Medina junior Lainey Miller shines as soloist with Cleveland Contemporary Youth Orchestra

Medina High School junior Lainey Miller, an accomplished clarinetist in the school’s Symphony Band, was featured as a soloist with the Cleveland Contemporary Youth Orchestra in its concert Rhythms & Roots: Latin American Symphonic Music on Nov. 22, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the Maltz Performing Arts Center.

The program highlighted the musical traditions of Latin America and included works by Antonio Carlos Jobim of Brazil, Carlos Chávez of Mexico, Alberto Ginastera of Argentina, Arturo Márquez of Mexico and Daniel Robles of Peru. Lainey was featured in Chávez’s Sinfonia India, a piece rooted in Mexico’s Indigenous musical heritage.

“I was truly honored to participate in and perform a solo with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra, as it allowed me to express my musicality and emotions through the soul of music,” Lainey said. “CYO has given me the opportunity to form close friendships and experience the joy of performing in inspiring concerts and rehearsals throughout the school year. I performed this solo not only because I served as first-chair clarinet, but also because our director, Kristopher Morron, and my fellow CYO members consistently encouraged my confidence and celebrated my passion for music.

“This solo made me feel even more certain that playing the clarinet has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for my future. CYO empowered me, and all of its members, to know that everyone has a place in this world. Having the opportunity to perform a solo in Sinfonia India allowed me to acknowledge my growth and achievements and to share my love of music with others as I continued to learn and evolve as a musician.”

Her accomplishment also resonated with her Medina High School band director, Jason Locher, who said, “We often tell our kids just to keep playing and to find a way to keep music in their lives. I was very happy to hear the news about Lainey performing a solo with the CYO. She is a very fine clarinet player and deserves to be recognized for all of her hard work.”

CYO is widely recognized for its commitment to contemporary orchestral music and its mission to support young musicians as they develop their artistry and explore careers in the creative arts.