Join us for the grand finale of the Syracuse Youth Orchestras’ 2024–2025 season — a spectacular evening of music that spans fantasy, film, and classical brilliance!
This unforgettable concert features everything from high-seas adventure in Pirates of the Caribbean to the sweeping majesty of Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8, the thrilling magic of Night on Bald Mountain, and the soaring spirit of How to Train Your Dragon. The night will also feature soloist Colin Chin, winner of the SYO Concerto Competition, as the Young Artist Orchestra joins him to play Lalo’s Cello Concerto.
Don’t miss this chance to witness the incredible talent and passion of Central New York’s finest young musicians. It’s not just a concert — it’s a celebration of everything they’ve achieved this season!
Invite your friends, bring the family, and let’s end this season on a high note!
FEATURED ARTISTS

Stephen Salem is currently in his twelfth year as a music educator at Liverpool High School, in Liverpool, NY, where he conducts the LHS Symphonic Band, Stage Band, Tuba Euphonium Ensemble, and teaches SUNY OCC Music Theory. During his time at Liverpool High School, Mr. Salem has also conducted ...
Stephen Salem is currently in his twelfth year as a music educator at Liverpool High School, in Liverpool, NY, where he conducts the LHS Symphonic Band, Stage Band, Tuba Euphonium Ensemble, and teaches SUNY OCC Music Theory. During his time at Liverpool High School, Mr. Salem has also conducted the Concert Band, served as the Brass Caption Head of the LHS Marching Band, and has conducted several musical theatre productions. Ensembles under his direction have been selected to perform at the NYSSMA Winter Conference as well as the NAfME Eastern Division Conference. Additionally, Mr. Salem has frequently lead clinics on low brass pedagogy, including at the NYSSMA Winter Conference featuring the LHS Tuba
Euphonium Ensemble.
Mr. Salem is in frequent demand as a guest conductor for All-Counties and Honor Band Festivals. In addition to teaching at Liverpool, Mr. Salem is also currently serving as the interim conductor of the Symphoria Youth Orchestras. As a conductor, Mr. Salem has been featured in a variety of festivals including the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, the Oregon Summer Conducting Institute, the Nordic Masterclass for Conductors in Denmark with the South Jutland Symphony, and the International Conducting Workshop and Festival in Czech Republic with the Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic. Mr. Salem has also led Symphoria in educational concerts. In addition to teaching and conducting, Mr. Salem frequently performs on tuba with musical groups including the Central Winds, the Auburn Chamber Orchestra, Symphoria, the Utica Symphony, and the Misty Cove Brass Quintet as well as on bass trombone with the Central Winds Jazz Ensemble.
Mr. Salem graduated from the University of Florida with a Master’s Degree in Instrumental Conducting and from Syracuse University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. His conducting teachers include David Waybright and John Laverty, as well as supplemental studies with Jorma Panula, Larry Rachleff, and Donald Schleicher. Mr. Salem is a member of several professional organizations including the New York State School Music Association, the National Association for Music Education, Onondaga County Music Educators Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda, and the American Federation of Musicians, Local 78. Mr. Salem resides in Liverpool with his wife Anna, daughter Amelia, and son Jonah.

Jessica Kline Tumajyan is the orchestra director at Christian Brothers Academy where she teaches string lessons, music theory, and conducts the CBA orchestras. She holds a bachelor of music in Viola Performance from Syracuse University and has been the viola instructor at Le Moyne College since 2014.
As ...
Jessica Kline Tumajyan is the orchestra director at Christian Brothers Academy where she teaches string lessons, music theory, and conducts the CBA orchestras. She holds a bachelor of music in Viola Performance from Syracuse University and has been the viola instructor at Le Moyne College since 2014.
As a former full time violist with Symphoria, Mrs. Tumajyan still performs actively on violin and viola. Ms. Tumajyan performs with the Binghamton Philharmonic, Tri-Cities Opera, Clinton Symphony, Syracuse Vocal Ensemble, Schola Cantorum, and is a member of the Fenimore Chamber Orchestra. Mrs. Tumajyan is completing her MM in Music Education from Ithaca College.
Mrs. Tumajyan is also actively involved in student coaching and adjudication and has recently adjudicated the Friends of Chamber Music Youth Chamber competition, Vermont All State auditions, and NYSSMA solo festival. She recently assisted with the Onondaga County JH all county festival, and conducted the Oswego Senior High All County concert. Mrs. Tumajyan was the co recipient (with her husband) of the 2022 Tiffany Award for outstanding contributions to music and music education in Central New york.
Mrs. Tumajyan lives in Manlius with her husband (a violinist), her son Sebastien, and their cat Snowball. She enjoys reading, traveling, nature walks, and of course, music.

Colin Chin, a senior at Fayetteville-Manlius High School, has studied cello since he was nine years old. He currently studies with Pam Devenport, Alex Croxton, and Rosemary Elliott. At his high school. he is principal cellist of both the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras and has also performed in pit ...
Colin Chin, a senior at Fayetteville-Manlius High School, has studied cello since he was nine years old. He currently studies with Pam Devenport, Alex Croxton, and Rosemary Elliott. At his high school. he is principal cellist of both the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras and has also performed in pit orchestra and Jazz Ensemble. His honors include the 2025 OCMEA Senior Scholarship, finalist in the 2024 CMM–Symphoria Concerto Competition, and 3rd place in the 2023 CNYAMT Instrumental Competition. He attended the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival last summer. Colin is a top student and a National Merit Scholarship finalist as well. He plans to continue studying cello performance at the Eastman School of Music this fall.