at the age of eight. She started attending Juilliard Pre-College in 7th grade. Outside of Juilliard, she performed in various venues such as Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, and DAHA Concert Hall and won several awards in various competitions. During summer, she participated in music camps and festivals such as Great Mountain Music Festival, Orford Musique, and Aspen Music Festival (cancelled due to pandemic). Isabel believes that Bach and Beethoven are undoubtedly the greatest composers of all time. In her free time, she enjoys listening to Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, and Schubert, and loves exploring good restaurants in New Haven.

Huey-Ting Li is a first-year in Jonathan Edwards College from Hamden, Connecticut. He began playing the cello when he was five years old. He is thinking about majoring in either applied math or biomedical engineering as well as possibly doing pre-med. In his free time, he likes to play volleyball, play his ukulele, and watch anime.

Kincaid is a junior in Pierson College studying math and philosophy, and also — if time permits — cognitive science and machine learning. Coming from Montana, he pines for the mountains, and visits East Rock whenever possible. He also loves to compose cello duets and string quartets. (Let him know if you’d like to play one!) Kincaid’s favorite books include “Gödel, Escher, Bach”, “Don Quixote”, and anything by Bill Bryson.

Alexander Oh is a freshman in Morse College from NY, NY. He has been a part of the New York Youth Symphony’s Orchestral program for the past two years and their chamber program for the past five years. At Yale, he plans to study either computer science or economics. However, when he is not studying or practicing, he likes to exercise, find good food to eat, or just hang out with friends. 

Mateo Vidali is a first year cellist in Timothy Dwight College. He is from Holden Massachusetts, and is considering studying history. During high school, Mateo studied cello with Emmanuel Feldman at New England Conservatory Prep, and played in the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. For most of the summers of his life, Mateo attended Greenwood Music Camp. In his free time he enjoys food, playing basketball with friends, watching soccer, and playing with yo-yos.

Kira Wang is a first year in Pierson College hoping to major in neuroscience. She has played in the Portland Youth Philharmonic and attended music summer festivals including Center Stage Strings, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, and NYO-USA. Outside of music, Kira loves running, traveling, trying new restaurants, and playing with her dog, Carl.

Cara, who also goes by CC, is a first year bassist in Morse college from New Jersey. She has played music for 16 years, starting violin when she was 2 and switched to bass at 13. Cara has studied classical bass at Juilliard pre college for 4 years. At Yale, she is on the pre medical track, planning to major in psychology on the neuroscience track or cognitive science. She is passionate about connecting the arts and humanities with the field of STEM. 

Lauren Kim is a first-year flutist in Timothy Dwight College from Ridgefield, Connecticut. She studied at The Juilliard School’s Pre-College division in high school and was a National Youngarts Foundation Winner. Lauren attended the Boston University Tanglewood Institute and was a fellow for NPR’s From the Top, appearing on their radio show in 2021. She has performed at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, and Lincoln Center. Lauren is a prospective Ethics, Politics, & Economics major and is looking forward to exploring the humanities and the social sciences at Yale. Outside of playing the flute, Lauren enjoys watching films, reading, and eating French toast.

Nadira Novruzov (ES ‘25) is a flutist from New York City studying Political Science (probably). In high school, she studied at the Juilliard Pre-College with Bart Feller, and was the 2019 winner of the National Flute Association High School Soloist Competition. Over her COVID-induced gap year, Nadira was a New York Youth Symphony fellow and appeared on Show #398 of NPR’s From the Top. She has attended summer programs such as the Zodiac Festival, the Round Top Festival Institute, and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Outside of music and studying Political Science (probably), Nadira loves to read, watch movies, and crochet uneven scarves.

Maddy Park is a sophomore from Connecticut residing in Pauli Murray. In high school, she studied flute at the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College and Juilliard Pre-College. Over the summer, she attended music camps such as Kinhaven and Boston University Tanglewood Institute. She is currently trying to decide between ~4 different majors, and this has been a source of stress for her. In her free time, Maddy enjoys napping, playing the ukulele poorly, and traversing campus on scooter.

Supriya Weiss is a senior flautist in Saybrook majoring in mathematics. Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, she can be found wearing twice as many layers as everyone else to shield from the cold and marveling at the existence of seasons beyond summer. To win her heart, offer her chai, chocolates, or Hagoromo chalk.

