AYS trombonist selected for Musical Pathway Fellowship Program
William Davidson, a trombonist with the Akron Youth Symphony, is one of six musicians chosen for the Cleveland Institute of Music’s Musical Pathway Fellowship program for outstanding Black and Latinx pre-college music students.
The full-scholarship curriculum-based program prepares students to pursue music at the college/conservatory level.
William is a senior at Firestone CLC, Akron School for the Arts, where he has also served on the Music Association Leadership Council for three years. Currently a student of Akron Symphony Orchestra trombonist Thomas Pylinski, Williams performs with the Akron Youth Symphony and the Contemporary Youth Orchestra. He is also self-taught on keyboard and in music composition, and participated in CIM’s 2021 Young Composer Program led by head of composition Keith Fitch.
“Our vision for the Musical Pathway Program is to identify talent at a young age and chart a path that nurtures hopes and dreams, guides and supports families on this journey, and fosters an environment of success that inspires students to build a strong musical foundation,” CIM’s Dean of Musician and Community Advancement Jerrod Price said in a press release. “We know that creating opportunities for talented young musicians of color to access high-quality training, without compromising the standard of excellence, is an important stepping stone towards a long term, sustainable career in music.”
All fellows receive weekly private lessons with CIM faculty; study piano, music theory and eurhythmics; participate in ensembles, master classes and workshops; and meet regularly with conservatory student mentors and program staff to set goals and prepare for college applications and auditions.
The first students of the program, which launched in 2017, graduated from high school in 2021. All six seniors were accepted to music schools or conservatories, and will pursue their dreams at Oberlin Conservatory, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Cleveland State University and Ithaca College School of Music.
The Cleveland Institute of Music empowers the world’s most talented classical music students to fulfill their dreams and potential. Its graduates command the most celebrated and revered stages in the world as soloists, chamber musicians and ensemble members; compose meaningful, award-winning new repertoire; and are highly sought-after teaching artists, administrators and thought leaders.