Dreams Chas ing Her 22 | BOROMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015 THE ARTS AROUND THE WORLD It is beyond doubt that every musical collaboration emanating from Carnegie Hall can be described as exciting. To add to the stellar programming, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute has established an extraordinarily unique summer experience, the National Youth Orchestra of the United States. Now in its third year, the NYO-USA is comprised of 114 musicians (ages 16 to 19) chosen through a rigorous audition process from all across the country. The musicians experience an intensive rehearsal process in preparation for various summer performances. They are truly the best of the best. Brought together under the direction of Charles Dutoit (conductor laureate of the Philadelphia Orchestra and artistic director of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra), the young musicians of the 2015 NYO-USA embarked on a historic tour of China. Beginning with send-off concerts in Purchase, New York, and New York City’s Carnegie Hall, NYO-USA’s tour featured seven performances throughout China in the concert halls of Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Xi’an, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. The tour was the first of its kind for the orchestra, and its schedule included opportunities for cultural exchange, sightseeing, interaction with local young musicians and informal performances. These virtuosos acted as on-the-ground U.S. music ambassadors. Among these prodigies was Astoria’s own Jasmine Lavariega, 17, a poised and charismatic French horn player. The daughter of noted culinary professionals (her father is Jose Max Lavariega, The Burke Group executive chef), Lavariega is currently a student of Brad Gemeinhardt, third horn player of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. This fall, she will begin her studies with Erik Ralske, principal horn player of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. I first met Lavariega at the working rehearsal prior to the Carnegie Hall send-off concert. As I watched the jubilant and energetic instrumentalists engage with one another on stage, the excitement of the impending tour was apparent— but more than that, you could sense the appreciation for one another’s talent and passion. “My favorite part of being in this orchestra is that the brass players are all incredible,” Lavariega said. “We have been working outside orchestra rehearsals on brass ensemble music, and the way our sound blends is great.” Many of these musicians could eventually inhabit the ranks of the world’s best orchestras, and Lavariega is certain to be in that company. She will soon be headed to college at The Julliard School as a freshman of the class of 2019. “I definitely want to continue music as a profession,” she said. “I also enjoy teaching children music, so I can definitely see myself playing in a professional orchestra along with a teaching career.” Story By HAYLEY BRIDGEWATER
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