Notes of Generosity: Building a Tradition of Belonging Through TRYPO
In honor of Donor Month, we’re sharing stories from the families and supporters who help make TRYPO possible. Today’s story reflects how one family found not just a music program, but a lasting tradition of community, growth, and giving back.
The moment we knew TRYPO was the right fit for our family
The moment they called us back, we knew. From that very first interaction, it was clear that TRYPO was more than an organization. It was a family. Our son wasn’t just another musician or number; he was welcomed as a valued member of a community, like a brother among fellow musicians.
What stood out immediately was how deeply they cared about the kids, not just their musical performance, but who they are as individuals. And that’s saying something, given the incredibly high caliber of music they produce.
We still remember vividly driving home from his first rehearsal, listening to him excitedly share how he felt like he had “found his people.” While his local school introduced him to music, TRYPO gave him something even more meaningful: a true sense of belonging. It became a place where he could connect with other students who shared his passion, grow in confidence, and feel fully seen and supported. That sense of belonging is what started a tradition for our family, and why we are proud to give back to TRYPO.
The most surprising growth we’ve seen in our child
We have watched our once quiet and timid child grow into a confident, strong, and courageous musician, the very person he always dreamed of becoming. While he is still on his journey to becoming the best musician he can be, the growth we’ve witnessed has been remarkable.
Along the way, he has been surrounded by incredible role models who have shown him not just what it means to be a great musician, but what it means to be a great person. Through this experience, he’s learning that music has the power to impact lives and even influence generations to come.
With a positive attitude, ambitious goals, and the support of a close-knit community of fellow musicians cheering him on every step of the way, he is growing into both the musician and the person we always hoped he would become.
Why we chose to support TRYPO financially
We have chosen to support TRYPO because we deeply believe in its vision of bringing together the children of Pittsburgh to create and perform beautiful, timeless music. It provides young musicians with opportunities they might not otherwise have, the chance to share their gifts and make a meaningful impact on the hearts of their community.
We want future generations of children to experience those same life-changing moments and even more: performing in places many only dream of, and witnessing the joy their music brings, whether it’s seeing a listener’s face light up during a beloved Beethoven piece or the excitement sparked by a familiar Star Wars theme.
Supporting TRYPO is our way of helping ensure those opportunities continue, so more young musicians can grow, connect, and inspire through the power of music.
One word that describes our child’s conductor or ensemble experience
It’s hard to choose just one word, but if we had to, it would be inspiring.
TRYPO and Maestro Worsdale create an environment that is both fun and energetic, while also challenging students to grow. We especially appreciate how he shares his knowledge and personal experiences, helping the musicians not only understand the music more deeply but also learn how to come together as a cohesive ensemble.
A memory from this season we’ll never forget
One memory we will never forget is the incredible tour to Germany. From hearing the students perform in beautiful churches to watching them take the stage in renowned halls like Dvořák Hall, it truly felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
What made it even more special was sharing it as a family alongside 125 of our closest friends. Watching the rich history of music come alive through these young musicians was nothing short of amazing.
And of course… we will Bach—we couldn’t resist adding at least one dad joke along the way.
– Nick Inkenhaus, TRYPO Board Member
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One of my favorite things about music is that no two pieces have the same path. Everyone’s experience is so unique and individual and I am very excited that TRYPO has asked me to share mine. I began playing the violin in first grade and growing up, I was involved in school orchestras, county festival orchestras and the Lancaster Youth Symphony (Allegretto). I didn’t realize that going to college for music was something one could do until I was a sophomore in high school and I knew I wanted to teach orchestra. Somehow in my college search, I came across Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. As a 16 or 17 year old (and avid Steelers Fan) moving 4 hours away from home seemed perfect. Once I got to Duquesne, I quickly received a new appreciation for the positive role that Music Educators had in the lives of their students and knew I wanted to be that type of mentor and teacher for my future students. I began working with students in many different capacities including private teaching and working with TRYPO. These experiences only grew my love for teaching. While preparing for my junior recital (a music education requirement) I developed a new perspective toward my violin and performing. As senior year and graduation grew nearer, I feared that my violin playing would end. No more practicing, no more lessons, no more concerts. In truth, this scared me. After a heart to heart with my incredible violin professor, I was presented with the idea of going right into a masters degree in performance. I wrestled with this idea for a few reasons, one being that I didn’t know of anyone who did that and another being nervous to take the risk and go off the path that the music education had laid out for me. I only auditioned at Duquesne, because in my eyes, going to grad school was risky enough and I did not want to go on this adventure without my amazing violin professors. My two year masters degree was the two most formative years of my life. I was gaining experience performing, and auditioning for regional orchestras as well as more opportunities to teach and coach various ensembles. I began to realize how closely teaching and performing could be related. I had the opportunity to fuse my two passions together to make one awesome path and the best part is that my journey is only just beginning!
