Zehra Kılıç

 Zehra Kılıç, a rising senior at Gateway Science Academy, is beyond excited to join the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra.  

Although this is Zehra’s fourth year playing the cello her music journey started back when she was in Turkiye. Her dad brought two violins to their house — one for her and one for her sister — when she was in second grade. She took private lessons for two years and started playing again as a seventh grader in the United States. What changed her vision of the music world was seeing her music director’s daughter play the cello and there she fell in love with the instrument. She started taking private lessons from her and continued them with Dr. Cathie Lehr-Ramos. Zehra has since been a distinguished member of several prestigious orchestras, including the 2024 Missouri All-State Orchestra, the St. Louis Metro District 8 Orchestra, Webster University’s CMS, SO, and Co-Principal in YPCO and YPSO. In the years 2021, 2023 and 2024 Zehra played solos at the Concept Arts and Language Festival in Chicago, Illinois. She has also been playing Chamber music in Webster University’s Prep Program and the Arianna String Quartet’s Chamber Music Festival. At her school, Zehra has demonstrated leadership and community involvement, serving as Vice-President of the Tri-M Honors Society. Aside from music Zehra is a member of  her school’s volleyball team, enjoys spending time with her siblings and friends, watching Turkish dramas, and traveling. 

Zehra has been studying under Dr. Cathie Lehr-Ramos since 2020 and is expressing deep gratitude for her mentor’s belief in her. She’s also grateful for the guidance she has received from Cathy Van Winkle, Vera Parkin, James Czyzewski, and the unwavering support of her friends and family.