The Knoxville Youth Symphony started in 1973 by Barbara (KSO violinist) and Jim Marable (KSO cellist). It soon came under the umbrella of the Knoxville Symphony and was renamed the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra, later directed by William Starr (KSO violin/UT) from 1977-1980. Sande MacMorran (KSO tuba/UT) led the orchestra for the next 30 years with Barb Adamcik managing the group until Kathy Hart took over management duties in 1997. Since 2010, the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra has been under the baton of Maestro James Fellenbaum.

A younger string student training program was created in 1990 by Cathy Leach (KSO trumpet/UT) at the University of Tennessee. The Knoxville Junior Philharmonia organization began with two ensembles and was featured on one program a year with the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra. The original conductors were Cathy Leach and Carey Cheney (KSO cellist). Carey and her husband, Elliot Cheney (UT), conducted the Knoxville Philharmonia I and II (Knoxville Junior Philharmonia) for two years and then Debbie Goolsby (KSO violin/UT) and Nancy Daby (KSO violin) led the groups. Kathy Hart (UT) took over as conductor of Knoxville Junior Philharmonia I in 1995, and Knoxville Junior Philharmonia II was conducted by Knoxville Symphony apprentice conductors rotating each season. The Knoxville Junior Philharmonia groups came under the Knoxville Symphony umbrella in 2003, growing the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestras to three ensembles: Youth Orchestra, Sinfonia, and Philharmonia. Since 2003, the KSYO has expanded to six ensembles. Past conductors include Wesley Baldwin, Katie Hutchinson, Nina Missildine, and Leah Cushing. 

The KSYO is fortunate to work with many area instructors, ensemble directors, and UT music majors who assist the members in rehearsal and performance.

The Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestras:

Youth Orchestra, James Fellenbaum: 12th season

Chamber Orchestra, Katie Liaw: 3rd season

Sinfonia Orchestra, Kathy Hart: 28th season

Philharmonia Orchestra, Cynthia Wright: 10th season

Preludium Orchestra, Erin Archer: 18th season

Junior Orchestra, Megan Kehren: 6th season

VIOLIN I
Nellie-Kate Brown
Marisa Call
Avery Clayton
Victoria Foster
Lillian Hamby
Jack Lamb
Joseph Sun

VIOLIN 2
Kendall Berry
June Hay
Emerson Kibler
Livia LaBrooy
Evelyn Lamb
Jerry Li
Vinisha Patnaik

VIOLA
Julia dos Santos
Emma Jia
Teo Yunsan

CELLO
Olivia Cole
Clare Griswold
Julia Le

VIOLIN I
Nina Batista
Jayden Han
Lennox Johnston
Jungi Tim Jung
Liam Justice
Cooper Kringen
Annie Liu, concertmaster
Trinity Naessig
Jace Neal
Nazaket Oguz
Vilina Patnaik
Nina Qi
Kathryn Spencer
Sandrius Strigunas
Vincent Zhou

VIOLIN 2
Aleesa Bebikh
Vivian Cao
Laura Harris
Jayleigh Henderson, principal
Brian Liu
Connor Liuag
Sophia Maynard
Ada McNeil
Zoe Naessig
Stella Owen
Sophie Park
Layla Patel
Davis Pride
Nisha Ramanan
Suyeon Son
Sofia Strigunaite
Julian Towle
Alexander Wills
Ellen Wu

VIOLIN 3
John Bales
Sean Chae
William Hillis
Lydia Lamb
Arwyn Welch, principal

VIOLA
Lillian Cutler
Lilyana Hlebasko, principal
Kindred Patterson
Aaron Thacker

CELLO
Preston Bowers, principal
Nate Bringhurst
Skylar Chen
Emerson Ferrell
Chi Kirk
Marguerite MacDonald
Kirsten McFadden
Roshan Ramanan
Charlie Robards
Luke Roberts

VIOLIN I
Megan Archer
Samantha Archer
Emma Cathey
Micah Catron
Abigail Cutler
Bethany Enders
Mary Kate Ferraris
Haidyn Grove
Gyujin Daniel Jung
Efrosini Kerny
Michelle Lian
Casey Maben
Sophia Martinez
Maggie Neuman, concertmaster
Lauryn Ray
Birdie Schwarzen
Lalitha Tadikonda
Baron Truong
Caroline Wanamaker
Grace Wassenaar
Davis Withrow

