Olivia Steinmetz, Resident of Boyerstown PA, Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Student Profile

Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Principal Bassist, Olivia Steinmetz, 18, discovered early on that hard work and dedication bring tremendous rewards in all walks of life. This Boyertown High School senior is a National Honor Society student and an accomplished bassist who has been a member of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra organization since she was 11 years old. Progressing through various ensemble programs, she began in PRSYM (Philadelphia Region Youth String Music), moved on to Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra (PYAO) and is now principal double bassist of the organization’s flag-ship ensemble the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO), the most advanced level for 14-21 year olds.

Typical of many PYO musicians, Steinmetz has taken the foundation of discipline and motivation she applies to music into many areas of her life. This bassist also has a special interest in neuroscience and for a second summer, she will participate in an internship program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in the Neurology Department. When she enters Vanderbilt University in Nashville in September, she will study music and neuroscience on a pre-med track. It’s been said that the bass is the heart of music and that fits perfectly for Steinmetz as she believes in giving her time to several non-profit organizations. She is an active student, volunteering her time towards various Boyertown community service efforts, and for the Girls Golf Clinics of Valley Forge. Learning from her dad, a PGA professional, she’s an avid golfer and captain of Boyertown High School’s Varsity Golf Team.

While this doesn’t seem possible for someone her age, she seems to string it all together through music. She said recently, “I’ve been able to see how powerful music is. PYO has taught me so many valuable life lessons that transcend into whatever I do. I’ve learned about teamwork and leadership and I’ve built my self-confidence. I love that music connects people no matter what their language, culture or age might be. Music allows people to explore and express their own thoughts and feelings. Most importantly, I have made so many valuable connections through music. Some of my closest friends I met when I started in PRSYM.”

Louis Scaglione, President and Music Director of Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, takes great pride in Steinmetz. He said recently, “Olivia is the model of a PYO student. She exemplifies the talent of a gifted musician and she applies her determination and discipline to many areas of her life – academically and in the community. We are very proud of Olivia and feel certain this is only the beginning of many accomplishments as she continues in her illustrious career.”

Steinmetz is proud to have received many honors throughout her young career. Most recently, she is Vice President of her graduating class and a member of the National Honor Society. She received the Good Citizenship Award, 2015, from The Youth Work Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia and in the biomedical field, she won the Biomedical Research Essay Contest from the Pennsylvania Society for Biomedical Research. She has been a consistent medalist in various events in the PA Technology Student Association each year since 2013. In music, she has been recognized with invitations to participate in many regional and national orchestras including as principal bassist in the NAfME (National Association for Music Educators) All-National Honors Orchestra and All-Eastern Honors Orchestra as well as the PMEA (PA Music Educators Association) All-State, Region and District 10 Orchestras.

About Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Organization:

Now in its 76th year, the renowned Philadelphia Youth Orchestra organization, led by President and Music Director, Maestro Louis Scaglione, is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected community music education and youth orchestra performance programs, providing talented young musicians from across the tri-state area with exceptional musical training. Students go on to excel in many diverse fields, and it is with pride that Philadelphia Youth Orchestra notes that many members of the prestigious Philadelphia Orchestra are alumni. The organization is comprised of five independent program ensembles designed to meet specific needs and experience levels of students selected through a competitive audition process. The anchor group is the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO), conducted by President and Music Director Louis Scaglione, featuring 125 gifted instrumentalists who range in age from 14-21. Young musicians 12-18 years old are featured in PYO’s companion ensemble, the Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra, which is led by Director and Conductor Maestra Rosalind Erwin, who is Music Director and Conductor of Drexel University Orchestra. Bravo Brass, directed by Curtis Institute Dean of Faculty and Students, Paul Bryan, is an all brass ensemble for promising middle and high-school instrumentalists. PRYSM (Philadelphia Region Youth String Music) and PRYSM Young Artists ensembles provide string large ensemble and sectional master class instruction for beginning and intermediate musicians ages 6-14. The director and conductor of PRYSM is Gloria DePasquale, cellist with The Philadelphia Orchestra, and conductor of PRSYM Young Artists is Jessica Villante. Tune Up Philly (TUP) is PYO’s engagement program, directed by Paul Smith, that focuses on the creating and inspiring true community by providing children in underserved communities with invaluable opportunities to learn and perform a differentiated orchestral music curriculum. www.pyos.org.