The following 138 students have been nominated for the 2024 Artist of the Year in instrumental music by teachers and private instructors at Orange County high schools and arts organizations.
This year, when students filled out their portion of the nomination application, they were asked to list their strongest specialty in this discipline. In past years, teachers chose this for them.The nominees are listed below with an endorsement from their nominating teacher, the identification of their strongest specialty, their instrument(s) and a link to their work. Those students missing their specialty and link did not complete their application, however, they are still considered nominees because they are being honored by their teacher and school.
Camelia Adams
“Camellia is a multi talented young woman. As a junior she has devoted her time to classical piano and jazz trumpet. As a scholar-artist she is top of her class! She is involved in an extremely rigorous academic load and will be in the running for a straight A student for four years.” — Bincins Garcia, Yorba Linda High School
Laili Aissi
“Laili stands out as an exceptional student, showcasing a remarkable blend of intelligence, talent, unwavering dedication, creativity, and impressive leadership skills. Serving as the president of the Tesoro Orchestra program, she has not only steered her executive board to achieve unprecedented fundraising success but has also orchestrated a series of engaging social events, fostering strong bonds among program members.” — Yeon Choi, Tesoro High School
Daniel Alarcon
Classical: Western, 20th/21st Century (Modernism and After) | Flute
“I believe Daniel is an Artist of the Year because of his mastery of the flute these past couple of years. He has demonstrated performance at a very high level in concert and pit orchestra settings. He is also a leader in the music program, and is able to lead by example through performance and discipline amongst his peers.” — Mark Santos, Santa Ana High School
Ceren Altintas
Classical: Western, 20th/21st Century (Modernism and After) | Flute
“Ceren is a talented, flutist and strong leader in the program. Her contributions to the ensemble range from Principal Flute in Wind Ensemble to two years as section leader in the school’s marching band. She has been a soloist in the marching band, wind ensemble, and symphony orchestra. She has been selected to our district’s honor orchestra, and is currently sitting principal flute in that ensemble.” — Dina Kubba, Capistrano Valley High School
Jake Astillero
Classical: Western, 20th/21st Century (Modernism and After) | Clarinet, Piano
“Jake is a stellar student-musician. He is multi-talented at many instruments. He is well versed in many ensembles and styles of music. He is a great section leader and inspires those around him. Furthermore, Jake is constantly looking for opportunities to play in ensembles outside of school. … I am very proud of Jake and his continuous musical growth and his display of outstanding character and commitment to his art.” — Fernando Penaloza, Savanna High School
Stefanie Bates
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Flute
“Stefanie has been a key member in developing and strengthening this program. She is one of my most trusted and dependable members. Stefanie is a strong leader; she has continuously worked to lead by example, fostered relationships, and set a high level of commitment for the program. Her peers and I respect her for the amount of time and effort she has selflessly poured into growing our program. Stefanie has held many responsibilities in the band. During her four years in the band she has received numerous music recognitions for her dedication to music.” — Bincins Garcia, Yorba Linda High School
Natalie Bauer
“Natalie is an outstanding musician. She LOVES jazz, and her enthusiasm is infectious. Natalie has pushed herself to study with many different instructors, ensembles, and combos. Many times, students look to Natalie, asking questions about jazz theory and form, which Natalie answers happily. She approaches her soloing with maturity much beyond her years. Natalie has amazing tone and intonation, and is able to understand her part within the whole ensemble. She is a wonderful student, musician and human.” — Whitney Tavlarides, Northwood High School
Maxwell Beckman
Jazz: Modern, 1940s and Beyond | Piano, Djembe, Bass
“Maxwell is a highly accomplished pianist and musician who brings excellence to every performance he is in. His performance energy and musical confidence help create a positive atmosphere on stage that encourages and motivates others to their best. Aside from piano, Maxwell is also an excellent percussionist, vocalist, and actor.” — Fernando Martinez, Mater Dei High School
Yoni Benhaim
Jazz: Modern, 1940s and Beyond | Piano
“He is always ready to meet and exceed the requirements for what it takes to rise to the top. His love for jazz piano is palpable the moment you hear him play, and he is quick to perform any song in his repertoire. Yoni continues to elevate his sights on where music can take him and how he can continue to grow. … His latest passion is finding performance opportunities in the community and playing jazz with his small ensemble, The Groove Merchants.” — Justin Padilla, Los Alamitos High School
Owen Bott
“Passion defines Owen’s musical essence. Whether he’s immersed in the eloquence of a classical cello piece or unleashing the raw energy of heavy metal on his drumset, his performances resonate with an undeniable connection to the music. The seamless transition between genres showcases not just his versatility, but a genuine, unwavering commitment to the art form.” — Yeon Choi, Tesoro High School
Amelia Burns
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Bb Clarinet
“Amelia is a wonderful clarinetist who has done a great job challenging herself to step up to play bassoon in the concert band each spring semester since she was a sophomore. She is a great student leader as well as top academic student, softball player and current president of our Tri-M Music Honor Society. … As a musician she has developed so much while in our program these past four years and she plays with such strength and confidence.” — Troy Trimble, Fullerton Union High School
Patrick Cardullo
Popular: Alternative | Guitar, Bass, Drums, Vocals, Piano
“Patrick is a very skilled and accomplished musician. He plays many instruments, proficiently, including the guitar, bass, keyboard, and drums. Not only does he play them proficiently, but he excels at all of them with minimal effort. He is as natural of a musician as I have taught in my career.” — Kenneth Parker, Mater Dei High School
Luke Carruth
Jazz: Modern, 1940s and Beyond | Trombone
“Luke demonstrates an advanced understanding of his instrument and continues to study and grow, especially in the area of jazz improvisation. He is very comfortable being featured as a soloist and performs with a maturity beyond his years. Above all, he is very down to earth and does not use his skills to shine, but rather he uses his skills to help those around him by helping other student musicians in our program. I have no doubt that he has a future in music.” — Eric Samson, El Dorado High School
Brian Chang
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Violin
“Vienna. Prague. Carnegie Hall. Segerstrom Hall. Disney Hall. In the past year, these are the places where Brian has played, has led the Beckman String Orchestra and PSYO as Concertmaster in concerts and has played solos. He is a exceptional artist and student leader. When Brian performs, the notes on the page are just a starting place; the end result is always special.” — Jim Kollias, Beckman High School
Noah Chang
“Noah served as the assistant drum major in marching band this year and is a talented saxophonist and pianist. Noah works dilligently in music and was featured as a soloist on saxophone and on piano in a student small ensemble as part of the band winter concert. Noah has good rapport with his fellow students and leads by example.” — David Sussman, Beckman High School
Holly Chen
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Cello
“Holly is a student leader of our orchestra and has been a dominant player since she entered Beckman 4 years ago. Holly is an exceptional cellist who has overcome much adversity to become the artist she is. I believes she draws on these life experiences to inform her art. She plans on continuing her musical studies at the university level.” — Jim Kollias, Beckman High School
Caroline Cho
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Viola
“Caroline is a very versatile and enthusiastic musician. Already as a junior, Caroline has earned seats and played in many groups outside of Beckman: All-State, All-Southern, Orange County Youth Symphony, LA Youth Philharmonic Symphony, and in two professionally produced musicals to name a few. At Beckman, she has formed a group to share music with our special needs students.” — Jim Kollias, Beckman High School
Ella Cho
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Piano
