The Starlight Symphony Orchestra will showcase the talents of their 2025 Young Artists, Joshua Henselman and Ethan Cheng in two performances, March 15 and 16, as part of their Young Artist concert series.
The first performance, March 15, is 7 p.m. at Huston Tillotson University in Austin. On March 16 the orchestra will perform at Wimberley First Baptist Church at 4 p.m. The concerts will feature works by Mozart, von Suppe, Liszt, and Sarasate.
Each year, the orchestra holds a solo competition for young musicians to demonstrate their musical talents. The top performers earn the opportunity to become featured soloists with the orchestra at the Young Artist Concerts.
Eighteen-year-old Joshua Henselman, a senior at the Veritas Academy in Austin, has studied piano since he was five. He came to the attention of the Starlight Symphony Orchestra in 2023 when he won top prizes in their concerto competition in 2023, and again in 2025. His list of musical awards includes awards at the local, state and national level.
Joshua enjoys a variety of musical styles, including all classical music, film scores, musicals, and pop music. He has been the accompanist and music director for three full-length stage productions at Veritas and this spring, he will accompany and direct the musicians for West Side Story.
He also accompanies other student instrumentalists for competitions and festivals and regularly collaborates with other pianists in duets, duos, trios and quartets.
In addition to his musical endeavors, Joshua also enjoys spending time outdoors. After graduation from Veritas Academy, Joshua plans to pursue a degree in Engineering along with serving in the Air Force ROTC.
Thirteen-year-old Ethan Cheng, an eighth grade student at Canyon Vista Middle School in Austin, began his violin journey in kindergarten and has continued to study with his mentor, Molly Emerman, for the past eight years.
He is a member of Canyon Vista’s Honor Orchestra, where he plays under the direction of Mr. Ragan Whatley, is a member of the Austin Youth Orchestra Symphony Orchestra for the 20242025 year, and actively participates in “Project Melody,” a youth music organization.
Aside from playing the violin, Ethan also enjoys biking, soccer, playing piano and baking.
The non-profit Starlight Symphony Orchestra is made up of musicians from the Texas Hill Country, and is directed by Dr. David Oertel.
Since 2003, they have been offering their concert performances to the public at no cost, although donations are always welcome.
For more information, visit starlightsymphony. org.
