As a young girl coming from the west side of the valley I had no idea anything like PYS existed or did not have any experience in any ensemble like the Phoenix Youth Symphony. My initial reaction to playing in the Symphonette orchestra, and later the Youth Symphony, was pure astonishment. I spent two years in the Symphonette Orchestra under Dr. Temme and four years in the Youth Symphony with Ben Rous for one year and three with Keitaro Harada.
As I spent these six years in PYS I grew tremendously as a musician and as a person from the mentoring of the conductors and influence of those around me.
I wouldn’t trade the time I had in PYS for anything, for it was a big influence for my career in music that shall make me happy for years to come.