“Ella not only exhibits extraordinary talent and impeccable techniques but also possesses a profound artistic vision that sets her apart. Her performances reflect a unique perspective, a vision that goes beyond the notes on the page, captivating audiences and leaving a lasting impression. Ella embodies purpose in her artistry. It is evident that her performances are with deliberate choice, a canvas through which they express emotions, narratives, and messages.” – Ashley Song, Fairmont Preparatory Academy
Hannah Marie Cho
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Oboe
“Hannah is an exceptional student and a teacher’s dream. She possesses natural talent, determination and grit, which have contributed to her outstanding performance as an oboist. Additionally, she is highly intelligent and has the qualities required to succeed as a musician. Hannah is driven to seek challenges and opportunities to perform, and she puts in the necessary effort to meet and surpass her goals.” — Ted Sugata, Pacific Academy
Elizabeth Choi
“Musically, Elizabeth is an outstanding cellist, with a strong command of her instrument and a particular knack to find creative musical phrasing in her performance. She currently holds a high chair placement in our symphony orchestra cello section, arguably the most competitive in our string program. She also participates in our chamber music program and has organized several performance opportunities for our cello ensemble.” — Maxwell Lowe, University High School
Jared Chou
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Piano
“Jared is a member of the Valencia High School Jazz Band and is an outstanding piano player. He is also an accomplished musician performing with the Valencia High School Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band and Wind Ensemble. … Most importantly Jared is a mature and responsible young man. He has always been reliable, respected, and prompt to all the Jazz band activities.” — Richard King, Valencia High School
Adam Cucci
Jazz: Modern, 1940s and Beyond | Trombone
“In his senior year, Adam has served as trombone section leader in marching band, and principal trombone in jazz band. Adam leads by example with humility and positivity, inspiring others to follow. Adam has been a pleasure to teach and I hope he continues in music.” — David Sussman, Beckman High School
Daniel De La Cruz
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Viola
“The first three words that come to mind when describing Daniel are talented, professional, and leadership. His greatest strengths lie in his unwavering dedication and passion for his viola performances. One particularly poignant example of his talent was demonstrated during our concerts when he performed the solo for ‘Schindler’s List.’ His rendition was not only technically flawless but also emotionally resonant, leaving a lasting impact on the audience, many of whom were moved to tears by the depth of emotion in his soulful performance.” — Yeon Choi, Tesoro High School
Adam Dif
“Adam has a distinct and driving passion for music. In addition to balancing his academic classes and doing well on the wresting team, Adam finds time to participate in choir, orchestra, AND band. Adam is always eager to learn, perform, and to help and encourage his fellow musicians.” – David Sussman, Beckman High School
Nathan Dishon
Classical: Western, 20th/21st Century (Modernism and After) | Cello
“Nathan is a prodigious young multi-instrumentalist, excelling in particular on the cello. In this capacity, he serves as the principal cellist in our symphony orchestra. He has been a consistent presence in local youth orchestras, including the PSYO, and SCSBOA Honors Ensembles since elementary school. Away from the cello, he serves as a leader within our Orchestra Student Organization (OSO), helping to advance the student culture of our orchestral program.” — Maxwell Lowe, University High School
Joaquin T. Domingo
Jazz: Modern, 1940s and Beyond | Piano
“Joaquin Domingo has been a musical and artistic inspiration to his fellow students. He is an outstanding jazz pianist and is always adding to his abilities through drum line and symphonic band by learning new instruments. He has recently started playing in college jazz ensembles to expand his knowledge and abilities.” — Phillip Wightman, La Habra High School
Madison Ems
Pops (like Marching Band, Movie Scoring, Military Marches, Show Tunes, etc.) | Flute
“Madison is a an extraordinary scholar artist! … As a musician, Madison has been involved in band as president, section leader, jazz ensemble, wind ensemble and marching band. She has always been a top notch performer proving that she a perfect blend of student, musician and leader.” — Bincins Garcia, Yorba Linda High School
Joshua Encarnacion
Jazz: Modern, 1940s and Beyond | Piano and electric keyboard
“Josh is an outstanding musician in our program. He performs on marimba in percussion section and is the pianist in our top jazz band. He also leads our jazz combo and can be found playing gigs in our local community. He has also arranged music for the jazz band and we performed his arrangement of ‘Carol of the Bells’ at our holiday concert. Josh’s dedication to music is unparalleled and his passion for performance is evident in his playing.” — Eric Samson, El Dorado High School
Megan E. Fas
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | French Horn
“Megan is an outstanding French Horn player and has been a leader throughout her high school career. She has been a part of the All-Southern California Honor Bands for multiple years, the Tournament of Roses Honor Band for multiple years, as well as the Southwest Honor Band (NMSU) each year. She most recently ranked 3rd chair in the Wind Symphony for the Southwest Honor Band out many students from TX, NM, AZ, OK, CA, CO, and UT.” — Joshua Parsons, John F. Kennedy High School
Amy Figueroa
“Ever since Amy walked on to the Sonora campus, she has demonstrated a grit and perseverance that goes well beyond the normal high school student. … Amy consistently embodies the term ‘lead by example.’ She is always working extremely hard, and raises those around her up. This was especially true during her sophomore year when she overcame a serious back injury to continue performing with the concert band and drumline.” — Jerome Diebolt, Sonora High School
Luke Frank
“Luke is a confident and versatile young artist. He is able to fill the percussive role in a number of ensembles or environments. His adaptability to move from solo playing to steel pan; marching band to chamber ensemble; and pop rock to four on the floor swing, is a testament to his fundamental musicianship skills.” — Andreas Waldukat, Capistrano Valley High School
John Fredette“John consistently exemplifies advanced skills in his performances. With that, he attained the prestigious role of principal player within the cello section of our highly selective Chamber Orchestra ensemble. His unique blend of diligence, intellectual insight, inquisitive spirit, and unwavering commitment to achieving the utmost excellence is integral to the success of our orchestra program.” — Yeon Choi, Tesoro High School
Jose Gabino
“Jose is an incredible musician that continues to surprise me every week. He is creative in his musical ideas and is relentless in his pursuit for musical excellence. He began with me as a flute player, but picked up the saxophone two years ago and immediately impressed all of his peers with his grasp on the instrument so quickly. This was then followed by persistence in listening and learning jazz vocabulary. He is an absolute pleasure to listen to and constantly amazes me and his peers.” — Gerardo Ramirez, Godinez Fundamental High School
Paul Gong
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Double Bass
“Simply put, Paul is not only one of the most talented students I have taught in my career, he is also one of the most motivated and hard-working. He performs in each of our school’s top ensembles, and in each, a different instrument — string bass in philharmonioc orchestra, tuba in wind symphony, and trombone in (our) jazz ensemble. Because he cannot get enough music, he is also the principal cellist for our second orchestra.” — Ben Case, Northwood High School
Teadora Grimberg
“Tea is a versatile and accomplished musician. She came into the program playing flute, but has since doubled and blossomed into a threat on many woodwind instruments. She is the assistant principal oboe in the wind ensemble and symphony orchestra, and currently the tenor saxophone section leader of the marching band. She performs in the student lead jazz combo, as well as the large big band.” — Andreas Waldukat, Capistrano Valley High School
Coral Hsu
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Flute
“I have had the pleasure of teaching Coral for 3 years in the area of instrumental music. She is one of my most diligent students. Always willing to work and learn new items. When it comes to music, Coral is very talented and works hard to stay among our top students. Coral has a strong work ethic; besides performing music in and out of school, giving music lessons to fellow students, being a leader in the program, and being involved in various school organizations.” — Bincins Garcia, Yorba Linda High School
