Oberlin Students Selected for Prestigious New York String Orchestra Seminar

This December promises a special opportunity for three Oberlin students accepted to the New York String Orchestra Seminar, one of the country’s most prestigious training programs. For more than 50 years, the annual event has brought together young musicians for orchestral performances at Carnegie Hall, as well as chamber music workshops.

For this year’s edition—which takes place December 19 through 28—violinist Michael Smith ’28 will serve as concertmaster, Aurora Miller ’27 will sit in the first violin section, and William Mathangani ’27 will be principal violist. The group’s music director, conductor and violinist Jaime Laredo, is a Distinguished Artist in Residence at Oberlin, along with his wife, cellist Sharon Robinson.

The trio of students joins an esteemed group of past participants that includes legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violist Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, and clarinetist Anthony McGill. Among those alumni already is Miller, who also participated in 2024 as assistant principal second violin. 

“Last year’s experience was truly life-changing for me, both as a musician and a person,” Miller says. “Getting to play this music with such a high-level ensemble reminds me why making music is so special and meaningful to me.”

All three students credit Oberlin faculty as a major reason why they feel prepared for such an advanced opportunity. Miller and Smith study with Professor of Violin Sibbi Bernhardsson, while Mathangani studies with Professor of Viola Peter Slowik. 

“I am lucky to be his student, and I attribute this success to his teachings,” Smith says of Bernhardsson. “I am also proud to represent Oberlin and the values it stands for at this summit of young musicians.”

Mathangani says he’s “very excited” to be a part of the seminar, and with a major role. “What I am most excited for is the musical fulfillment from these 10 days. There are two concerts as well as chamber music, and all include amazing repertoire.

“It will be challenging to put all of this together within the time frame, but I think that’s what will be fun about it: seeing what we as an ensemble can produce in just a few days.”

The 2025 seminar also feels bittersweet, as it marks Jaime Laredo’s 33rd and final year at the head of the ensemble. “He brings such a vibrant and warm energy to the orchestra,” Miller says. “I’m really grateful to have the chance to work with him one more time.”

Taking over as music director next year will be conductor Michael Stern. “All great things must constantly change and evolve, so it is time to pass the baton,” Laredo says. “The most important thing for me has been the opportunity to work with hundreds of young musicians who went on to have great careers as chamber music players, as orchestral musicians, as soloists, and administrators.”

Sharon Robinson shared her enthusiasm for the Oberlin students’ achievement. “The competition was fierce to win a coveted spot in this program,” she says. “We are so happy for these young artists, and this reflects back on the dynamic and supportive atmosphere at Oberlin Conservatory. We are very proud to be associated with Oberlin!”

Stephanie Manning ’23 completed her bassoon performance degree while finding her way into journalism as a classical music critic. She returned to Cleveland after finishing a graduate diploma in journalism at Concordia University in Montreal. Her writing has appeared in The Montreal Gazette, Early Music America, and ClevelandClassical.com.