Alumni Spotlight: Jason McComb From First Symphony to a Life in Music

Posted on August 12, 2025

When Jason McComb took his seat in the cello section of PYP’s Prep Orchestra in the fall of 1981, he was about to experience a first that would shape the rest of his life.

“The first symphony I ever played was Schubert’s Unfinished,” Jason recalls. “That feeling of being part of something so much bigger, surrounded by other musicians just as excited as I was. It was intoxicating. I always wanted music to be part of my life.”

Building a Musical Foundation
Jason’s PYP years were full of formative experiences, from weekly rehearsals under the high expectations of conductor Jacob Avshalomov to the camaraderie of sectionals and the thrill of challenging repertoire.
“Rehearsals were demanding but supportive. My peers were dedicated, and the atmosphere was truly nurturing,” he says. “Many of the works I play professionally today—Sibelius 2, Shostakovich 5, Beethoven 5—I first played at PYP. Every time I perform them now, I’m transported back.”

His time in PYP also offered unique opportunities beyond the concert stage. Through a scholarship partnership with the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Jason spent the summer of 1985 studying with peers from across the country. “It made me realize how exceptional PYP was—the preparation, the musicality—it stood out.”

A Tour to Remember
One of Jason’s most treasured memories is the 1984 international tour to New York, Austria, and the former Yugoslavia.

“We performed with Leonard Bernstein conducting Romeo and Juliet. That’s an experience you don’t forget,” he says. “And then, a year later, I had the surreal experience of working with him again at Tanglewood.”

From Portland to Richmond
After graduating from PYP, Jason went on to earn his bachelor’s degree at Juilliard and a master’s degree in chamber music from the San Francisco Conservatory. His career took him from Toronto to Manitoba, where he taught at Brandon University, before settling in Richmond, Virginia, over 20 years ago.

Today, Jason serves as Associate Principal Cellist of the Richmond Symphony, teaches at the University of Richmond, performs chamber music with the Atlantic Chamber Ensemble, and maintains a busy private teaching studio.

“No two days are the same,” he says. “It keeps things fresh and exciting.”

Advice for the Next Generation
For current PYP students considering a career in music, Jason’s advice is simple but powerful:

“Be consistent in your practice. Take breaks to avoid injury. And stay curious—explore all kinds of music. The dedication, teamwork, and passion you develop in PYP will serve you for the rest of your life.”

If he could send a message to his younger self sitting in a PYP rehearsal, Jason knows exactly what he would say:

“Try to remember everything. These moments, this music, these people…you’ll carry them with you forever.”

Watch the full interview with Jason McComb on YouTube!: