Sphinx Organization

Sphinx Organization We transform lives through the power of the arts.

05/29/2026

Music became a bridge long before it became a career path 🎻

This summer, Avril Graffe Drobonik, a 17-year-old cellist from Washington, DC, will attend the Sphinx Performance Academy at CU Boulder.

Originally from Venezuela, Avril began playing cello at age 5 and found community and connection through music after moving to the United States. She currently performs with the DC Youth Orchestra and Young Virtuosi chamber ensemble and has been a Washington Music Pathways Artist since 2022.

🗣️ Avril shared: “Music gave me the much needed belonging when I first moved to the US and didn’t speak the language.”

She also co-founded Play for Music Education, an initiative focused on helping families connect with trusted music programs and opportunities.

💬 Comment SPA to learn more!

Congratulations to Carlos Chacón on being selected for the Grant Park Fellowship at the Grant Park Music Festival.Origin...
05/29/2026

Congratulations to Carlos Chacón on being selected for the Grant Park Fellowship at the Grant Park Music Festival.

Originally from Venezuela, Carlos is a violinist currently studying at the Chicago College of Performing Arts with Almita Vamos and Minghuan Xu. His professional experience includes performances with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Illinois Philharmonic, and leading orchestras in Venezuela under Gustavo Dudamel.

🗣️ Carlos shared: “I’m so grateful with Sphinx for all the support in every step of my professional career.”

We’re proud to celebrate this exciting milestone in his artistic journey.

💬 Comment NAAS to learn more about the National Alliance for Audition Support!

Congratulations to Rainel Joubert on joining the Copenhagen Phil as First Violin Tutti.An internationally active perform...
05/28/2026

Congratulations to Rainel Joubert on joining the Copenhagen Phil as First Violin Tutti.

An internationally active performer and educator, Rainel is a Sphinx Competition laureate, MPower Artist Grant recipient, former Concertmaster of the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra, and longtime member of the Houston Symphony.

🗣️ Reflecting on his journey, Rainel shared that SOPA provided “the tools and confidence to approach auditions at the highest level.”

As he begins this new chapter in Copenhagen, we celebrate both this remarkable achievement and the many experiences that helped shape his path.

💬 Comment AUDITIONS to learn more about NAAS and SOPA!

Congratulations to Ethan S. Olaguibel on founding ESO Law Firm, PLLC, an entertainment and intellectual property law pra...
05/28/2026

Congratulations to Ethan S. Olaguibel on founding ESO Law Firm, PLLC, an entertainment and intellectual property law practice based in Miami.

Before becoming an attorney, Ethan built a career as a professional bassist, performing alongside artists including Andrea Bocelli, Céline Dion, Gloria Estefan, and Stevie Wonder, while also contributing to Grammy-nominated recordings.

🗣️ Reflecting on his journey, Ethan shared: “What began as a career as a performer evolved into a calling to serve musicians from a different vantage point.”

Today, his work focuses on helping artists protect their intellectual property, understand contracts, and navigate the industry with greater confidence and agency.

💬 Comment NAAS to learn more about the National Alliance for Audition Support!

05/27/2026

Music, mentorship, and service all come together in Sunon Jones’s journey 🎻

This summer, Sunon Jones, a 17-year-old violinist from Silver Spring, Maryland, will attend the Sphinx Performance Academy at Boston Conservatory at Berklee.

Studying with Dr. Sheng-Tsung Wang, Sunon has earned numerous awards and scholarships throughout the United States and South Korea while continuing to grow as both a performer and young leader.

🗣️ Sunon shared: “I hope not only to be a stronger performer but also to be a more thoughtful musician and mentor.”

In addition to performing, Sunon founded the Good Hope Good News Mission, a charity concert initiative that has raised over $55,000 to help provide medical support for children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

💬 Comment SPA to learn more!

Congratulations to Jhoan García on winning the position of Principal Trumpet with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra.Or...
05/27/2026

Congratulations to Jhoan García on winning the position of Principal Trumpet with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra.

Originally from Colombia and now based in Chicago, Jhoan has built an international performance career appearing with ensembles across the Americas and Europe, including the Nashville Symphony, Sarasota Symphony, Omaha Symphony, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia.

🗣️ Reflecting on this achievement, Jhoan shared: “Sphinx has been an active partner in helping me achieve this success.”

We’re excited to celebrate this important next chapter in his career.

💬 Comment NAAS to learn more about the National Alliance for Audition Support!

05/26/2026

What happens when artists create beyond traditional categories? 🎭🎶

This week’s SphinxConnect release, Breaking Boundaries, brings together Jazmin Goodson, Lisa E. Harris, and Levi Taylor for a conversation centered on interdisciplinary artistry, collaboration, and cultural impact.

Together, they explore how crossing artistic disciplines can open new possibilities for storytelling, audience connection, and creative growth.

A thoughtful session for artists, educators, and anyone interested in imagining beyond conventional creative paths.

💬 Comment BOUNDARIES to watch the full video!

Congratulations to Pedro Mendez on winning a position in the Dallas Symphony Orchestra viola section.Originally from Bar...
05/26/2026

Congratulations to Pedro Mendez on winning a position in the Dallas Symphony Orchestra viola section.

Originally from Barquisimeto, Venezuela, Pedro began his musical journey in El Sistema before studying in the United States with Roland and Almita Vamos and Li-Kuo Chang. After serving as a Dallas Symphony Fellow and performing with ensembles across the country, he now returns to Dallas as a member of the orchestra.

🗣️ Pedro shared: “Sphinx has supported me throughout the long journey that led to where I am today. It is truly a blessing for many of us in the minority community.”

We are proud to celebrate this exciting achievement and all that lies ahead.

💬 Comment NAAS to learn more about the National Alliance for Audition Support!

05/22/2026

This summer, Sofia Hernandez-Williams, a 12-year-old cellist from Holden, Massachusetts, will attend the Sphinx Performance Academy at Boston Conservatory at Berklee.

Studying with Timothy Terranella, Sofia has already built extensive solo and chamber music experience, including performances with the Cape Symphony Orchestra, Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra, Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, and more.

She is also a recent Second Prize winner in the Junior Division of the National Sphinx Competition.

🗣️ Sofia shared that she hopes to continue growing as both a soloist and chamber musician while connecting with fellow young artists this summer at SPA.

💬 Comment SPA to learn more!

We’re proud to celebrate Emmanuel Losa, who is now a Cello Fellow with the New World Symphony.🗣️ A NAAS alum, Emmanuel r...
05/21/2026

We’re proud to celebrate Emmanuel Losa, who is now a Cello Fellow with the New World Symphony.

🗣️ A NAAS alum, Emmanuel reflects on the role Sphinx has played in his journey, sharing that it has been “a wonderful resource and support system beyond measure.”

We look forward to all that’s ahead for him!

💬 Comment NAAS to learn more!

Address

2200 Hunt Street
Detroit, MI
48207

Telephone

+18884047073

Website

https://impact.sphinxmusic.org/give2025

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