Class of 2020

Maggie Jaap, Bass Clarinet, Philharmonic Orchestra is about to graduate from Academy of the Holy Names. She has played bass clarinet for 6 years, alto/baritone saxophone for 4 years, percussion for 3 years, and clarinet for 10 months. Her musical inspiration is Philip Glass and she hopes to go to USF to major in music performance.

Eve Larkin, Violin, Symphony Orchestra has been studying the violin since the age of 12 and played with the Tampa Metropolitan Youth Orchestra for four seasons. She has attended music festivals such as Interlochen Center for the Arts and Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, studying under many world-renowned musicians including Julia Bushkova, Sandy Yamamoto, Paul Sonner, Ara Sarkissian, and Clara Kim from the Argus Quartet. This year, she performed in the 2020 FMEA Florida All State Orchestra and was invited to perform in Carnegie Hall in the Symphonic Series for Bands & Orchestras as Concertmaster of her high school orchestra. She will be attending Florida State University this fall for Business Management and intends to keep playing in FSU University Orchestra.

Matt Porter, Tuba, Symphony Orchestra has attended Brandon High School for the past 4 years and is overtly grateful for the musical opportunities that have been presented to him. Each year he has been selected for a Honor Band – All County, and was able to play a variety of literature from different POV’s which was always exciting. His passion for music is thanks to his Middle school band director, Mr. Kevin Fuller – who has inspired so many kids throughout his 30+ years of teaching. He teaches that music is a part of life, and music brings us happiness. Without Mr. Fuller, Matt would not be the musician he is today. After high school Matt plans to attend FSU to study music therapy. “Thank you TMYO for all the love and support you have given us seniors throughout this tragic battle. It’s heartbreaking that things are playing out the way we had all expected, but we’ll manage, and let music.

Sean Trowbridge, Violin, Symphony Orchestra started playing violin when he took Mrs. Strom’s orchestra class at Benito Middle in 6th grade. At Middleton High School, he has been one of the key performers in his orchestra; he participated in All-County twice and was also awarded Superior with Distinction for playing violin solo at Solo/Ensemble. Throughout his high school years, he received private lessons from Ms. Emily Monroe. He also took part in many community services through TMYO. He will attend USF in fall where he plans to major in Computer Science.

Phil Weatherford, Violin, Symphony Orchestra is a high school senior, dual-enrolled between Florida Virtual School and the College of Central Florida. His violinplaying journey began at only threeand-a-half years old with the classic Suzuki Strings method. Phil found a mentor in his teacher at the time, Andrew Baker, who provided motivation as he performed “Por Una Cabeza” as his first solo at the age of seven at Tampa’s Straz Center for the Performing Arts. With TMYO, a great opportunity appeared for Phil as he found a perfect place to build experience in both chamber and orchestra settings with time spent in Symphonic Strings, Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Symphony Orchestra since 2014. Phil’s plans are to complete an Associate of Arts at the College of Central Florida before moving on to the University of Central Florida for a Bachelor’s Degree that includes a Music Minor. He is grateful and would like to thank both his family and TMYO for giving him a chance to enhance musical skills and prepare for whatever the future has in store.