Sydney performs on Show 469.

Sydney Charlene Vance (percussion), 15, began her musical journey at the age of three on the xylophone and later the glockenspiel. She learned many classical pieces by ear until the age of 10 when she began her formal studies with Dr. Andrew Thierauf at the Settlement Music School. She currently studies with Angela Zator Nelson, Associate Principal Timpanist and Section Percussionist of the Philadelphia Orchestra and is supported by the Philadelphia Music Alliance for Youth Artists’ Initiative.

Sydney was the 2024 Second Prize Winner, Junior Division of the Kutztown University Summer Music Festival’s Concerto Competition and the 2023 First Place, Division 12-14 Winner of the Philadelphia International Music Festival Concerto Competition. Alongside her focus on solo marimba, Sydney is currently the percussion section leader of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra and the Philadelphia Youth Symphonic Band. In addition, she is the principal timpanist for the University of Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra, as well as a continuing member of the West Chester University High School Honors Percussion Ensemble. In 2024, Sydney took part in the National Pathways Festival where she played side-by-side with the Nashville Symphony. Other music festivals have included the Philadelphia International Music Festival (PIMF), Interlochen Arts Camp – Percussion Intensive, and the Kutztown University Summer Music Festival & Symposium for Mallet Percussion Players. Sydney has had the opportunity to perform in percussion masterclasses with legends such as Dame Evelyn Glennie, Mutsumi Tsuzaki, Matthew Coley, Angela Zator Nelson, Don Liuzzi, Christopher Deviney, Anthony Orlando, Josh Jones, Phillip O’Banion, and Jennifer Torrence, and is looking forward to performing side-by-side with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 2025.

Sydney is a person of many interests and enjoys studying conducting as well as music theory. In and outside of music, Sydney is an enthusiastic participant in community outreach. She is also a published poet and enjoys reading, sketching, science competitions, and traveling with her family.

Receiving the Award will allow Sydney to purchase a number of the instruments and mallets needed to pursue a career as a percussionist. The award will also support her private lesson tuition and the recording and travel fees needed for upcoming college auditions.