Two Shady Side Academy Senior School student musicians have been named to the prestigious Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra (PYSO) for the 2022-2023 season.

Junior Grant Cummings is the first wind player from SSA to be named to the PYSO. He is the president and principal clarinetist of the SSA Senior School Symphonic Band, under the direction of Stan Nevola. Junior Hannah Song earned a spot in the PYSO's viola section. She plays in the Senior School String Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Dan Brill. Both musicians were named to the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) All-State Festival music ensembles earlier this year.

Cummings and Song join current SSA sophomores Sophia Jho, a harpist, and Sadie Navid, a violinist, who were named to the PYSO in 2021-2022.

The PYSO is one of the oldest and most advanced youth orchestras in the country. It is comprised of 90-100 musicians ages 14-20 and utilizes conductors and coaches from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. The PYSO performs several concerts each year at Heinz Hall and other venues around Pittsburgh, and is broadcast regularly on WQED-FM radio. Learn more about the PYSO.

Congratulations to Grant and Hannah on this tremendous musical accomplishment!