Amanda Vache

Amanda Vache will be rejoining the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra as a full-time musician for her third year. She is a junior at Lafayette High School and proudly plays oboe in her school’s Wind Ensemble and piano in their Jazz Ensemble: both directed by Mr. Brad Balog. Playing with the YO for the past two seasons has dramatically improved her musicianship and appreciation for the classical world around her; she would like to extend her thanks to her YO peers for supporting and inspiring her.  

Vache is incredibly grateful for her instructor, Xiomara Mass, oboist of the SLSO, for providing her with invaluable insight, opportunities, and a loving environment to develop her skills. Vache would also like to thank her reed instructor, Dr. Laura Guyer Ross, for teaching her the intricacies of reed making.  

Vache proudly played as the first oboist in the 2024 and 2025 All Suburban Band, was recognized as the first alternate for the 2025 and 2026 All State Band, and has received gold medals in the past two years at the Missouri State Solo and Ensemble for her solo performances. Vache has also performed at Carnegie Hall with the Webster University Community Music School’s Young People’s Symphonic Orchestra in 2025.  

Besides music, Vache enjoys eating new foods, knitting and crocheting, playing with her goofy dog Honey, and biking around St. Louis. She cannot imagine life without music and is grateful for the opportunities the YO has brought her.