Twelve top Music Academy of the West musicians have been selected by audition to travel to London in April for 10 days of intensive training with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) and its music director Sir Simon Rattle, as part of the second year of the Linda and Michael Keston Music Academy of the West Exchange (Keston MAX) with the LSO.

The second annual Keston MAX Fellows were chosen from 2019 Music Academy Instrumental fellows, all full-scholarship participants. They are:

Shenae Anderson, violin; Njioma Chinyere Grevious, violin; Ha eun Song, cello; Jonathan Yeoh, double bass; Christine Comer, timpani/percussion; Maddi Shake, timpani/percussion; James Dion Blanchard, flute; Victoria Chung oboe; Sara Han, clarinet; Bianca Marian Chambul, bassoon; Gabrielle Pho, horn; andAlex Mayon, trumpet.

Marilyn Horne Song Competition winners Sun-Ly Pierce and Chien-Lin Lu will also take part in Keston MAX.

Keston MAX fellows perform with the LSO under the direction of Rattle in two programs at Barbican Hall and two performances at LSO St. Luke’s.

“A highlight for me last year was the week when the LSO worked with the extraordinarily talented young players from Music Academy of the West,” said Rattle. “Particularly heart-warming was to witness their commitment and openness, and how the LSO responded so positively.

“Having them join us, sitting side-by-side with their LSO colleagues during a concert added an special dynamic to the evening, and a fitting conclusion to the mentoring relationship between the players. This is exactly the kind of international collaboration that we were hoping for, a truly shared experience. I look forward to this year’s visit.”

Lead sponsors of the London Symphony Orchestra partnership are Linda and Michael Keston and Mary Lynn and Warren Staley. Additional support has been provided in remembrance of Léni Fé Bland.

The Music Academy of the West International Marilyn Horne Song Competition Recital Tour is supported by Linda Seltzer Yawitz. Wise Moon was commissioned by Music Academy of the West with the support of Stephen Schaible and Daron Builta.

Keston MAX will also include a luncheon with Rattle, lessons with LSO musicians, mock auditions, a recording studio workshop, and concert attendance.

For updates on 2019 Keston MAX participants, visit musicacademy.org/max-exchange.