Riverwood Students Selected For Prestigious Music Programs

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- Students in the music program at Riverwood International Charter School are expanding their talents by performing in Atlanta Area youth music programs.

Selected by audition, these Riverwood prodigies practice and perform at the highest level with other talented student musicians throughout metro Atlanta. These students are recognized for their talent, hard work, and dedication to their music.

Tate Poole - Junior, Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra - Cello

Founded in 2006, the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra is already the largest youth orchestra program in the southeast. Gifted and talented musicians from all across Georgia are selected through a competitive audition process.

Students admitted into the program experience musical development in a nurturing and supportive environment while also being expected to perform at the highest levels. The mission of the GYSO is to inspire young people to discover their full potential through creativity and performance, to build and develop discipline and spirit to accomplish their musical goals

Elise Flanagan - Junior, Metropolitan Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble - Trumpet

The Metropolitan Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble (MAYWE) is comprised of seventy-five of the most outstanding high school wind and percussion players from the metropolitan Atlanta area.

Under the direction of Mr. David W. Vandewalker, coordinator of performing arts for the Fulton County School System, repertoire is chosen from the most significant literature written for symphonic band and wind ensembles. MAYWE students collaborate frequently with faculty artists from Georgia State University as well as members of professional orchestras in Atlanta. Students are given much personal attention through sectional rehearsals and coachings by Georgia State University faculty and graduate students.

Rialto Youth Jazz Orchestra - Freshman Group

Coleman Alvarez – Trumpet
Simon Coffsky – Trumpet
Lilya Cooper – Alto Sax
Drew Kaplan – Bass
Jayden Richardson – Drums
Ryan Stoddard – Alto Sax
Rialto Youth Jazz Orchestra - Juniors
Robert Breeser – Rialto Jazz Band – Trumpet
Arthur Miltner – Rialto Jazz Band – Trombone

The Rialto Youth Jazz Orchestra was formed by Dr. Gordon Vernick in June 2010. RYJO exposes students to the full spectrum of jazz music and education. The students are selected through audition and students come from all over metro Atlanta to participate.

RYJO students perform music that is both historically significant and challenging. The students receive outstanding instruction in jazz performance, jazz history and jazz improvisation from our staff. Each jazz combo is supervised by one of the jazz faculty from Georgia State University.

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Photo 1: From left to right - Simon Coffsky, Coleman Alvarez, Ryan Stoddard, Jaden Richardson, Drew Kaplan, Lilya Cooper - Rialto Youth Jazz Orchestra - Freshman Group
Photo 2: Juniors Arthur Miltner (left) and Robert Breeser (right)
Photo 3: Tate Poole
Photo 4: Elise Flanagan
Photo credits: Riverwood International Charter School