Congrats to Olivia Culpo, former RIPCO cellist and current Miss Universe!

As you probably are aware, Olivia Culpo, the new Miss Universe, is from Cranston, Rhode Island. What you probably didn't know is that she was a student cellist at the Philharmonic Music School. She was a member of RIPYO, the Philharmonic Youth Orchestra from 2002 - 2008 and participated in our Chamber Music program during several of those years, as well.                

Olivia in RIPYO

     Music has played a very important part in her family. Her mom, Susan Culpo has served as the Assistant Principal Violist in the Philharmonic Orchestra for the past eight seasons and has also played with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops. And, Olivia's grandmother, the late Aurora Curran, was a renowned string teacher in the Cranston Public Schools.

     This past spring, Olivia performed on stage at the Vets for the four Philharmonic Education concerts and most recently, she performed in a trio with her mom and violinist Alexey Shabalin, in a recital at the Carter Center honoring "Autism Month."   

Miss Universe, Olivia Culpo, talks about the Philharmonic and the importance of music education