Composing the Future: How a 12-Year-Old Inspired a New Era at The Phoenix Symphony

When 12-year-old Yola Svoma sat down to compose her first full orchestral piece, she had no idea her creativity would help inspire an entirely new initiative at The Phoenix Symphony. 

A cellist at the Metropolitan Youth Symphony and a gifted young composer, Yola’s talent caught the attention of The Phoenix Symphony’s Associate Conductor, Alex Amsel, during a ‘side-by-side' symphony debut last season, where students were invited to bring their musical ideas into the professional spotlight. 

What began as an informal pilot project resulted in a compelling performance of her original composition, “Symphony No. 1”. The success of that collaboration, and the powerful impact of hearing a young composer’s vision translated into orchestral sound, planted the seed for the official launch of The Phoenix Symphony’s first-ever Student Composition Program. 

We sat down with this local prodigy to learn more about what inspired her early journey into composing, and what it was like collaborating with the musicians and conductor of The Phoenix Symphony to bring her music to life.

“When I started playing the piano, I liked altering some of the notes, and my piano teacher encouraged me to change the music. I started composing a lot more when I entered a competition with other young composers, which motivated me and gave me a reason to keep going.”  (Yola Svoma) 

Yola’s passion for music, nurtured by the supportive environment of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony and The Phoenix Symphony, afforded her the rare opportunity to watch her incredible talent play out live on stage.  

“I enjoyed working with The Phoenix Symphony, and it was amazing to hear my piece being performed. The Phoenix Symphony’s program had great mentors.” (Yola Svoma)

For Yola, the experience of showcasing and advancing her musical abilities at a young age proves the impact of mentorship and access to professional resources.

“Collaborating with Yola and her family was a delight. The partnership between Alex Amsel, the musicians, and Yola made this project work, and it set a new path for showcasing the talent of Arizona's youth alongside our world-class Phoenix Symphony musicians.” (Valerie Bontrager, Sr. Director of Community Engagement and Education at The Phoenix Symphony)

The Student Composition Program reflects the Phoenix Symphony’s larger commitment to music education and the power of the youth perspective. By investing in the next generation of composers, the Symphony is helping to cultivate future musicians and confident, imaginative thinkers.

"I’m glad they opened this program because it motivates young composers. I’m excited for other children to potentially experience their songs being played in a real-life concert hall and be able to compose with a community.” (Yola Svoma) 

As the program moves into its first official season, the echoes of Yola Svoma’s composition continue to resonate through concert halls and in the hearts of young composers who, like her, find the courage to tell their stories through music.