Skyline High School junior Minji Kim is looking forward to her summer vacation for a very special reason.
In late July, Minji will travel to Purchase College, State University of New York for an intensive two-week training residency with the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA).
The members of the 2024 orchestra—ages 16–19, hailing from 34 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico—have been recognized by Carnegie Hall as being among the finest players in the country following a comprehensive and highly selective audition process.
She was the only Michigan resident chosen for the honor.
“I think it’s an incredible opportunity to meet new friends who love and study music like me, to learn from the foremost conductors, and to have the chance to perform with the world’s finest musicians,” says Minji. “I also think it’s a great honor to represent the United States, visit other countries, and share our music. I believe this experience will remain a precious memory for the rest of my life.”
Minji’s love of music took root at an early age when her mother gifted her a violin on her 4th birthday. Through discipline and countless hours of practice, guided by her teacher and parents, Kim honed her talent.
“The only thing I could do was to practice,” she recalls. “I followed my teacher’s instruction and my parents’ advice, practicing every single day, over and over again.”
NYO-USA is one of Carnegie Hall’s three acclaimed national youth ensembles, which also includes
NYO2 for outstanding classical musicians (ages 14–17), and NYO Jazz for the nation’s finest jazz
instrumentalists (ages 16–19).
After the two-week training session at Purchase College and the World Orchestra Week (WOW) festival at Carnegie Hall, NYO-USA will also be traveling to Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paulo in South America with conductor Marin Alsop, representing the U.S. as ‘dynamic music ambassadors.'” She will also conduct for the South America tour.
Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall’s Executive and Artistic Director, said in a statement that he was thrilled to announce the roster of remarkable young musicians who will join NYO-USA in July.
“These superb players will come together to train with some of the leading professional musicians in the country,” he said.
Conductor Marin Alsop will lead NYO-USA at the orchestra’s annual Carnegie Hall concert on August 5 as part of World Orchestra Week.
While no one knew Minji was applying for the highly selective NYO-USA program, the accomplished musician credits the support of her music teachers and friends for giving her the strength to pursue the opportunity.
“All the teachers and friends who knew I study music have always supported me, listened to my music, and cheered me on, which has always been a great strength to me,” she says.
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