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High school tuba player receives a dream come true

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This holiday season, Ryan McAvoy, a 15-year old tuba player from Texas received a dream of a lifetime thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts/Rhode Island and the Boston Pops Orchestra. Currently suffering from cystic fibrosis, Ryan has had other medical setbacks, but none have stopped him in his drive for music. When the Make-A-Wish Foundation heard Ryan’s story, he was asked what his wish. Instantly, Ryan answered that he wanted to play with the Boston Pops. Originally from the Boston area, Ryan now lives in Aledo, Texas where he also enjoys playing bass trombone and guitar.

In addition to performing on the song “Sleigh Ride” with the Boston Pops, Ryan received his own dressing room and a private lesson with Mike Roylance, the Principal Tubist of the Boston Pops Orchestra.

Click here to read more about this inspiring story.

Jeremy Smith

Jeremy E. Smith is the Founder and Editor of Last Row Music. He received music degrees from Grace College, Carnegie Mellon University, and The Ohio State University. Currently, Jeremy is the bass trombonist of the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, the Huntington Symphony Orchestra, and performs throughout Ohio, where he lives with his wife and two sons. Smith is a member of the International Trombone Association and the Jazz Journalists Association.