Joseph Hufford
Jazz: Modern, 1940s and Beyond | Guitar
“Although Joseph is a self-taught guitar player, there is no one else who has the drive and passion for their instrument like he does. Whether it is jazz, rock, classical, funk, or blues Joseph can perform it all. In Jazz Band, Joseph is always the first to solo, and draws us in with his incredible improvisation. Joseph draws the audience in with his outstanding musicianship, stage presence, and charisma. Something many people struggle with seems so natural for him.” — Zaid Batarseh, Costa Mesa High School
Yuri Ishida
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Violin
“Yuri has been instrumental in organizing our orchestra leadership team where students from our top orchestra mentor students from our intermediate and entry level orchestras. She has also started up a student string quartet that plays advanced literature and performs throughout the community and put together the very first solo ensemble concert on our campus this fall. Yuri is well respected by her peers for her musicality, dedication, attention to detail and strong leadership skills.” — Joslynne Blasdel, Woodbridge High School
Evelyn Ishikawa
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Flute
“She is absolutely thoughtful and mature as a leader to her peers and she has the musical ability to back it up. She has been consistently featured as a soloist in concert and marching band seasons the past two years and has been recognized by adjudicators each time she has a solo. … Next to our drum major, Evelyn is the student I rely on most to help me get things done and her maturity sets her apart from her peers. She has developed into an excellent flautist and recently began her journey as a piccolo player in the band.” — Troy Trimble, Fullerton Union High School
Aidan Jang
“Aidan is the most talented high school musician I have had the privilege of teaching during my career. He is simply a professional level musician and violinist at this juncture of his high school career. He sight reads at the level most of his peers perform at, and consistently showcases great virtuosity in his playing. Performance quality like this is not just a result of simple talent; it is the result of countless hours in the practice room and lots of intense focused personal growth.” — Maxwell Lowe, University High School
Min-Hyuk (Raphael) Jang
Classical: Western, 20th/21st Century (Modernism and After) | Conducting
“Minhyuk is a talented and hardworking musician. When he was the principal player of the honors concert band, we were working on Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever. He heard that there was a piccolo solo, and he rented a school instrument. He practiced, memorized, and flawlessly performed during the performance. … Furthermore, Minhyuk started arranging music for his club called Healing Sound of Music. His arrangement of Christmas songs was performed at an Irvine Community Center under his baton.” — Elliott Bark, Crean Lutheran High School
Annie Jiang
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Cello
“Not only does Annie possess remarkable technical skills, but she also demonstrates a deep understanding of musical expression. Her nuanced interpretations bring a unique depth to every piece she plays, and she routinely collaborates with her section on bowings, phrasings, and musical ideas to find greater artistry in the literature. Annie actively pursues artistic and musical endeavors within and beyond the Uni campus, including being recently featured as a young performer at the Chamber Music Institute of Southern California.” — Maxwell Lowe, University High School
Diego Armando Jimenez
Pops (like Marching Band, Movie Scoring, Military Marches, Show Tunes, etc.) | Clarinet
“Diego Jimenez is an outstanding musician. He excels as a clarinet player and as percussionist. He never stops working for perfection and truly epitomizes what it takes to become a great musician. He is a leader to his fellow students and always patiently works with others to bring forth the most outstanding performance possible.” — Phillip Wightman, La Habra High School
Ava Johnson
“Ava is a prolific guitar player, songwriter, and performer. She and her band write and perform their own music, gigging locally each weekend. Ava brings a fresh perspective to our studio and shows up every day ready to drive our rehearsals and shows. She makes everyone around her better, and motivates them to improve their craft each day.” — Danielle Collins, Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts
Amy Jong
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Cello
“She is always prepared and works hard with her partners. One thing I really admire about her is her attitude. She’s always positive and encouraging, and takes criticism and compliments well. While she is rather soft spoken, Amy uses her cello to speak for her, and she does it well. Her piano trio has won multiple competitions as well, both locally and nationally.” — Nicholaus Yee, Orange County School of the Arts
Alan Juarez
“Alan is an outstanding clarinetist in our music program. He has performed in our Marching Band and Wind Ensemble and joined the jazz program playing the tenor saxophone in our Jazz 2 band. He has already been featured as a soloist at some of our jazz performances and he exceeded all expectations based on how long he has been playing jazz.” — Eric Samson, El Dorado High School
TaeEun Jun
“TaeEun Jun is an amazing young musician who is going above and beyond to perfect his craft as a percussionist. Tae has a wide range of musical abilities ranging from a classical concert percussionist to an amazing and well-rounded jazz drummer. As a percussionist on campus, Tae is our center marimba for our marching band, our winter drumline, our concert percussion, and our drum set player for our jazz band. He is also one of the many percussionists for our concert band/wind ensemble. In these roles, Tae became a strong student leader and helped younger and newer musicians develop the musical skills and abilities.” — Jason Ma, Aliso Niguel High School
Julianne Kam
Classical: Avant-Garde | Piano
“Julianne is a great pianist and musician. I have watched her performing hard piano repertoires. She is very focused and technically very sound. With her quality, I invited her to be a percussion and piano player in the Honors Symphony Orchestra. After she learned the basic techniques to play percussion instruments, she became flawless because of her excellent musicianship. Also, she is playing the piano part for Saint-Saens’s Organ Symphony with another pianist. She leads her section very well.” — Elliott Bark, Crean Lutheran High School
Maddox Kennerson
Popular: Pop and Rock | Guitar
“He has demonstrated how he is so many more things than just a guitarist. Maddox has been a very gifted guitar player and has been technically proficient for many years. But this year, something changed in him. He has evolved into something more! An artist. A creative. He has a newfound ambition in writing and producing original music. He is finding his voice both as a producer and bandleader. Watching his growth and ambition has been inspiring.” — Natasha Pasternak, Orange County School of the Arts
Jeremiah Keuilian
“Jeremiah is an outstanding trumpet player with superior musical skills. His tone, intonation, dynamic control, technique and musicianship are all first rate. He has been a member of Katella High School’s premiere ensembles for nearly four years including the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band. … In addition to playing trumpet and drum set in the band, Jeremiah displays leadership in clubs and his academic classes on campus while maintaining a strong GPA. He is an incredibly kind and positive person that works well with others and is a natural leader.” — Dylan Harlan, Katella High School
Allison Kim
“Allison is a highly motivated and outstanding musical artist, specializing in violin performance. As a performer, Allison has a strong stylistic command of her vibrato, demonstrates good pitch and bow control across her full tessitura, and can perform with great musicality. Through her work ethic and fierce competitiveness, she managed to move into the middle of the 1st violin section of our top orchestra from the bottom of the 2nd violin section.” — Maxwell Lowe, University High School
Minjae Jaden Kim
Classical: Western, 20th/21st Century (Modernism and After) | Violin
“Jaden has won various competitions and is nationally recognized as one of the best violinists in the country. … Jaden is always prepared and works hard with his classmates. One thing I really admire about him is his attitude. Jaden is always positive and encouraging, and takes criticism and compliments well.” — Nicholaus Yee, Orange County School of the Arts
Seojin Kim
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Cello
“Tony is a consummate artist who happens to be a cello player. He performs foremost with an expressive voice that communicates the piece he is playing; He is very deliberate and purposeful in his playing. He is a student leader of our program who is active both at Beckman and in Southern California.” — Jim Kollias, Beckman High School
