WSYO Alumni

The Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestra has made a significant impact on the region’s student musicians since 2001. Whether you were a Junior Strings or Youth Orchestra member, or a Richard R. Deas Young Artist Concerto Competition winner, we want to hear from you!

​Currently, four of our WSYO alumni perform in the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra. Other alumni are found as music educators in local school districts. They go on to become community leaders, doctors, lawyers, business professionals and entrepreneurs. The WSYO experience gives students from all backgrounds the skills to succeed in whatever their future holds. No matter what path our students follow when they leave us, we want to make it as easy as possible for WSYO alumni to stay in touch with their musical roots.

Reconnect with the WSYO!
Update your contact information by filling out the form below, including your preferred email address, to make sure you receive all future communications. Connect with other alumni on the private   WSYO  Facebook Group    and like our page on   Facebook.

​Have questions? Email us at development@wilmingtonsymphony.org

Click on the Alumni Bios button to see what our WSYO alumni have been up to!

What are WSYO Alums up to now?

Quotes from WSYO Alumni!

CJ Tyson (Cello)

"Hi! My name is CJ Tyson and I was a cellist in WSYO for four years (2015-2019)! Youth symphony was extremely important to me. Every Thursday, I would always be so excited driving to rehearsal, getting ready to not only challenge myself as a musician, but also look forward to creating and maintaining long lasting friendships with other fellow musicians. My time in this symphony helped make me realize how important music is to me and the significance of continuing my studies, despite where my future career takes me. " 

CJ  is currently pursuing a degree at Duke University with a major in  Neuroscience   and a minor in Chemistry. He  is  also minoring in music and  therefore is a part of the Duke  Symphony Orchestra!

Tyler Hamilton (Flute)

"Hi, My name is Tyler Hamilton and I was in WSYO for three years (2016-2019). WSYO was important to me because it introduced me to playing in a symphonic orchestra! Before auditioning for youth symphony, I only had the opportunity to be in a symphonic band setting at my high school, so it was very fun to  learn from the different environment. I feel it made me a better and more well-rounded musician."

Tyler is now attending NC State University and is an active part of their marching band, The Power  Sound of the South!  Tyler is pursuing a major in Sociology and a minor in Spanish!​​

Emma Tracy (Cello)

"Hello! My name is Emma Tracy and I was a cellist in WSYO for two years (2016 & 2019). I am so grateful for the experience I got being in youth symphony, playing challenging music in what feels like a professional setting made me feel much more comfortable playing at the collegiate level at Appalachian State  University."

Emma is currently earning a degree in Cello Performance  at ASU!

Find more biographies here!

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