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FSYO is proud to continue to shine a spotlight on the music educators who provide private lessons to our 70th Season members! Private lessons play an important role in a young musician’s education, offering individualized instruction and guidance that can complement what students learn in school and through programs like FSYO. We’re grateful for the dedicated teachers who help our young musicians grow, challenge themselves, and continue developing their love of music.

This month we would like to highlight trombone, euphonium, and tuba private lessons instructor, Joseph Vascik.

Joseph Vascik
Trombone, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, & Tuba
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Mr. Vascik comes from a musical family and began the trombone at a young age when his school needed more trombone players. It was a perfect fit however, and he knew that the trombone would be his instrument moving forward. Mr. Vascik studied at New England Conservatory under Norman Bolter and has worked professionally in music ever since. He began performing professionally at Disney in 1995, won the second trombone position with the Orlando Philharmonic in 1999, and has been a part of several touring Broadway productions.

Mr. Vascik began teaching privately at just 18 years old when he decided he wanted to make music the core focus of his life. Through his time at the New England Conservatory and the experience he gained, he began to pass along his knowledge and insights to the next generation.

Mr. Vascik has a long history with FSYO with many of his trombone students participating in FSYO's ensembles, both classical and jazz. He says it is incredibly valuable when his students bring in their FSYO music to lessons as it allows them to develop their understanding of sound, style, and musical expression. As a teacher, he enjoys seeing a student discover what they are capable of and take that confidence into their ensembles where they learn to listen, contribute, and lead.

"During lessons we explore what it means to contribute and lead from their particular chair. Every seat carries responsibility. Learning to prepare well, listen closely, and support the musicians around them helps students grow as musicians, people, and leaders. Watching them grow as musicians and as people is what keeps teaching meaningful to me."

In 2014, Mr. Vascik received FSYO's Oustanding Music Educator Award acknowledging him as a music educator doing oustanding work within the community. Since he began teaching, Mr. Vascik has had more than 100 students earn places in the Florida All-State Bands and Orchestras. He has also had a former FSYO student win FSYO's Concerto Competition on euphonium where they got to perform Guilmant's Morceau Symphonique with FSYO's Symphonic Orchestra.

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Orlando, FL - October 9, 2026

This week marked the start of our month of concerts with our Classical Ensembles kicking off the Platinum Season with a debut in Steinmetz Hall. As we continue the celebration this season, we are excited to continue to look back and hear from FSYO Alumni on their experiences with FSYO and what their life looks like now with the lessons they learned along the way!

This month we are highlighting Robert Hansbrough!

IMG 2363 Bob Hansbrough Robert was a percussionist with what was then The Florida Youth Symphony (FYS) from 1973-1975. He performed under Mr. Charles Gottschalk and some of his fondest memories with FYS included performing different repertoire, meeting students from other schools, and traveling to concerts with Mr. Gottschalk.

During his first year in The Florida Youth Symphony, Robert had the opportunity to audition for the Eastern Music Festival summer program and was accepted. It was during that summer that he decided to make music his career and if he had not been a member of FYS he would not have had the opportunity and he could have gone down a very different career path.

"Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras is a wonderful opportunity for young musicians to expand their musical experiences and knowledge as a supplement, not a replacement, to their public or private school music programs."

Today, Robert is a retired Professor of Music from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York. During his 24 year tenure, he conducted various ensembles including the Faculty Chamber Orchestra. Previous to this position, he was a teacher at Western Kentucky University and also spent 15 years teaching in the Florida public schools. He is currently the conductor of the Empire State Youth Orchestra Wind Orchestra. He received his BA from USF and a Masters and PhD from FSU in Music Education.

This season, FSYO is proud to shine a spotlight on the music educators who provide private lessons to our 70th Season members! Private lessons play an important role in a young musician’s education, offering individualized instruction and guidance that can complement what students learn in school and through programs like FSYO. We’re grateful for the dedicated teachers who help our young musicians grow, challenge themselves, and continue developing their love of music.

This month we would like to highlight Violin and Viola private lessons instructor, Ivette Carolina Ferreira.

