New York Youth Symphony: Chamber Music Program

          Graduated instruction for all skill levels

               Lisa Tipton, Director
               Asuka Fu, Assistant Director
               Nicholas Lenchner, Manager

"The Chamber Music Program of the New York Youth Symphony has established itself as one of the most well-respected ensemble music training programs in the country...[The program] provides a range of opportunities to study, perform, and rehearse in a context that balances structure with flexibility, guidance and independence, and discipline with inspiration."
-Chamber Music America magazine

"[The Chamber Music Program] is truly a wonderful program for students of chamber music, exceptionally important to a student's growth as a musician as well as a human being."
-André Watts, pianist

The Chamber Music Program is an excellent opportunity for players to enhance their musical abilities, improve their performance confidence, and develop interpersonal skills within small group settings. The Program welcomes players of all levels and makes every effort to place individual players into ensembles with whom they may feel most comfortable; pre-formed groups are also encouraged to apply.

Recitals
The season finale in Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall, the glittering champagne concert at the National Arts Club, and performances in Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space provide multiple opportunities for each ensemble to present its music. Back to top
Festival Evening
The annual "Festival Evening" will feature performances by all ensembles and a reception afterward. Back to top
Coaching
Instruction levels are incorporated within a two-tiered program, intermediate and advanced. Ensembles comprised of strings, winds, brass, guitar, harp, and piano meet weekly from October through April for individualized coaching sessions with a staff of outstanding professional musicians. This season's coaches include: Eliran Avni, piano Anna Maria Baeza, clarinet Tomoko Fujita, cello Laura Gilbert, flute Suzanne Gilchrest, flute Matthew Goeke, cello Cordelia Hagmann, violin Emi Kagawa, piano Jonathan Keren, violin David Krauss, trumpet Katia Kravits, piano Gwen Krosnick, cello Sheryl Lee, piano Nicholas Lenchner, double bass Adam Meyer, viola Soo-Kyung Park, flute Adiel Schmit, cello Linda Sinanian, violin Sebu D. Sirinian, violin Ella Toovy, cello Suzanne Wagor, viola Alexander Yudkovsky, violin Carmit Zori, violin Back to top
Masterclass Series
The Chamber Music Program consistently boasts an extraordinary series of masterclasses by world-renowned chamber musicians. This season the masterclass coaches include: Kazuhide Isomura, viola, The Tokyo Quartet Gilbert Kalish, concert pianist Ani Kavafian, violin/viola, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Alan Kay, Clarinet, Orpheus Program Coordinator David Krakauer, clarinet Joel Krosnick, cello, Julliard String Quartet Anne-Marie McDermott, piano Frank Morelli, bassoon, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Charles Neidich, clarinet, faculty of the Juilliard School Daniel Phillips, violin, The Orion Quartet Shanghai Quartet members Fred Sherry, cello, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Carol Wincenc, flute, The New York Woodwind Quintet Carmit Zori, violin Special thanks to the Klavierhaus for the gracious use of their space for our masterclasses. Back to top
Chamber Music Workshops
Students enjoy special evenings of sight-reading with coaches, workshops, informal performances, and social time. For more information please see the Musicians page. Back to top
World Première
An honors ensemble will give the world première of a work commissioned by the Chamber Music Program as part of the First Music series of new works by young American composers. The work will have its première in Weill Recital Hall. For past commissioned works please see the First Music page. Back to top
Mentorship Program
Eash season, a renowned performer will work closely with a selected group, performing with them at the season finale. This year's mentor is Wolfram Koessel, cellist of the American String Quartet. Back to top
Performances for Special Audiences
New York Youth Symphony's Performances for Special Audiences are live performances by chamber music, chorus, and jazz musicians for children at various facilities throughout Manhattan. This form of music therapy can improve overall rehabilitation of the therapy recipients and increase their motivation to become engaged in their treatment, depending on the nature of the disability. This unique experience also enables our players to use their talents to make a difference in people's lives. Although the audience may not always be directly engaged in the performance, musicians understand the impact music can have on people. "I sincerely hope you will come back very soon to continue this great work. I want to personally thank each and every one of your young performers. I think often they cannot know how much they are helping with their effort." -Alessandro Ricciarelli, music therapist, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Lead support for Performances for Special Audiences for the 2008-09 season is provided by The Joseph F. McCrindle Foundation. Back to top
Director's Award for Commitment and Achievement
Each year, the Director recognizes individuals at the season's final concert for dedication to the Program and for musical advancement. 2010-2011 Recipients: The Caedmon Quartet Justin DeFilippis, violin Adrianna Sirinian, violin Lydia van der Swaagh, viola Mathias van der Swaagh, cello Back to top
Auditions
Auditions are held annually in September or October. Please check the auditions section of our website for eligiblity and fee requirements, application information, and audition dates. Note: Prospective applicants are urged to review the Musician Guidelines and check for scheduling conflicts before applying for an audition. Contact us to receive an audition brochure. Back to top
Chamber Music Staff
Lisa Tipton, Director Lisa Tipton, violinist and co-founder of the award-winning Meridian String Quartet, has toured internationally and held residencies at Queens College, Bard College, and Turtle Bay Music School. She has won distinctions from the Evian International Competition, Artists International, and Chamber Music America. As a devoted interpreter of new music, she established the “Made in America” series at Weill Recital Hall and performed on the "Interpretations" series at Merkin Concert Hall. She performs regularly with Amici New York and the American Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Tipton earned a B.A. from Cornell University and an M.A. from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. She is currently pursuing her D.M.A. at the CUNY Graduate Center. Her recording of Ives' sonatas was released in 2006 on Capstone Records.
Asuka Fu, Assistant Director Pianist Asuka Fu has performed internationally and nationally. One of her notable concerts included a duo recital in La Paz, Bolivia (under the Sponsorship of the Vice Ministry of Culture) which was featured on Channel 21-Gigavision. Most recently, she captured first prize in the 2007 Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition. Last season's performances include a solo recital at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall under the auspices of Artist's International. Asuka received her B.M. and M.A. from New York University and was also a participant in the NYYS Chamber Music Program previous to her Assistant Directorship.

Nicholas Lenchner, Manager

Double bassist Nicholas Lenchner performs with the Chelsea Symphony, Paul Haas’ SymphoNYC, the World Civic Orchestra and various other Tri-State area ensembles. He served as Principal Bass in the New York Youth Symphony in addition to playing in its Chamber Music Program. Nick has a passion for teaching and gives private instruction in double bass, electric bass and guitar. He graduated from the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College Division and earned a B.M. in Double Bass Performance from the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University under the mentorship of Linda McKnight.

Flutist Carol Wincenc coaches students in the Chamber Music Program during a masterclass.