Carnegie Hall

After a two-year absence from touring and in-person performances, all three of Carnegie Hall’s national youth ensembles are ready to break free from recorded concerts and Zoom boxes, returning to Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage this summer.

The Hall’s Weill Music Institute annually brings together extraordinary teen classical and jazz musicians from across the country to form the acclaimed National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA), NYO2, and NYO Jazz. Following a highly selective audition process and two-week training residency with faculty made up of principal players from top professional orchestras and leading jazz masters, these remarkable teenagers perform at Carnegie Hall and embark on tours to some of the great music capitals around the world, serving as dynamic music ambassadors.

In its return to international stages, NYO-USA tours Europe with conductor Daniel Harding and cellist Alisa Weilerstein. Once again, NYO2 partners with the New World Symphony, America’s Orchestral Academy, in Miami Beach with conductor Mei-Ann Chen and pianist Aaron Diehl. NYO Jazz, under the continued direction of Sean Jones, embarks on its first-ever US tour with guest vocalist Jazzmeia Horn.

Since launching NYO-USA in 2013 for musicians ages 16–19, the Hall has built on the program’s success by introducing two additional ensembles: NYO2, a sister ensemble for younger teens (ages 14–17) in 2016; and NYO Jazz in 2018. Free to all participants, each program is dedicated to the proposition that talented young musicians thrive when given the opportunity to expand their musical, social, and cultural horizons and share their artistry with audiences around the globe.

Before the NYO 2022 residency begins at Purchase College, State University of New York, three returning musicians share recollections about the all-digital and hybrid models of the past and their excitement for what promises to be a welcomed homecoming to stages around the world in the summer ahead.

Jack Ramu

Applying to NYO-USA for my senior year wasn’t even up for debate—I was preparing for it even as the 2021 program wrapped up! Being a part of a NYO ensemble requires more than just being “good” at your instrument. It takes collaboration, open-mindedness, and reception to criticism; the camaraderie is what transforms each ensemble from well-practiced groups of musicians to full-fledged artists who can be proud of their musical output. That is what I am most excited for as a member of NYO-USA 2022—and playing Mahler’s Fifth, a trumpet player’s dream.

I also value the genuine diversity found among the sections of each NYO ensemble. A vitally important aspect of the program is the representation afforded to musicians around the world who are finally seeing role models in a field where the majority of the professionals look the same. For example, being one of the few openly transgender trumpet players in the orchestral sphere has made me realize how important my visibility through NYO-USA is, and I fully intend on using that to show other transgender musicians that we can be successful as well.

For all of these reasons and more, I think it’s safe to say that NYO is the guiding force that has kicked off my journey as a professional musician. If I was excited by my progress last summer, I can’t wait to see where summer 2022 takes me and my peers.

—Trumpeter Jack Ramu is from Cumming, Georgia. In addition to NYO-USA 2022, he was part of NYO2 2021.

T'Yara Lesueur

My private teacher originally heard about NYO2 from a colleague, who suggested he prompt some of his students to apply. Unfortunately my first attempt was rejected, but I decided to try again for the 2021 season. When I found out I got in, I screamed, called my teacher immediately, and cried happy tears. It was so shocking to see my efforts yield such positive results.

My NYO2 2021 journey started with meeting musicians from all three NYO programs over social media. It was enlightening to be welcomed by a community of so many talented and exceptionally kind people. We bonded before even setting foot on the campus of Purchase College, talking about our lives as musicians, young people, and students. Coming from a minority group of people in my town who plan to pursue a career in music, knowing others who share similar aspirations broadened my perception of the seemingly small yet big music community.

Finally getting to SUNY Purchase last year, the inspiring energy of being immersed in music with such people taught me the value and purpose of keeping music alive. Everyone would gather and enjoy the atmosphere of NYO Jazz jam sessions, dance in the rain, and go on walks around the campus. Rehearsals and sectionals were intense—everyone was so focused and willing to learn from our guest conductor and coaches.

While making the final video recordings after three weeks of intense preparation [since no ensemble was able to perform for in-person audiences in 2020 or 2021], I concluded that NYO2 had certainly shown me what being a musician means. I learned that we need music because it gives people the opportunity to express themselves, to build community, to inspire people, to create change, and to teach people about communication—the sky’s the limit. It’s wonderful to see something you’re passionate about positively impact someone’s life.

This summer, I’m looking forward to being immersed once again, but with the added privilege of traveling. I believe the trip will add an element of new perspective in what it’s like to go on tour, as well as performing at the New World Center and Carnegie Hall. This NYO journey is definitely something I will never forget.

—Violist T’Yara Lesueur is from San Diego, California. In addition to NYO2 2022, she was part of NYO2 2021.

Ebban Dorsey

My NYO Jazz journey has been an interesting and completely positive one. The first year that I applied, I got in, but I was injured and it was the year that the pandemic began. So instead of practicing and performing together, we were on Zoom calls. Because of the brace on my wrist, I couldn’t play much, but I did what I could and I learned a ton. Having the opportunity to talk to so many professional and talented musicians older than me created the perfect environment for growth and lifelong relations.

The next year, I re-auditioned and I got in again. And this time, my brother got in too. We made history by being the only siblings to ever be accepted to NYO Jazz. While last summer was in person, there was no tour. But I was especially happy to record the NYO Jazz album alongside my brother. We made so many lifelong friends that we continue to play with and talk with to this day. After living with people around our own age for a month, we made a conscious decision to work together to heal people who listen to us play. I love the experience of welcoming others into the musical bubble we create—nothing matches that for me.

Come 2022, I auditioned again, and I got in once more! NYO Jazz has been most of my high school journey, and I’ve grown tremendously as both a musician and a person. Being under the instruction of some of the greatest musicians of our time is something you can’t find many other places. I hope my experience will connect me with future superstars like myself. Future leaders, future composers, performers; I hope to see where this program takes all of us.

—Ebban Dorsey is an alto saxophonist from Baltimore, Maryland. In addition to NYO Jazz 2022, she was part of NYO Jazz 2021 and 2020.

Photography: Jack Ramu and Ebban Dorsey by Chris Lee, T’Yara Lesueur by Annie Rubio