VIOLIN I
Audrey Aiken
Poppy Barrick Baldwin
Lucy Cooper
Thatcher Ella, co-concertmaster
Bethany Fee
Kaitlyn Gensamer
Natalia Grzywacz-Jones
Emily Han, co-concertmaster
Maxim Johnston
Dream Kang
Michelle Le
Samuel Lee
Abbie Liu
Avani Spanier
Karenna Thurman
Anna Toth
Caroline Toth
Chloe Yoon

VIOLIN 2
Mia Burger
Rachel Caldwell
Abby Doyle
Lola Gibson
Lauren Gimbel
Margy Grubbs
Seth Hano
Athena Johnston
Ava Kelly
Hisato Kurosaki, principal
Rachel Mao
Thomas Murphy
Roseanna Owen
Leah Rowe
Aderynna Silavong
Leah Thelen
Hope Tichon
Eric Zhang
Alysa Zhao

VIOLA
Ellie Boertje
Eric Liu
Claudia McDonald, principal
Madelin Pendley
Sarah Stockton

CELLO
Max Burgin
Christopher Carter
Egypt Davis
Audrey Dougherty
Edward Escobar
Riley Goluoglu
Hamilton McDonald
Lydia McFall, principal
Kevin Snyder
Lydia Toth
Nicholas Yan

BASS
Jaeliana Kanko, principal
Reesie McConville
Bree Wood

VIOLIN
Eden Alderman
Rebecca Aponte
Sydney Chan
Jocelyn Chang
Iris Chen
Sophia Chen
Noel Chen
Andrew Coffee
Meira Desai
Peggy Feng
Caleb Han
Jesse Hao
Miles Hauck
Grace Im
Kaylee Jin
Isabel Kao
Chris Keum, co-concertmaster
Addison Kim
Joanna Lee
Kaylene Letsinger
Michelle Lin
Jonny Liu
Sophie Lu
Nicholas McIntyre, co-concertmaster
Lauren Nolte
Jonathan Oen
London Oldacre
Linda Peng
Katie Ray
Noah Roettger
Haruki Takeuchi
DingDing Tan
Kalen Wilson, co-concertmaster
Ella Ye
Benjamin Yu
Isabella Zolnierczuk

VIOLA
Evan Culver
Julius Hao
Michael Pasto, principal
Joshua Sudler

CELLO
Hannah Benson
Brandon Bonamarte
Maddie Gibbs
Haley Jordan
Julian Lee
Alex Lewis, co-principal
Taylor Lewis
Tom Williamson, co-principal
Alex Yan

BASS
Caleb Bringhurst
Logan Franklin, principal
William McNab
Isaiah Saylor

FLUTE
Adaline Armstrong
Nina Bei
Iris Ye, principal

CLARINET
Kevin Ni, principal
Jonathan Palcone

BASSOON
Kaeden Miller
Allison Rogers, principal

HORN
Jack Dillon
Rocky Foster
Jesùs Ortega, co-principal
Audrey Pitzer
Nora Smith, co-principal

TRUMPET
Gabriella Glashauser
KJ Kirk, principal
Leyton Lu
Micah Purvis

TROMBONE
Patrick Qiu, principal
Cooper Thompson

BASS TROMBONE
Andrew Duhaime
TUBA
Max DeBow

PERCUSSION
Jenna Easley
Vivaan Singhvi, principal

Adaline Armstrong is a senior at Bearden High school and has been playing the flute for seven years. She has been a part of the Bearden High School Marching Band and Symphonic Band for the last four years. She plans to attend Western Carolina University and pursue a double major in Music Education and Interior Design. She would like to thank her family, her band directors Mrs. Christian and Mr. Wilson, and all of her friends for the years of endless support and encouragement. 

Hannah Benson has been a part of the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra for five years. Additionally, she is a member of Bearden High School’s orchestra and has participated in the TMEA All-East and All-State orchestra clinics. She plans to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and major in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Applied Music. She is extremely fortunate to have experienced all of the opportunities that her music education has given her, as well as have the appreciation for music that she will continue to carry moving forward. 

