Pathways to Success

Vargas-Vetter/Ukena Fellowship

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Helping students from underserved communities:

The Vargas-Vetter/Ukena Fellowship

The New York Youth Symphony is proud to be able to offer five Vargas-Vetter/Ukena Fellowships f0r the 2023/24 season. Students from underserved communities between the ages of 10 and 22 in the NYYS orchestras, chamber music, jazz, conducting, composition, and musical theater songwriting programs are eligible to apply for the fellowships which will last one or two years. Awarded fellows will participate in NYYS programs (including performances, rehearsals, sectionals, master classes and workshops) and receive a $5,000 stipend to offset costs of NYYS fees, private lessons, travel, and instrument purchase and/or maintenance. Fellows will be paired with a mentor who will guide them throughout their fellowship and work together to advise them on their musical education and career goals. Fellows are eligible to receive a full/partial tuition scholarship to the Interlochen Center for the Arts summer music camp. Fellows will participate in NYYS community outreach activities.

These fellowships are made possible through the generosity of NYYS trustee Rima Vargas-Vetter and her husband, Paul Ukena.

Apply for the Vargas-Vetter/Ukena Fellowship Here!

2020/2021

Vargas-Vetter/Ukena Fellows

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Noelia Carrasco

Cello

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Ethan Fischer-Chaves

Composer

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Trista Ford

Saxophone

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Elena Hause

Songwriter

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Eugene Hong

Piano

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Jessica Jeon

Violin

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Ludia Kim

Viola

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Rena Kim

Violin

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Nathaniel Williford

Trumpet

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DJ Zentla

Trombone

2019/2020

Vargas-Vetter/Ukena Fellows

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Cierra Hall

Flute

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Stephanie Fritz

Horn

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Daniel Ketter

Clarinet

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Djorkaeff Zentla

Trombone

2018/2019

Vargas-Vetter/Ukena Fellows

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Sally Han

Violin

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Robert Lenau

Percussion

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Avery Rosado

Cello

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Jesdelson Vasquez

Trumpet

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Sabrina Walch

Bassoon, Clarinet

2017/2018

Vargas-Vetter/Ukena Fellows

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Satchel Peterson

Guitar

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Emma Milian

Violin

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Jaycee Cardoso

Violin

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Robert Lenau

Percussion

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