Yejee Kim
“I have known Yejee since 7th grade. She joined the Christian Youth Symphony of Irvine. Since we performed very high-level music, it was very stretching for her, and I witnessed her overcoming each time. She said, “It’s very difficult, but I will try” with a smile on her face. With that attitude, she has improved tremendously and became the principal player for the Honors Symphony Orchestra at Crean. Yejee is a very positive person. She leads her section with constructive criticism.” — Elliott Bark, Crean Lutheran High School
Leo Kitaen
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Violin
“Leo Kitaen’s musical journey, spanning nine years of violin playing, showcases a remarkable commitment to excellence and community engagement. … Leo’s commitment to philanthropy and community service is evident in his co-founding of Salt Creek Strings, a musical initiative that busks around Orange County to raise funds for charity. Beyond performing, Leo imparts his musical knowledge by giving violin lessons to young students.” — Linling Hsu, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
Heron Ko
Jazz: Modern, 1940s and Beyond | Bass, cello
“She is the bassist for the top jazz band and also the principal cellist for the top string orchestra. Heron helps to raise the level of the ensembles that she’s in by not only being the best player, but also through her empathy and generosity toward her classmates. Without prompting, she regularly checks in on other students and offers her expertise to help other students with difficulties in music.” — Brad Davis, Esperanza High School
Derek Kong
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Cello
“When Derek plays, it’s obvious he is communicating through his instrument; his cello is the conduit for his expression. A phenomenal player, Derek has always excelled in our program. The enthusiasm Derek brings to his playing is infectious. He has earned accolades at Beckman as well as in the Southern California community.” — Jim Kollias, Beckman High School
Ian Kong
“Ian is an outstanding oboist. He was in the Honors Concert Band as the first chair oboist for two years. With his promising performances, this year, he was moved to be the oboe principal in the Honors Symphony Orchestra. He also has a great work ethic. Being an incredible swimmer, he can endure disciplines. He works very hard to achieve hard things.” — Elliott Bark, Crean Lutheran High School
Owen Krahl
“Owen is an amazing drummer and percussionist. … Owen demonstrates a mature approach to playing the drums and is one of the most musical drummers I have had. When he is faced with difficult musical concepts, he takes them in stride and practices until he feels that he is contributing to the music as intended by the composer. He is also well-versed in many styles of jazz and can easily play different genres in a set.” — Eric Samson, El Dorado High School
Natalie Kwok
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Cello
“Proficient in various styles, Natalie brings versatility and aptitude to her performances. What sets Natalie apart is her unique artistic vision and voice, marked by a strong sense of imagination and creative expression. She doesn’t merely play; she explores ideas, demonstrating a profound intellectual understanding within her work. Natalie creates with a purpose that extends beyond utility, expressing inner thoughts that resonate deeply.” — Ashley Song, Fairmont Preparatory Academy
Amy Lantz
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Cello
“Amy is a talented, hardworking, and caring young cellist who has achieved musically and scholastically at the top of her class. She actively participates in the chamber music program and the Symphony Orchestra at University High School, and currently serves as principal cellist of the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra. Amy’s distinguishing characteristic is her constant strives for improvement and self-betterment, both as a musician and a human being. She seeks out feedback early and often, and looks for new musical outlets and performance opportunities frequently.” — Maxwell Lowe, University High School
Michelle Lavender
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone
“It has been my pleasure to witness Michelle develop into an exceptional musician and a natural leader within our high school music program. Michelle has been an invaluable asset to our music program, primarily showcasing remarkable talent on the clarinet, tenor sax and bassoon. … In their senior year, Michelle took on the responsibility of Field Drum Major, a role that demands exceptional leadership skills and musical expertise. As the Field Drum Major, Michelle exhibited remarkable conductive abilities, setting the tempo for our field shows with precision and confidence.” — Bradford Harris, Woodbridge High School
Audrey Lee
Popular: Pop and Rock | Marimba
“Audrey is synonymous with music and service. She is incredibly talented, but just as committed to sharing art with others and helping to ignite their passion. She has been a staple in our music program for all four of her years at Northwood, performing with all of our top ensembles and serving as one of our program’s drum majors. She is reflective on her own practice, and constantly inspires those around her, both students and staff alike!” – Ben Case, Northwood High School
Nayun Lee
“Nayun is diligent and always ready to rehearse. I regularly give recording assignments. Her recordings are well-prepared and performed. She loves practicing and making it better. When the second principal is not there, she sits in the principal’s seat and leads her section very comfortably and very well. She is also very willing to learn and not afraid to be corrected. … While many students seem a bit afraid to be corrected in front of their peers, Nayun does not seem to be the same way. She likes hearing comments about what she does and wants to be better at her performance.” — Elliott Bark, Crean Lutheran High School
Samuel Lee
“Sam is a tremendous musician and an upland coming clarinet performer to watch. His attention to detail, interest in a wide range of music genres, and willingness to take feedback and make modifications and grow will allow him to thrive in the future. … In addition to performing with the classical groups, Sam has spent time doubling and learning Saxophone to perform as a member of the student led Jazz Combo and school Big Band.” — Andreas Waldukat, Capistrano Valley High School
Michael Lei
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Flute
“‘Talented’ only begins to describe Michael’s impact on our entire music program. A staple in each facet — orchestra, concert band, and jazz — his quiet and humble persona masks an impact that cannot be measured! For as gifted a musician as he is, Michael is reflective upon his progress and constantly strives for deeper connection with the music. Furthermore, his supportive leadership style present in all he does inspires everyone who has the pleasure of working with him!” — Ben Case, Northwood High School
Kira Likar
Folk: American | Violin
“Kira is a 2-year drum major of the Capistrano Valley High School Black and Gold Brigade, and the president of our nationally recognized Musical Mentors Club. In musical mentors, Kira coordinates, facilitates, and teaches free music lessons for Capistrano Unified 4th through 12th grade musicians. In addition to excelling on the violin, Kira learned the flute and piccolo and did a fantastic job her freshman and sophomore year performing in the marching band. She currently plays flute or piccolo for fun with the marching band or pep band when she is not leading rehearsal or conducting the group at a community performance.” — Andreas Waldukat, Capistrano Valley High School
Lena Limb
“Lena is an excellent cellist with great leadership. She has been the assistant principal for the cello section at Crean Lutheran High School’s honors symphony orchestra. She has been a very responsible person for her section. She is always ready to rehearse and perform. With her great attitude, her peers elected her to be the vice president of the orchestra.” — Elliott Bark, Crean Lutheran High School
Alvina Lin
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Cello
“Alvina is an exceptional cello player that is always reaching for more. She is always putting herself out there and is fearless on the cello. She is always working hard to improve her craft and is very coachable. She has excelled both at Beckman and off campus in Orange County.” — Jim Kollias, Beckman High School
Dorina Lin
“Dorina is an excellent percussionist. With her audition video at Crean, she was appointed to be the principal percussion player in the concert band as a freshman. During that year, since she could sightread most of her parts, she spent class time teaching many of her peers percussion techniques. … Dorina is also the president of her club called Healing Sound of Music. She is very good with her peers. Many students join the club, and she gets performance opportunities for her club. She is very good at recruiting students.” — Hyungbin Jung, Crean Lutheran High School