Ellie Boertje is a senior at Farragut High School and has been playing the viola for seven years. This is her first season with the KSYO. Ellie is a member of the Chamber Orchestra,the Farragut High School Orchestra, and studies viola with Jennifer Bloch. Over the years she’s also participated in Junior and ETSBOA All-East Clinic events. She plans to attend Samford University in the fall, majoring in Business Marketing. She’s very grateful for her friends and family and the support she's been given over the years. 

Max Burgin has been a part of the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra for one year, but has attended its summer camp for two. They have participated in Bearden High School’s orchestra program as well, and plan to attend the University of Tennessee, where they will complete their pre-medicine program. Although they only got to participate in KSYO for their final year of high school, they are glad to have auditioned, as KSYO’s program allows them to build a community and friendships around music. They are grateful to be able to flesh out their appreciation for music, and hope that they will have the continued opportunity to play with an ensemble in the following years.

Micah Catron is a senior homeschool student with Berean Christian School. He has enjoyed playing with the KSYO for 3 years as a violinist. Micah studies violin privately with Darby Crigger. Additionally, Micah participates in the Walter’s State Concert Choir and studies vocal performance with Clay Oglesby. His favorite pastimes are playing guitar and singing with a men’s quartet. On weekends he can usually be found at a local disc golf course enjoying the outdoors with his friends and family. Micah plans to attend Lee University and pursue degrees in Music and Business.

Iris Chen is a senior at Farragut High School. She has been a violinist under the instruction of Kathy Hart for eight years and is in her eighth season with the KSYO. Outside of music, Iris swam competitively with Tennessee Aquatics for the past five years and competed for four years on her school’s varsity team, which she captained during her senior season. She is also involved in her school’s Mu Alpha Theta and Science Olympiad. In the fall, she plans to study Statistics & Data Science at Carnegie Mellon University. Iris is sincerely grateful for her time with the KSYO and the memories that came with it.

Noel Chen is a senior at Hardin Valley Academy and has studied violin with Kathy Hart for the past twelve years.  This is his ninth season as a violinist with the KSYO. He is grateful for his time in the KSYO and Hart-Strings Studio.  Beyond his musical pursuits, Noel enjoys engaging in sports activities and spending time with peers. Set to commence his academic journey at the University of Tennessee this fall, Noel is focused on pursuing a major in Aerospace Engineering. He expresses profound gratitude to Kathy Hart for the invaluable memories and musical growth fostered over the years.

Evan Culver, a senior at Farragut High School, is an accomplished violinist with seven years of experience on his instrument. For the past three years, he has been a dedicated member of the KSYO. Evan's musical journey has been marked by notable achievements, including his participation in the ETSBOA All East clinic for four consecutive years and his role as principal violist in the All-East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra. This year, Evan will showcase his talent as a section member of the prestigious TNMEA All-State Symphony Orchestra, marking his second appearance at the TNMEA All-State conference. Acknowledging the invaluable guidance of his mentors, John Garner and Jennifer Bloch, Evan credits them for the exceptional training and unwavering support that have shaped his musical growth. Their mentorship has been instrumental in his development as a musician and a person, providing him with a strong foundation to build upon. Looking ahead, Evan plans to pursue an education at Pellissippi State Community College before transferring to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He remains committed to actively engaging with the local orchestra community, ensuring that his dedication to music endures in the years to come.

Egypt Arrielle Davis attends and takes AP classes at Hardin Valley Academy where she is principal cellist in both orchestras. She was recently chosen as 2nd chair in the Knox County Honors Orchestra. Egypt has played cello for KSYO and KSYO Summer Camp for 7 years. Egypt has received private lessons from Jennifer Van Tol, a dear friend of the family, for 7 years. She has also had additional lessons for 1 year with Kathryn York. Egypt has been a member of the ETSBOA All-East Symphony Orchestra, HVA chess club, is very active with the church's youth group at Hardin Valley Church of Christ, and volunteers with the Knoxville Area Urban League. Egypt is the 3rd and last child of the Davis Family that has been a member of KSYO and will miss this loving and talented association! Egypt has committed to attending Harding University and plans on pursuing a double major in Science and Spanish. While attending Harding University, she will continue to play cello with her sister, Arriona Davis who is a Sophomore and plays the viola, and her brother, Chris Davis Jr. who is a Freshman and plays violin, in The Harding University Symphony Orchestra.