Written by Amaya Williams |
Hello TRYPOfam!
My name is Alyssa Hensley, and I am the manager for Youth Chamber Connection and special projects with TRYPO!
I took on the role of YC2 manager after founder Laurie Cunningham’s retirement in 2021. I was a fresh graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, where I’d studied harp performance with principal harpist of the Pittsburgh Symphony, Gretchen Van Hoesen.
As you can imagine, coming out of the COVID shutdown, the music world for a new grad was terrifying. Auditions were on hold, everyone was out of work, and restrictions on crowd sizes made gigging (weddings, cocktail hours, dinners, and other events) almost non-existent.
All I’d ever wanted was to play music. My siblings and I had been in youth orchestras since I was 8 years old: my brother on trumpet, my sister on flute, and my little brother covering the percussion section. My mom and I would lug my harp through the strangest alleyways of Aurora, Elgin, and downtown Chicago to get to where we needed to go, often multiple times a weekend with all the activities we participated in. I couldn’t have imagined a better way to spend my weekends, and I loved the variety of music we played wherever we went.
For me, taking the harp places was the norm. I was used to doing anything if it meant I could play and be around music. When a very good friend of mine sent me the job posting for Youth Chamber Connection, his words were: “You need to apply for this, it’s perfect for you!” When I read the description, I understood what he meant.
For those who may not know, chamber music is simply small groups of musicians playing together without a conductor. Chamber music was originally written for small groups to perform in homes instead of large venues (though that has changed over time). It’s a social form of music-making by definition and should be played by groups of friends and colleagues. Chamber music exists in all types of ensemble combinations! If you put certain instruments together – there’s a good chance someone has already written music for that exact combination!
My first introduction to chamber music was probably like most students with siblings: my mom made my sister and I play together for family events. It worked out … most of the time. If you have siblings, you probably understand what these at-home rehearsals looked like. It didn’t take long before my mom sought out the youth ensembles to help referee the matches – I mean coach our rehearsals!
We were placed in so many different groups that performed throughout the Chicagoland area – harp ensembles, woodwind quintets, harp and string quartets, and many other variations. Chamber music was what sustained me when the youth orchestras didn’t program harp on every piece for a concert cycle. It allowed me to play some nuanced music and lean into musical skills I wouldn’t normally have as an orchestra section of one: cueing, following, adjusting articulation and tone to others, and so much more.
When I accepted the job managing Youth Chamber Connection, I knew it wouldn’t mean playing music with my friends 24/7. But it did mean I could share my love and enthusiasm for chamber music with a new generation of young musicians, many of whom had their experiences cut short due to COVID-19 or never had the opportunity to play with other musicians.
Registration for Youth Chamber Connection’s 10th anniversary is now open for all students, all instruments, and all playing levels! You are accepted into the program upon registration and simply need to include a short video to let us know your playing level so we can place you with other students of similar playing levels and schedule availability.
The skills you learn from playing chamber music will last you a lifetime and apply to all aspects of your life – music or not. It creates empathetic humans who know how to listen, adjust, work together, and work through challenges without leaving others behind.