Xiaolu Liu
“Xiaolu is an absolutely devoted leader with a beautiful heart. … She was always a leader in the top orchestra. She comes to every rehearsal earlier than anyone else and starts setting up for herself and others as well. … She is an outstanding leader with a compassionate heart. Xiaulu is also a very talented musician with a serving mind. … she serves the community as a violinist in a student-run club called Healing Sound of Music. Furthermore, she often attends the string orchestra’s rehearsal, which is a lower-level group at Crean.” — Elliott Bark, Crean Lutheran High School
Miles Luong-Gonzales
“Miles is an outstanding saxophone player with superior musical skills. His tone, intonation, dynamic control, technique and musicianship are all first rate. He has been a member of Katella High School’s premiere ensembles for nearly four years including the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band. … In addition to playing saxophone in the band, Miles displays leadership in clubs and his academic classes on campus while maintaining a strong GPA. He is an incredibly kind and positive person that works well with others and is a natural leader.” — Dylan Harlan, Katella High School
Luke Maillefer
“Luke is a tremendous musician and upcoming leader in the ensemble. For the last three years, Luke has been a member of our string orchestra. …This year, Luke is sharing responsibilities as concertmaster in our advanced ensemble, as well as enhancing his essential musician skills, musicianship development as a member of the International Baccalaureate standard level music course. Luke is diligent, detailed, and methodical in his approach.” — Andreas Waldukat, Capistrano Valley High School
Xavier Rey Mao
Jazz: Modern, 1940s and Beyond | Piano
“Xavier’s artistry as a musician and pianist are undoubtedly a bright spot in the Irvine community. He goes above and beyond to present the best version of himself, and that is apparent to all those around him. He commands an innate passion and curiosity for what he does that will continue to guide him towards excellence for the rest of his life.” — Josue Valle, Irvine High School
Miguel Marasigan
“He is a very skilled pianist, who notably is exceptionally talented collaborative pianist who has a strong ability to play with an ensemble, soloist, or chamber group (this is a rare skill amongst even professional pianists, in my experience). Miguel also serves as one of our student conductors this year and has clear and confident artistic and musical ideas when he conducts rehearsals. Miguel is also a really good person, with almost no ego and a strong sense of team leadership.” —David Amrein, JSerra Catholic High School
Bethany McCauley
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Viola
“Bethany has been a passionate, dedicated, musically talented violist since her freshman year. She has performed solos in 4 different concerts, takes private lessons and also broadens her scope by taking acting classes and learning dance. After all of her personal achievements, she is also a hard working and dedicated member of our leadership team, focusing on integrating new students into the program and helping them feel at home.” — Aaron Zeilinger, Orange Lutheran High School
Chase McFarland
Composing / Arranging
“Chase joined us with a thirst for musical knowledge, and over the past four years, he has blossomed into a versatile musician with a dual focus on electronic music and choral singing. … Beyond his role as a vocal music leader, Chase shines as an electronic music composer, dedicating the last four years to experimenting with various genres and projects.” — Stacey Kikkawa, Fullerton Union High School
Yamilett Melendez
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Double Bass
“Yamilett Melendez-Delgado is a hard worker! Yamilett became section leader of both the intermediate and advanced orchestras at Santa Ana High School, studied and performed harp for our production of ‘Les Miserables,’ and took to trumpet and horn in band where she became drum major her senior year. Each of these accolades are incredible achievements that only a few students may achieve one or two. But Yami is that rare musician that will go above and beyond, which is why she is quite revered by her classmates, peers, and teachers.” — Joseph Kaye, Santa Ana High School
Victor Mendoza
“I believe Victor is an Artist of the Year because of the level of musicianship and leadership he has demonstrated since arriving at Santa Ana HS. Victor has consistently climbed the ranks as a flutist and mallet percussionist, and is seen as a leader for both by his peers and teachers.” — Mark Santos, Santa Ana High School
Ivan Miramontes Sandoval
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Trumpet
“He has demonstrated the highest level of musicianship this past year as a leader in my band program. He has risen the ranks as a trumpet player, and his abilities to adapt as a musician and leader are second to none.” — Mark Santos, Santa Ana High School
Allie Molin
Jazz: Modern, 1940s and Beyond | Trumpet
“In my 20+ years of teaching, Allie Molin stands out as one of the most hard-working and dedicated musicians with whom I’ve worked. Her prodigious work ethic has yielded a superb artist on the rise. … This year, Allie was selected as one of six young women from the U.S. to perform in the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival Women in jazz combo. Apart from Allie’s musical prowess, she is an exceptional young leader and collaborator. Her peers look up to her as she is kind, affable, intelligent, humble, and truly caring. She seeks to make all around her better.” — John Reynolds, Orange County School of the Arts
Brendan Mulholland
Jazz: Modern, 1940s and Beyond | Alto Saxophone
“Brendan truly loves music and is always eager to share it with others. He is a very talented saxophonist with a great understanding and knowledge of music theory. As a student leader, Brendan continually seeks working with and helping other students improve as well. Aside from performing in various advanced instrumental music ensembles, Brendan also excels as a vocalist and actor in choir, theatre, and musical theater.” — Fernando Martinez, Mater Dei High School
Brady Nguyen
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Percussion
“Brady has continuously worked to lead by example, fostered relationships, and set a high level of commitment for the program. His peers and I respect him for the amount of time and effort he has selflessly poured into leading a program. Brady has held many responsibilities in the band including being a leader as Drum Major. Brady has a way of making students feel welcomed and a way of teaching others the importance of music.” — Bincins Garcia, Yorba Linda High School
Brayden Van Nguyen
Popular: R&B and Soul | Guitar, Keys, Drums, Bass, Vocals
“His energy and dedication to his craft is electrifying. He helps so many students’ original projects merely to support in any way he can. He works professionally as a musician, and has his own original projects as well, and he is the primary creative and technical force behind them. Brayden is a fantastic songwriter and producer, and also backs it up as a phenomenal performer on keys, vocals, guitar, drums, and bass.” — Danielle Collins, Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts
Lucas Nguyen
Classical: Western, 20th/21st Century (Modernism and After) | Violin
“Lucas is absolutely incredible! Unquestionably talented, it’s his leadership and passion for personal growth that sets him apart. Our top orchestra’s concertmaster, Lucas routinely inspires and uplifts each section, yet remains extremely humble. He is quick to volunteer and assist wherever he can, and it is not hyperbole to say that our entire music program is better because of his efforts!” — Ben Case, Northwood High School
Kai Nie
Classical: Western, 20th/21st Century (Modernism and After) | Piano
“Kyle is a multi-instrumentalist who excels across numerous musical genres, different ensembles, and on various instruments. Although ranking is difficult, Kyle’s best instrument is likely the viola. He exhibits strong tonal control, a nice, characteristic vibrato, and great command across the full range of the instrument. Through his viola performance, he has earned a high chair in the viola section of the Uni Symphony Orchestra.” – Maxwell Lowe, University High School
Fenella Nishigawara
Jazz: Modern, 1940s and Beyond | Electric Bass Guitar
“Fenella is a powerhouse musician, always hungry to push herself in her craft. Over the past three years I’ve had the pleasure of watching her catapult to new heights in her musicianship and practices. With her senior year, she has impressed me with wanting to split her time between her pop studies and jazz, stepping outside of her box to try new experiences, which demonstrates to me what it is to be a professional musician — the understanding and desire to evolve.” — Natasha Pasternak, Orange County School of the Arts
Andrew Nunez