Max DeBow is a senior at Seymour High School. He has been playing tuba for the past 6 years; however, this is his first season with the Knoxville Youth Orchestra. Since seventh grade he has attended local honor band events as well as ETSBOA All-East in both Red and Blue Bands. He has been in Band leadership each year of high school serving as Section Leader, Brass Captain and this year as Band Captain. He has studied several years under the private instruction of Dr. Alexander Lapins. Dr. Lapins has been a mentor and has influenced him considerably, not only in music but in life.  Words do not do justice for his appreciation of Dr. Lapins. Max attended Blue Lake Fine Art Camp on 2 different occasions where he was principal tuba player each year, with the most recent year performing with their Masterworks Orchestra. During the summer of 2023, he performed with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps from Denver, Colorado, where they completed their season competing in the World Class DCI Finals held in Indianapolis, Indiana.  After graduation, Max plans to pursue Petroleum Engineering at Louisiana State University and plans to participate in LSU’s concert music program as well. He would like to thank those that have supported and encouraged him in his music passion and performance goals.

Trombonist Andrew Duhaime is a senior at Farragut High School. He has been playing the trombone for seven years. During that time, he has been a member of the FHS Marching Band for all four years of high school. He has served as Section Leader for 3 years, as well as 2 years as First Chair. He plays in the FHS Symphonic Band and Jazz Band, and has played the past 3 years in the pit band for the high school musical productions. This is his first year playing with the KSYO, and he is also playing with the Knoxville Youth Jazz Orchestra. For the past 4 years, he has participated in the ETSBOA All-East program. He is also participating in the 2024 TMEA All- State event. His main passion is music, but he also enjoys tennis too. He is in his fourth year playing varsity tennis at Farragut. This upcoming fall, he will be attending the University of Tennessee Knoxville and has been accepted into the College of Music majoring in Music Education.

Elijah Dunn is a senior homeschooler with Homelife Academy. He has been taking private cello lessons for four years under the instructions of Darby Crigger and Alexia Pantanizopoulos. Elijah has been playing with the KSYO for three years and has learned so much from his conductors and peers. He's thoroughly enjoyed each season with the orchestra as well as the Summer Music Camps. Elijah is attending Walters State in the fall. His major is undecided at this time.

Rocky Foster has played French horn with KSYO for 2 years.  He has played french horn for 7 years and currently studies with Meredith Simpson. A senior at Bearden High school, Rocky is a part of the Science Olympiad, Chess, Robotics, and Science Bowl Clubs. He also participates in the marching band and indoor percussion ensemble. Rocky will attend the University of Tennessee Knoxville in the fall where plans to double major in Nuclear and Mechanical Engineering. He credits the Youth Orchestra in helping him improve and grow as a musician.

Kaitlin Gensamer has been studying violin with Mary Ann Fennell since she was six years old.  Mrs. Fennell’s love of her students and her love of the violin has influenced Kaity’s love of music.  Kaity is homeschooled and completed her requirement to be eligible to graduate early. She and her two older brothers started a Residential Electrical business in 2021 which they named B.I.G. Electric. She plans on acquiring her electrician’s license and to continue helping her brothers with their growing business.  She also would like to become a Heavy Equipment Operator and plans on attending Pellissippi State Community College this fall to take Business Accounting. 

Caleb Han is a senior at Farragut High School and has been with the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra for nine years, and a Student Rep committee member for two years. He intends on majoring in Computer Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Caleb is involved in organizations such as Science Olympiad, Science Bowl, and TSA as the vice president for Science Olympiad of FHS's Science Club. He is immensely grateful to Kathy Hart, his violin teacher and mentor, as well as Maestro Fellenbaum for his wonderful conducting and musical insight.

