Congratulations to our 2019-2020 BYS and REP Concerto Competition Winners: Austin Jacobson, Boston Youth Symphony cellist and Noa Suk, Repertory Orchestra violinist! Since they did not get to perform their concertos at the BYS and REP Spring Concert this year, they will now be performing their concertos next season!

Austin Jacobson Bio

Austin Jacobson grew up in Newton, Massachusetts and is a sophomore at the Noble and Greenough School. He began taking cello lessons at Longy School of Music with Sandy Kiefer (“Mrs. K”) at the age of 4 and later with Mr. Michael Bonner. Austin currently studies cello under Professor Michael Reynolds at Boston University.

This is Austin’s second year playing with the Boston Youth Symphony.  In addition, he regularly performs chamber music with the Boston Music Institute, having studied chamber music at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School in prior years. The principal cellist of his school’s orchestra, he performed with the Senior Districts Orchestra and is participating this year in the Massachusetts All State Orchestra. 

With a passion for sports of all kinds, last year Austin qualified for 800 meters and 300 meter hurdles in the New England Preparatory School Track Association Championship as a member of the track team. He plays on Nobles Soccer and Squash teams, and is also a member of the Nobles chess team.

Austin has consistently earned Highest Academic Distinction in his courses in high school. Beyond the classroom, he enjoys observing the natural world. Through several years of trial and error, he has successfully raised multiple colonies of ants from queens collected outdoors. 

Noa Suk Bio

Thirteen-year-old violinist Noa Suk is a 7th-grade student at Amos A. Lawrence School in Brookline, MA. She started playing the violin at age 4 and studies with Sasha Callahan at Brookline Music School. Noa has been a member of the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra since 2016 and this is her first year as a member of REP. During the summer, Noa attends the Berkshire Summer Music camp where she plays the violin for the orchestra and chamber groups and enjoys singing with their musical theater ensemble. In addition to playing music, Noa takes part in numerous musical productions at Artbarn Community Theater, loves playing soccer for her travel team, and enjoys writing and baking in her free time.