Programs & Hosts

On Deck with Young Musicians

On Deck with Young Musicians

Saturdays at 5pm PT

On Deck with Young Musicians is an inspirational weekly interview segment that celebrates and showcases the incredibly talented young musicians who live and perform in the Pacific Northwest: the young people who are shaping the future of classical music. Created and hosted by Christa Wessel, select episodes of On Deck are also hosted by Adam Eccleston, Raúl Gómez-Rojas, and Lisa Lipton.  

Tune in Saturdays at 5:00 PM PT, and revisit past interviews using the links below or by following On Deck on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

If you know of a young musician who should be profiled for On Deck, please email Christa Wessel at christa@allclassical.org.  

On Deck with Young Musicians is made possible in part by support from the Metropolitan Youth Symphony.  


February 3, 2018

On Deck with Alex Shenson-Collins

Alex Shenson-Collins is a 16-year old junior at St. Mary’s Academy in Portland, and she sings with the Pacific Youth Choir. In this episode of “On Deck,” we’ll talk with Alex about an array of big topics: the bullying she experienced in middle school, performance anxiety, philosophy, and the importance of family in her life…. More


January 27, 2018

On Deck with Douglas Graham

Douglas Graham is a 17-year old cellist who performs with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony and is a student of Nancy Ives.  When Douglas goes to college next year he wants to major in engineering, but has some very specific thoughts about how his life in music will make him a better engineer. Also in this episode of “On Deck,” Douglas will tell… More


January 13, 2018

On Deck with Tiana and Vivian Pham

Vivian (left) and Tiana Pham are teenage cousins who both play piano, and both take lessons at Ethos Music Center.  They are both students at Benson Polytechnic High School, and are both are interested in health occupations… but they say that music will always be a part of their lives.


January 6, 2018

On Deck with Ben Price

Ben Price is in 8th-grade and is co-principal oboist with two ensembles: the Metropolitan Youth Symphony and the Portland Youth Philharmonic. Ben also takes lessons with two teachers (Dagny Rask Regan and Karen Wagner). Having won a concerto competition with the Oregon Sinfonietta, Ben will be performing a Haydn Oboe Concerto with that group on January 21. In this episode of… More


December 9, 2017

On Deck with Elora Ghosh

Elora Ghosh began singing Indian classical music at a very young age, and then migrated to “Western” music.  Now, as a 16-year old high school junior, she plays violin in the Portland Youth Philharmonic and she sings in the Pacific Youth Choir.  She is also passionate about volunteering, as well as being a force of… More


December 2, 2017

On Deck with Griffin Barbieri

16-year old high school junior Griffin Barbieri likes to stand out… and he was initially drawn to the tuba because it is big and flashy.  But we’ll hear him tell us that the key to being a successful tuba player in the Metropolitan Youth Symphony is learning how to blend in.  You can learn more… More


November 25, 2017

On Deck with Kai Bryngelson

Kai Bryngleson is a 15-year old violinist who –last year, at the age of 14– left his home and parents in Patagonia to further his musical education in Portland.  He’s now studying with Oregon Symphony violinist Vali Phillips and is co-concertmaster of the Portland Youth Philharmonic. We’ll get to know more about this brave young man… More


November 18, 2017

On Deck with Hailey Kang

Hailey Kang is a 15-year old cellist who plays with her orchestra at Tualatin High School, and she has also been a member of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony for 7 years. Hailey has a competitive drive, and it has paid off:  she has won concerto competitions with the Jewish Community Orchestra, the Metropolitan Youth Symphony,… More


November 4, 2017

On Deck with Noah Kurzenhauser

Noah Kurzenhauser is a 17-year old singer (with the Pacific Youth Choir) and pianist whose goal in life is to enter politics. He has already interned with a Representative in the Oregon State Legislature, and is planning to pursue degrees in Political Science and Public Policy. In this episode of “On Deck with Young Musicians,”… More


October 21, 2017

On Deck with Jude Dow-Hygelund

Jude Dow-Hygelund is a 12-year old pianist from Junction City, Oregon.  Christa met him over the summer at YMA: Young Musicians and Artists. Jude was one of the winners of that camp’s concerto competition, which gave him the honor of performing as soloist with the YMA Orchestra. In this episode of “On Deck” you can… More


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