Alumni
Hear what COYO Alumni have to say about their experiences:
“My fondest memories are of my days in COYO. I really enjoyed coaching sessions with John Mack and the knowledge he brought every week. I will never forget having to sub on first bassoon for Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 at the last second. It was a huge success, and I remember Maestro Morrell personally congratulating me. It taught me that even being assigned “assistant principal” doesn’t mean you won’t get the chance.”
~Kevin Babuder (bassoon)
“I would not have gotten the exposure to the musical literature and high caliber musicians (The Cleveland Orchestra) without COYO. There was nothing I enjoyed more than drowning myself in music on Saturdays!"
~Christopher Connors (oboe)
"My time spent in COYO was truly magical. Being a part of the Youth Orchestra is a major highlight of my career as a student and a musician. I look back at my COYO experience with satisfaction and pride. Thank you for such a brilliant experience.”
~Vicki Hamm (cello)
“It is still the best orchestra experience of my life – most talented, dedicated musicians I’ve ever worked with (COYO members, managers, conductors, coaches) and it changed my life!”
~Caroline Honsa (cello)
“One of the best things I’ve ever done – invaluable.”
~Laura Jacqmin (horn)
“All in all, one of the best musical and educational experiences that I have ever had!”
~Steven R. Johnston (trombone)
“The training I received in COYO was the best orchestral training I have ever received. I still draw upon the lessons I learned there today and continue to feel a strong connection to Severance Hall, the orchestra, and its members.”
~Carrie Klayman Singler (violin/viola)
“COYO was a great opportunity for me to play in orchestra, as well as make some really, really good music. The talent level was so high, I felt pushed to excel.”
~Angelo Kortyka (tuba)
“COYO was an amazing experience for me. Three years with the group taught me much about orchestral playing. COYO was a big influence on my musical career. The coachings with Cleveland Orchestra members were amazing, and the repertoire was fantastic.”
~Mark Maliniak (trumpet)
“I refer back to ‘when I was in COYO’ almost every week. It was one of the best musical experiences I have ever had.”
~David Perkins (trumpet)
“I was a member of COYO for its inaugural season. The four years that I played with the group were my most musically right years of life. We learned each piece in such detail that I can hear Dr. Ling’s guidance ringing out over the music when I listen to any of the great works on the radio.”
~Laura Preslan (bass)
“COYO was ultimately the activity that made me decide to pursue music professionally. It changed the way I listened to, thought about, and made music, and it challenged me. James Gaffigan really brought life to the music, the repertoire was great, and the coachings we received were invaluable. COYO provided me with the experiences necessary to be accepted to and enjoy myself in an intense musical environment such as Oberlin.”
~Caitlin Roseum (trombone)
“Every time I hear the pieces that I performed with COYO, I remember the days of rehearsals with Jahja Ling, sectionals with Bernard Goldschmidt, and the excitement of performing those pieces on the Severance Hall stage, at Blossom, and at various other locations. COYO was an incredible experience, and I feel honored that I was able to participate in it. In spite of having three children and a husband now, and working full time, I love my violin and still find time to perform with the Heights Chamber Orchestra. I strongly recommend COYO to others.”
~Lisa Salzinger Martel (violin)
“I have three students in COYO currently in the viola section! My experience in the inaugural first three seasons helped me tremendously at CIM and beyond, and I’m proud to have my students participating, and am very excited for them!”
~Laura Shuster (viola)
“It was an amazing experience that instilled in me an even greater love of music than I had before. I met amazing people, and a really fun time, learned a lot, and was able to play some really great music with some very talented, wonderful musicians.”
~Krista Solars (violin)
“One of the most rewarding orchestra experiences that I will ever have – such a dedicated group of young artists – and so inspiring to meet and perform in Severance Hall.”
~Natalie Spehar (cello)
“I was accepted at age 10, and one of the first pieces was Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2 and I was so happy to be playing such great stuff! We also did Pictures at an Exhibition my first year, and Mr. Ling was my hero. He asked the four youngest kids in the orchestra to perform Vivaldi’s Concerto for four violins. Sthanding next to me was Johnny Lee, who also played in Charlotte and is now in the Los Angeles Philharmonic! Youth Orchestra was a great training for so many people, and being concertmaster was the best! We also got to go to the Youth Orchestra Festival at Interlochen and I got to be concertmaster of one of the four orchestras there (they mixed players from all orchestras participating.)”
~Jenny Topilow (violin)
“As a ’88-’89 member, I have fond memories of my COYO experience. Working with the late Daniel Majeski and Bernhard Goldschmidt (during violin coachings) was a true privilege and inspiration. Their professionalism, love for music and positive work ethic continue to influence me today.”
~Melanie Torres-Meissner (violin)
“COYO was a great experience and was invaluable to me in many ways including the chance to work with talented peers, to learn from excellent professional musicians, and to play in Severance Hall. I would not be pursuing a career as a professional musician, and I would not be a student at a place like Eastman if it weren’t for the enthusiastic and excellent music making in Cleveland.”
