VYOA Blog

Every time I step on the podium with the VYO, I’m reminded of all the wonderful musicians who taught and mentored me during my student and early professional years. It’s a wonderful feeling share that legacy to these dedicated young musicians.

Jeffrey Domoto
VYOA Music Director

Congratulations to this season’s VYO soloists!

Perry Emerson, flute

Perry Emerson is a twelfth grade student at St. Johnsbury Academy. Perry has played music since he was a member of his fourth grade elementary school band. His favorite VYO highlight? This summer’s tour of Germany and the Czech Republic. “World expanding” is how he described the concert tour, adding that he visited beautiful new places and thoroughly enjoyed bonding with his fellow VYOA musicians. Perry’s future will include further music study at a conservatory or music school. Currently he resides in Lyndonville. Perry studies the flute with Montpelier instructor Karen Kevra.

Justin Truell, violin

Justin Truell is a senior at the Mid Vermont Christian School. He has played the violin since the age of five. His VYOA experience has allowed him greater understanding for the music he’s played and an appreciation for the work and skill it takes to be a member of such a large ensemble.  A memorable experience for him was last season’s fall concert which he felt was one of the VYO’s best live performances. Justin’s future includes music school and a career as an educator. Currently he lives in Woodstock. Justin studies the violin with Burlington’s Evelyn Read.

Cara Turnbull, contrabass

It is amusing to note that when Cara first came to the VYOA, she did not enjoy playing for people!  She says, “As I continued to participate in orchestra, however, I’ve become more confident with myself and my playing,“ adding, “Now, I play with more strength and conviction, which has made me a better overall musician.” Cara will demonstrate her talent at Orchestrapalooza on December 4 at the Flynn Center. The Essex High School senior hopes to continue her music studies at college next fall, potentially studying bass performance or musicology. Cara studies privately with bass instructor Bill Tilley.

Victoria Bergeron, violin

Victoria Bergeron is a senior at Essex High School. She has played the violin – and participated in the VYOA – for 12 years. As the concertmaster for the VYO, she says, “Being concertmistress has taught me how to be an effective leader… this orchestra is really a family, and this allowed me to experience classical music in a remarkable way.” One of her favorite VYO moments was being asked to lead the string sections during last year’s First Night concert on New Year’s Eve. Admittedly, the experience was terrifying for her, but rewarding in hindsight. New Year’s Eve appears to be a lucky night for Victoria; she will perform as a soloist during the 2011 VYO First Night concert at the Flynn Center. Victoria plans to attend a music conservatory to major in violin performance. An Essex resident, she studies privately with Ann Cooper.

Quinn Parker, trombone

Quinn Parker is a senior at Mount Mansfield Union High School. A VYOA member for the past seven years, his trombone career began at age eight  on an old Conn trombone that belonged to his great-grandfather. Quinn’s “Ah Ha” moment as a musician happened during Mr. Peters’ tenure, when he was kicked out of a Sinfonia rehearsal for blowing spitballs out of his trombone mouthpiece. Lesson learned? “The experience taught me the importance of focus,  not only in concert,  but also in practice. The trombone section still has plenty of fun, but we get more done when we concentrate and actively participate in the rehearsal of our music.” Quinn plans to continue in music, studying musical performance or music education.  A resident of Richmond, he is a trombone student of Bob Wigness.

Liam John, cello

Liam John is a senior at Essex High School. His desire to play the cello was fueled by his great-aunt, a cellist who visited every summer from Connecticut. Intrigued by the big sound of her cello, he began his own music studies in the fourth grade. In his six years as a VYOA member, Liam has become closely connected to his fellow musicians and to the organization. “I have become more than a cellist. I have grown as a musician and as an individual. I have become a part of an orchestra and the VYOA family,” he states. A defining moment for Liam came when he played Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony with the VYO at last year’s winter concert – he felt the orchestra played together as never before. He describes this experience using the words of Israeli conductor Zubin Mehta: “…in the cosmos…” A resident of Essex, Liam currently studies with cellist John Dunlop.