“Although his ensemble experience is in our string orchestra, Andrew excels as a composer and creator/ producer of pop music. He first shared an entire album of songs created within the span of a few weeks the fall of his sophomore year. He continues to compose music weekly, using a digital audio workstation. He started to incorporate live performances using his viola and cello into his compositions. When looking for artists of the year, we often forget about those students who are in our traditional ensembles, but excel in other areas. Andrew is one of these students.” — Andreas Waldukat, Capistrano Valley High School
Cristy Ojeda
“She is dependable as one of two trumpet players in our mariachi, lead trumpet player of the jazz band, principal chair in concert band, and serves as music council president. As music council president she leads meetings through planned agendas, organizes fundraisers, and coordinates with other members to achieve goals.” — Gerardo Ramirez, Godinez Fundamental High School
Meghan Paik
Jazz: Modern, 1940s and Beyond | Drum Set, Marimba
“Meghan is the complete package as a musician: well-rounded and dedicated. … She is creative and excels at applying the sounds and styles of the all-time greats into all styles of music. Meghan also applies these same lessons and ideals into her mallet percussion playing. She has a great sense for melody and is always someone that I can count on to lead by example, both personally and professionally.” — Bradley Davis, Esperanza High School
Nicolas Pallone
Jazz: Modern, 1940s and Beyond | Guitar
“Nicolas Pallone has the magical combination of talent, drive, and love for the music. All of that is wrapped up in his heart of gold and beautiful spirit. Nic is going to be a successful musician no matter what. He has the right balance of skill, humility, and thirst for knowledge that will keep him on the path to mastery. Nic is one of the most present, and intentional students I have ever taught, and he never misses a day without saying, ‘Thank you’ and ‘Goodbye.’ I am on team Nic Pallone for life.” — Justin Padilla, Los Alamitos High School
Jopabavi Palma
“A passionate trombonist, Jopabavi has the ambition and mindset to be the self proclaimed best trombonist in the world. The youngest of the group that is always practicing, JP is frequently spending lunch, after school, and weekends to practice and play music. He has fallen in love with jazz improvisation and through his desire to improve has been provided private lessons sponsored by our booster parent organization.” — Gerardo Ramirez, Godinez Fundamental High School
Jordan Palma
Jazz: Early (Dixieland, Ragtime, Swing) | Bass Clarinet
“Jordan is one of few students in the instrumental music program that is always practicing. I’ll always hear him outside the band room playing in the hallway (which has great acoustics) and working on a variety of music from class, personal selections and improvisation. He is a bass clarinetist and fills in the lead tenor seat in our jazz band. Jordan is an amazing, kind and thoughtful human being as well as being a passionate bass clarinetist.” — Gerardo Ramirez, Godinez Fundamental High School
Oliver Park
Popular Funk | Drum Set
“His rhythmic expertise, developed through rigorous training, showcases not only technical prowess but a captivating complexity in his drumming. A true virtuoso, Oliver displays aptitude across various styles and abilities, demonstrating versatility that sets him apart. What distinguishes Oliver is his unique artistic vision and voice, marked by a strong sense of imagination and creative expression. He doesn’t just play beats; he explore musical ideas with intellectual depth, showcasing a mature understanding of his craft.” — Ashley Song, Fairmont Preparatory Academy
Damian Paul
Classical: Avant-Garde | Marimba
“Damian Paul is an exceptional young musician and composer. He has been a student of ours at the Orange County School of the Arts for three years. In that short time, he has excelled to the top of his class as a musician, student leader, percussionist, and burgeoning composer. … As a composer, Damian has written several new works for our percussion ensemble. All of the pieces performed have been exceptionally well-received.” — John Reynolds, Orange County School of the Arts
Jayden Peng
Classical: Western, 20th/21st Century (Modernism and After) | Trumpet
“Jayden is an up and coming young musician, excelling in particular in the area of classical trumpet performance. … Jayden’s distinguishing characteristic as a potential artist of the year is his love for his craft. He is constantly practicing orchestral excerpts, solos, and audition material, even with collegiate auditions still a year off. He seeks frequent feedback and discussion of his playing with his music directors, and endeavors to set a strong standard both in the classroom and on stage.” — Maxwell Lowe, University High School
Ariel Perez
“Ariel is a truly unique talent. He excels at the baritone saxophone, but also plays a number of other instruments. This year, he earned the sole bari sax spot in the All State Wind Symphony (CBDA) as well as the All-Southern California Wind Ensemble (SCSBOA). He is incredibly driven and motivated to play at the highest levels not just as bari sax player, but as a musician’s musician.” — Joshua Parsons, John F. Kennedy High School
Alexa Pierce
Composing / Arranging
“Alexa is a model instrumental student for our program. Over the past four years, Alexa has been strong learner and performer playing flute and trumpet in marching and jazz bands. … Alexa takes time almost every weekend to go see live performing groups, from classical all the way to punk rock. Every year Alexa puts in 110%, helps and encourages others, and is one of the most kind and respectful students I have every taught.” — Ed Corbett, Villa Park High School
Bishop Plaza
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Tuba
“Bishop is passionate about music and believes in empowering communities through the arts. He founded a music tutoring program in which high school students provide free music lessons and tutoring at neighboring middle schools in our school district. Music directors have commended Bishop for his professionalism as well as creating an excellent environment for students to learn and develop meaningful relationships through music.” — Christine Maneewongwathana, University High School
Devon E. Pope
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | French Horn
“Devon stays at school for as long as the music rehearsal room is open to practice afterschool to improve her craft — sometimes staying as late as 9 p.m. As she developed her artform, she began her audition processes to many ensembles, ultimately receiving the 1st chair position at the Pacific Symphony Wind Ensemble in addition to performing in our school’s wind ensemble, marching band, pep band, and pit orchestra. Devon’s devotion to the french horn has led her to maintain a job to provide herself with private lessons where she focuses on orchestral studies with hopes of performing in a professional orchestra in the future. Devon” — Jackson Lai, Fountain Valley High School
Michael Prunean
“(Over the) years, I noticed that Michael is determined to learn. He is very reliable and very smart. … He asked if he could learn an instrument to be in the orchestra. Since I didn’t have any horn player, I recommended him to learn the French Horn. … He always wanted to play the first part. With a bit of skepticism, I still gave the first part to him. He has successfully played John Williams’s Star Wars Suite, Dvorak’s Symphony 9, and many others. He has performed quite challenging repertoires with such confidence. Michael also successfully recorded the first horm part for Crean Lutheran CDs.” — Elliott Bark, Crean Lutheran High School
Ryan Raisrohani“He has a keen ear, good guitar chops, and is quick to learn solos and chord progressions. He is an aspiring singer/songwriter, and will continue to build upon his musicianship in the years beyond high school. More importantly, Ryan possesses a strong musical curiosity across genres and instruments. He is a quick and eager learner, and this has allowed his musical abilities to grow in the short time he has been enrolled in our program.” — Maxwell Lowe, University High School
Aryana Valeria Ramos Espino
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Violin
“Aryana Ramos is not only a gifted violinist, she is an advocate for the arts. Regardless if she is leading the violin section, giving up endless nights with front ensemble pit rehearsals, or organizing the next fundraiser, Ms. Ramos is extremely dedicated not just to the music but for those who seek enjoyment and satisfaction with the end result.” — Joseph Kaye, Santa Ana High School
Hannah Ratanapratum
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Cello, Piano
“Hannah is an outstanding member of our advanced orchestra, cello section. She is well respected amongst peers, and is currently the Vice President of our nationally recognized, Musical Mentors program. Hannah shares responsibilities of principal cello in our Advanced Ensemble, as well as leads and mentors the cellist in our Intermediate Ensemble. She is always eager to lend a hand and works with her fellow students preparing chamber music performances for senior living centers and concerts on campus.” — Andreas Waldukat, Capistrano Valley High School
