Hunter Yerrell

Hunter Yerrell’s mother removed him from preschool at age four to homeschool him, hoping to mold Hunter into a well-rounded critical thinker and Renaissance man. While Hunter was being homeschooled, he was involved in many co-ops, local soccer teams, the boy scouts, and programs such as the Baltimore, M.D. Bio Lab, The Building Museum’s program “investigating where we live,” The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Gems program, NSBE, First Lego League Robotics competitions, and many others. He showed an early interest in problem solving.

 During his time as a homeschool student, Hunter logged over 200 hours of community service, traveled to over 15 states, and Mexico and Italy. This summer, he will add China to his list.

Hunter’s mother demanded that he learn an instrument. He took piano lessons for two years, but never felt a connection with the instrument. Next, he took guitar lessons. But the day that changed his life was the day his guitar teacher invited him to attend a performance where an alto sax player was featured. Hunter was inspired.

Hunter’s passion for his instrument earned him admission to the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Hunter has received many awards for his playing, and he’s competed in numerous competitions such as the D.C. Capital Stars talent competition, the Omega Psi Phi talent competition, World Strides on Stage music festival, D.C. Music festival and many others. He has met musicians such as Yo-Yo Ma (the Creativity Foundation’s first Laureate) and Gerald Albright.  And he is currently enrolled in AP Music Theory. 

Hunter plans to write movie scores along with his own compositions and arrangements. His ultimate goal is to continue to develop his saxophone and flute skills, to become a professional musician and composer.