Alrighty folks, let’s dive into this article about the Charles County Youth Orchestra (CCYO) and their recent concert honoring nine graduating seniors. So, on May 19, 2025, the CCYO gave a big shoutout to Aubrey Carignan, Erich Donnelly, Rene Dorelus, Leila Gonzalez, Tobi Martinez, Pri Martinez, Lainey Mullikin, Mariele Salinas, and Alicia Warren for their musical chops and future plans. These seniors have been rockin’ it out in the orchestra and are now moving on to bigger and better things.
First up, we’ve got Aubrey Carignan, who’s all about that French horn life. She’s off to Slippery Rock University to study Music Therapy with a minor in Special Education, and she’s even joining the marching band. Erich Donnelly, the trombonist, is heading to St. Mary’s College of Maryland to get down with the Integrated Performing Arts program and jam with the jazz band. Erich mentioned how his time with CCYO helped him get the hang of playing in an orchestral setting, which was a bit different from his usual concert band and jazz background. Oh, and props to Erich for being the concert recording engineer — way to multitask, dude!
Next in line is Rene Dorelus, the bassist extraordinaire. He’s off to Albright College to major in psychology with a business concentration. Rene’s also keeping up with his wrestling and hoping to jump back into the orchestra scene. Leila Gonzalez, the oboist, is taking on Biology with a minor in Oboe Performance at the University of Maryland, College Park. She’s aiming to join ensembles like the Pit Orchestra and is super grateful for all the musical genres she got to explore with CCYO. Way to broaden those horizons, Leila!
Moving right along, we’ve got Tobi Martinez, the violist, who’s diving into Accounting at Towson University after snagging an Associate degree in Business Management from the College of Southern Maryland (CSM). Pri Martinez, the violinist (no relation to Tobi), is sticking around at CSM to rock the Pharmacy Technician program. Lainey Mullikin, the clarinetist, is taking on a double major in history and legal studies at Susquehanna University. She’s got her sights set on joining the Concert Band and making some sweet music.
Mariele Salinas, another violinist, is starting off at CSM before joining the Air Force National Guard. She’s been with CCYO for years, moving up from Prelude Strings to Encore Strings and finally landing in the big leagues. Last but not least, we’ve got Alicia Warren, the violinist with a passion for graphic design. She’s off to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn to dive into the design world. Alicia’s time with CCYO has been a wild ride, but it’s definitely helped her level up her musical skills.
Dr. Osman Kivrak, the CCYO Director, gave a big thumbs up to all the graduating seniors for their hard work. He’s stoked to see these guys rocking out and showing the importance of practice, hard work, and good study habits. Dr. Kivrak is one proud director, wishing all the seniors the best on their next adventure in the educational realm.
And hey, if you’re feeling inspired by these seniors’ musical journey, CCYO is looking for new talent! Auditions are coming up on September 13 at Christ Church, La Plata. They’re open to all instruments (except piano), so if you’ve got some musical skills to show off, don’t miss your shot. Plus, there are some rad concerts coming up, like ArtsFest on June 14 and the CCYO Chamber Music Festival on July 19, 20, 26, and 27. So mark your calendars and get ready to groove!
The seniors’ achievements are a testament to CCYO’s dedication to nurturing young musicians and helping them grow, both musically and personally. From classical to contemporary tunes, CCYO is all about giving these kids a platform to shine and prepare for their future endeavors. The May 19 concert was a real milestone for these seniors, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. So here’s to the seniors, CCYO, and the music that brings us all together. Let’s keep the music alive and kicking!
