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 2024/25 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!

2023/24

Vargas-Vetter/Ukena Fellows

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Catherine W.

Viola

Engelberth Mejia Gonzalez

Engelberth M.

Horn

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Jeremy T.

Conductor

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Nicholas K.

Cello

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Valentina N.

Viola

2022/23

Vargas-Vetter/Ukena Fellows

Ava Choi

Ava C.

Violin

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Kenya F.

Flute

Engelberth Mejia Gonzalez

Engelberth M.

Horn

Jazzysmall2

Joshua Q.

Saxophone

Performances Page 2023 Jazz Concert 4

Diego Q.

Saxophone

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Blue S.

Flute

2021/22

Vargas-Vetter/Ukena Fellows

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Litsi A.

Violin

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Ethan F.

Composer

Haeon Lee Pic

Haeon L.

Composer

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Trinity W.

Composer

Trista Casanas Ford, Nyys Jazz

Trista C.

Saxophone

2020/2021

Vargas-Vetter/Ukena Fellows

Noelia Carrasco Web Resize.jpg

Noelia C.

Cello

Ethan Fischer Chaves Web Resize.jpg

Ethan F.

Composer

Trista Ford Web Resize.jpg

Trista C.

Saxophone

Elena Hause Web Resize.jpg

Elena H.

Songwriter

Eugene Hong Web Resize.jpg

Eugene H.

Piano

Jessica Jeon Web Resize.jpg

Jessica J.

Violin

Ludia Kim Web Resize.jpg

Ludia K.

Viola

Rena Kim Web Resize.jpg

Rena K.

Violin

Williford Nathaniel Web Resize.jpg

Nathaniel W.

Trumpet

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Djorkaeff Z.

Trombone

2019/2020

Vargas-Vetter/Ukena Fellows

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Cierra H.

Flute

Stephanie Fritz Headshot Web Resize.jpg

Stephanie F.

Horn

Daniel Ketter Headshot Web Resize.jpg

Daniel K.

Clarinet

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Djorkaeff Z.

Trombone

2018/2019

Vargas-Vetter/Ukena Fellows

Sally Han Resize.jpg

Sally H.

Violin

Robert Lenau Web.jpg

Robert L.

Percussion

Avery Rosado Web.jpg

Avery R.

Cello

Jesedelson Vasquez Web.jpg

Jesdelson V.

Trumpet

Sabrina Walch Web.jpg

Sabrina W.

Bassoon, Clarinet

2017/2018

Vargas-Vetter/Ukena Fellows

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Satchel P.

Guitar

Emma Milian, Web Resize.jpg

Emma M.

Violin

Jaycee Cardoso, Web Resize.jpg

Jaycee C.

Violin

Robert Lenau, Web Resize.jpg

Robert L.

Percussion

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