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Fort Worth Youth Orchestra Alumni Series: Oscar Animas

The skills Oscar Animas honed through years of orchestral training - focus, problem-solving, and high standards - are the same ones driving his success as an auto technician today. A former member of FWYO's flagship Youth Orchestra, Oscar has built a thriving career as a BMW technician while continuing to perform challenging symphonic repertoire with multiple community orchestras across North Texas.


Oscar played French horn in FWYO from 2018-2020, where he discovered firsthand the dedication required to create beautiful music. After graduation, he chose to enroll at Universal Technical Institute to master Automotive and Diesel Technologies while also completing BMW's specialized FastTrack program.


Oscar Animas under the hood of a BMW.
Oscar Animas under the hood of a BMW.

Now an ASE Master Technician at Sewell BMW of Grapevine, Oscar handles bumper-to-bumper services from routine oil changes to complex diagnostics. He's on the cusp of BMW Level 2 certification and aims to achieve BMW Master Technician status by 2026.


Despite a demanding 50+ hour workweek, Oscar still returns to his French horn. He performs regularly with the Mansfield Philharmonic, Flower Mound Symphony Orchestra, Symphony HEB, and North Texas Symphony Orchestra. He also gigs regularly around the metroplex.



"Just like musical practice, my day-to-day work is about building on the goods and learning from the bads. That mindset makes you a reliable technician - and a reliable musician."

Oscar Animas (right) receiving instruction from Alton Adkins (left).
Oscar Animas (right) receiving instruction from Alton Adkins (left).

Looking back on his time with FWYO, Oscar remembers how much he learned by working with people from all different backgrounds towards a common goal. He states that FWYO was one of the most memorable parts of his life growing up. One of Oscar's favorite experiences with FWYO was our Side-by-Side concert with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. Performing alongside Symphony French horn player Alton Adkins gave him an inspiring glimpse into the professional music world.


Oscar encourages current students to think broadly about what success can look like. He says that pursuing a non-music career doesn't mean you have to give up music. Continuing to can mean being able to enjoy music without the stress often associated with being a career musician


"I think people with high passion and commitment can find success no matter what path they take, even if that path doesn't start with a 4-year degree."

With his story, Oscar reminds us that excellence, no matter its form, comes from the same qualities: passion, perseverance, and teamwork.



Are you an FWYO alum? We’d love to hear from you! Here are a few ways you can get involved:


About FWYO:

Celebrating 60 years of extraordinary music education during the 2024-2025 season, the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra has won local, national, and international recognition as one of the finest youth orchestra programs in the United States. Through ten programs - including four major orchestras, two wind ensembles, a jazz band, Early Childhood Music, FWYO Suzuki School, and chamber programs - the FWYO delivers high quality musical instruction to nearly 500 students ranging in age from four to eighteen years, and represents communities throughout North Texas.


Founded by a community group headed by Betty Utter and under the direction of conductors Ezra Rachlin and John Giordano, the FWYO was founded to promote and inspire the continuing development of musical talent in qualified area youth through intensive education in classical orchestral rooted music and performance. The programs offers students the opportunity to further develop their talent as well as their leadership skills, self-discipline, confidence, and pride in personal achievement. Many of the nearly 20,000 alumni of the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra program have gone on to become members of major symphony orchestras, music educators, or leaders in their fields.


The Orchestra's accomplishments include international concert tours in Europe, Mexico, Canada, and the Far East; music festivals in Switzerland and Washington, D.C.; and numerous other concert appearances across Texas and the Southwest. Its most recent tour in 2024 was to Spain with performances in Barcelona, Valencia, and Cullera. The Youth Orchestra has also been honored to perform with artists such as Van Cliburn, Jose Feghali, Yakov Kasman, Tamàs Ungàr, and John Owings, and composers Morton Gould and Samuel Adler. In 2021, the FWYO also received 2nd in the Youth Orchestra Division of the prestigious American Prize and 3rd place in the 2024 American Prize. The Wind Ensemble also won 1st place in the American Prize Youth Band division in 2024.


Under the leadership of Music Director Dr. Germán Gutiérrez since 2000 and Executive Director Andrew Reynolds since 2021, the FWYO has become one of North Texas’ most prestigious performing arts organizations. In addition to its educational programs, the FWYO owns and operates historic Orchestra Hall in Foster Park that has been home to numerous performing arts organizations since 1975.


Press Inquiries: Lauren Arie - larie@fwyo.org / 817-923-3121 x18

 
 
 

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