These days when I’m not coordinating schedules and putting student chamber groups together, I teach privately, gig, and play in 3 different chamber groups around Pittsburgh and Chicago: Trio Cassatt – harp, cello, and flute; Wire and Reeds – harp and clarinet(s); and the Hensley Sisters – harp and flute. Yes, with my sister. We don’t require quite as much refereeing these days!
As we mark a significant milestone in the history of the Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras (TRYPO), we invite you to join us in celebrating our 50th anniversary! For half a century, TRYPO has been dedicated to nurturing the talents of young musicians, providing them with the resources, guidance, and opportunities to excel in their musical journeys.
To commemorate this special occasion, we’ve created a special anniversary video that showcases the incredible journey we’ve embarked on together. From humble beginnings to becoming a vital part of Pittsburgh’s cultural fabric, our story is one of passion, dedication, and the transformative power of music.
Watch the 50th Anniversary Video
This video is a tribute to the countless students, families, instructors, and supporters who have made TRYPO what it is today. It highlights some of our history, our impact on the community, and our unwavering commitment to fostering the next generation of musicians.
Support Our Mission: Donate to TRYPO
As we reflect on the past 50 years, we’re also looking ahead to the future. Your support has been crucial in helping us provide young musicians with life-changing experiences, and we need your help to continue this mission.
By donating to TRYPO, you contribute to:
- Scholarship Programs: Ensuring that financial barriers don’t hinder talented young musicians from joining our orchestras.
- Educational Initiatives: Providing top-notch musical education and performance opportunities.
Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference. Together, we can ensure that TRYPO continues to inspire, educate, and empower young musicians for the next 50 years.
Thank you for being a part of our journey. Your generosity and support mean the world to us and to the young musicians who are the heart of TRYPO.
Let’s make the next 50 years even more extraordinary!
It’s that time of year already where we feature our 2023-24 season Senior musicians! Today we are featuring three string musicians from our cello and bass sections. Learn more about Riley, Ali, and Maggie below!
Riley
Riley has been a part of the #TRYPOfam for six year. During her time in TRYPO, Riley has played in Symphonette and Young Peoples Orchestra. When asked why she wanted to join TRYPO, Riley said she wanted to play more challenging music and meet new people with the same interests as her. Her favorite memory from her time in TRYPO is going to New York City and playing at Carnegie Hall. Riley will be graduating from Riverview High School. Her future plans include attending a four year university where she will study environmental science and minor in chemistry. Her advice for future TRYPO musicians is “make friends with people inside and outside of your section because you will meet so many amazing people!”
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Ali
Ali has been playing the cello with TRYPO for four years. She has participated in Young Peoples Orchestra, Symphonette, Youth Chamber Connection, and TRYPOsphere classes. When asked why she was interested in joining TRYPO, she shared “I wanted to try being in a more advanced group away from my town, and instantly fell in love with the environment, making me want to continue.” Her favorite TRYPO memory is the New York City trip and performing at Carnegie Hall. Ali is graduating from Butler Senior High School and she plans to attend the Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania to study music business. Her advice for future TRYPO musicians is “keep pushing yourself to do even better things. You won’t regret the work you put in.”
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Maggie
Maggie has been a member of TRYPO’s cello section for four seasons. During that time, she played in Symphonette, Young Peoples Orchestra, and Youth Chamber Connection. When asked why she wanted to join TRYPO she shared, “I was interested in TRYPO for the opportunity to play amazing repertoire and become friends with people who also love music.” Maggie’s favorite TRYPO memory is going to New York to play at Carnegie Hall. Maggie is graduating from Peters Township High School and plans to attend Carnegie Mellon University to economics and mathematics. Her advice she would like to share with future TRYPO musicians is, “enjoy the rehearsals. Although they sometimes feel long and tiring, that’s really where you have the most fun in the ensemble.”
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Check back next week to see the last group of seniors we are highlighting!
It’s that time of year already where we feature our 2023-24 season Senior musicians! Today we are featuring three wind musicians from our saxophone and clarinet sections. Learn more about Samantha, Anna, and Evelyn below!
