We hope you enjoy learning what our students have accomplished over the past few months thanks to your regular support!
Violinist Avi Spillers (’27) performs with the Seattle Symphony in Benaroya Hall
May 5, 2026
Thank you for your continued support as a loyal monthly donor. We wanted to share a special student experience that happened a few weeks ago, thanks to donors like you. You can expect a quarterly update with highlights detailing how your support has positively impacted our students.
On Friday, April 11, violinists Avi Spillers and Sid Siravara, students at Key to Change, performed as soloists with the Seattle Symphony in Taper Auditorium at Benaroya Hall before a full audience. Both students are members of the Young Artist Academy at Key to Change and study with Dr. Quinton Morris. They join a growing list of current students and alumni from the program who have made their professional debuts with the Seattle Symphony and other regional orchestras. Their appearances were part of the fifth anniversary celebration of the Community Stages Fund, which brings together young artists and arts organizations from across the Puget Sound region.
Avi, a junior who has taken lessons at Key to Change for nearly four years, performed in Taper Auditorium for the first time. While she made her solo debut with the Seattle Symphony in 2023, this performance marked her debut in one of the region’s most recognized concert halls, a venue that has hosted many of the world’s leading performers. She has also appeared as a soloist with the Federal Way Symphony at our 9th Annual Spring Salon on March 29 and the Northwest Symphony Orchestra. Spillers was recently accepted into the Secondary School Program at Harvard University, where she will participate in a seven-week summer program and study with faculty members from the university on a full scholarship.
Because of Avi’s positive experiences with the Key to change program, the Spillers family decided to enroll her younger brother, Finn, in violin classes last fall. Inspired by his older sister, Finn has quickly taken both to the instrument and his group classes with Dr. Natasha Kubit. Finn performed on the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall stage in his first Solo String Festival on March 28. He was coached by a panel of judges including Elizabeth Kilpatrick, Executive Director and lead violin instructor of Music Orchard Richmond in Virginia. The Spillers family is very proud of both Avi and Finn!
Left: Avi Spillers and Sid Siravara being greeted by Sunny Xia, assistant conductor of Seattle Symphony. Right: Avi’s proud younger brother and new violinist, Finn, celebrating his sister’s performance!
Left: Avi pictured with Spring Salon Soloist cohort members Sid, Tyree Carr III, Ciku Maina, and Thomas Luu. Right: Avi’s debut with the Federal Way Symphony on March 29 at Benaroya Hall.
