Diana & Joel Peterson School of Music Alumni share how its training prepared them for professional auditions

Salt Lake City, UT (PRUnderground) September 14th, 2026

The Diana & Joel Peterson School of Music is proud to share that two of its alumni have recently been appointed to section violin positions in the Utah Symphony.

Ellen Hayashi and Karen Ferry, who studied in the Peterson School of Music's pre-conservatory program, were accepted into the Utah Symphony this spring. The school is excited to celebrate this milestone, as a single appointment to a major professional orchestra is an extraordinary achievement in itself. Securing two positions simultaneously from the same local institution is a rare feat.

The audition process for a professional orchestra is demanding and highly competitive, with multiple rounds and often hundreds of musicians competing for a position. Both students say that they are grateful that their training at the Peterson School of Music enabled them to prepare for auditions, set a goal, and work methodically toward it.

Hayashi shared that she remembers watching the Utah Symphony perform Mahler's Symphony No. 7 as a child, and that it was a moment that always stuck with her.

"They got to the last movement, and the sound they produced was absolutely incredible," she said. "I remember thinking at that moment that this was what I wanted to do. I wanted to be an orchestral musician."

She shared how the Peterson School of Music not only provided her with high-quality training, but also helped her feel welcome in a peer group of musicians working toward similar goals.

"I really owe it all to the Peterson School of Music building the stepping stones for my love for orchestra and my love for making music with people," she said.

She describes music as an exercise in listening, collaboration, and empathy, learning when to lead and to support each other. She credits her education at the Peterson School of Music for teaching her that musicianship extends beyond playing the right notes. She said that it requires discipline, curiosity, problem-solving, and the willingness to accept criticism and continually improve.

Karen Ferry shares that the Utah Symphony audition process took place over three consecutive days, requiring not only musical preparation but also significant mental endurance.

"After those three grueling audition days, getting the call that I had won a section violin position was just crazy," she said. "I couldn't even believe it."

Ferry was among the school's founding students and shares that her teachers at the Peterson School of Music nurtured her love for the arts, a passion that has continued to define her career.

"What I love about music is sharing it with other people," she said. "I love being able to share beautiful music, but also share experiences of working really hard together to create a product of excellence that touches people's hearts."

Her years at the Peterson School of Music also helped expand her vision of what was possible. Through the school and its network of visiting musicians and teachers, Ferry encountered professional musicians who demonstrated that a thriving career in music was within reach.

As she looks toward her career with the Utah Symphony, Ferry aspires to pass those lessons on to the next generation of musicians. She also hopes their stories will demonstrate the importance of supporting arts education in Utah.

"If there's anybody out there who's wondering how they can support the arts in Utah, the Peterson School of Music is one of many remarkable institutions where they can start. What they're doing is making a difference and blessing so many people's lives," Ferry said. "I'm really grateful for anybody who does and hope that there will be many more people who continue."

Hayashi and Ferry's stories reflect the lasting impact of arts education and the importance of providing young musicians with opportunities to learn alongside peers, study with accomplished teachers, and envision professional possibilities. This next chapter with the Utah Symphony not only marks a pivotal moment for these alumni, but also continues the work they began as young musicians: listening to one another, creating something together, and sharing the power of music with their community.

About Diana & Joel Peterson School of Music:

The Diana & Joel Peterson School of Music, formerly the Gifted Music School, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation committed to providing the highest level of music education. Based in Salt Lake City, the school launched in 2008 with the mission to provide a comprehensive pathway to world-class music education, with an expansive curriculum and distinguished faculty. Through its full-scholarship GRIT program, it ensures access to high-quality instruction for students of all backgrounds. The school stands as a beacon of musical excellence and education, shaping the young musicians of tomorrow. Visit petersonschoolofmusic.org for more information.