Samantha
Samantha has been a part of the #TRYPOfam for one year. During her time in TRYPO, Samantha has played in our Wind Symphony. When asked why she wanted to join TRYPO, Samantha shared “I have been in many PMEA honors bands and met friends who were in TRYPO and told me I should join and would really enjoy it. Plus Dr. Morrison, my private teacher, also told me I should.” Her favorite memory from her time in TRYPO is going to Oakmont Bakery after her first concert. Samantha will be graduating from Hampton High School. Her future plans include attending Slippery Rock University to study music education. She hopes to one day be in a DCI corps. Her advice for future TRYPO musicians is “Don’t play for others, play for yourself. Music should be fun and making it should be enjoyable. At times it will get hard but you should never do something because other people want you to, do it because you love it. And to anyone who has a learning disability like me, push through and do what you love. Don’t take classes to look smart, do them because you want to learn the content. Stay unique.”
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Anna
Anna has been playing alto saxophone with TRYPO for three years. She plays in our Wind Symphony ensemble. When asked why she was interested in joining TRYPO, she shared it was because of the repertoire being performed and her friends were already in TRYPO. Her favorite TRYPO memory is playing Pines of Rome with all of the TRYPO groups in Heinz Hall. Anna is graduating from Upper Saint Clair High School and she plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh’s Honor College to major in psychology with a minor in music. Her advice for future TRYPO musicians is “talk to people in your ensemble!”
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Evelyn
Evelyn has been a member of TRYPO’s baritone saxophone section for six seasons. During that time, she played in Wind Symphony. When asked why she wanted to join TRYPO she shared, “I really wanted to find a space where I could play with other young people who were equally as passionate about playing concert band music as I was.” Evelyn’s favorite TRYPO memory is going to DC last year and meeting the Air Force Band and the ISO students. Evelyn is graduating from Pittsburgh CAPA and plans to attend a university to pursue a linguistics major and music minor. Her advice she would like to share with future TRYPO musicians is, “build a community of musicians around you. They will motivate, inspire, and support you.”
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Check back next week to see the last group of seniors we are highlighting!
Greetings Fellow Musicians,
My name is Shannon Sheldrick and I am the new Program Coordinator and Librarian here at TRYPO. I am excited to be here!
I grew up in a musical family, born to two woodwind musicians who were also music teachers. We always had music playing in our house growing up. I would often wake up to my mother giving piano lessons to the neighborhood children. We would often listen to CDs and the radio and whatever music needed attention to get ready for various lesson plans and gigs. My favorite times were listening to Detroit’s 90.9 WRCJ radio station, “Classical Days and Jazzy Nights” on the way home from handbell rehearsal with my Dad. I was always starstruck by the sounds going on around me, allowing my imagination of concert halls and performing to flourish.
When it came time for me to pick an instrument, my Dad had an old trumpet in the back of his closet collecting dust. As soon as I recognized the loud, vibrant sound of the trumpet I was completely hooked. I took part in all the music classes offered at my school as well as groups at local churches and holiday gigs. My one true love, Marching Band, became the center of my life and I carried that with me into the collegiate music world. The only thing missing from my public school’s offerings at the time was orchestra.
I had dabbled in listening to orchestral pieces and seen the Detroit Symphony a couple of times, but I didn’t have any orchestral playing experience as a young musician. However, by the time I became a senior in college I had become undeniably curious. After some contemplation, I looked down at my check-in sheet and wrote a big check mark through “orchestra” at our start of semester auditions to see what would happen. To my surprise, I made it and ended up doing two different orchestra classes that semester. That first rehearsal is forever etched into my brain, hearing the hauntingly beautiful hum of the string section right next to me, each wind part a soloist. It was a different world.
As a performer, I feel a deeper connection with music in all of its forms now that I have diversified my experience. Playing in a brass section in a symphony feels different from a band setting because every part is a soloist. I also love the challenge of dancing between blending across a wide variety of instruments, and then knowing when to pop out of the texture in those classic fanfare trumpet moments. I have appreciated this in my music education journey as a challenge and growth to my musicianship.
