Programs / Youth
MBAW Youth
Ambassadors
Nurturing the Next Generation of Musicians
Supporting exceptional students as they share their musical gifts with audiences across San Antonio.
About the Program
About the Program
The MBAW Youth Ambassadors program nurtures the next generation of San Antonio musicians, empowering talented young performers who are selected through auditions evaluated by professional musicians. These rising stars share their art across the region by performing in schools, senior living centers and community events. First established in 2013 and expanded in 2023 to welcome all instruments, the program provides Ambassadors with masterclasses from world-class artists, mentorship from industry leaders and hands-on concert experience as they serve their community.
2025–26 Season
Current 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
Mariya-Elena Ivanova
Piano
Student of Antonia Daskalova
Gwendolyn Jacobs
Piano
Student of Pablo Aguilar
Tanishka Jog
Piano
Student of Glendora Garza
Joy Kim
Piano
Student of Susan Hong
Adam Ladak
Tenor Saxophone
Student of Shawna Lien
Michelle Liu
Violin / Piano
Student of Matthew Zerweck & Peter Steigerwald
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 Ken Thompson
Lillian Maldonado
Horn / Piano
Colburn Music Academy
Cleophus “Emmanuel” Marshall
Trumpet
Student of Joshua R. Snadow
Gargi Mondal
Piano
Student of Peter Steigerwald
Gyatri 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
Join the Program
Eligibility, Application & Audition
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:
- Visit our ACCEPTD page.
- “Select Program” under “Start an Application” box. Select “Youth Ambassadors”.
- Read and prepare all application submission materials.
- Once applications have opened, click “Apply for Youth Ambassadors” under the “Start an Application” box to begin your application.
Watch
Featured Video
In December 2021, ten Youth Ambassadors performed at the San Fernando Cathedral as part of the Musical Bridges Youth Holiday concert.
Program History
Alumni
| Madeline Maldonado, Piano / Flute | Ean Knudson, Viola | Christian Garcia, Piano |
| Anna Szalai, Piano | Chloe Castillo, Piano | Evelyn Huang, Piano |
| Daniel Voeller, Piano | Siena Escamilla, Piano | Selah Flores, Piano |
| Breanna Humphrey, Piano | Daniel Wang, Piano | Ellen Foreman, Piano |
| Dylan Lim, Piano | Calla Xu, Piano | Louis Geer, Piano |
| Meghan Lim, Piano | Ronald Zhu, Piano | Michel Hadad, Piano |
| Rachel Madsen, Piano |
Operational Sponsors
