• Student Portal
  • For Coaches
  • Contact
SYSOSYSOSYSOSYSO
  • About
    • About SYSO
    • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Parent & Guardian Association
    • Alumni
    • Faculty
      • Conductors
      • Coaches & Faculty
    • Staff & Board
    • Work With Us
  • Programs
    • Orchestras
      • Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra
      • Junior Symphony Orchestra
      • Debut Symphony Orchestra
      • Symphonette Orchestra
      • Prelude String Orchestra
      • MY Southeast
      • Cadenza
    • Conservatory
      • Seattle Conservatory of Music
    • School
      • Endangered Instruments
      • Musical Pathways Project
    • Summer Programs
      • Marrowstone Music Festival
      • SYSO Summer Music
  • Events
    • Concerts & Tickets
    • 2022-23 Concerto Competition
  • Audition
  • Support
    • Make a Gift
    • Annual Fund
    • Corporate Giving
    • Estate Giving
    • Our Sponsors
  • Media
    • Leadership Letter
    • Photos & Video
    • Press
NextPrevious

Alumni Spotlight: Bhavani Kotha

By shannonloys | Uncategorized | 0 comment | 15 April, 2020 | 6

Bhavani Kotha’s debut album, Bhavani’s Oboe, was released earlier this year, and she has wasted no time promoting it while maintaining her busy performing schedule. Like many SYSO alumni, Kotha’s passion and commitment to music is second nature.

After graduating from SYSO in 2015, Kotha obtained a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington, and later her Master’s degree from USC Thornton School of Music. Though she’s spent much of her adult life immersed in her craft, key musical experiences for Kotha took place in downtown Seattle.

“Getting to perform orchestral masterpieces like Scheherazade, Dvořák
8, Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde, and The Rite of Spring at Benaroya Hall was an incredible opportunity! These pieces are still some of my favorites.”

Kotha has performed with several ensembles, including The Sound Ensemble, Oregon Symphony, Boise Philharmonic, Boise Baroque Orchestra, and the Kingston Symphony, as well as many music festivals. Though the development of musical passion takes course over one’s lifetime, having opportunities to study music at advanced levels while growing up positively impacted Kotha’s professional trajectory.

“The training and exposure to classical music through [SYSO] provided me with the foundation and skills to become a professional oboist,” Kotha said. “I am grateful for many wonderful years in SYSO, as well as summers at MITC (now SYSO Summer Music) and Marrowstone.”

SYSO encourages students like Kotha by offering opportunities to grow through shared musical experiences, and by emphasizing commitment and collaboration as values important to one’s success.

“The SYSO conductors and coaches taught me to work hard to do my part, and also to work as a team to make the music come to life.” Kotha credits another influential SYSO figure for her work ethic: “A special shout-out to Janice, who instilled a sense of discipline and arriving on time (early)!”

And though she’s achieved much in her own right, Kotha pays it forward by composing etudes for oboists honing their craft, and aspiring to create new performance opportunities for Puget Sound-area musicians. Kotha readily shares a vision for classical music in the future: available to more people, with ensembles that reflect the uniqueness and diversity of our communities.

Bhavani’s Oboe is available through Crystal Records Catalog, Apple Music, and iTunes, and features works by Benjamin Britten, Antonio Pasculli, Madeleine Dring, and more.

alumni

Related Posts

  • Alumni Spotlight: Jack Walters

    By shannonloys | 0 comment

    Then: Jack played clarinet in the Junior Symphony Orchestra and Youth Symphony Orchestra from 2009 to 2011. Now: Jack is now the second clarinet for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra What was challenging and inspiring to you aboutRead more

  • Alumni Spotlight: Paul Kim

    By shannonloys | 0 comment

    Then: Paul played violin in the Classical Symphony, Junior Symphony, and Youth Symphony from 2006-2011. Now: Paul is now the second violin for the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. What was challenging and inspiring to you about your coachesRead more

  • Alumni Spotlight: Jiho Kang

    By shannonloys | 0 comment

    Actor/Singer/Songwriter and SYSO alum Jiho Kang Then: Jiho played violin and viola in SYSO’s Debut, Junior, and Youth Symphonies from 2009-2011. Now: An actor/singer/songwriter, Jiho recently starred in KPOP in NYC. The acclaimed new interactive musical tackled issuesRead more

NextPrevious

Founded in 1942, Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra is the largest youth orchestra training program in the United States.

Contact Us

11065 5th Ave NE, Suite A
Seattle, WA 98125

206.362.2300 | info@syso.org

Join Our Email List

SYSO in Photos

  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • For Coaches
  • Student Portal
  • About
    • About SYSO
    • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Parent & Guardian Association
    • Alumni
    • Faculty
      • Conductors
      • Coaches & Faculty
    • Staff & Board
    • Work With Us
  • Programs
    • Orchestras
      • Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra
      • Junior Symphony Orchestra
      • Debut Symphony Orchestra
      • Symphonette Orchestra
      • Prelude String Orchestra
      • MY Southeast
      • Cadenza
    • Conservatory
      • Seattle Conservatory of Music
    • School
      • Endangered Instruments
      • Musical Pathways Project
    • Summer Programs
      • Marrowstone Music Festival
      • SYSO Summer Music
  • Events
    • Concerts & Tickets
    • 2022-23 Concerto Competition
  • Audition
  • Support
    • Make a Gift
    • Annual Fund
    • Corporate Giving
    • Estate Giving
    • Our Sponsors
  • Media
    • Leadership Letter
    • Photos & Video
    • Press
SYSO