I will never forget the first cycle of being involved with Michigan State’s Symphony Orchestra, performing Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 13 in Detroit’s Symphony Hall. My other favorite memories include playing Elgar’s Enigma Variations and playing Rite of Spring last spring with the Oakland Symphony Orchestra. I will forever love and appreciate my band background as a trumpet player and enjoy its storied history. I also feel fortunate to have allowed myself to branch out and explore a new genre, even though I felt “late to the game”.
I have come to love the layered, rich history of the orchestra and appreciate where it fits into today’s musical ecosystem. I have been drawn to Pittsburgh’s vibrant music scene for years and I am excited to be here now to experience it firsthand! I have been inspired by TRYPO’s various programs for offering these experiences to young musicians so they can grow up with a strong musical foundation and hopefully inspire their musical journey for the rest of their lives.
Hey there, fellow music enthusiasts! I’m Lindsey Nova, executive director at Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras (TRYPO), and let me tell you, it’s been quite the exhilarating journey to get to where I am.
So why arts administration, you ask? Well, first I’ll describe a young Lindsey. My least favorite thing in the world was being bored (still my least favorite thing). I was a big nerd (still am a big nerd) and loved school and learning. I liked to have my fingers in every AP class, after school programs, musical groups, like a lot of our TRYPO musicians. You name it, I wanted to do it. So, of course, I had to do a double degree in college because one wasn’t going to be enough. (Ok, I first thought I was going to do four degrees…)
And I LOVED college. But at least once a month, I would find myself dreading graduation because I just didn’t see myself playing in an orchestra. I didn’t have the same dreams as my classmates of winning a big job.
So what did I do next? I moved to France of course! After traversing the cobblestone streets of France – oui, oui, I did teach French students the nuances of parlez-vous anglais – I found myself at a crossroads. What do I do next? Enter arts administration! I got a job working in operations at the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, and for the first time, I felt like all the parts of my brain were firing together in unison. The musician part of my brain, the nerd, the math-lover, the essay writer… everything suddenly everything started to make sense.
Within a matter of months, I became the Director of Operations at Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, and had the opportunity to work with the illustrious David Green. David wasn’t just any supervisor – he was a maestro of adaptability, teaching me to prioritize relationships and not tasks, and to embrace change with open arms. He would give me hypothetical scenarios and ask me to figure out what I would do and we would work out solutions together. When I eventually left for Pittsburgh, David bestowed upon me a “diploma” from the (absolutely legitimate) David Green School of Management which still sits on my desk today.
Fast forward to my current role at TRYPO, where agility reigns supreme. One of our greatest strengths is that TRYPO is always moving, changing, and growing. It’s simultaneously one of our greatest challenges because it means we’re always pivoting! (That definitely came in handy during COVID…) I’ve witnessed our organization evolve into a hub of creativity and community spirit.
From expanding our programs to forging new partnerships at the speed of allegro, every day is an adventure filled with excitement and a dash of caffeine-induced adrenaline.
There’s a palpable magic in what I do. It’s the spark of inspiration in a young musician’s eyes as they conquer a challenging piece. It’s the pulse of excitement as our orchestras take the stage, with this next generation forming a critical relationship with music. Reconnecting with an alum who was transformed by their time in TRYPO.
There is also magic in… spreadsheets. (Told you I was a nerd.) It’s the satisfaction of seeing a meticulously crafted budget come to life, each line item a testament to our commitment to progress and accountability to our families and donors. (Yes, occasionally my husband is required to ooh and aahh at a spreadsheet I’m particularly proud of.)
It’s also the thrill of securing a significant grant that propels our vision forward. Or connecting donors with causes close to their hearts, knowing that their support fuels the engine of innovation.
There’s an electric energy in the air as patrons gather to celebrate the magic of music and invest in the future of our young musicians.
And probably one of my favorite things about what I do… developing our team. The folks who make TRYPO what it is are AMAZING. We are truly family in every sense of the word and I absolutely love each and every one of them. They care about our students and our mission so deeply while each bringing such individual talents and skills to the table.
And that’s basically what my day-to-day is like! From budgets to grants to team meetings to rehearsals to concerts, it’s never the same and always looking forward to the next awesome TRYPOtastic thing.
