
Each Saturday at 5 All Classical Portland celebrates what’s next in our community, with profiles of young musicians and explorations of musical opportunities for young people in the northwest.
If you know of a young musician who should be profiled On Deck, email Christa Wessel at christa@allclassical.org
Follow On Deck with Young Musicians on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify.
Support for On Deck comes from individual donors.
Additional support comes from Metropolitan Youth Symphony

January 2, 2021
On Deck with Henry Pappas
Raúl Gómez chats with Henry Pappas, a 16 year-old junior at Crescent Valley High School in Corvallis, OR. Henry has been playing the violin since he was 8 years old, and along the way he’s picked up clarinet, percussion, jazz, conducting, and most recently, podcasting. Henry started a podcast for the Corvallis Youth Symphony entitled… More

December 19, 2020
On Deck with Lily Belisle
Amy Faust talks with Lily Belisle, a senior at Cleveland High school who (in normal times) plays both the piano and the clarinet with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony and her high school band. Growing up with a mom who teaches piano and has a master’s degree in music, as well as a former music educator… More

December 12, 2020
On Deck with William Graham
William Graham is an 18-year-old bassist with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony and a senior at Skyview High School in Vancouver, WA. William spoke with Raúl Gómez about his journey as a bass player, including participating twice in All State ensembles and serving as the principal bass for the Lower Columbia River Music Educators Association honors… More

December 5, 2020
On Deck with Miller Nelson
Christa Wessel chats with 16-year old pianist and composer Miller Nelson. Miller is a junior at Corbett High School and has been playing the piano since he was in first grade. He began composing a few years ago, and loves trying to put into music the feelings and moods he doesn’t have words for. Miller… More

November 28, 2020
On Deck with Maggie Carter
Raúl Gómez chats with Maggie Carter, a 14-year-old double bassist who loves her instrument passionately, as well as making music with her friends at the Portland Youth Philharmonic, where she is a Principal Bass. Maggie was the winner of the 2019 International Society of Bassists 14-and-under solo competition, the winner of the 2020 Oregon Mozart… More

November 21, 2020
On Deck with Rylan Ferron-Jones
Amy Faust speaks with 17-year old violinist Rylan Ferron-Jones, a violin player with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony who also plays with their ensemble the MYSfits. A senior at Lincoln High School, Rylan has a penchant for challenging pieces, one of which -Prima Vera Portena by Piazzolla- he performed in the small ensemble category of the… More

November 14, 2020
On Deck with Angela Rose Padula
Raúl Gómez chats with 13-year-old Angela Rose Padula, a young cellist with an already impressive artistic résumé. Her latest accomplishment is to have been selected by Niel DePonte to perform at the 26th Young Artists Debut! Van Buren Concerto Concert on June 4, 2021. This concert, produced by COGNIZART (formerly MetroArts Inc), will allow Angela… More

November 7, 2020
On Deck with Nate Strothkamp
Christa Wessel talks with violinist Nate Strothkamp, a 16-year old junior at Oregon Episcopal School. Nate recently won the Portland Youth Philharmonic’s Concerto Competition, which granted him the honor of playing the full Korngold Violin Concerto with PYP at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Nate is also involved in two non-profit organizations: Project Prelude (he’s… More

October 31, 2020
On Deck with Joshua Arce
Amy Faust chats with flutist Joshua Arce. Born in Salem to parents who emigrated from Nicaragua, Joshua made it into the National Youth Orchestra just 4 years after picking up a flute for the first time. His passion for music led him to set a series of lofty goals for himself, all of which he… More

October 24, 2020
On Deck with Abigail Kim
16-year-old Abigail Kim started her musical journey on the piano and violin, but it didn’t take long for her to find her true voice in the oboe. She is now a member of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony and Portland Youth Philharmonic, and is preparing for her Carnegie Hall debut in the summer of 2021. Abigail… More