Estelle Balsirow, Class of 2026, is a Kalmyk-American oboist in Jonathan Edwards College interested in studying English and Computing and the Arts. Estelle has studied with Julia Derosa and Hassan Anderson at the Juilliard Music Advancement Program and Lillian Copeland at the Senior Mannes Prep Program. During her summers, she studied at the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles National Festival as the principal oboist, with the Lucarelli Oboe Master Class, and Interlochen Arts Camp. Estelle originally studied violin and piano, but was urged by her sister, now a Columbia-Juilliard composition student, to play oboe during middle school after a failed career at trumpet. During her free time, Estelle loves to read books, play tennis, lose to her sister in video games, or bake lemon bars. 

Ruthie Gu is a second-year oboist in Benjamin Franklin College, hoping to major in physics and/or computer science. She has played with the New Jersey All-State Orchestra, All-State Symphonic Band. She used to play the piano (mediocrely). She also used to play the flute (badly). She also dislikes writing about herself.

Miranda Margulis-Ohnuma is a second semester sophomore in Branford studying Earth and Planetary Sciences on the paleontology track. Over the last two years, she has played oboe, English horn, and cello in the YSO. She also currently performs with the Yale Concert Band and Low Strung (Yale’s all-cello rock band) and studies cello with Ole Akahoshi. In her gap semester free time she loves to hike and look at fossils. 

Matthew is a sophomore in Trumbull College from Laurel, Maryland. He has performed with the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra, Maryland Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Maryland All State Orchestra. Outside of music, Matthew is interested in studying neuroscience, and hopes to eventually help deepen our understanding of mental health disorders in order to pave the way for more effective treatments.

Gisela is a sophomore in Jonathan Edwards college and plans on becoming a philosophy major. She grew up in London, UK, studying clarinet since she was 8 and further joining the Royal College of Music Junior Department at 11. She was also a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.

Harrison is a first year student in Branford College. He is considering studying math or psychology, but he secretly wants to become a film director. Although he originally wanted to play the viola, his band teacher forced him to play clarinet instead (he has no regrets). He spends his free time watching movies, thinking about movies, writing about movies, and watching recordings of music performances. His favorite non-classical composer is Ryuichi Sakamoto, who he assumes no one else recognizes (but would be very excited if someone did). 

Eli is a junior in Benjamin Franklin College from Santa Cruz, California, majoring in Computer Science and Math. In addition to playing clarinet in the orchestra, he serves as Assistant Conductor of the YSO. He also conducts the Davenport Pops Orchestra, and his compositions have been featured at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. When not playing or writing music, Eli enjoys exploring cities, running, playing disc golf, and eating ice cream.

Hi my name is Diana Yang and I am a first year of Berkeley College. My major is undecided as of right now but I tell people different ones when they ask. Besides music, I also enjoy reading, cooking, and exploring cities. 

Jack Landau (BF, ‘26) is a proud bassoonist hailing from Wellesley, Massachusetts. After starting on the piano at age 4, Jack fell in love with the bassoon, with his concert debut featuring his high school band’s arrangement of Africa by Toto. Since then, he’s participated in Boston Area youth orchestras as well as his home state’s All State band. In his free time, you can catch him struggling with problem sets, thrifting, failing skateboard tricks, or showing off his record player. 

Annie is a First Year Student in Morse College from Huntington Woods, MI.  Annie has played with Interlochen’s World Youth Symphony Orchestra as well as the Detroit Youth Symphony Wind Ensemble.  When Annie is not playing the French horn, she enjoys listening to Taylor Swift and running.  

Raoul is a Sophomore in Morse College studying comparative literature and urban studies. He’s played the French horn since fifth grade, but also dabbles in conducting, piano, and film scoring. His favorite orchestral work is a toss-up between Bartok’s “Concerto for Orchestra” and Ravel’s “La Valse.”

Connor Totilas is a junior in Benjamin Franklin College from Windermere FL. He is majoring in Math and CS with a certificate in Data Science. He has been playing horn for 10 years and is involved in various music groups across campus alongside the YSO. Connor enjoys running, reading, and is currently working on research in machine learning.

