Gabriel Silva

Biography

School: Buford High School
ASO Instructor: Nathan Zgonc  
Other Musical Affiliations: Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra 
Summer Camps: Boston University Tanglewood Institute (2022), Southeast Trombone Symposium (2023), Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles National Festival (2022, 2023), National Youth Orchestra (2024) 

Gabriel Silva, a senior at Buford High School, began his musical journey on the trombone at age 10 at Buford Academy (now Buford Senior Academy). He was accepted into the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program as a rising freshman, marking a significant new phase in his music career. Under the guidance of former ASO second trombone, Jeremy Buckler, and currently, acting principal trombone, Nathan Zgonc, Gabriel has developed his skills extensively. 

Since seventh grade, Gabriel has held a position in the GMEA District XIII Honor Band, achieving first-chair status throughout high school. He has also been part of the GMEA All-State Band since 8th grade, earning the first-chair position for the first time in 2023. His musical experience includes participation in the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, and the Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra. At Buford High School, he is a member of the Wind Ensemble, the school’s premier instrumental group. 

Gabriel’s summer experiences have been particularly noteworthy. As a rising sophomore, he attended the Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI) and later that year, the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA) National Festival, where he served as principal trombone and played under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel. The following summer, Gabriel performed with the AYWS at Carnegie Hall, was a finalist in the Southeast Trombone Symposium Youth Competition, and returned to the YOLA National Festival as principal trombone. In his junior year, he joined the National Youth Orchestra (NYO2), performing at Carnegie Hall and the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. 

Gabriel aspires to attend a prestigious music conservatory for his undergraduate studies and hopes to play professionally with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. One of his favorite TDP memories is performing at the National Pathways Festival Orchestra in Nashville, TN, alongside the Nashville Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Giancarlo Guerrero.