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Seven PYOMI students were selected for WRTI’s Young Artist Spotlight this year in recognition of their musicianship and dedication. Through interviews and performances on Philadelphia’s classical and jazz public radio station, these talented young artists are sharing their stories with audiences across the region.
Join us in celebrating this outstanding achievement and the bright future of our students!
Ian Sellers – September 2025
How do you navigate working with other musicians, and what do you think makes a great ensemble dynamic?
I navigate working with other musicians like I navigate being on a team, everyone has the same goals as me; everyone wants the team to play good and for themselves to play good. I think a good ensemble dynamic is made when everyone has the same goal in mind, which is to make sure the ensemble sounds good.
Samuel Cao – October 28
What’s it like to be a leader in the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra?
I’ve made many great memories in my four years at PYO, and while 8:30 am Saturday rehearsals aren’t always the easiest, they’re definitely rewarding. It always feels surreal and special to perform in the Kimmel Center’s Marian Anderson Hall. From a musical perspective, leading the cello section has pushed me to listen much more to the rest of the orchestra, opening my ears to what’s going on around me.
Isaiah Rose – March 2026
What advice would you give to someone just starting to play an instrument?
To someone beginning to play an instrument, I would say that progress is not measured by other people’s success. The only way to mark your own progress is to measure yourself against your past self. Other people will always seem like they are making more progress, or like they are your competition. However, this is not true, and while music is a competitive vocation, the art and growth behind it is not to be measured against others.
McKayla Hwang – April 2026
What’s your favorite thing about Philadelphia?
I love Philly’s arts scene. When I have free time, I love going to the Barnes Foundation with my family or attending concerts in the Kimmel Center. The youth orchestra I am a member of, Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, rehearses near Rittenhouse Square, so my parents and I also like to explore the many different restaurants in the area.
Isabella Gilligan – May 2026
What is it like to be a section leader in the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra?
It’s been a really fun and exciting experience to lead my section this year. As section leader, I got to perform the Pines of Rome offstage solo, arguably the most famous and beautiful lyrical excerpt in the trumpet repertoire, in the Kimmel Center. Having that opportunity was really a pivotal moment in my playing, because it was the first major solo that I played in Marian Anderson Hall. I’ve also really enjoyed taking on the responsibility of leading the section and serving as a positive example for my section. The little moments of giving advice and making small musical tweaks are really what make it rewarding. As a whole, the section this year has great chemistry and talent, and stepping into leadership with them has truly been a blessing.
Eyal Allen – June 2026
Can you share a little about your background and what first sparked your interest in music?
My parents first got me into music. They’re both classical musicians, and as a result, music has always been part of the family and my life. I started playing violin when I was seven as a result of wanting to be like my dad, and started playing viola through chamber music during the 2024-2025 school year. My mom loves to tell the story of how I would always kick her while I was in the womb and she was playing cello, so music really has always been an interest of mine in some way, I guess.
Julian Lee – July 2026
What do you enjoy most about playing in a jazz ensemble?
I love the freedom and creativity in jazz and improvisation. I enjoy interacting and collaborating with musicians in an ensemble, which can’t be replicated by backing tracks, unlike solo practice.
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