So here’s to agility and creativity, to never being bored, to the thrill of progress and the joy of embracing change. Here’s to navigating the dynamic landscape of arts administration with grace and enthusiasm, knowing that each step forward brings us closer to our shared vision.
I hope this has inspired a few future arts administrators because we need more talented, passionate music nerds to pave the way for this art form we love… but I have to wrap this up because I have a pickleball game to get to!
We love hearing from our alums about what they’ve been up to since their time in TRYPO! Today we feature trumpet player, Kevin Skinkis! We’re so proud of his accomplishments!! Read all about Kevin’s time in TRYPO and what he is doing now:
Kevin joined TRYPO in 2015 and played in our ensembles until the 2016-17 season. Kevin is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music with a Masters of Music studying under Michael Sachs, principal trumpet, Cleveland Orchestra. Currently, he is pursuing a Graduate Diploma Degree at CIM and frequently appears with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Louisville Orchestra. Kevin has also appeared with the Pittsburgh Symphony Brass Quintet. Kevin is actively participating in professional auditions.
“TRYPO introduced me to the vast repertoire of the orchestral world including works by Hanson, Debussy, and Rimsky-Korsakov that strengthened my persistence towards a musical career and gave me a true taste of what playing in a high level orchestra is like for young aspiring musicians”.
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Are you a former TRYPO member interested in sharing information for an upcoming Alumni Spotlight? Please fill out our TRYPO Alumni Form. Please make sure you join our TRYPO Alumni Facebook group so you never miss out on the latest TRYPO Alumni news!
Do you know a musical kid interested in becoming a TRYPO member? Click to learn more about our 2024-25 Season New Member Auditions.
As our Operations Assistant and Librarian, Akari Ogawa moves on to her new job opportunity as Director of Operations at Chamber Music Pittsburgh, she leaves TRYPO students with this letter:
Dear TRYPO students,
I used to be where you are 15 years ago. I was a high school student attending marching band practices, youth orchestra rehearsals on weekends, auditioning for All State.
I always loved performing, but I honestly could not see myself solely as a musician. I wanted to make an impact in the world, and I didn’t feel like I was doing too much with what I was able to express on my flute. Despite feeling a bit lost, I continued my musical journey, and I eventually landed in Pittsburgh. That’s when I saw an opening for a marketing internship at TRYPO.
TRYPO opened up a whole new world that I was not aware of! Each member of the TRYPO staff is so talented and thoughtful of everyone. I have spent hours in discussions and meetings with them, always brainstorming ideas to improve the experience of students like you. I had no idea how much depth and effort were involved in putting together a day of concerts! Meeting all of you has unexpectedly broadened my capacity to care for so many people at once. I always looked forward to seeing your faces on Saturdays, and being able to see you at rehearsals has definitely helped me push myself on some hard days. Thanks to the TRYPOfam, my perspective on music education and the importance of community has broadened, helped me rediscover why I love music, and helped me find my career path.
I have expressed to so many people that I wish I had been part of TRYPO growing up. The staff members all genuinely care about you beyond what is happening on Saturdays at rehearsals or at concerts. Make the most of the amazing performing opportunities, TRYPOsphere classes, and chamber music! These additional opportunities truly enrich the large ensemble experience and broaden your musical perspective. Finding music organizations that offer this breadth of opportunities isn’t easy! Treasure every second of rehearsal and the time you spend with your friends, even on days when you might not feel like being there. You will never forget the fun times you have had traveling for hours on a bus or getting a quick lunch before rehearsal. And if you ever feel lost, please remember that you are surrounded by so many loving people.
Additionally, please thank your parents for the support they give you! Without the countless hours they spend driving, providing endless snacks, and filling out paperwork, we wouldn’t have the chance to contribute towards making your experience better.
It has been amazing watching all of you and the organization grow the past 4, almost 5 years. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for all of you! And don’t forget, I’m still in Pittsburgh working at another music organization closeby. Please come say hi if you see me 🙂
With lots of love,
Akari
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