MBAW Youth Ambassadors

Youth Ambassadors are part of an important element of Musical Bridges Around the World’s mission, to encourage the development of young musicians in the greater San Antonio area. Chosen ambassadors showcase to the community the positive experiences music can bring to people of all ages and backgrounds, by performing in schools, senior living and community centers, and special events. They are also given the opportunity to attend or participating in masterclasses with world-class Musical Bridges Around the World artists. 

This unique youth program was started in 2013 by the San Antonio International Piano Competition (SAIPC) and continued to develop after nonprofit Musical Bridges Around the World (MBAW) took over the management of the competition, subsequently renaming it The Gurwitz International Piano Competition. The program helped young local pianists to share their art, learn the basics of the concert industry, meet top music professionals and serve as volunteers. In 2023, the program opened this ambassadorship to all instruments and moved into MBAW’s general programming, being renamed the MBAW Youth Ambassadors.

Channing Christian, piano – student of Antonia Daskalova


Eleanor Cheikhet, piano – student of Anya Grokhovski


Yixi “Augus” Hou, piano – student of Jimmy Cheung


Benjamin Huang, violin – student of Andrew Small


Gwendolyn Jacobs, piano – student of Pablo Aguilar


Tanishka Jog, piano – student of Glendora Garza


Michelle Liu, violin — student of Matthew Zerweck


Haoyang (Ryan) Lu, piano/clarinet — student of Lu Crumpler


Hudson Lupo, piano – student of Glendora Garza


Norah Lynch, piano – student of Glendora Garza


Eric Magallon, piano – student of Anya Grokhovski


Lillian Maldonado, horn/piano – student of Andrew Warfield, Debbie Seagraves & Peter Steigerwald


Gargi Mondal, piano — student of Peter Steigerwald


Gleb Pushkaryov, violin — student of Zine Khiger


Arina Sokhibnazarova, violin — student of Zine Khiger


Draven Soriano, piano  – student of Izzy Anderson


Elena Xu, piano/cello– student of A.J. Collins & Kenneth Freudigman

Key Dates 

• Application/Audition Period: 1 May 2026 applications open; 30 June 2027 application deadline (11:59 PM).
• Notification: Three to five new Youth Ambassadors chosen & notified by 30 July 2026.

Eligibility

• Advanced music students 18 years or under (as of September 1, 2026).
• Now open to all instruments.
• Must be bona fide residents of Greater San Antonio (counties include Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina, Wilson) on the date of making application and for a period of at least six (6) months prior.
• Must have a Letter of Recommendation from music teacher.

Application & Audition Submission Process

Applications are handled through the ACCEPTD application platform. The Youth Ambassador program does NOT conduct live auditions, all auditions should be video recording as a part of the online application process.

To read the full list of submission guidelines and apply:

1. Visit our ACCEPTD page.
2. “Select Program” under “Start an Application” box. Select “Youth Ambassadors”.
3.  Read and prepare all application submission materials.
4. Once applications have opened, click “Apply for Youth Ambassadors” under the “Start an Application” box to begin your application.

In December 2021, ten Youth Ambassadors performed at the San Fernando Cathedral as part of the Musical Bridges Youth Holiday concert. It premieres online Sunday 24 July at 7 PM CT (UTC-5) on the Musical Bridges Around the World website and MBAW YouTube channel.