Adrian Rigoberto Rojo
Jazz: Modern, 1940s and Beyond | Tenor Sax
“Adrian Rojo is a wonderful a fantastic jazz saxophonist. He is growing as a soloist and always looking for new material to study. He plays beautifully and is creating his own voice through improvisation. Adrian also excels as a drummer and bassoonist. He is a leader among my students and makes them all better through his constant dedication.” – Phillip Wightman, La Habra High School
Lily Rowley
“Lily is the type of student that you wish all the students in your program were like; talented, conscientious, hard-working. All of these describe Lily. Not only is she an outstanding flute player, but Ms. Rowley also serves as our drum major – the highest ranking student member of the Band. Earning that position as a sophomore, she is on schedule to be a three-year holder of that position — a very rare feat.” – Jerome Diebolt, Sonora High School
Alma Salazar
“Alma is an outstanding flute player with superior musical skills. Her tone, intonation, dynamic control, technique and musicianship are all first rate. She has been a member of Katella High School’s premiere ensembles for nearly four years including the Wind Ensemble. Alma has been the flute section leader for multiple years. In addition to playing flute and piccolo in the band, Alma displays leadership in clubs and her academic classes on campus while maintaining a strong GPA.” — Dylan Harlan, Katella High School
Gabriella Sanchez
Folk and World Pop: Latin| Violin
“Gabriella Sanchez is an amazing violinist who shares her love for music with as many people as she can. Gabriella devotes her time before school with Mariachi rehearsals, duiring school and lunch with orchestra rehaersals and sectionals, and after school with pit orchestra rehearsals for our spring musical. She is extremely dedicated and is a trusted artist who will always be there for others.” — Joseph Kaye, Santa Ana High School
Josh Sanchez
“Josh J.J. Sanchez is living it! Josh has immersed himself in the American art form which is jazz. Through the last year, I have witnessed growth musically, interpersonally, and spiritually. Music is spiritual. Josh is able to tap into this spirit that is music and flourish. He is using his heart and mind in concert when it applies to his musicality. He has picked up multiple instruments and is continually exploring growth. This indeed is a rare, uncommon and quite plainly wonderful.” — Travis King, JSerra Catholic High School
Amanda Saucedo
Jazz: Early (Dixieland, Ragtime, Swing) | Drum Set, Concert Snare, Marimba
“Amanda lives and breathes music. Looking back at her start as a freshman doing music over Zoom and now as a strong and capable leader who has worked her way into an acceptance into the United States Marine Corps as a Marine Musician is truly amazing. She has learned so much and continues to take every opportunity to develop as a percussionist and learn more and more about music theory and expand her experiences across the board.” — Troy Trimble, Fullerton Union High School
Cade Scher
“Cade is a gifted musician with a musical soul. Cade plays with an emotion that is rare. You feel his sensibility coming through the piano. He is a kind-hearted individual and is generous with his gift. He makes himself available to others who want to collaborate and is kind without exception. He also writes beautifully and plays drums at a very high level.” — Kevin Bachelder, Tarbut V’Torah
Avery Seaman
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Piano
“Avery is fantastic student and in a short time has earned many awards. Some awards include the Gold President’s Volunteer Service Award, AP Scholar, National Merit, Principal’s Honor Roll,Academic Mustang Achievement Award, and a California Boys’ State Nominee. … As a musician with a over a 4.0 and a rigorous load he continues to be an example for our students that academics, athletics, and arts are keys to success.” — Bincins Garcia, Yorba Linda High School
Aadya Sharma
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Violin
“Aadya is one of the most gifted, hard-working, and devoted young musicians that I have ever had the privilege of working with. With dedication and persistence, she has grown immeasurably as an artist, gaining admittance to the Orange County School of the Arts, the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the All-Southern Honor Orchestra. … An extremely curious and creative violinist, she also composes music, is nationally recognized for her creative writing skills, and still finds time to develop video games! Combining her musical talent, creative writing experience, and computer programming skills, Aadya will be an exciting artist to watch for!” — Shelly Shi, Private Instructor
Owen Shellenbarger
“Owen is an outstanding saxophone player with superior musical skills. His tone, intonation, dynamic control, technique and musicianship are all first rate. He has been a member of Katella High School’s premiere ensembles for nearly four years including the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band. … In addition to playing saxophone in the band, Owen displays leadership in sports, clubs and his academic classes on campus while maintaining a strong GPA. He is an incredibly kind and positive person that works well with others and is a natural leader.” — Dylan Harlan, Katella High School
Tala Siksek
“These words come to my mind when describing Tala Siksek, exceptional dedication, talent, and leadership in music. As concertmaster at Tesoro High School’s Instrumental Music Department, Tala has consistently showcased an unparalleled commitment to both musical excellence and community engagement.” – Yeon Choi, Tesoro High School
Irene Sok
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Violin
“Irene is diligent and always ready to rehearse. I regularly give recording assignments. Her recordings are well-prepared and performed. She loves practicing and making it better. At every rehearsal, she is ready to perform and lead her section. She is also very willing to learn and not afraid to be corrected. …While many students seem a bit afraid to be corrected in front of their peers, Irene does not seem to be the same way. She likes hearing comments about what she does and wants to be better at her performance.” – Elliott Bark, Crean Lutheran High School
Marenna Speiker
“Marenna does a wonderful job performing as a section player or sitting in the first chair as section leader of the viola section. She is a wonderful collaborator and leads through her strong musical voice. In addition to performing with our string orchestra, Marenna is a 3-year member of the Capistrano Valley High School Black and Gold Brigade. She was the tenor saxophone section leader in Marching Band as a junior and performs as a saxophone section member in the Jazz Ensemble. Marenna is a true artist and excels in many areas beyond the instrumental world. She has been active with our video production program, and works as a mentor in our nationally recognized Musical Mentors club.” —Andreas Waldukat, Capistrano Valley High School
Aidan Stone-Walsh
“Aidan is the associate principal trumpet in wind ensemble and has shown to be a dedicated member of the group. Aidan has a lot of musical potential and has a great attitude that will take him far. His love of his craft is apparent, in addition to balancing academics and sports. Aidan is willing to take risks, to step up and lead, and is open to constructive advice.” — David Sussman, Beckman High School
Jaime Tirzo Farias
“As a sophomore, Jaime joined my beginning orchestra as a violinist during the second semester of the academic year. This meant he had to catch up to several of his peers. Not only did he catch up, but he also surpassed several of them and became a consistent leader for his colleagues. During his junior year, he elected to pick up bass where he again picked up quickly and soon became a regular musician in the 0-period jazz band.” — Joseph Kaye, Santa Ana High School
Evelyn Toner
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Soprano Saxophone
“Evelyn is a talented and versatile musician. … Their main instrument is alto saxophone, but I quickly recognized their musical skills, and suggested they begin to learn oboe. Evelyn is developing into a wonderful oboe player, and performs oboe in the Wind Ensemble as well as with the full Symphony orchestra. … In addition to performing with the ensembles, Evelyn has explored composition and arranging.” — Andreas Waldukat, Capistrano Valley High School
Savannah Tweedt
Popular: Pop and Rock | Drum Set
“Since that moment I’ve learned more and more about her depth of care and passion for all things music, she could easily be a professional drummer with the level of dedication she has, but still pushes and pursues all aspects of music. Whether it’s behind a soundboard tracking her classmates, to writing, co-producing and releasing original music, she does it all.” — Natasha Pasternak, Orange County School of the Arts
Ryan Christopher Vandenberg
Classical: Western, 20th/21st Century (Modernism and After) | Alto Sax, Conducting.
