Congratulations 2023 National Pathways Festival Orchestra Seniors!
Congratulations to the National Pathways Festival Orchestra Class of 2023! Collectively, they received over $500,000 of scholarships for their first year of study and were accepted into over 50 colleges and conservatories. Find out where they’re headed, and how Pathways impacted their musical development.
Zachary Allen, oboe
’22 and ’23 National Pathways Festival Fellow
Pathways Program: Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative
Next Stop: Oberlin College and Conservatory, Oboe Performance and Outside Field
Musical Activities:
- 2022 International Young Artist Concerto Competition Finalist
- 2022 Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award Recipient
- 2021 Interlochen World Youth Symphony Orchestra
- 2021 MYAC Walgreeens Concerto Competition Winner, Winds and Percussion
- 2020 American Fine Arts Festival, 1st prize
- 2020 “Grand Prize Virtuoso” International Music Competition, 1st prize
- Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra
“One of the most important ways CMPI has prepared me for college is by providing me with access to the resources I needed to succeed in high school and beyond. CMPI has helped me purchase a professional instrument, aided in paying my tuition for youth orchestra and summer festivals, paid for my private lessons, and provided access to professional orchestra concerts. CMPI has also connected me with an ever-expanding network of pathways alumni and professional musicians that come from a similar background who can serve as mentors throughout my collegiate years and beyond.”
Israel Anselme, viola
’22 and ’23 National Pathways Festival Fellow
Pathways Program: Boston BEAM
Next Stop: Eastman School of Music, Music Performance
Musical Activities:
- Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra
- Brevard Music Center
- Boston University Tanglewood Institute
“Boston BEAM is similar to a conservatory experience. You get to meet people from all across the nation and unite to create great music. Each person has their own aspirations which creates prosperous individuality.”
Alex Aranzabal, cello
’22 and ’23 National Pathways Festival Fellow
Pathways Program: Boston BEAM
Next Stop: New England Conservatory, Music Performance
Musical Activities:
- 2022 National Youth Orchestra
- Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
- NEC Chamber Music Intensive Performance Seminar (CHIPS)
- NEC Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, Principal Cello
“The pathways community was incredibly kind and welcoming, and I loved hearing their individual stories on being a musician of color. To me, it is the celebration of different cultures that connects people and creates a more harmonious world.”
Anderson Bernal, double bass
’23 National Pathways Festival Fellow
Pathways Program: Baltimore Musical Pathways Initiative
Next Stop: Rice University Shepherd School of Music, Double Bass Performance
Musical Activities:
- 2020 & 2022 National Youth Orchestra 2
- 2021 & 2022 NAfME All-National Honor Ensemble Symphony Orchestra
- Sphinx Performance Academy
- Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras
“Baltimore Musical Pathways Initiative helped me record pre-screenings, practice with mock auditions, and assess my financial package to add a perspective into what school was right for me.”
Jackson Bernal, bassoon
’22 and ’23 National Pathways Festival Fellow
Pathways Program: Washington Musical Pathways Initiative
Next Stop: Rice University Shepherd School of Music, Bassoon Performance
Musical Activities:
- 2023 National Youth Orchestra
- 2022 National Youth Orchestra 2
- National Symphony Orchestra Youth Fellowship
- Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras Philharmonic
- National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute
“WMPI gave me the resources I needed to navigate the complex music application and audition process. They led me through important aspects of the process such as trial lessons, pre-screenings, and choosing repertoire. Without them, this wouldn’t be possible.”
Alliese Bonner, flute
’22 and ’23 National Pathways Festival Fellow
Pathways Program: Nashville Symphony’s Accelerando
Next Stop: Yale College, Flute and Vocal Performance
Musical Activities:
- NEC Summer Orchestral Institute
- Interlochen Summer Flute Intensive
- Curb Youth Symphony
- All-State Band and Choir
- Teaches free flute lessons
“Before joining Accelerando, I never thought that I could pursue music as a career, and I didn’t have the means to. It gave me countless opportunities to grow my ability and achieve my goals.”
Mateo Estanislao, double bass
’22 and ’23 National Pathways Festival Fellow
Pathways Program: Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative
Next Stop: University of Illinois at Chicago, Music Performance
Musical Activities:
- Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra
“CMPI granted me so many amazing opportunities and connections. They connected me with Ian Hallas and Caleb Edwards who completely transformed me as a person and musician. My student navigators have also been so supportive throughout the past two years. I am so thankful for what they have done for me.”
Cameron Hall, tuba
’23 National Pathways Festival Fellow
Pathways Program: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Talent Development Program
Next Stop: University of Miami, Music Performance
Musical Activities:
- 2022 National Youth Orchestra
- Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra
“I participated in a mock jury which gave me a good idea of what an audition situation feels like. The lessons as well were structured similarly to how one on one instruction is given by one’s professor in college. Finally, the recitals put on by the TDP in addition to concerts with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestras demonstrate the need for managing my time so I can be prepared for any performance!”
Patricia Harden, violin
’23 National Pathways Festival Fellow
Pathways Program: Primavera Fund
Next Stop: University of Delaware, Music Performance
Musical Activities:
- Philadelphia Youth Orchestra
- All-City Orchestra Summer Academy
“I gained resources for teachers, instruments, mentorship (masterclasses) and travels for trial lessons and summer programs. Without these, I wouldn’t have made it here today.”
Anthony Holc, violin
’23 National Pathways Festival Fellow
Pathways Program: Baltimore Musical Pathways Initiative
Next Stop: University of Maryland, Violin Performance
Musical Activities:
- 2022 Aria International Academy
- Peabody Youth Orchestra
“The Baltimore Musical Pathways Initiative gave me a chance to experience a college-level ensemble setting.”