Jesse Hao is a senior at Farragut High School. He has been playing violin for seven years, and this is his fifth year in the KSYO. At school, Jesse is involved in organizations such as Science Olympiad and Mu Alpha Theta. In his free time, Jesse enjoys playing basketball, playing the piano, and organizing duets. He will be studying at the School of Engineering at Vanderbilt University in the fall. Jesse is grateful to have had the opportunity to be in the KSYO and play alongside talented musicians. 

Miles Hauck is a senior at Bearden High School. He has studied violin at Ruth Edewards' violin studio for five years. He has been a violinist with the KSYO for eleven seasons, and this is his third season with the Youth Orchestra group, where he has really enjoyed his time with Maestro Fellenbaum and the friends he has made along the way. Miles is largely active in his school's Key Club, National Honor Society, and has also coached soccer at his former soccer club, TSSA, for four seasons. Miles plans to major in environmental engineering and/or electrical engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology, UCLA, or UC Berkeley.

Chris Keum is a senior at Farragut High School. He has been in the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra for 10 seasons and has studied violin under Kathy Hart for 12 years. Outside of orchestra, he is involved in school organizations like Science Bowl and Science Olympiad. Chris currently plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania this coming fall as a Cognitive Neuroscience major. He is thankful to Kathy Hart, Maestro Fellenbaum, and all of the other musicians in KSYO for the unforgettable memories and experiences that they’ve given him. 

Nolan Kit is a senior at Karns High School and has been playing the violin for six years. This is his second year in KYSO. He studies under Ms. Mary Pulgar. Nolan has played in his school’s orchestra since starting the violin in 6th grade. He is involved with the National Honor Society and the Technology Student Association. He plans to attend the University of Tennessee Knoxville in the fall and major in Soil Science. Nolan would like to thank everyone who has helped him in his violin journey.

Taylor Lewis is a senior graduating from Bearden High School. She began playing cello in 6th grade at West Valley Middle School. She has participated in KSYO for two years and the Summer String Camp for five years. She was honored to attend the ETSBOA All East for three years and TMEA All State this year. Taylor has maintained practicing and performing two instruments with the second being piano, which she started in second grade. Taylor plans to attend Lee University in the fall and major in Instrumental Music Education with licensure to teach Kindergarten through 12th grade. She is grateful for the amazing opportunities that her musical career has brought so far, and she is excited to share the gift of music as an educator one day. She would like to thank the KSYO for their great training and a special gratitude to the teachers who have inspired her love of music- Karen Gilbert, Sarah Senn, and Karen Russell.

Kaylene Letsinger is a senior at West High School. She has been playing violin for twelve years, with Helen Bryenton as her teacher. This is Letsinger's ninth year serving as a violinist in the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra. She was a member of the KSYO Chamber Music Program for five years, and Letsinger has been a member of the ETSBOA All-State East and All-State orchestras. In addition to violin, Letsinger has studied French and German, earning her the Seal of Triliteracy. Letsinger is also an International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate, as well as an AP scholar with distinction. In regards to college, she plans to attend the University of Tennessee Chattanooga and double major in Literary Studies and Linguistics, with a minor in Music Pedagogy. 

Michelle Lin is a senior at Farragut High School. She has studied the violin with Kathy Hart since the age of four, and she has been part of the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra Association for eleven years. Growing up with the Hart-Strings Studio and KSYO has allowed her to find her love for helping others, carrying into her current endeavors outside of violin. Michelle currently serves as her school’s Student Body President and Junior State of America’s National Chief of Staff. This fall, she tentatively plans to attend Stanford University, majoring in public policy and economics. Michelle gives thanks to Ms. Kathy for being one of her biggest role models, and she is sincerely grateful to be surrounded by such incredible mentors, musicians, and friends during her time at KSYO.

