New York Philharmonic Musicians Visit Pella High School

Quartet performs, answers questions for orchestra students ahead of Central College concert

Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, jagged shapes and silhouettes in high-contrast colors, conceptually representing the mentorship and performance of classical musicians.Acclaimed New York Philharmonic musicians inspire the next generation of classical talent in Pella.Pella Today

Members of the renowned New York Philharmonic quartet, including Rebecca Young, Eric Huebner, Ru-Pei Yeh, and Alina Ming Kobialka, made a stop at Pella High School in Iowa to interact with local orchestra students. The musicians gave a preview performance, held a Q&A session led by Harry Smith, and discussed their career paths with the middle and high school students before an evening concert at nearby Central College.

Why it matters

The visit by the acclaimed New York Philharmonic musicians provided a unique opportunity for aspiring young musicians in Pella to learn directly from seasoned professionals, inspiring them and offering a glimpse into the world of a major symphony orchestra.

The details

The four New York Philharmonic musicians - violinist Rebecca Young, pianist Eric Huebner, cellist Ru-Pei Yeh, and violinist Alina Ming Kobialka - gave a preview performance for the Pella High School orchestra students and answered questions moderated by teacher Harry Smith. They discussed their individual journeys to joining the prestigious orchestra and shared insights about their careers in classical music.

  • The visit took place on Tuesday, ahead of the New York Philharmonic quartet's evening concert at Central College.
  • The preview performance and Q&A session were held during the school day at Pella High School.

The players

Rebecca Young

A violinist with the New York Philharmonic.

Eric Huebner

A pianist with the New York Philharmonic.

Ru-Pei Yeh

A cellist with the New York Philharmonic.

Alina Ming Kobialka

A violinist with the New York Philharmonic.

Harry Smith

A teacher at Pella High School who moderated the Q&A session with the New York Philharmonic musicians.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The visit by the New York Philharmonic musicians was a truly inspiring experience for our students. They were able to learn directly from world-class performers and gain valuable insights into pursuing a career in classical music.”

— Harry Smith, Teacher, Pella High School

What’s next

The New York Philharmonic quartet will perform an evening concert at Central College in Pella on Tuesday.

The takeaway

The visit by the renowned New York Philharmonic musicians underscores the importance of providing young aspiring musicians with opportunities to interact directly with professional artists. This experience can help inspire and guide the next generation of classical music talent.