“Ryan is one of four students (in my career that) I can say will go on into music and be wonderful. He is a true musician on alto sax but is also extremely talented at bassoon and baritone sax. He is in honors wind ensemble, jazz band and marching band. Ryan has been a wonderfully nuanced musican and utilizes his abilities to raise the ensemble around him, while also helpful to all students he works with.” — Aaron Zeilinger, Orange Lutheran High School
Jaiden Vinh
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Piano
“Jaiden is a three-year member of our advanced orchestra. He auditioned as a freshman methodically and earned a place in our advanced ensemble. He continues to perform as a section member of the violins, altering between the first and second violin when needed. He is a member of the International Baccalaureate Music course and is an accomplished pianist. On his own, he leads student chamber ensembles, arranges ensemble works, and performs on piano.” — Andreas Waldukat, Capistrano Valley High School
U.N. Vo
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Piano
“Quoc (U.N) is an exceptionally talented pianist who is highly intelligent and a goal getter. Despite of her internationally moving caused laps of proper music lessons, she has incredibly improved her technique and musicianship under my guidance for the last three years. It’s been my pleasure of working with her and it’s my joy to witness her personal growth and musical artistry.” — Young Sook Kang, Beckman High School
YunLe (Hanbin) Wang
“Hanbin is a versatile music student, he is involved in many activities. … Hanbin has received some honors and awards: AP Scholar with Distinction Award, President’s Volunteer Service Award, National Merit Commended Scholar, Principal’s Honor Roll, Annual PD 100 Art Studio Gold Digital Lighting Award and Level 9 Piano Certificate of Merit (12+ years of training). Musically, Hanbin is an advanced pianist and clarinetist.” — Bincins Garcia, Yorba Linda High School
Michael Wong
“With his excellent quality as a cellist, he has led his section flawlessly. He is always prepared and able to anticipate the needs of his section members. This led me to choose him to be the soloist for last year’s Christmas concert. He has performed the piece with the orchestra with passion and precision. He is responsible, committed, and devoted.” — Elliott Bark, Crean Lutheran High School
Chase Woodbury
Popular: Pop and Rock | Keys, Drums, Bass
“Chase has an incredible heart for our program and is a phenomenal keyboard player. Chase works as a keys technician in our program, and helps the other players in rehearsal and performances, troubleshooting issues and helping students with difficult parts. Chase has an incredible heart and is a blast to watch perform. He is looking to pursue commercial music performance and would be an incredible studio player or writer.” — Danielle Collins, Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts
Alvin Wu
“Alvin served as the head drum major in marching and, and plays tuba in wind ensemble. Alvin has shown tremendous leadership and professionalism at the start of this year, organizing the other leaders and providing a model of band spirit. Alvin thinks about other’s needs and the welfare of the group before himself, a sign of a true leader.” — David Sussman, Beckman High School
Jadon Wu
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Piano
“Always growing, Jadon has also blossomed in his musical sensitivity and expressiveness. The maturity of his vision and ‘voice’ is quite striking, and is noted in the remarks of his judges over the years, even when he sometimes took the risk of going against generally-accepted interpretations to bring out his own creative view. Jadon is able not only to captivate people’s hearts with his music but also make people laugh with it.” — Joan Chang, Orange County School of the Arts
Ruth Wu
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Viola
“Ruth Wu has been a dedicated member of JSerra’s Orchestra Program and Arts Magnet Program for all four years of high school. Ruth is a talented and expressive viola player, one of the most talented musicians in our orchestra. Ruth is also one of our student conductors this year, the one whom I chose to conduct our most difficult piece of the entire school year: Rhapsody in Blue. Ruth is also a humble and extremely empathetic team member, the kind of student every teacher hopes for.” — David Amrein, JSerra Catholic High School
Rain Xie
“Rain is an outstanding clarinet player who has excelled in both the orchestra and band programs at our school. … Outside of school, he has also been a member of the Pacific Youth Wind Ensemble, one of the most prestigious honor groups in the county. He has played in the pit orchestra for our school musicals, such as ‘Mamma Mia,’ and demonstrated his versatility and professionalism. In addition, he is always eager to play in the school band concerts that he isn’t directly involved with. He’ll take his own time to learn the repertoire, come to dress rehearsals, and play in the concert, as if it was his own.” — Chris Carbajal, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
Serena Yang
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Violin
“Serena possesses a distinctive artistic vision and voice, marked by a rich imagination and creative expression. Every note played is a testament to her exploration of musical ideas, coupled with a profound understanding of the intellectual content within her work. As Serena approaches a new chapter in her life — college — her artistic journey extends beyond personal growth. Her purposeful creations seek to impact others, revealing a desire to contribute meaningfully to the world through the evocative power of the violin.” — Ashley Song, Fairmont Preparatory Academy
Seawoo Yoo
“Andy (Seawoo) is an outstanding young violist who performs with maturity well beyond his age. His long-standing section leadership of our viola section and his history sitting in the front of the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra are the well-earned results of his hard work. Andy has proven to be an artistic leader within our program, and is active in both our full orchestra as well as our chamber music ensembles.” — Maxwell Lowe, University High School
Alice Yu
“As a junior, Alice served as the flute section leader and woodwind captain in Marching Band. Alice is an extremely talented flute and piccolo player. As such, she was among an honored few musicians collected from several high schools in the county to perform as part of the Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble at Segerstrom Concert Hall.” — David Sussman, Beckman High School
Kailey Yun
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Violin
“Kailey is an exceptional violinist that performs at the highest levels for a high school artist. She is looking to continuing her musical studies at the university level next year. She is a student leader in our orchestra and has always been one of the best artists in our program.” — Jim Kollias, Beckman High School
Helaine Zhao
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Piano
“Helaine is an amazingly pianist. She has been playing piano for 13 years and won many state, national and international competitions. Helaine was rewarded a $25,000 scholarship from the very prestigious Davidson Fellows. She is the only student selected in the music category. This is an amazing achievement. … Helaine is not only a talented musician, she is also an outstanding student and a school leader. She is humble and kind.” — Kelly Chu, Pacific Academy
Aaron Zhu
Classical: Western, Early (Medieval to Romantic Periods) | Piano
“Aaron is a remarkable musician. He has an exceptional mastery of the instrument and he is creative. … He is of the highest caliber as a musician and as a person. Aaron is Artist of The Year material because he not only plays at a level that most college students would envy but he also approaches music with curiosity and love.” — Kevin Bachelder, Tarbut V’Torah
Ricky Zimmer
“Ricky plays with a big confident and musically sensitive sound. He is the concert master of our orchestra program and regularly asserts clear leadership to guide the group towards a more musical solution. Ricky recently played in a duet at our Christmas Concert that earned a standing ovation from the entire audience (which is a first for any of our student concerts in my memory).” — David Amrein, JSerra Catholic High School
