West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces Huntington cellist to serve as 2022 Vaughan Fellow

CHARLESTON, W.VA. (1/28/2022) – Lillian Chongswatdi of Huntington, W.Va., will serve as the 2022 Student Symphonic Fellow for the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s (WVSO) Andrew and Amy Vaughan Fellowship Program. She was chosen after January auditions and interviews at the Clay Center.

 Lily, daughter of Erika Harris and Nick Chongswatdi, began playing the cello in 2016. She is currently involved in the Cabell Midland High School Orchestra, the WV Youth Symphony, the Marshall University Orchestra, and the WV Youth Symphony Performance Quartet. She attended the Governor’s School of the Arts last summer,  and is a member of the National Honor Society at Cabell Midland High School.

Dr, Solen Dikener, Lily’s private teacher, described her as “an outstanding individual and a young emerging artist. She is a quick learner…she pushed the limits of her musical boundaries by participating in several studio recitals.”

Lily was one of three fellowship finalists. The others were Meadow Taylor, violinist from Herbert Hoover High School and Christian Garnes, trumpeter from Huntington High School.

As the 2022 Vaughan Fellow, Lily will build upon her knowledge and mastery of music by sitting on stage alongside WVSO musicians during rehearsals. She will also meet renowned guest artists during the second half of the Elliot Foundation Symphonic Series and will conduct personal research about the music the WVSO performs.

Sponsored by Dr. Andrew and Amy Vaughan of Charleston, this fellowship program began in 2002 to develop and encourage West Virginia high-school students to pursue careers as professional musicians, educators, composers or conductors. This monitored and time-intensive training program for serious music students remains a unique program among orchestras throughout North America.

The WVSO is West Virginia’s premier performing arts organization, presenting classical, pops, and chamber-music concerts annually throughout the Mountain State. Currently in its 83rd season, the WVSO is a proud member of the community and enriches the region by providing affordable, high-quality concerts, collaborations with West Virginia arts organizations and a nationally award-winning education program.

###