Nicholas McIntyre is a senior at Bearden High School. He began playing violin at the age of 11 as part of the West Valley Middle School orchestra program, and has studied with John Michael Fox, Alicia Keener, and Mary Pulgar. He has been a member of the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra for five years, and currently serves as co-concertmaster of the Youth Orchestra. He served as the principal second violin at the ETSBOA All-East and TMEA All-State orchestra clinics last year and will also be attending All-State this year. Throughout his musical career, he has also participated in the KSYO Chamber Music Program, the ETSU Chamber Music Festival, and the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts. He will be attending Emory University this fall, majoring in Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics and minoring in Musical Performance. He would like to express gratitude to his family, his past and current violin teachers, as well as Karen Russell, Dan Thompson, Cynthia Wright, Kathy Hart, and James Fellenbaum for all of their support.

Kevin Ni is a senior at Maryville High School. He has been playing the clarinet for 8 years under the instruction of RoAnn Romines, and this is his first time serving as the principal clarinetist in the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra. He participated in All East, All State, and Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts. Outside of clarinet, Kevin played varsity tennis and competitive drone racing. He plans to attend Virginia Tech and pursue a major in electrical engineering.

Jesús J. Ortega is a Senior at Alcoa High School and is currently in his second season as a KSYO Horn player. Originally a self-taught pianist, Jesùs began the Horn in his 6th grade year at the request of his band director. He has been a part of both the ETSBOA All-East and TMEA All-State clinics in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Additionally, he attended the Governor’s School for the Arts in 2022 and was featured as The Joker in the AHS 2023 Marching Show. He also adores the color purple and usually never passes up a good cup of unsweetened hot tea. As he looks to the future, he wishes to thank his family, Morgan Sikes, Dylan Spires, Mahi Trivedi, Kaz Manville, Dr. Eric Simpson, Dr. Bill Swann, Prof. Sean Donovan, Mr. Russell McCurdy, Mr. Anthony Terry, Mrs. Christine Traigis, Mrs. Carly Egan, Mr. Trent Gilmore, and his musical colleagues in Band and Orchestra. Jesús claims that without their support and guidance, he would not be anywhere near where he is today.

Michael Pasto is a Senior at Bearden High School. He has maintained a 4.0 GPA all four years. He has participated in numerous clubs, such as Science Bowl, Science Olympiad, and Key Club. Michael has been honored to earn a perfect ACT score, the National African American Recognition award, and is a National Merit Commended Scholar.  He has been playing viola since he was in the 6th grade. Mr. Thompson, from West Valley Middle School, was such an amazing first mentor with his love of music. Michael continued his musical education in high school under Karen Russell. Ms. Russell was instrumental in encouraging Michael to audition for the KYSO. Michael has had the amazing continual support of Jen Bloch and Megan Kehran. Mrs. Kehren has supported Michael in so many different aspects of music. She encouraged and challenged him to increase his skill and love of music. Michael has been part of the KSYO program for two years and was the principal violist for his second year. In addition to this, Michael has also been a part of the Chamber Music Program for two years.  He is still deciding between the University of Tennessee, the University of South Carolina, and the University of Georgia. No matter where he lands, he intends to pursue a double major in music performance and mechanical engineering. Michael wants to give a special acknowledgment to his mom, his aunties, his friends, and his sisters for loving and supporting him through his journey.

Micah Purvis is a senior at Maryville High School. He has been playing the trumpet for seven years. This is his first year to play in the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra. He has been a member of the Maryville High School marching band for four years and participated in the ETSBOA All East Concert Band for four years and TMEA All-State Concert Band for two years. He has enjoyed playing in the orchestra at East Maryville Baptist Church for the last six years. This year he has had the honor of earning first chair trumpet for the ETSBOA All-East Jazz Band, first chair trumpet for All-East Blue Band and first chair trumpet for the high school National Honors Band in New York City where he performed on stage in Carnegie Hall. This fall he will be attending the University of Tennessee where he will be majoring in Music and marching in the Pride of the Southland Band. Micah would like to sincerely thank Adam Ford, Jonathan Leichman, Sean Copeland, George Hayden and Joel Tillman for being amazing teachers and mentors that influenced him to always strive for music excellence.    

