Brian Washington and Pelin Su Yavuz

Drummer Brian Washington is 17 years old and began to play when he was 4. For as long as he can remember, he has lived in an environment where gospel music is prevalent. He went from watching other drummers while perched in a corner absorbing all he could, to taking his seat now. With the support of Boston Arts Academy and Berklee, he has been able to blossom and become a highly well-rounded artist through exposure to a wide variety of musical genres. He attends both Berklee City Music and Boston Arts Academy, where he enters his senior year in fall 2024. He intends to keep going in the direction of his goal of becoming a live performing artist. He would like to express his gratitude to his family, friends, and mentors who have helped him along the way, as well as the Boston Pops and the Fidelity Investments Young Artists Competition for this incredible opportunity!

Pelin Su Yavuz is an 18-year-old pianist and singer who began playing piano at age 10. She began her training in classical music and later moved on to exploring jazz, developing a versatile style. She will graduate from Boston Arts Academy, Berklee City Music, and the New England Conservatory Prep Academy this year. With experience in various ensembles and genres, Su is a well-rounded musician. She will be attending Berklee College of Music on a full-tuition scholarship for the next four years.