Debut Orchestra

Hear the future now

Hear the future now

Debut Orchestra

Fall 2025 Chair Order

Debut Orchestra
Violin I Violin 2 Viola Cello Double Bass Flute Oboe Clarinet
Shine An Angeline Tignon Kaiser Willmoth Lorelai Strickland Hannah Kremer Brayden Lafargue Anne Whitacre Natalie DeThorne
Samantha Tang Kellan Collado Gia Gabriele Flynn Wallingford Sophia Wehner Noa Kramer
Arnav Shah Aranea Horn Mindi Beahm Harper Cranford Mia Menking
Nolan Niemerg Kendall Smead Ellana Barnhart Fiona Scott
Hugo Hess Ezra Johnson Bennett Beahm
Lainy Pierce Harmony Nagy Ethan Lonesk
Rylan Smith Layla Busche
Bida Cai Madison Reilly
Lawson Pierce Elliot Williams
Shakira Huang Adeline DavLight
Elanor Haberland Isabel Castro
Michael Li Heath Miller
Rivka Haligheri

Debut Orchestra Classes in Kansas City

The Beginning Steps

Our Debut Orchestra is a preparatory string orchestra made up of students from our Junior School who play their instruments at a level equivalent to Suzuki books 2 & 3. Debut Orchestra performs arrangements of symphonic literature and original compositions. It provides the foundations for exemplary performance and musicality, developing students’ skills as they continue their foray into instrumental study.

This orchestra is an ideal first step for students who have taken prior lessons and wish to train outside of the classroom. In addition, our Debut Orchestra in Kansas City accommodates homeschool programs as a way for students to perform alongside their peers from around the Kansas City area.

Highlights

Creativity takes Community

Grow together

Meet the Conductor

Originally from Lawrence, Kan., Anna Cook is a music educator and cellist in the Kansas City area. She holds cello performance and music education degrees from Bethel College and a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from Fort Hays State University. Anna began her teaching career in Wilson, Kan. and, as of 2015, is currently the orchestra director at Shawnee Mission North High School in Overland Park, Kan.

Learn More About Anna

Upcoming Performances

YSKC Presents: Solo Showcase Fall Recital

6401 Wornall Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64113
View Details for YSKC Presents: Solo Showcase Fall Recital
Sep 18
Thu, 7:00 PM
2025

Next Gen: “Centenaries & Celebrations” – The Midwest Trust Center Presents YSKC & Opus 76 Quartet

Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park KS 66210
View Details for Next Gen: “Centenaries & Celebrations” – The Midwest Trust Center Presents YSKC & Opus 76 Quartet
Sep 28
Sun, 2:00 PM
2025

Masterclass: Missouri State University @ YSKC

Shawnee Mission South High School, 5800 W 107th St, Overland Park, KS 66207
View Details for Masterclass: Missouri State University @ YSKC
Oct 05
Sun, 2:00 PM
2025

UMKC Day: Campus Visit & Masterclasses with UMKC Conservatory Faculty for YSKC Symphony Orchestra

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Ready to join YSKC? 

View our 2025/2026 audition information to learn more about joining our Debut Orchestra in Kansas City!

Audition Information

About YSKC

YSKC was founded as The Youth Symphony of the Heart of America by Leo Scheer consisting of an orchestra of 80 musicians, 22 and younger. Incorporated in 1958, YSKC has enjoyed a vibrant history as the musical home to students in Kansas City. Today, the Youth Symphony of Kansas City serves more than 400 musicians in grades 5-12 and is comprised of four full orchestras, a preparatory strings ensemble, multiple ancillary programs, the Opus 76 Quartet Residency, and our new YSKC Academy program. Throughout its 65 years of programming, YSKC has built an alumni class of more than 10,000, completed international tours to Austria, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, and performed at numerous prestigious festivals and conferences nationwide.

History & Mission