NJ Youth Symphony's Vanessa Cabrera Wins George Marriner Maull Music Scholarship

The New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS), a program of Wharton Arts, has revealed that Vanessa Cabrera has been awarded the George Marriner Maull Career in Music Scholarship Award.

This $1,000 scholarship recognizes an exceptional graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding musical achievement and is pursuing studies at a conservatory or university school of music. The award honors the legacy of Maestro George Marriner Maull and supports the next generation of emerging artists.

A French horn player and dedicated member of NJYS's Youth Symphony since 2022, Vanessa has distinguished herself through both her musicianship and leadership. Her accomplishments include participation in NJ All-State and Region ensembles, the NEC Summer Orchestra Institute (2024, 2025), and the Equity Arc Pathways Orchestra (2025, 2026). After graduation from Morris Hills High School in Rockaway, NJ, Vanessa will continue her musical studies at the university level this fall with plans to attend the University of Michigan.

Reflecting on her experience with NJYS, Vanessa shared, “My time with NJYS has significantly deepened both my musicianship and my sense of responsibility as an artist. Performing demanding repertoire requires a level of focus and composure that pushed me outside of my comfort zone, but more importantly, it taught me to trust the musicians around me. Whether balancing within a brass section or contributing to the full orchestral sound, I learned that success is not defined by individual recognition, but by collective cohesion. Ultimately, my experience at NJYS has prepared me not only as a musician, but as a leader within a larger artistic community. It has taught me that music's true value lies in its ability to connect people, to amplify voices, and to create spaces where individuals feel seen and heard.”

Artistic Director & Principal Conductor Helen H. Cha-Pyo said, “I am thrilled to congratulate Vanessa on this well-deserved recognition. She represents the very best of what music education can nurture in a young person—artistry, discipline, empathy, belonging, and a deep sense of purpose. When passion meets purpose through music, it has the power to shape not only exceptional musicians, but thoughtful, engaged citizens. Vanessa embodies this beautifully, and we are so proud to have been part of her journey.”

To qualify for the George Marriner Maull Career in Music Scholarship Award, applicants must be graduating high school seniors, current NJYS members in good standing for at least two consecutive years, and planning to enroll in a conservatory or school of music.