Youth Orchestra
Gavin Chiles
Gavin M. Chiles is a sophomore at Kirkwood High School and is excited to begin his first season with the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. He began studying violin at age seven and has played for eight years. Chiles currently studies with Jane Price and is a member of Kirkwood High School’s Symphonic Orchestra. He has also performed with the Community Music School of Webster University’s Young People’s Symphonic Orchestra and Young People’s Concert Orchestra, as well as the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras’ Debut Orchestra and String Ensemble.
One of Chiles’s proudest musical accomplishments was being selected for the 2026 Missouri All-State Orchestra as a freshman. He has broadened his musical experiences through a variety of ensemble and educational opportunities, including performing in a piano trio through the Chamber Music Society of St. Louis’ Chamber Academy and attending the Indiana University Jacobs Academy Summer Music Clinic in 2026. Among his favorite musical experiences was the opportunity to perform Beethoven’s 5 Secrets with The Piano Guys at Baltimore’s Lyric Opera House in 2024.
Outside of music, Chiles enjoys swimming with the Kirkwood Riptides summer swim team and playing basketball. He is grateful to his parents, his current teacher Jane Price, former teachers Elizabeth George and the faculty of Sforza Suzuki, and Fariga Drayton-Conway of the Kirkwood High School Orchestra for their guidance and encouragement throughout his musical journey. Chiles looks forward to performing challenging repertoire and making music alongside the talented musicians of the YO.
