KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Three Osceola County School for the Arts musicians will perform at New York’s world-renowned Carnegie Hall this summer before embarking on an international tour of Asia after being selected to the prestigious National Youth Orchestra Jazz (NYO Jazz) 2026 ensemble.
Xavier Anderson of Kissimmee, Danial Browne of Kissimmee, and Diego Aviles-Martinez of Poinciana were among just 22 young musicians from across the United States chosen by Carnegie Hall for the highly competitive program, which identifies and develops some of the nation’s most talented jazz performers ages 16 to 19.
All three students are members of the nationally recognized Jazz A ensemble at the Osceola County School for the Arts, continuing the school’s tradition of producing musicians who compete and perform at the highest levels nationally.
The selected musicians will travel to New York in mid-July for a two-week residency at Purchase College, State University of New York, where they will participate in intensive rehearsals, workshops, and master classes led by some of the country’s most accomplished jazz artists.
A highlight of the residency will take place on Saturday, August 1, at 7 p.m., when NYO Jazz performs at Carnegie Hall as part of the United in Sound: America at 250 celebration. The concert will be led by acclaimed trumpeter and bandleader Kris Johnson and will feature Grammy Award-winning vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater as a special guest.
Following the New York performance, Anderson, Browne, and Aviles-Martinez will join their fellow NYO Jazz musicians for an international tour of Asia, representing both the United States and Osceola County on the global stage. Carnegie Hall has announced that additional details regarding the tour itinerary will be released at a later date.
Anderson, 16, is a trumpet player and a 2025 YoungArts Winner with Distinction who has performed with OCSA Jazz A. Browne, 17, plays bass trombone and has helped anchor one of the nation’s top high school jazz ensembles. Aviles-Martinez, 16, is a drummer whose musical accomplishments include performances with OCSA Jazz A, the Summer Jazz Academy Clark Terry Big Band, and the Florida Music Education Association All-State Jazz Band.
The selection of three OCSA students to the 2026 NYO Jazz ensemble further strengthens the school’s reputation as one of the premier jazz education programs in the country. Their upcoming Carnegie Hall performance and international tour mark a significant achievement not only for the students but also for Osceola County’s growing legacy of excellence in the performing arts.
Positively Osceola congratulates Xavier Anderson, Danial Browne, and Diego Aviles-Martinez on this extraordinary accomplishment and wishes them continued success as they represent Osceola County, Florida, and the United States on stages in New York and across Asia this summer. 🎺🥁🎶