Ivette Carolina Ferreira
Violin & Viola
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ms. Ferreira began studying the violin in Venezuela through El Sistema, where music quickly became much more than an artistic activity, but rather a way of life. She chose the violin as her primary instrument because she was captivated by its expressive sound and its ability to communicate emotions beyond words. After earning her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Music and Violin Performance, Ms. Ferreira has spent time as a concertmaster, orchestral musician, violin professor, and music program director. After moving to the United States, she continued performing and teaching, and founded South Strings Academy and Youth Orchestra United (YOU) – El Sistema Orlando, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming young lives through music. Her own experience showed her the power of an inspiring teacher, and that is what motivates her to guide the next generation of musicians today. As the founder of Youth Orchestra United (YOU) – El Sistema Orlando, she also looks to FSYO as an inspiring example of excellence in youth orchestral education and the transformative power of ensemble music.

As a private lessons teacher, Ms. Ferreira strives to give each student the personalized guidance, encouragement, and strong technical foundation they need to grow. Individual lessons allows her to understand each student's goals and learning style while helping them build confidence and discover their own musical voice. She loves watching young musicians discover their potential and grow in their confidence through music.

"Private lessons and ensemble experiences work hand in hand. In private lessons, students receive personalized instruction to strengthen their technique, musical expression, and confidence. In an ensemble like FSYO, they learn to listen, collaborate, follow a conductor, and contribute to something greater than themselves."

Orlando, FL - September 11, 2026

Throughout its 70 year history, FSYO has served thousands of students with many continuing to keep music in their lives as they moved into the next phases of their life after high school. As part of the Platinum Season, we are excited to look back and hear from FSYO Alumni on their experiences with the organization and what their life looks like now with the lessons they learned along the way!

This month we are highlighting Angela Wilkes (formerly Angela Cross when she was in FSYO)!

Angela is a violinist who was part of what was then Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra from 1981-1984. She had the opportunity to work under several notable conductors in FSYO's history, including Charles Gottschalk, Alfred Savia, and Dr. Joseph Wise. One of her favorite memories with FSYO was when a group of musicians came together to do a brief concert at the airport to greet Mr. Gottschalk as he returned home from a trip away.

Today, Angela is currently a managing editor of The International Economy, a magazine covering international economic and monetary policy. She graduated from Datrmouth College where she played in the orchestra and band. While violin is no longer her primary focus, Angela still finds time to practice and perform! She joined a local community orchestra ten years ago starting at the back of the second violin section. Over the years as the ensemble as grown, Angela now finds herself sitting in the concertmaster seat.

"I look back at the terrific players who served as FSYO concertmasters in the early 1980's with enormous respect since I now have real appreciation for how hard that job can be."

Angela's time performing throughout her life has given her many opportunities, one being a performance with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra through a program called Rusty Musicians which allowed amateur musicians to join the professionals onstage for a rehearsal and performance. This performance led to an FSYO reunion as Ellen Pendleton, who was concertmaster of FSYO and Angela's high school orchestra in the 80's, was in the BSO at that time and was able to arrange for the two to share their stand for the performance!

Thank you Angela for sharing your story with us!

BSO Rusty EllenPendleton AngelaWilkes 2010 A. Wilkes Ellen Pendleton and Angela Wilkes perform together as part of BSO's Rusty Musicians program

A Wilkes Arlington Concert Orchestra Angela Wilkes as Concertmaster of the Arlington Concert Orchestra

If you are an FSYO Alumni and would like to share your story with us, please fill out the Alumni: Then & Now Form!

Orlando, FL - September 4, 2026

As part of FSYO's Platinum Season celebrating 70 years of musical excellence, we are taking the time each month to highlight current FSYO members on their accomplishments both in and outside of FSYO.

This month, we are highlighting FSYO Symphonic Pianist, Arjun Patel.

2026 May Carnegie Stage Door Jaye Patel This past May, Arjun was awarded the Gold Medal at the 26th International Young Gifted Musicians Festival "Passion of Music 2026." The international music competition is held annually by The American Association for Development of the Gifted and Talented (AADGT). AADGT is a non-profit that helps young artists transform musical passion into excellence. As a recipient of the Gold Medal, Arjun was invited to perform his piece at the winners concert at Carnegie Hall.

"It was a privilege to be hanging out backstage with other artists knowing that we all diligently practiced to get there. When I watched the other performers play, it was inspiring and humbling at the same time."

-Arjun Patel, FSYO Symphonic Pianist

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Orlando, FL - May 5, 2026 Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras is proud to present the graduating Class of 2026! We are incredibly proud of our seniors for their hard work, growth, and dedication throughout their time with FSYO. Join us in celebrating them and discover what’s ahead for each of these talented musicians below!

Seniors Last Name A - C