Patrick Qiu is a trombonist from Maryville High School. He started playing in 5th grade when he decided to join the band and has been studying under KSO Principal Sam Chen since 6th grade. From there, he has earned participation in the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts (GSFTA), numerous ETSBOA All-East and TMEA All-State clinics, and the KSYO for the past two years. He plans to attend Yale University and explore the numerous classes there before deciding on a major; he plans on continuing his involvement with music as well. Patrick is grateful for all the friends he has had the honor of driving to rehearsal and concerts, all the musicians that he has met and learned so much from through this wonderful program, and the memories that he will cherish forever.

Noah Roettger is a senior at Farragut High School. He has performed with the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra and under the private instruction of Meghan Kehren for seven years. Over the past four years, as a member of the Farragut High School Orchestra, he has participated in the ETSBOA All-East Orchestra and most recently, in 2024, qualified for the All-State Orchestra. He also attended Governor’s School for the Arts. Noah is an accomplished athlete in the pool, qualifying for Winter Junior Nationals, holding two Farragut school records, and is a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American.  Noah plans on attending the University of Tennessee Knoxville, where he will continue to train in the pool, while majoring in mechanical engineering and pursuing an applied music minor.

Allison Rogers has been playing bassoon for five years under the instruction of Dr. Staci Spring, and this is her second season serving as principal bassoon in the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra. She is a senior at Knox Central High School in Knoxville, TN, where she has been a member of the concert and marching bands for four years. She has also participated in the KSYO Chamber Music Program, the Tennessee Wind Symphony, and the Appalachian Wind Symphony, and she was selected to participate in ETSBOA All-East and TNMEA All-State clinics. Allison was the winner of the 2023 KSYO concerto competition, and she was a selected performer for the GSFTA Honors Recital and TBA All-State Honors Recitals. Allison will be attending the 2024 Brevard Music Center Summer Institute, and she plans to attend either the University of North Texas or the University of Texas at Austin to study Bassoon Performance.

Aderynna Silavong attends Bearden High School, and has played violin for 12 years. This is her 7th season with the KSYO. Outside of music, she is the co-president of Bearden Environmental Club, secretary of Bearden Science Olympiad, and social media manager of the Bearden Orchestra; she also participates in her school’s debate team, ProjectU, and creative writing club. She prides herself most in grant writing, crafting, and raising her dogs. After graduation, she plans to study at the University of Tennessee Knoxville majoring in Geology with a focus in Environmental Studies. Aderynna would like to thank her former orchestra directors Dan Thompson, Cynthia Wright, and Rain Binger, and her current director Karen Russell, for their hard work fostering a supportive educational musical environment. Additionally, she would also like to thank the staff and volunteers of the KSYO for making the program possible. And lastly, she would like to thank her peers and friends for making her time at school memorable.

Vivaan Singhvi has been a percussionist in the KYSO for three years and has been playing the drum set for nine years. He is a senior at Farragut High School. He enjoys programming, lifting weights, and playing video games. Vivaan has committed to a Computer Science Major and plans to attend the University of Michigan. He is extremely grateful for the memories he has made with Maestro Fellenbaum, Ms. Kathy, and all the members of the Orchestra.

Nora Smith is a French Horn player from Hardin Valley Academy and has played horn for seven years. Throughout all four years of high school, she has been a part of the Hardin Valley Academy Wind Ensemble as well as the ETSBOA All-East and TNMEA All-State bands. She has been a member of the KSYO for two years and is very grateful for the growth and experiences she has been able to have through the organization. This fall, Nora plans to attend the University of Kentucky with a major in Media Arts and Studies and a minor in Creative Writing. She is very grateful for her band directors, family, and friends, as well as her horn teacher, Carrie Koehler. However, the biggest thanks of all goes to her parents, who remained supportive for all of these years despite hearing the same maddening audition pieces on loop for months at a time.

Haruki Takeuchi is a pianist from Farragut High School. After starting the piano when he was six years old, he began violin around 5th grade. This will be his 6th season at KSYO. He studies piano under Dr. David Northington, and has won several prizes both nationally and internationally. He was selected to be a part of the Gina Bachauer International Festival and Kirishima International Music Festival last summer, and has held recitals and performances around the USA, Poland, and Japan. He is now planning to pursue piano performance at New England Conservatory, and will continue aiming to become a concert pianist.

