On Deck with Young Musicians
As of March 2025, On Deck with Young Musicians is no longer producing new episodes. This program featured inspirational interviews that celebrate and showcase the incredibly talented young musicians who live and perform in the Pacific Northwest: the young people who are shaping the future of classical music. The archive below features episodes hosted by Christa Wessel, Adam Eccleston, Raúl Gómez-Rojas, Jahlysa Azaret, and Lisa Lipton.
January 27, 2018
On Deck with Douglas Graham
Douglas Graham is a 17-year old cellist who performs with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony and is a student of Nancy Ives. When Douglas goes to college next year he wants to major in engineering, but has some very specific thoughts about how his life in music will make him a better engineer. Also in this episode of “On Deck,” Douglas will tell …
January 13, 2018
On Deck with Tiana and Vivian Pham
Vivian (left) and Tiana Pham are teenage cousins who both play piano, and both take lessons at Ethos Music Center. They are both students at Benson Polytechnic High School, and are both are interested in health occupations… but they say that music will always be a part of their lives.
January 6, 2018
On Deck with Ben Price
Ben Price is in 8th-grade and is co-principal oboist with two ensembles: the Metropolitan Youth Symphony and the Portland Youth Philharmonic. Ben also takes lessons with two teachers (Dagny Rask Regan and Karen Wagner). Having won a concerto competition with the Oregon Sinfonietta, Ben will be performing a Haydn Oboe Concerto with that group on January 21. In this episode of …
December 9, 2017
On Deck with Elora Ghosh
Elora Ghosh began singing Indian classical music at a very young age, and then migrated to “Western” music. Now, as a 16-year old high school junior, she plays violin in the Portland Youth Philharmonic and she sings in the Pacific Youth Choir. She is also passionate about volunteering, as well as being a force of …
December 2, 2017
On Deck with Griffin Barbieri
16-year old high school junior Griffin Barbieri likes to stand out… and he was initially drawn to the tuba because it is big and flashy. But we’ll hear him tell us that the key to being a successful tuba player in the Metropolitan Youth Symphony is learning how to blend in. You can learn more …
November 25, 2017
On Deck with Kai Bryngelson
Kai Bryngleson is a 15-year old violinist who –last year, at the age of 14– left his home and parents in Patagonia to further his musical education in Portland. He’s now studying with Oregon Symphony violinist Vali Phillips and is co-concertmaster of the Portland Youth Philharmonic. We’ll get to know more about this brave young man …
November 18, 2017
On Deck with Hailey Kang
Hailey Kang is a 15-year old cellist who plays with her orchestra at Tualatin High School, and she has also been a member of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony for 7 years. Hailey has a competitive drive, and it has paid off: she has won concerto competitions with the Jewish Community Orchestra, the Metropolitan Youth Symphony, …
November 4, 2017
On Deck with Noah Kurzenhauser
Noah Kurzenhauser is a 17-year old singer (with the Pacific Youth Choir) and pianist whose goal in life is to enter politics. He has already interned with a Representative in the Oregon State Legislature, and is planning to pursue degrees in Political Science and Public Policy. In this episode of “On Deck with Young Musicians,” …
October 21, 2017
On Deck with Jude Dow-Hygelund
Jude Dow-Hygelund is a 12-year old pianist from Junction City, Oregon. Christa met him over the summer at YMA: Young Musicians and Artists. Jude was one of the winners of that camp’s concerto competition, which gave him the honor of performing as soloist with the YMA Orchestra. In this episode of “On Deck” you can …
October 14, 2017
On Deck with Mariana Ramirez Godinez
Mariana Ramirez Godinez is an 18-year old singer and violinist. Christa met her over the summer at YMA: Young Musicians and Artists, a summer camp at Willamette University. Mariana was a counselor there, and a member of the YMA Choir. Mariana loves classical music, but her involvement with it is due largely to her participation …
