Jessica Sibelman OLD BRIDGE — Her first encounter with the clarinet sparked a love affair that helped 23-year-old Jessica Sibelman start her own orchestra concert series.

Sibelman is a graduate of Old Bridge High School who studied clarinet and composition at the New England Conservatory of Music. She presently studies at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City.

She said she started playing clarinet in sixth grade and immediately connected with it. Right then and there, she decided she wanted to use music to make a positive influence on her community.

Sibelman said her music is based on connecting the past, present and future.

"I make music to inspire others to explore art and culture," she said.

In recent years, Sibelman has performed throughout the East Coast at venues including New York's Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher and Alice Tully halls, CAMI Hall and Symphony Space; Philadelphia's Kimmel Center; and the Boston Symphony Orchestra Cafe.

However, she is continuing her childhood goal of bettering her community through music by hosting classical seminars at Congregation Beth Ohr on Route 516. The first seminar, sponsored by the synagogue'sMen's Club and open to the general public, took place in March. Sibelman presented a broad overview of classical music, highlighting major composers, and famous works embedded in familiar media, like cartoons.

Sibelman will hold another seminar at Congregation Beth Ohr on May 2. She plans to perform and to discuss the symphony and concerto.

Although she finds exposing her community to classical music satisfying, Sibelman said her most gratifying feat will be the upcoming debut of her orchestra, the New York Chamber Virtuosi. The orchestra consists of students and graduates of the Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, the New England Conservatory and other music conservatories. It will perform three orchestral concerts, a chamber music concert, and a concert of new works by emerging New York composers.

Sibelman is acting vice president and di- rector of operations for the orchestra, as well as its section clarinetist and composer in residence.

The orchestra's first performance will take place at 8 p.m. June 28 at Merkin Concert Hall in New York City. On that night, Sibelman said, her dream will become reality.

"I will be playing classical repertoire, a Mozart symphony, and music that I wrote, for the general public," Sibelman said.

Sibelman credited much of her success to the support of her parents, Richard and Lisa.

"My parents have been very supportive through all of this. My father serves as director of finance for the orchestra, and my mother has helped to set up seminars all over Old Bridge," she said. "I couldn't do this alone. Their support is absolutely essential. Sometimes things get overwhelming. Their help makes things a lot easier to handle."

Sibelman encourages youngsters to pursue their dreams and hone their talents.

"Practice first. Chase after your dream and don't be afraid to get guidance along the way from those you trust, and always ask questions," she said.

For more information about the orchestra, visit the website at http://www.thenewyorkchambervirtuosi. com/.