Lalitha Tadikonda is a senior at Farragut High School. She has been playing violin for thirteen years under the instruction of Erin Archer and Abbie Hoerner, and has been in KSYO for twelve years. Outside of orchestra, Lalitha is involved in volunteering at hospitals and in organizations such as HOSA- Future Health Professionals. Other hobbies she enjoys partaking in are baking/cooking, watching football, shopping, and making candles. Lalitha's future plans are to major in Nursing in hopes of becoming a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. She has yet to commit to a college, but is choosing between University of Minnesota, University of Connecticut, Purdue University, and UTK. 

Cooper Thompson is a senior at Maryville High School. This is his second year as a trombonist for the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra. Cooper has studied privately with Sam Chen for eight years. He plans to attend The Cincinnati Conservatory with a major in Trombone Performance in the fall.  Cooper would like to express his gratitude to his parents, Sam Chen, and Adam Ford.

Anna Toth is a homeschool senior and has been playing the violin for ten years. She first began her violin journey at the age of seven with Kathy Hart and this is her eighth season with the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra. Apart from music Anna volunteers at a horse rescue sanctuary and enjoys serving her community however she can. This fall she plans to take a gap year before pursuing a business management degree the following year. Anna would like to thank Kathy Hart especially for all the time she has invested in her violin career and for fostering her love for music. Finally, she would like to thank the staff and conductors at KSYO for the invaluable memories they have given her along the way. 

Tom Williamson is a senior at Farragut High School. He has studied the cello under Katie Liaw for eight years and been in the KSYO program for seven. He has also participated in the Chamber Music Program for the past five years. He's immensely grateful to everyone who has supported him as a cellist, especially Katie Liaw, Dr.Wesley Baldwin, and Kathy Hart, and feels lucky to have been in a program that has allowed him to experience the joy of music to such depths. He has yet to commit to a university but will likely pursue a double major in mathematics and cello performance at the University of Tennessee Knoxville.

Nick Yan, a senior at Farragut High School, has been playing the cello for eight years, six of which were spent with the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra. After graduation, he intends to major in Computer Science at MIT. He would like to express his deepest gratitude to Cynthia Cummins, his piano teacher, and Alicia Randisi-Hooker, his cello teacher, for helping him grow into a better musician and a more resilient individual. In his spare time, Nick enjoys listening to/producing electronic music and playing rhythm games of all varieties.

Iris Ye is a senior at Farragut High School. She has studied flute for the past seven years under Sherbie Hampson. This is her third season with the Youth Orchestra, grateful to be a part of the Student Rep Committee and leading as Principal Flute. Outside of music, she is passionate about expanding her school’s engineering program--being founder and president of her school's Engineering Club. Iris has not yet committed to a college, but has received offers from Johns Hopkins and Georgia Tech. She would like to thank her family, Sherbie Hampson, and Maestro Fellenbaum for their continuous support toward her musical career.

Alysa Zhao is a senior at Farragut High School. She has been playing the violin for seven years, currently studying under Bing Kuang Fang, and is in her sixth year of playing with the KSYO. Outside of orchestra, Alysa is a member of the school math and science clubs where she has had the opportunity to be involved in STEM extracurriculars for elementary students, spending over 100 hours volunteering with events and camps held by her clubs and the Knox County school system. She currently has tentative plans to study chemistry at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and hopes to continue to play violin as a hobby. Finally, Alysa would like to thank Ms. Katie Liaw, Mr. Bing Kuang Fang, and Mr. John Garner, as well as her family for the opportunities she had throughout high school and for the memories created.

Isabella Zolnierczuk is a senior at Oak Ridge High School. She has been playing the violin for ten years, and is currently studying under Karen Kartal. She has been a part of the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra program for four years and the Chamber Music Program for three years. Throughout her musical career, she has participated in many orchestral competitions, festivals, quartet gigs, clinics, and master classes. Apart from music, Isabella is involved in many school organizations such as National Honor Society, Student Council, and Health Occupation Students of America, as well as volunteering at the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. She will be attending Miami University with a full-ride scholarship where she will be majoring in Biology and Pre-Medical Studies. She wants to thank her family, violin teachers, mentors, and friends, who have supported her throughout her entire musical journey.