~Jay Villella (trumpet)
Hear what COYO Alumni have to say about their experiences:
“My fondest memories are of my days in COYO. I really enjoyed coaching sessions with John Mack and the knowledge he brought every week. I will never forget having to sub on first bassoon for Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 at the last second. It was a huge success, and I remember Maestro Morrell personally congratulating me. It taught me that even being assigned “assistant principal” doesn’t mean you won’t get the chance.”
~Kevin Babuder (bassoon)
“I would not have gotten the exposure to the musical literature and high caliber musicians (The Cleveland Orchestra) without COYO. There was nothing I enjoyed more than drowning myself in music on Saturdays!"
~Christopher Connors (oboe)
"My time spent in COYO was truly magical. Being a part of the Youth Orchestra is a major highlight of my career as a student and a musician. I look back at my COYO experience with satisfaction and pride. Thank you for such a brilliant experience.”
~Vicki Hamm (cello)
“It is still the best orchestra experience of my life – most talented, dedicated musicians I’ve ever worked with (COYO members, managers, conductors, coaches) and it changed my life!”
~Caroline Honsa (cello)
“One of the best things I’ve ever done – invaluable.”
~Laura Jacqmin (horn)
“All in all, one of the best musical and educational experiences that I have ever had!”
~Steven R. Johnston (trombone)
“The training I received in COYO was the best orchestral training I have ever received. I still draw upon the lessons I learned there today and continue to feel a strong connection to Severance Hall, the orchestra, and its members.”
~Carrie Klayman Singler (violin/viola)
“COYO was a great opportunity for me to play in orchestra, as well as make some really, really good music. The talent level was so high, I felt pushed to excel.”
~Angelo Kortyka (tuba)
“COYO was an amazing experience for me. Three years with the group taught me much about orchestral playing. COYO was a big influence on my musical career. The coachings with Cleveland Orchestra members were amazing, and the repertoire was fantastic.”
~Mark Maliniak (trumpet)
“I refer back to ‘when I was in COYO’ almost every week. It was one of the best musical experiences I have ever had.”
~David Perkins (trumpet)
“I was a member of COYO for its inaugural season. The four years that I played with the group were my most musically right years of life. We learned each piece in such detail that I can hear Dr. Ling’s guidance ringing out over the music when I listen to any of the great works on the radio.”
~Laura Preslan (bass)
“COYO was ultimately the activity that made me decide to pursue music professionally. It changed the way I listened to, thought about, and made music, and it challenged me. James Gaffigan really brought life to the music, the repertoire was great, and the coachings we received were invaluable. COYO provided me with the experiences necessary to be accepted to and enjoy myself in an intense musical environment such as Oberlin.”
~Caitlin Roseum (trombone)
“Every time I hear the pieces that I performed with COYO, I remember the days of rehearsals with Jahja Ling, sectionals with Bernard Goldschmidt, and the excitement of performing those pieces on the Severance Hall stage, at Blossom, and at various other locations. COYO was an incredible experience, and I feel honored that I was able to participate in it. In spite of having three children and a husband now, and working full time, I love my violin and still find time to perform with the Heights Chamber Orchestra. I strongly recommend COYO to others.”
~Lisa Salzinger Martel (violin)
“I have three students in COYO currently in the viola section! My experience in the inaugural first three seasons helped me tremendously at CIM and beyond, and I’m proud to have my students participating, and am very excited for them!”
~Laura Shuster (viola)
“It was an amazing experience that instilled in me an even greater love of music than I had before. I met amazing people, and a really fun time, learned a lot, and was able to play some really great music with some very talented, wonderful musicians.”
~Krista Solars (violin)
“One of the most rewarding orchestra experiences that I will ever have – such a dedicated group of young artists – and so inspiring to meet and perform in Severance Hall.”
~Natalie Spehar (cello)
“I was accepted at age 10, and one of the first pieces was Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2 and I was so happy to be playing such great stuff! We also did Pictures at an Exhibition my first year, and Mr. Ling was my hero. He asked the four youngest kids in the orchestra to perform Vivaldi’s Concerto for four violins. Sthanding next to me was Johnny Lee, who also played in Charlotte and is now in the Los Angeles Philharmonic! Youth Orchestra was a great training for so many people, and being concertmaster was the best! We also got to go to the Youth Orchestra Festival at Interlochen and I got to be concertmaster of one of the four orchestras there (they mixed players from all orchestras participating.)”
~Jenny Topilow (violin)
“As a ’88-’89 member, I have fond memories of my COYO experience. Working with the late Daniel Majeski and Bernhard Goldschmidt (during violin coachings) was a true privilege and inspiration. Their professionalism, love for music and positive work ethic continue to influence me today.”
~Melanie Torres-Meissner (violin)
“COYO was a great experience and was invaluable to me in many ways including the chance to work with talented peers, to learn from excellent professional musicians, and to play in Severance Hall. I would not be pursuing a career as a professional musician, and I would not be a student at a place like Eastman if it weren’t for the enthusiastic and excellent music making in Cleveland.”
~Jay Villella (trumpet)
