June 6, 2025
Amerson pursues prestigious music programs
Surrounding himself with highly talented and motivated people pushes East Carolina University music and economics major Ford Amerson to be the best version of himself. This pushed him to be a part of the ECU Honors College and drew him to the Yellow Barn Young Artists Program.
“I was looking for a program that provided a high-level environment for chamber music and opportunities to perform unique works that would push me outside of my comfort zone,” he said. “I am most excited to collaborate and perform with some of the highest-level musicians my age. Many of the students are from or eventually study at schools like Juilliard, New England Conservatory, and other top music schools around the world.”
Amerson will spend three weeks this summer in Vermont in the Young Artists Program for outstanding musicians ages 13-20 with specialties in strings, woodwinds, piano, percussion or composition. This is not his first summer participating in a prestigious music program. Last summer he was an orchestra fellow at the University of Houston.
“The Texas Music Festival at UH opened my eyes to the many opportunities that are out in the world of music,” he said. “Spending a successful summer in Houston provided me with confidence moving forward. I felt prepared from my studies at East Carolina to conquer the challenges of the program, but I also learned a lot that I brought back to ECU. I have seen a vast improvement in my overall musicianship since leaving that festival.”
These two opportunities can help open the doors for future classical music opportunities for Amerson. One of the biggest draws is creating connections with faculty from prominent institutions that teach at these festivals.
“Meeting the fellows from all over the world allows me to learn from people going through similar experiences as me,” Amerson also said.
When looking toward the future, Amerson would love to keep playing music while also pursuing his passion for athletics.
“I have always wanted to use my music to make a difference in the world, and having the opportunity to do that as a career is invaluable,” he said. “Ideally, I would like to play in a professional orchestra while maintaining a career in athletics, using my experience in economics.”