Fifteen-year-old violinist Anna Kehayova first attended the annual Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras (BYSO) performance of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf at Boston's Symphony Hall at just three years old. Now in her tenth year as a BYSO musician, Anna will serve as a concertmaster for this year's rendition of the same concert - showing the power of a musical moment to inspire greatness. 

BYSO's Peter and the Wolf concert is part of a collaboration with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO). This concert is one of a series of Family Concerts between BYSO and BSO, co-presented to foster the future of classical music. 

Thirteen years ago, young Anna Kehayova got ready to go to a "fancy concert" at Symphony Hall. She had seen Walt Disney's short film adaptation of Peter and the Wolf, but it didn't compare in the slightest to hearing it played by young BYSO musicians, only a few years older than herself at the time. "When the music started, I was completely entranced by the immensity of the sound," Kehayova said. "Apparently I barely moved the whole time." 

Kehayova always knew she wanted to play in an orchestra. After attending Peter and the Wolf, and with a growing love for the violin, she auditioned to join Petit Ensemble - BYSO's youngest ensemble. This was only the beginning. She has been greatly involved in BYSO's orchestras for the past ten years, now currently playing in BYSO's most advanced orchestra, Boston Youth Symphony (BYS).

At the start of BYSO's 67th season this year, Kehayova learned that she will serve as a concertmaster for this season's annual performance of Peter and the Wolf. "I've been a part of this organization for almost as long as I can remember, so being concertmaster is very special to me," she said. 

This performance, taking place at Symphony Hall on November 9th, will bring Kehayova's musical experience to a full circle - all before she even graduates high school. 

"When I first went to see Peter and the Wolf I never would have thought that I might be part of something like this. I'm just really happy to show the little kids in the audience that one day, any of them can be in my place on stage." 

Kehayova serves as an example not only of an outstanding young musician dedicated to BYSO and her craft, but also a true representation of the power of music. She embodies the very goal that Prokofiev had in mind writing this famous piece, and furthermore, embodies the spirit of support, dedication, and achievement that is found in BYSO and the entire Boston music community. She stands as a beacon to represent that anyone, at any age, should go after achieving their dreams, as she did hers. 

Peter and the Wolf, originally written by Sergei Prokofiev in 1936, was designed similar to the concept of our BYSO/BSO Family Concerts, to introduce children to a wide range of instruments and spark their interest in classical music. The BSO premiered the American performances of Peter and the Wolf just two years after it was first performed. Now, BYSO's young musicians perform the piece for the Boston music community annually hoping to show all children that they too can become immersed in the world of music. 

Photos by Michael J. Lutch, Hillary Scott, Polina Kehayova, and Anna Kehayova.