“Supporting the next generation means a lot to me. There are kids out there who are just as inspired by music as I was, and I want to help make that possible.”

As the Boston Marathon approaches, the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras (BYSO) is proud to spotlight alumna Kate Hewig ‘11, who is taking on this iconic race while fundraising to support the next generation of young musicians.

For Kate, both running and music have been lifelong constants. She began running in middle school, competing in cross country and distance track, often alongside her mom, who remains her running partner to this day. At the same time, her musical journey was taking shape, eventually leading her to BYSO, where she played viola from 2008 to 2011, starting in JRO and graduating in BYS. After college, Kate reconnected with the BYSO community and even began studying again with a former coach. Kate says, “BYSO wasn’t just where I started, but it’s also been a way back into music as an adult.” 

That sense of full-circle connection is what makes running for BYSO especially meaningful. Kate credits her time in the orchestra as foundational to her love of music, recalling the excitement of being surrounded by peers who shared her passion and commitment. Kate says, “BYSO was the place to be if you were serious about music and I was inspired by being around people who cared just as much as I did.” The lessons she learned at BYSO continues to shape Kate today,  she says, “being around other young musicians who were passionate taught me to really embrace what I love and that’s something I’ve carried with me into adulthood.”

Now, as she prepares for the marathon, that same sense of dedication shows up in both of her passions. In fact, Kate has a chamber music performance just one week before race day! Comparing both passions, Kate says, “There are so many parallels between running and music. Both take determination, repetition, and a willingness to keep working at something challenging. Whether it’s practicing a difficult passage in the Brahms Quintet or building mileage, you’re constantly pushing yourself to grow.” 

Kate recalls growing up in the Boston area observing the marathon and feeling inspired. Kate says, “You watch it every year, and it’s the marathon. The fact that it’s in our backyard, and that I get to run it, is a really big life moment for me.” 

Through her Boston Marathon journey as part of Team CITGO on behalf of BYSO, Kate is raising funds to support BYSO’s programs and helping ensure that young musicians have access to the same transformative experiences that shaped her. “Supporting the next generation means a lot to me,” she says. “There are kids out there who are just as inspired by music as I was, and I want to help make that possible.” 

Join us in cheering Kate on as she takes on such a big life moment in support of the BYSO community! Ways to further support Kate, check out her fundraising page here!