The Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey Alumni Committee proudly presents the ongoing “Where Are They Now?” series. This initiative highlights YOCJ Alumni through interviews, photos, and performances, celebrating their achievements and showcasing how YOCJ has left a lasting impact on generations of talented young musicians. Through these stories, we aim to inspire current students and honor the rich legacy of our alumni community.
Recent Alumni Testimonials
From Emma LaDuke ~
“I’ve been part of this organization for about 7 years now, and I can’t express enough the impact it’s had on me. I joined in 6th grade where I had no confidence in my abilities, and it felt like everyone was more skilled than me. As years went on, though, and I got more comfortable […]”
“For me, YOCJ has been a wonderful place to experience repertoire, meet fellow musicians, practice and improve musicianship, and to simply enjoy music. From joining in fourth grade, to now having graduated high school, YOCJ has truly helped shape me into who I am today.I will never forget the Germany tour in sixth grade, where […]”
“As a rising senior and member of the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey since 6th grade, I can confidently say that the community I found at YOCJ is a huge factor in sustaining my commitment to playing the violin. I look forward to the fun weekly rehearsals with my friends and enjoy our concerts led […]”
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!
Luke Armstrong
tubaist
,
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!
Drew Borek
Trumpetist
,
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!
Liz Bellotti
French Hornist
,
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!
Ji Won Lee
Violinist
,
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!
Viola You
Violinist
,
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!
Ian Briffa
Saxophonist
,
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!
Jacob Niemann
Trombonist
,
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!
Ayanna Posipanko
Trumpetist
,
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!
Alicia Method
Cellist
,
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!
Charlotte Jansky
Saxophonist
,
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!
Steven Ridge
Violinist
,
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….
