Years in Tulsa Youth Symphony:  3 Instrument: French Horn Favorite Memory from TYS:  Hanging around in the back with the Horns, and playing the theme from "Robin Hood Prince of Thieves". Favorite Memory from TYS:  After TYS: College Experience Your Educational History: BS in Health and Sports Science (OU) Your College Orchestra Experience: N/A, Marching band 1 yr Current Job: Ice Cream Company Owner Describe a day to day in your life as an ice cream company owner: Determine the amount and flavors of ice cream to produce, go to the kitchen and make the ice cream usin ..read more

Years in Tulsa Youth Symphony:  Lara Ortega Clark: 2001-2005 Oriana Dobson-Ortega: 2008-2009 Instrument:  Both: Cello   Favorite Memory from TYS:  LOC: I don't know why because I don't really even like them, but eating those big, fluffy, grocery-store sugar cookies with friends during breaks! ODO: Playing our first concert, because we were playing with what were considered "band" instruments in high school as well as the stringed orchestra instruments. Being able to play as a full symphony was very powerful!  From Left: Oriana Ortega Dobson, Lara Ortega Clark Aft ..read more

Years in Tulsa Youth Symphony: 5 Years Instrument: Violin Favorite Memory from TYS I enjoyed playing for the opening of the Guthrie Green and eating cookies with my friends on Sundays! After TYS: College Experience Brian’s Educational History High School: Union // College: University of Central Oklahoma Brian’s College Orchestra Experience I really enjoyed my college experience at UCO. I served as principal second violin for some time. I had the chance to play in an all-Baroque instrument chamber orchestra, where I learned so much about the history of string instruments. One of my favorite opp ..read more

Years in Tulsa Youth Symphony: 2016-2017 Concert Orchestra 2017-2019 Symphony Orchestra Instrument: Violin Favorite Memory from TYS Playing contemporary pieces like Hanson's Sinfonia Sacra or playing christmas songs on boomwhackers at the holiday party! After TYS: College Experience Helena’s Educational History The University of Tulsa, Bachelor's in Music Education - Instrumental, Summa Cum Laude Helena’s College Orchestra Experience TU Symphony Orchestra, Concertmaster 2021-22 Current Job: Orchestra Director Describe a day to day in your life as an orchestra director: I haven't started yet ..read more

By Ashleigh Teygong and Dylan Perez Instrument: Cello Year: 7th Grade  Favorite TYS Memory I will never forget last season when we played through the Sibelius Symphony #4 together in rehearsal for the very first time. It was really spectacular! We were all amazed at how beautiful it sounded. TYS Experience I have developed as an orchestral musician much more than I’ve ever imagined!  I’ve learned how to listen to my section while playing, and how to watch and learn from my section leaders. TYS has taught me in many ways how to grow in musicianship. As I enter my third season with TY ..read more

By Ashleigh Teygong & Cathy Venable Cathy Venable Years in Tulsa Youth Symphony: 1983-1985 Instrument: Flute Auditioning and Joining TYS I was in the Edison High School band and wanted an orchestral experience. I was encouraged to audition for the Tulsa Youth Symphony by my wonderfully supportive parents and my fabulous flute teacher, Diane Ackmann.  I felt like a true professional as Mr. Wheeler welcomed me to my audition at the very intimidating Harwelden mansion.  I was accepted into the fantastic flute section, and my first rehearsal was thrilling and overwhelming.  ..read more

By Amelia Ivory I am writing to wish my Tulsa family and friends a warm hello from the Pärnu Music Festival in Pärnu, Estonia where I am spending the better part of two weeks sitting in on world-class rehearsals and performances under the direction of the Järvi family conductors- Neeme, Paavo, and Kriistjian. Before coming to Estonia, I spent five days in Verbier, Switzerland at the top of the Alps listening to what was suggested to be the “Best Youth Orchestra in the World”, and an even more sublime professional chamber Orchestra comprised of an international all-star roster of players. I am ..read more