Andres Lopera, grad student (MM) in trombone performance, was selected for membership in the prestigious 2008 Youth Orchestra of the Americas. The culminating event for the ensemble was a November 26th performance at the VII Festival Internazionale di Musica e Arte Sacra at Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano (Rome, Italy). The orchestra was conducted by renowned German conductor, Helmuth Rilling. The Artistic Advisor for the YOA is Placido Domingo.