Blog

As Giving Tuesday approaches, we love hearing from TRYPO alumni about their fondest memories of playing in our ensembles. Today, we hear from TRYPO alum, Sarah Palermo:  TRYPO has a special place in my heart, and I truly believe it has shaped my life in so many ways. I joined Symphonette as a violinist in the 9th grade, and in the following years participated in YPO and YC2 until I graduated high school in 2018. I had always loved playing my instrument at school, but playing with groups of advanced musicians and performing challenging repertoire was eye-opening. These experiences ignited …

We love hearing from our alums about what they’ve been up to since their time in TRYPO! Today we feature cellist, Elizabeth Oaks! We’re so proud of her accomplishments!! Read all about Elizabeth’s time in TRYPO and what she is doing now: Elizabeth joined TRYPO in 2001 and played in TRYPO until the 2003-04 season. Elizabeth received her undergraduate degree at Baldwin Wallace Music Conservatory for Music Education and then earned a second degree in Veterinary Technology from Northern Virginia Community College. Elizabeth worked for Fairfax County Public Schools as an orchestra teacher before she started her career as a …

Auditions can be a nerve-wracking experience for anyone, regardless of age or experience. Recently, I had to re-audition for the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh since we just welcomed a new Music Director, Daniel Singer, to the organization, and the process made me reflect on the similar journey of our youth orchestra students as they undergo their seating auditions. It’s fascinating how the lessons I learned from my own audition can relate to and inspire these young musicians. The Preparation Process Before my audition, I dedicated countless hours to practicing, refining my vocal technique, and learning the music. The discipline and …

This weekend at Mini-Camp our TRYPO musicians got quality time to spend with each other to get the season off to a great start, but it wasn’t just students who came to Mini-Camp. We also had an awesome group of parent chaperones who made the weekend possible. After some initial conversations, it was clear that TRYPO’s impact is not just clear to the students, but to their parents as well. Here’s what they had to say about TRYPO: What is it about this weekend that made you want to volunteer to be here? Liz: Because my youngest is a senior …