GPAC Youth Symphony Program

04/13/2026

Our Chamber Strings Group performed at ArtWorks Foundation Art in the Loop this past weekend. Next up - The GPAC Gala.

12/04/2025

We are so proud of all our students! Auditions for 2nd semester will be held in January.

10/16/2025

Great article on Jeremy Liu who is a member of our Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Jeremy Liu's coach is 95-year-old Caroline Mirelli, a roller skating hall of famer. She's the first inline skater she's coached to compete at worlds.

08/06/2025

Join us!

07/22/2025

We are ready to start a new season of music. Will you join us? Auditions will be held August 23 from 1:30-3:30 at GPAC. https://www.gpacweb.com/gpac/gpac-youth-symphony-program

06/23/2025

Congratulations to the 2025 Pu-Qi Jiang Excellence in Music Scholarship Winner - Samantha Skinner. The full scholarship is given annually to a rising senior student who displays excellence in talent, musicianship, attendance, dedication, ability to work with an ensemble and overall personality and attitude.

Sam is a 17-year-old senior at Westminster Academy Memphis who has played violin for 10 years. A dedicated member of the GPAC Youth Symphony since 6th grade, she has grown in both technical skill and love for music. Outside of music, Sam enjoys hiking and camping, serves as a school ambassador, and is active on her church’s worship team. She’s grateful for the discipline, focus, and joy music has brought to her life.

“This year’s recipient exemplifies what it means to be a member of the GPAC Youth symphony: She is an excellent musician, meaning she doesn’t just rely on talent, but hones her craft both at home and in rehearsal. She contributes not only musically, but engages eagerly and socially with others and makes sure everyone feels welcome and accepted in our youth symphony program.” - Dr. Jonathan Schallert, Artistic Director

05/02/2025

This Sunday!

You’d be hard-pressed to find students who work harder than the members of the GPAC Youth Symphony Program, and this semester has been no exception!

We invite you to join us this Sunday, May 4, for “Just Dance,” the GYSP’s Spring Concert which will be exploring the intrinsic relationship between music and movement through works including “Intermezzo Sinfonico” from Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana, Alice Mary Smith’s rarely performed “Symphony in C minor,” the third movement of “Concerto for Flute and Orchestra” by Carl Reinecke, and a special presentation of John Stevens’ “Benediction” featuring choreography by Ballet Memphis’ Brandon Ramey.

Congratulations to all these incredible, young musicians for another outstanding semester!

Tickets are available now at the link in our bio or at www.gpacweb.com.

04/07/2025

It was a busy weekend for our Chamber Strings group under the direction of Dr. Sheryl Lane. They performed for the residents of Kirby Pines and then for the attendees of the GPAC Gala. You can catch their next performance at Arkwings Foundation's Art in the Loop on Saturday, April 26 at 12pm.

12/18/2024

We are still thinking of our beautiful Fall Concert held on November 24. Want to join next semester? Sign up for our mid season audition: https://www.gpacweb.com/gpac/gpac-youth-symphony-program

11/19/2024

Our Chamber Strings group under the direction of Dr. Sheryl Lane performed at the Artists' Link reception at GPAC this past Sunday. Stay tuned for more community performances by this fun group this season.

07/23/2024

Are you looking to expand your repertoire? Meet new friends? Experience a concert in a beautiful space? Auditions for our upcoming season are Saturday, August 24th. Check out the details on our website.

The GPAC Youth Symphony Program is dedicated to the highest standards of music and is open to career-oriented students as well as those who wish to study music for the pure enjoyment, inherent benefits of and appreciation for the art form. For more information please contact Emily Hefley at

06/17/2024

Congratulations to one of our 2024 Pu-Qi Jiang Excellence in Music Scholarship Winners - Holland Holdsworth. The scholarship is given annually to a rising senior student who displays excellence in talent, musicianship, attendance, dedication, ability to work with an ensemble and overall personality and attitude.

Holland Holdsworth has been playing viola and studying with Mrs Jane Schranze for seven years. She attends Houston High School where she is on the Honor Council for the Honors Academy, member of Beta Club, National Honor Society, and Tri-M Music Honor Society.

“Holland exemplifies what it means to be a member of the GPAC Youth Symphony. She is an excellent musician who doesn’t settle for just her given talent, but works hard to hone her craft both at home and in rehearsal. Holland leads by example and encourages others along the way. We look forward to what she accomplishes in the future!" - Dr. Jonathan Schallert, Artistic Director