Gabriel Silva
Talent Development Program
Class of 2025, Trombone

Gabriel Silva

 

Biography

Gabriel Silva is a 16-year-old trombonist and sophomore at Buford High School. He began playing the trombone at 10 years old at Buford Academy, now known as Buford Senior Academy and has been dedicated to it ever since. Gabriel was accepted into the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program as a rising freshman, where he started a new stage in music. He began studying with former ASO second trombone, Jeremy Buckler, and is currently under the instruction of acting principal trombone, Nathan Zgonc. Gabriel has held a position in the GMEA District XIII Honor Band since the 7th grade, securing the first-chair position ever since beginning high school. Furthermore, he has been accepted into the GMEA All-State Band since 8th grade, earning the first-chair position in the All-State band for his first time in 2023. His freshman year, he participated in the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra, and currently participates in the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony and the Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra. At Buford High School, he participates in the Wind Ensemble, the Marching Band of Wolves, and the jazz band. As a rising sophomore, Gabriel attended the Boston University Tanglewood Institute and later, in July, he attended the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles National Festival, where he met several other young musicians and had the opportunity to play under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel, the music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. When Gabriel graduates from the TDP, he hopes to attend a recognized music conservatory for college, and play in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for his professional career.