Congratulations to 21 William Pu Music Academy students that won seats in Emory’s youth orchestras for the 2026–27 season — 13 in the Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, more than one in five of the orchestra’s string players, and 8 in the Emory Youth Chamber Orchestra. Two of them in EYSO have been selected as section leaders: Mia Jiang as Principal Viola and Ethan Goh as Principal Cello.
Auditions for both orchestras are held in a single competitive round each August. Congratulations to every student who auditioned, and to the teachers who prepared them.
Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra (EYSO)
Violin — Alyssa Chen (student of Amy Chang) · Anwita Kulkarni (Carlos Breña) · Rebekah Lee (Jian Shang) · Aidan Park (William Pu) · Amy Qi (Jian Shang)
Viola — Mia Jiang, Principal (Amy Chang) · Adam Kim (Amy Chang) · Stella Yi (Amy Chang)
Cello — Ethan Goh, Principal (Martin Gueorguiev) · David Kim (Martin Gueorguiev) · Eamon Li (Martin Gueorguiev) · Franklin Sun (Martin Gueorguiev)
Bass — Roko Gueorguiev (Michael Farrick)
Emory Youth Chamber Orchestra (EYCO)
Violin — Sehasa Bandara (Jian Shang) · Nathalie Chou (William Pu) · Melissa Qiu (William Pu, Karen Lin) · Sarah Xing (Jian Shang)
Viola — Manasvi Dokiparthi (Amy Chang)
Cello — Caleb Mani (Martin Gueorguiev) · Roy Woo (Martin Gueorguiev) · Helen Zhou (Martin Gueorguiev)
EYSO’s first concert cycle of the season includes Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 2 and Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture.
About the Emory Youth Symphony Orchestras
Founded in 2005 at Emory University, the Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra program comprises two ensembles — the Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, under Emory Director of Orchestral Studies Dr. Paul Bhasin, and the newly formed Emory Youth Chamber Orchestra, under Georgia Ekonomou. Members are selected through a single August audition each year and rehearse at the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts on Emory’s campus, performing three concerts a season in Emerson Concert Hall. Students receive sectional coaching from Emory’s Vega Quartet and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Artist Affiliates.
About William Pu Music Academy
The William Pu Music Academy is a private, award-winning, conservatory-style music academy in Atlanta. WPMA offers music education programming taught by the finest musicians and pedagogues in all of Georgia. In addition to taking 1-on-1 instrument lessons with highly-trained faculty, students at WPMA study music theory & sight-reading, participate in monthly recitals, studio classes, masterclasses with guest artists, and perform in chamber and orchestra ensembles. Academy students receive a rich and comprehensive music education, supported by a dedicated faculty. In this environment distinguished by its community and learning opportunities, WPMA students frequently compete and succeed in state and nation-wide auditions. Learn more about WPMA and previous student achievements at wpmusicacademy.com.
