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MISD Student Chosen for National Youth Orchestra
Dillon Ackerman headshot

A Mansfield ISD fine arts student has once again been selected by Carnegie Hall as one of the top young musicians in the country.

Dillon Akerman, a senior at Lake Ridge High School, is one of the 97 students chosen to play in the 2021 National Youth Orchestra of the United States (NYO-USA). He was also selected last year.

The orchestra, consisting of musicians ages 16-19 from several states, will gather in July at Purchase College, State University of New York (SUNY) for a month-long residency.

The residency will consist of mentorship and musical activities, including private lessons, master classes and performances led by principal players in top American orchestras and esteemed jazz artists. 

Carnegie Hall’s national youth ensembles are offered free of charge.

In past years, the NYO-USA ensemble would spend three weeks in New York receiving world-class instruction before kicking off an international tour. However, due to the ongoing effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the national youth ensemble will not tour this summer and will not play at Carnegie Hall since the Hall remains closed until fall 2021.

All program activities for summer 2021 are scheduled to occur in person in the New York area with strict health protocols in place.

To be part of NYO-USA, Akerman submitted an audition video that was judged by top professional orchestra instructors. Applicants must also submit a brief biographical essay and at least two references.

NYO-USA first launched in the summer of 2013. View a list of all members of the 2021 orchestra here.

 

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