Let’s Check in with GTCYS’ Pathway Musicians!
By CJ Younger, Communications Manager
Launched in 2023, GTCYS’ Pathway Musicians Program nurtures the growth and talents of Black/African American and Latinx/Hispanic music students through a comprehensive, personalized support system.
“It’s meant a lot to find a community of musicians who look like me, and to play music and connect with them.” —Solanite, trumpet
Pathway Musicians receive generous financial assistance, private lesson teachers, and mentoring from professional musicians to reach their fullest musical potential within GTCYS and beyond.
Our four Pathway musicians shared the program’s impact on their musical growth, plus some memories from the 2024–25 season!
Solanite, trumpet
Taught by Marissa Benedict, mentored by Imani Duhe
“The Pathways program has guided me to what I want to do and where I want to go. I’ve gotten better a lot through my lessons, and my amazing mentor who’s guided me through audition processes and given me general advice about the trumpet. I’m also inspired by seeing professional musicians at the Minnesota Orchestra.”
“Overall, it’s been really helpful to have the support of the Pathway program behind me and find more opportunities. It also removes financial burdens when it comes to playing the trumpet, which can get pricey!
“My favorite memory from this GTCYS season is playing Bach’s Toccata and Fugue. After we played the last note, a lot of people took a collective breath—there was so much tension. I even heard a couple gasps. That was the first time I’d visually seen people impacted by music.”
Keziah, violin
Taught by Earl Ross, mentored by Patrick Hyatte
“When you don’t feel fully represented, you’re not always able to feel fully accepted either. I feel very thankful to be a part of the Pathway program and to have these resources dedicated to me.”
“Being part of a program that aims to support and have more Black and POC musicians in orchestra means a lot to me. Being a Pathway musician is something I’m proud of, and I’m glad to see this happening in orchestra settings—branching out to more communities and making it a priority to give the resources that allow more people to be in these spaces.
My mentor, Patrick Hyatte, is a Black man, and it gives me someone to look up to and see myself in a future setting; it also gives me a sense of acceptance. I’m able to reach out to Patrick and ask for advice on audition excerpts, and he also gives me recommendations on certain music or books to try.”
“My favorite moment from the past season has been rehearsing. I enjoy being in that space with my conductor and my peers. I’m glad to know that GTCYS and the orchestra I’m a part of is striving to make [diversity] more of an acceptable thing for communities. It makes me feel more represented.”
Mariella, violin
Taught by Mary Sorlie, mentored by Tami Lee Hughes
“I feel like this year, the Pathway program has been giving me lots of opportunities to explore new music and go to concerts. It’s helped me a lot also because of my mentor—she helps me a lot with auditions. I send her videos, and we communicate every few days.”
“There aren’t many Black and Latino students compared to others [in orchestra], so I feel like choosing them to support has been a really good decision. The support is really gratifying.
“When I first joined GTCYS and saw my first Symphony concert, it was eye-opening. I’d never seen music like that before, and it felt like a movie. Now, five years later, watching Symphony again, I’m not paying attention to how it sounds like a movie—I’m paying attention to how I would play it myself. It’s like it showed me what my future was going to be like.”
Luis, violin
Taught by Jesus Andres Guzman, mentored by Omar Macias
“The Pathway program gives me the privilege to have a mentor and a lesson teacher. I’m really grateful for it. I like my mentor a lot—he’s nice to talk to, and he helps me in being more confident in my playing, what I need to fix in playing, and he motivates me to keep on pushing and not give up.
“My lesson teacher is a wonderful teacher. He helps me a lot in improving, and he pushes me—he doesn’t tell me to give up. I connect to him a lot. I was struggling in a song, and he helped me to try new strategies and bowings. He tells me to relax and not stress.
“I like to play with other people in orchestra, and I also like the variety of genres we play. In my orchestra, we’re doing jazz—it’s one of my favorite genres we’ve played so far.”
If you’re passionate about creating pathways to classical music in our community, make a donation at gtcys.org/donate!