Alumni Spotlight
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Our Recent Alumni
Lucas Brown
2nd Year Master's in Violin Performance
Depaul University
Advice from TYO/TSYO Alumni
What years were you in TYO?
I was in TYO from 2004 until 2011 when I graduated high school. From 2013 to 2015 I got to come back as a violin coach (which was very surreal)!
What groups did you participate in?
I started in what was then called Symphonic Strings, then joined the Philharmonia as well as the Tallahassee Fiddlers, followed by Chamber Orchestra, and finally Symphony.
What do you do now?
Currently, I’m in the second and final year of my Masters degree at DePaul University in Chicago, studying Violin Performance.
What is your dream job?
There are many things about playing the violin that I love, one of which is teaching. I hope to open up my own private studio after graduation. Aside from teaching, my absolute favorite thing to do is play in the pit for musical theatre shows. I played a lot of shows when I was at Chiles High School, and many more with the FSU Music Theatre department. Ideally, I would love to teach during the day, and play for shows at night!
What is your favorite TYO memory?
There are a lot of amazing memories to choose from, so this is tough. When I look back over the years, one particular concert sticks out to me, and that is the concert with DBR (Daniel Bernard Roumain). At that time, music making was no longer work. Everyone had such a great time!
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What did you take away from your time in TYO? How did it help shape your growth as a musician/person?
Aside from all of the invaluable musical knowledge I gained from my incredible peers, coaches, and conductors, I would have to say my friends. I made some of the greatest friends of my life in the youth orchestra. Being surrounded by such good influences, both musically and personally, has shaped who I am today. I can honestly say that without the support system I gained in the Tallahassee Youth Orchestras, I wouldn’t be where I am today. TYO was probably something I took for granted while I was in it, but I am well aware now how valuable the program was to my professional and personal life. I will always look back on TYO with extremely fond memories!
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2017
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Vicky Li
Violin
Florida State University Honors Program Chemistry
Brian Ranner
Violin
Florida State University Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences
Erin Mulrooney
Oboe
l'Université Concordia in Montréal,
Canada Études Françaises
Victoria Cea
Viola
Florida State
University Majoring in Nursing minor in Spanish
Kennedy Williams
Cello
Florida Atlantic University Freshman Direct Admit Nursing Program
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Erica Sandstrum
Viola
Florida State University Environmental Chemistry
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Jean-Paul Recht
French Horn
Florida State University Honors Program Finance
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Tekla Mendez
Violin
Florida State University
College of Music
Music Education
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Rafel Fortier
Percussion
Florida State University
School of Communications Digital Media Production
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Lina Ma
University of Central Florida Nursing
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Theodore Waltz
Trombone
University of Florida
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Ryan Lambert
Bass
Tallahassee Community College
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Lauren Mosley
Cello
Tallahassee Community College
Exercise Science
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Samantha Crawford
Violin
Florida State University
Double Major in Psychology and Music with a minor in English
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David LaBarre
Violin
Valdosta State University
Violin performance & Information Technology
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Cameron Brown
Flute
Florida A&M
Music Education
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Mia Carter
Clarinet
Florida State University Biochemistry for the Pre-med track
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James Spearing
Bassoon
Tallahassee Community College
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Maggie Amato
Flute
Florida State University
Music Education
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Yungi Hwang
Violin
The University of Michigan
LSA honor’s college Neuro Science
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Michelle Waldman
Clarinet
University of
Florida Bio Chemistry
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Mackenzie Janes
Violin
Tallahassee Community College Marine Biology
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Desiree Robinson
Cello
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Aerospace Engineering
"Join the orchestra if you're not afraid to step outside your comfortable box a little bit, if you love the idea of working closely with your friends to create something of beauty together, and most importantly, if you're looking for a way to HAVE FUN!"
- Ross Holcombe, Principal Trombonist
Spokane Symphony Orchestra
"Dr. Jimenez was essential to my choice of a career in music. With my experience in chamber ensembles I learned that getting along with others was invaluable at such a young age."
- Drew Pattison, Professor of Bassoon
DePaul University
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TYO helped me better understand the nature and importance of discipline as a musician and student. It deepened my emotional connection to classical repertoire in order to bring out the best in my performances, and it awarded me the joy of building something incredible together with large groups of people - bringing such diverse talent, sound, and musicianship into a single, unified piece or movement.
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- Jordan Rodriguez
Director of E-Commerce
Product Leadership
"Take it seriously. Dr. Jimenez was great. One of my biggest motivators on Sunday at practice was not to waste that man's time. He gave us everything he had, every time we rehearsed, and for me to not be ready to play would have been a huge insult to him. The FSU area has some of the finest musicians in the United States, so don't lose sight of what you're getting when guys like him take the time to rehearse with you.”
- Michael Richardson
Rifle Platoon Leader in the 82nd Airborne Division
"Music teaches you how to communicate with others and how to build community among others. The importance of music in my life started during my time in TYO and music has continued to impact my life ever since then."
- Lillian Cleveland, Young Adult Volunteer
"The best experience of all was studying under the leadership of Mr. Chris Miller, conductor of the Chamber Orchestra. Mr. Miller help to teach me how to truly make music. Instead of just playing the notes that were written on the page, he helped all of us bring the music to life."
- Victoria Long,
Early Childhood Care and Education Student
"Follow your interests to the best of your abilities and always be super nerdy about them. Be okay with your interests changing a few years down the road and then follow those with the same nerdiness and passion! Don't feel like you have to define who you are and what you want to do for the rest of your life at 18."
- Kody Glazer,
1st Year Law Student
Florida State University
Mara Eichin
Violin
Studying Music Performance and Education at the Univeristy of North Florida.
Elise Ashburn
Violin
Studies with Corinne Stillwell
Stephen Barton
Flute
Studies Flute Performance at Rice University
Anna Bridges
Cello
Studying Biomedical Sciences at FSU
Claudia Edwards
Violin
Music Education at Florida State University, College of Music
Matthew Goodson
Trumpet
Training to become a Firefighter Paramedic at TCC
Riley Hirai
Trombone
Vocal Performance Major at FSU
Luke Johnstone
Saxophone/Double Bass
Attending FSU
Dylan Johnson
Clarinet
Currently attending TCC
Mariah Miller
Viola
Studying English at TCC
Joella Mosley
Viola
Excercise Science Major at FSU
Jacob Nelson
French Horn
Studying Horn Performance at DePaul University
Julianne Salancy
Violin
Psychology Major at Spring Hill College
Raiden Thaler
Viola Performance Major
Florida State University, College of Music
Kevin Waldman
Trumpet
Double Major in Physics and Music Education
Delaney Watson
Cello
Studies Music Education at UNC-Greensboro
Kalon Williams
Violin
Criminal Justice Major at TCC
Kayla Williams
Viola
Viola Performance at Lynn Conservatory of Music