Chloe Hyun, violin
’23 National Pathways Festival Fellow
Pathways Program: PMAY Artists’ Initiative
Next Stop: Eastman School of Music, Violin Performance
Musical Activities:
- Bowdoin International Music Festival
- Dali International Music Festival
- Edward L. and Gail W. Snitzer String Quartet, Settlement Music School
- Philadelphia International Music Festival
- Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Music Institute
- Settlement Music School
- Temple Music Preparatory
- Project 440
“PMAY prepared me for college through opportunities and funding that I never imagined possible in my high school career. I was mentored through my whole application process and provided with mock audition, masterclass, and college prep class opportunities during my time as a student in this program. I would not be where I am now without them.”
Xavier Ip, cello
’22 and ’23 National Pathways Festival Fellow
Pathways Program: Project STEP
Next Stop: Cleveland Institute of Music, Cello Performance
Musical Activities:
- Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
- NEC Solo String Competition, Winner
- From the Top Fellow
“Pathways provided an opportunity for me to connect with young musicians who have the same ambition and love for classical music as me. It opened new perspectives and possibilities in my career as an artist.”
Emilia Lacy, cello
’23 National Pathways Festival Fellow
Pathways Program: Boston BEAM
Next Stop: Boston University, Music, Humanities, and Math
Musical Activities:
- 2022 Boston University Tanglewood Institute
- 2022 Colburn School Fortissima Fellow
- 2022 Sphinx Performance Academy
- Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra and Honors String Quartet
- MMEA All-State
- Founding member of violin-cello Foundry Pond Duo, performing benefit concerts
” Especially when I was a junior, Boston BEAM provided my family and I with resources that greatly helped us navigate the entirely unfamiliar application process. These included meetings with admissions experts and informational media (books, videos, etc.) about preparing for college as a musician. Furthermore, my participation has opened my eyes to how much I value being a part of institutions/organizations that value equity.”
Brandon Leonard, cello
’22 and ’23 National Pathways Festival Fellow
Pathways Program: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Talent Development Program
Next Stop: The Julliard School, Cello Performance
Musical Activities:
- 2023 Sphinx Competition Junior Division, 1st prize
- 2022 WDAV Young Chamber Musicians Competition
“Without Talent Development and my teacher I would be nowhere near the musician I am today. The mentorship that they provided helped prepare me adequately to pursue music professionally.”
Raymond Macias, percussion
’23 National Pathways Festival Fellow
Pathways Program: YOSA Rising Stars
Next Stop: University of Texas at Austin, Astrology and Physics
Musical Activities:
- Youth Orchestras of San Antonio
- Marching Band Percussion Captain
- TMEA Area
“YOSA Rising Stars has given me so many opportunities that opened my eyes to what can be done with music. It has also helped me learn how to be at higher standards so I’m always prepared for the next part of my journey in life.”
Orlandis Maise, trombone
’22 and ’23 National Pathways Festival Fellow
Pathways Program: Nashville Symphony’s Accelerando
Next Stop: Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music, Trombone Performance
Musical Activities:
- 2022 & 2023 National Youth Orchestra
- Curb Youth Symphony
“Nashville Symphony’s Accelerando paid for me to have lessons, plane tickets to summer camps and auditions, and provided free masterclasses that helped get me to where I am now. The program is the reason I was able to audition for the top music schools in the country and get into Juilliard and Vanderbilt.”
Dubravko Rodriguez, viola
’23 National Pathways Festival Fellow
Pathways Program: Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative
Next Stop: Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Music Performance
Musical Activities:
- Credo Festival
- Chicago Chamber Music Festival
- Thirsty Ears Festival
- Midwest Young Artists Symphony orchestra
“CMPI gave us lots of performance opportunities, lessons that we are able to bring to the table in college. We are well prepared for a career in the industry.”
Ella Saputra, violin
’22 and ’23 National Pathways Festival Fellow
Pathways Program: Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative
Next Stop: Yale College
Musical Activities:
- 2022 Colburn School Fortissima Fellow
- 2022 From the Top Fellow
- 2022 Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra
“I strongly value being surrounded by a supportive network of peers and mentors who have a similar background as me and share the same passion for music.”
Dayla Spencer, Trombone
’23 National Pathways Festival Fellow
Pathways Program: Nashville Symphony’s Accelerando
Next Stop: Montclair State University, Music Theory & Composition
Musical Activities:
- 2023 Interlochen Arts Camp Music Composition Program
- 2023 University of Mississippi’s Trombone Day Call for Score Winner
- 2022 International Trombone Festival Youth Workshop
- Curb Youth Symphony
- Belmont Academy Youth Wind Ensemble
“As a musician of color, I’m very interested in having the opportunity to perform high-level orchestral literature alongside musicians who have similar backgrounds as I do.”
Miles Woods, french horn
’22 and ’23 National Pathways Festival Fellow
Pathways Program: Nashville Symphony’s Accelerando
Next Stop: Eastman School of Music, Horn Performance
Musical Activities:
- 2023 National Youth Orchestra
- 2022 Interlochen Arts Camp
- Curb Youth Symphony
- Middle Tennessee State University Honors Orchestra
“The festival greatly improved the way I play and allowed me to be accepted into 5 of the 6 music schools I applied to.”
Anna Zhang, bassoon
’23 National Pathways Festival Fellow
Pathways Program: PMAY Artists’ Initiative
Next Stop: Manhattan School of Music, Bassoon Performance
Musical Activities:
- 2022 Brevard Music Center
- 2021 Kinhaven Music School Senior Session
- Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Music Institute
- Project 440
- Settlement Music School
- Temple Music Preparatory
“The Equity Arc Pathways Festival represents a great opportunity for me to grow as a bassoonist, musician, and person along with other musicians from all backgrounds, and we can empower and inspire each other in a unique and exciting way.”
