Senior Spotlight: Maddie Schaefer, Trombone

What is your current AYPO ensemble?

AYSO

What AYPO ensembles have you played in and for how long?

AYSO 2021-2022 and 2022-2023

Your advice for young musicians?

Play with your friends, form small groups and play chamber music! Not only is it really fun to collaborate together, you’ll all grow as musicians and as friends.

What college/university do you plan on attending this fall?

Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Trombone Performance

A favorite, or memorable AYPO experience?

At our first concert in 2021, we played An American in Paris, and Bolero. I had the big trombone solo in Bolero, and I was really nervous about it. I played it well during the concert, and the feeling after was one of the best feelings, I was proud of myself and it was really fun to get to play such an important part.

What do you hope to do after graduation or your more long-term goals?

My goal is to play in an orchestra (or two!) professionally and become a professor of trombone.

What musician, conductor, or orchestra inspires you and why?

Brittany Lasch, who is the principal trombone of the Detroit Opera Orchestra and a professor at Bowling Green State University, is doing exactly what I want to do. She really represents what I hope to become, since she’s been able to collaborate with and help so many people through the programs she works on.

Any additional memories or thoughts you would like to share ?

AYSO has been so much fun and I think has really helped me get to where I am now. Mr. Quader has been such an amazing conductor and I’ve loved getting to be under his direction these past two years.