WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

The Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey Alumni Committee is pleased to launch the “Where Are They Now?” series. This new initiative will feature YOCJ Alumni interviews, and perhaps photos and performances as well! We aim to inspire our current students, showcase the accomplishments of our alumni, and illustrate how YOCJ has made an indelible impact on many generations of talented young musicians!

Virtual Visit from Saxophonist, Charlotte Jansky!

Violinist & Pianist, Yui Tiffany Narita

Violinist & Pianist, Yui Tiffany Narita graduated from high school in 2012, then graduated from Boston University, and now teaches music in Japan! YOCJ Board member Ruby Hanna catches up with her here in this brief video clip. Check it out YOCJ!

Tuba Player, Luke Armstrong, Class of 2020

Tuba player, Luke Armstrong finished high school in 2020, and is currently at James Madison University in Virginia. YOCJ Board member Ruby Hanna catches up with Luke here in this brief video clip. Check it out YOCJ!

Trumpet Player, Drew Borek, Class of 2020

Trumpet player, Drew Borek graduated high school in 2020 and is currently at Lafayette College in Easton Pennsylvania. YOCJ Board Member Ruby Hanna catches up with Drew here in this brief video clip. Check it out YOCJ!

French Horn Player, Liz Bellotti, Class of 2014

French Horn player, Liz Bellotti finished high school in 2014, then graduated from the University of Delaware and is currently at McGill University in Montreal. Current YOCJ member Chern Yang catches up with Liz here in this brief video clip. Check it out YOCJ!

Violist Ji Won Lee, Class of 2017

Violist, Ji Won Lee graduated from high school in 2017, and is currently a senior at Emory University. Current YOCJ member Kabir Nankani catches up with Ji Won Lee here in this brief video clip. Check it out YOCJ!

Violinist Viola You, Class of 2014

Violinist & Violist, Viola You graduated from high school in 2014, attended UCLA and is currently teaching violin & viola students in California. Board Member Ruby Hanna catches up with Viola here in this brief video clip. Check it out YOCJ!

Saxophonist Ian Briffa, Class of 2018

Saxophone player, Ian Briffa graduated from high school in 2018 is currently a junior at the Eastman School of Music. Board Member Ruby Hanna catches up with Ian here in this brief video clip. Check it out YOCJ!

Trombonist Jacob Niemann, Class of 2015

Trombone player, Jacob Niemann graduated from high school in 2015 and attended the Peabody Conservatory of Music. He is currently at the Curtis Institute of Music as a Conducting Fellow. Board Member Ruby Hanna catches up with Jacob here in this brief video clip. Check it out YOCJ!

Trumpet player Ayanna Posipanko, Class of 2016

Trumpetist, Ayanna Posipanko graduated from high school in the Spring of 2016 and from the University of Delaware, Class of 2020. She is currently living in Delaware and working as a music teacher in Maryland. Board Member Ruby Hanna catches up with Ayanna here in this brief video clip. Check it out YOCJ!

Cellist Alicia Method, Class of 2019

Cellist Alicia Method graduated from high school in 2019 and currently attends Gettysburg College as a Music Performance and English major. Alicia was also one of the recipients of the first YOCJ Senior Scholarship. Board Member Ruby Hanna catches up with Alicia here in this brief video clip. Check it out, YOCJ!

Saxophonist Charlotte Jansky, Class of 2019

Saxophonist, Charlotte Jansky graduated from high school in 2019 and currently attends Michigan State University as a Music Education and Performance major. Charlotte was also one of the recipients of the first YOCJ Senior Scholarship. During the Spring concert of 2019, Charlotte had the opportunity to arrange and conduct “Appalachian Spring” by Aaron Copland with the YOCJ Saxophone Choir. Board Member Ruby Hanna catches up with Charlotte here in this brief video clip. Check it out, YOCJ!

Violinist Steven Ridge, Class of 2013

​Alumni Committee Chair, Ruby Hanna, recently had an opportunity to sit down with YOCJ alum and music enthusiast, Steven Ridge. Steven participated in YOCJ from 2009 until he graduated from high school in 2013.

Since receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in May 2018, Steven became a music educator, first spending two years teaching at the high school level and now teaching children in the 4th and 5th grade level in the Edison, NJ school district.  He teaches children of all experience levels. When asked about his favorite YOCJ moment, he quickly recalls his senior college auditions….​