Boise Phil Youth Orchestra

04/24/2026

🎶 Meet Ava Yang – soloist in this weekend's performance!

Ava Yang is a student in Boise, Idaho, and has been immersed in music from a very young age. She began studying violin at age three and piano at four, and in fifth grade discovered her passion for the cello. Since then, she has enjoyed exploring its rich sound while developing technical proficiency.

Ava’s musical journey has been marked by enjoyment as well as achievement. She earned First Place in Cello Solo at the 2026 IMEA District 3 High School Solo & Ensemble Competition and has been named a top recipient of the Boise Tuesday Musicale Scholarship Award in both cello and piano. She also received First Place in Cello Solo at the TVMTA Bach Festival from 2023 to 2025.

She has been selected to participate in several outstanding ensembles, including the 2026 IMEA All-State Honor Orchestra, the Sun Valley Summer Youth Orchestra, and the Boise All-City Honor Orchestra. These experiences have helped her grow as a
collaborative musician and thoughtful ensemble player.

Outside of music, Ava is also an enthusiastic fencer and is ranked No. 4 in the USA Fencing Northwest Regional Junior and Cadet Circuit(RJCC) in 2026.

Ava studies cello with Principal Cellist Philip Kettler and is thankful for the encouragement and guidance of her teachers and mentors, including Jen Drake, Jake Saunders, Irina Albig, Ana Robins, Kadon Madsen, Phylis Saunders, and Jennifer Sullivan, whose support has played an important role in her musical growth and artistic development.

Don't miss her amazing performance with the Symphonic Orchestra – this Saturday at 4pm at Borah High School. Tickets are just $15 at the link in our bio!

03/26/2026

‼️ Calling all young musicians! We're holding auditions for the 26/27 BPYO Season 🎻

We want YOU to join our ranks - if you're in the 8th-12th Grade and looking to grow as a musician, we think you should apply to audition!

Learn more, apply to audition, and get involved at boisephil.org/bpyo

03/03/2026

On Saturday, the Boise Phil Youth Orchestra held their Winter Concert at Northwest Nazarene University, where 300+ students took to the stage! Our talented young musicians filled NNU’s Brandt Center with rich melodies and joyful energy. From strings to full orchestra, every performance was inspiring and beautifully executed. 🎶

💙 A huge thank you to the Boise Phil Youth Orchestra and everyone who keeps this program alive for an unforgettable afternoon of music!

Photos by

02/26/2026

🎹 Meet Aaron Estrera – soloist in this weekend's performance!

Aaron Estrera is both an enthusiastic piano player and a hardworking violin player who performs many diverse styles of musical genres. As a senior in high school, he is the concertmaster of the chamber orchestra and the jazz band pianist. Outside of school he engages in many musical activities, including 3 years of Idaho All-State Orchestra, principal violin roles throughout his 4 years of Boise Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, performing in string ensembles that range from duets to sextets, winning an auditioned spot in the Gene Harris All Stars program, performing around Boise with his self-made jazz combo, and attending Interlochen Summer Camp for youth artists. The combination of his classical training and soul for jazz helps his skills reach all corners of virtuosity. He also values the mixture of music to form a more unified musical environment everywhere he performs.

Besides music, he also loves to hang out with his friends, thrift clothes, lift weights, and excel in his academics. He thanks Yuxin Ouyang, Paula Stern, Laurel Talley, Jennifer Drake, and family and friends for their unwavering support.

Don't miss his amazing performance with the Symphonic Orchestra - this Saturday at 4pm at NNU's Brandt Center. Tickets are just $15 at the link in our bio!

02/26/2026

🎻 Meet Hayoung Kim – soloist in this weekend's performance!

Hayoung is a 15-year-old violinist, a native of South Korea, and she began playing violin at the age of four. Since then, she has participated in various musical ensembles, including the Austin Youth Orchestra, Boise Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and IMEA All-State Orchestra 2025 & 2026. Outside of violin, Hayoung enjoys figure skating, baking, and volunteering in her community. Hayoung would like to thank her past teachers and her current teacher and mentor, Katherine Jarvis, for their unwavering guidance and support in refining her musical craft. She would also like to express her gratitude to Jen Drake and the BPYO staff for unforgettable musical experiences and this incredible performance opportunity. Finally, she would like to give thanks to all her friends and family who have supported her musical journey.

Don't miss her amazing performance with the Concert Orchestra – this Saturday at 2pm at NNU's Brandt Center. Tickets are just $15 at the link in our bio!

02/25/2026

Experience the magic of the BPYO Winter Program! ❄️✨

From the “Ancient Lore” of the Scottish Highlands to the “Water on Mars,” our four orchestras are taking over the Brandt Center at NNU this weekend for two back-to-back performances.

The Lineup:
🕒 2:00 PM | Strings & Concert Orchestra
🕒 4:00 PM | Repertory & Symphonic Orchestra

💸 PRO TIP: Grab the “Double Feature” discount! Buy tickets to both shows for just $20 total—the discount is added automatically when you head to checkout.

Grab your seats at the link in our bio! 🔗

01/12/2026

Witness BPYO Seniors Side-by-Side with the pros this month as they take the stage for David Alan Earnest's thrilling "Turbulence." 🎶

🎟 Tickets are available now at the link in our bio - student and educator discounts available.

12/15/2025

🚨 We’ve seen a dramatic rise in unauthorized ticket resellers 🚨

Protect yourself by purchasing tickets only through the Boise Phil Box Office or boisephil.org. Tickets from other sites or resale platforms may be fake, invalid, or priced above face value, and we can’t guarantee entry, refunds, or exchanges for unauthorized purchases.

✅ When in doubt, buy direct. Save + share to help others stay protected.

ℹ️ Ticket Purchase Policy:
The Boise Phil Box Office and boisephil.org are the only authorized outlets for purchasing tickets to Boise Phil performances. Tickets bought from any other website, vendor, or resale platform may be invalid, counterfeit, or sold at prices above face value.

The Boise Phil cannot verify or guarantee the authenticity of tickets purchased outside of our official channels. Purchasers who obtain tickets from unauthorized sellers assume all associated risks, including the possibility of denied entry, financial loss, or ineligibility for exchanges, refunds, or patron services.

To ensure a secure and reliable ticketing experience, please purchase only through the Boise Phil Box Office or boisephil.org.

11/28/2025

11/17/2025

Are you interested in auditioning for our String/Repertory Ensembles? Don't forget to submit your application by our WEDNESDAY (11/19) deadline!

Learn more at the link in our bio.