My name is Aria Harris and I’m a freshman in Morse College. I grew up in Lexington, MA, a suburb outside of Boston. I started trumpet when I was 11, at which point my favorite song to play was Jingle Bells. More recently in my career, I played in the Boston Youth Symphony and Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble throughout high school. I’m most looking forward to playing the Halloween show this year!

Aiden Magley is a sophomore from Pittsburgh, PA residing in Jonathan Edwards College. He has played the trumpet for almost 13 years and has trained classically for 7. He attended a performing arts high school and participated in the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Three Rivers Young Peoples’ Orchestra, and the River City Youth Brass Band. Apart from his membership in the the YSO, Aiden is a Communication and Consent Educator on campus. 

Matthew Verich is a first-year in Branford College with the intended major of Neuroscience. He grew up in Alexandria, VA and has been playing trumpet for eight years. He has played in various bands and orchestras including the Washington Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, American Youth Concert Orchestra, and the National Jazz Workshop All-Star Band. He also participated in both the Virginia All-State Concert and Jazz Bands. When Matthew is not playing the trumpet you can find him practicing piano, playing tennis, or swimming. Matthew is not only an active member of the YSO, he also participates in the Yale Club Water Polo team and the Naval ROTC program. 

Andrew Wang is a sophomore in Berkeley studying Economics and East-Asian Studies. He grew up in Beijing, China, but went to high school in Johns Creek, Georgia. His profile picture has him sitting next to a piano, but everybody in the orchestra thinks he is a trumpet player. You will often find him in the BK gym, dining hall, and Mendenhall room watching the Hotspurs. You can occasionally find him jammin with the jazz collective too.

My name is Lucas and I’m from around Orlando, Florida. I’m a first year in Trumbull College majoring in biomedical engineering. I’ve been playing trombone since 6th grade and have participated in Allstate band/orchestra as well as the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra. I’ve also participated in and won the 2021 American Trombone Workshop solo competition as well the 2022 SE. Shires youth solo competition. I love playing chess, walking outside, and talking with friends. I’m so excited to play in the YSO!

My name is Konrad Kurczynski, and I’m a freshman in Benjamin Franklin College. Although I spent my last high-school years in the UK, I grew up in Poland and completed my music education at Rozycki Music School in Kielce, playing Trombone and Euphonium. Over the years, I participated in ensembles ranging from classical, through folk, to jazz. Outside of music, I love history, running, and literature!

Hi! My name is Max Hammond, and I’m a pianist in Silliman. I’m in the class of 2023.5, and a double major in Math and WGSS, with a focus in queer musicology. I especially enjoy playing new and collaborative music, and hope to pursue music as a career after Yale.

Kameron Duncan is a sophomore in Morse College from Los Gatos, California majoring in Applied Physics and Music. He currently studies piano with Wei-Yi Yang at the Yale School of Music. Kameron is a Young Arts Finalist and has studied at the Oberlin Piano Festival and Curtis Summerfest. He is a member of the Yale Undergraduate Piano Collective and the enjoys playing chamber music! When not playing music, Kameron enjoys drawing and running. 

Nevin George is a senior in Silliman majoring in math and computer science. He is from Houston, TX, and outside of the YSO he has played in the Houston Youth Symphony and Texas All-State orchestras. In his free time, Nevin enjoys reading and playing chess and basketball.

Madeline is a first-year percussionist in Silliman College. She is from New York City, where she played in All-City Concert Band and NYC Honors Band Festivals. Her orchestral experience comes from attending a performing arts high school and New England Music Camp. She is a prospective philosophy and math major and can be found wearing crocs, cleaning crocs, and persuading others to buy crocs.

Bohan Shakes is a first-year in Timothy Dwight College planning to major in applied math. He is from Seattle, Washington, where he was part of the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra. Outside of music, Bohan enjoys playing basketball and spending time outdoors.

Nikolai is a first-year in Benjamin Franklin college, and majoring in CS and Electrical Engineering. He is from Lyme-Old Lyme CT, and has been a part of the Connecticut All-State Orchestra, and the Old Lyme Town Band for 7 years. For fun, Nikolai likes to play the piano and play soccer and tennis.

Jacob is a sophomore in Branford majoring in mechanical engineering. He is from San Jose, California, and has played in the California Youth Symphony. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, cycling, and hiking.