Joy is a cellist who has performed at numerous competitions and music festivals and has had the pleasure of playing at Carnegie Hall. She is also the principal of the Golden State Youth Orchestra and can often be found acting in musical theater or leisurely strumming a guitar. Aside from musical endeavors, Joy greatly enjoys channeling her passion for social and environmental justice by serving her community and fostering connections among different people. She also loves hiking, painting, and traveling.

Hi everyone! As an avid enjoyer and hobbyist of piano, I’ve always had a great interest both in playing and listening to the piano — after all, I think they’re both excellent ways to relax! Even so, it’s also really rewarding when your efforts to practice pay off: in fact, I’ve gotten various international awards, and just last summer, I successfully obtained the ARSM (Associate of the Royal Schools of Music) diploma! When I’ve gotten too tired of practicing, I often like to listen to Beethoven, Chopin, and Liszt (who, of course, certainly gets his money’s worth with the keyboard). In fact, I often listen to Chopin's ballades (and play #3), and have played (though admittedly not perfectly) Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody #2 and (rather infamous) La Campanella.

Hello! I’ve been playing piano for the past 9 years, and gradually, I’ve learned to love and enjoy it. I find listening to and playing music a great way to calm me down, and though practice can be tiring sometimes, the results are worth it. Throughout the years, I have earned multiple top prizes in international competitions and got honors in CM Level 10, and last winter, I was able to travel to New York and perform at Carnegie Hall. Besides piano, I have played the flute for 5 years and am part of an honor band outside of school. Other than music, I enjoy reading, swimming, and baking.

Hi! My name is Wendy and I've been taking voice lessons for five years now. I like to think of our voices as the origin of music and instruments- we were using our bodies as instruments long before the piano was invented! In school, I am a choir student and I love listening to different voices harmonize together. I also discovered choral music, which is surprisingly diverse, with pieces of classical, pop, tribal, and many more genres of music. One side effect (if you call it that) of singing for so long is that I project my voice very well- hence my other extracurricular activity, debate. Some artists that I recommend are Taylor Swift, Conan Gray, and Charlie Puth. 

Hello. I’m Max and I’ve been playing violin for 11 years now. I hope to continue playing recreationally in college because, as my violin teacher says: “Violin is one of the few skills that only gets better as you go on.” While my commitment to violin does not concern me, what does concern me is that the environment seems to be on the opposite path, declining as time passes, which is why I dedicate my free time to organizing environmental awareness events. I’ve held a waste art competition at an elementary school, collected batteries, spread awareness on proper waste disposal, and most recently, created a satirical website exposing the environmental issues corporations cause. Besides this, I also enjoy playing video games, art and building plastic model kits when I’m not doing schoolwork.

Hi! My name is Harshitha, and I'm a violinist. I've been playing violin for about 9 years now, and have been part of countless orchestras, both for charity and for my enjoyment. I'm in the process of finishing up my ABRSM 8 Exam and aim to take my diploma exam by the end of 2024. On top of violin, I've played the trumpet for 3 years, the french horn for 1, and I'm currently learning guitar in school. I'm passionate about music, and you can ususally find me listening to classical music while reading on my couch, or blasting pop music (mainly BTS, Stray Kids, and Taylor Swift) at my community pool while swimming. I love drawing (although my skills are questionable) and teaching, which is what led me to teach violin (for reasonable prices). 

Hi! I am a  freshman at Homestead High School. I have turned from violinist to violist. I began my violin study at 6 years old with Joseph Christianson. Since 2018 I have been studying with Aaron Rosengaus. I currently study viola as my primary instrument and play viola in Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra’s Sinfonia orchestra. I enjoy playing chamber music, ping pong, volleyball, computer games, hanging out with friends, and spending quality time with my dog Maple.

Marcus Cheng was born and raised in the Bay Area and has been learning violin since he was 4 and a half years old. He has been taught by a variety of different teachers, and is currently studying under Aaron Rosengaus. Marcus has also been part of the Palo  Alto Chamber Orchestra since 2017, an award winning youth orchestra for regional string musicians. In his free time, Marcus runs and does martial arts, and he is currently a freshman at  Saint Francis High School. 

I am a violinist who believes in the power of music to connect and strives to bring excellence to the stage. Years of playing with the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra taught me that music is much more than the notes on the page – it’s learning to listen; it’s a collaboration of boundless possibilities between each musician; it’s a language without words; it’s fostering creativity and compassion. Each day, I discover what it truly means to “play well with others.” The people I have met along the way constantly inspire me and remind me of the gift of music, and I want to share that joy with my community.  

Hello everyone! I'm Jeffrey. The world of piano playing and listening has always captivated me, offering the perfect means of unwinding and immersing oneself in beautiful melodies. What truly fulfills me is seeing the results of my dedicated practice. Over time, I've been fortunate to receive numerous accolades for my piano skills. Just this past spring, I achieved a significant milestone by securing first place in the rising talents category of the Great Composers competition in the US. The winning piece that propelled me to success was the Paganini Jazz, a personal favorite of mine. It's a creatively composed rendition of Paganini's famous melody, which adds a unique jazz twist to the original composition. Another cherished piece in my repertoire is Chopin's Revolutionary Etude. I particularly appreciate this composition's high energy and profound emotional connection with humanity. 

Hello. My name is Ashley. Since a young age, I have enjoyed music. I began playing the piano about 8 years ago. Playing the piano has always been a way for me to relax in my free time, or to take my mind off my work and studying. Because I have always loved music, while in middle school, I decided that I had to join the band to try this new style of music: one where I’m part of an ensemble rather than a solo player like the piano. Playing the clarinet was very different from the piano. I had to learn to control my embouchure as well as my finger positions, but like all other instruments, given practice I began to become accustomed to this style of music. Other than music, I also enjoy playing tennis, learning math and biology, hiking, and crocheting.  

Hello everyone! My name is Mukil Narayanan, a Bay-Area homeschooled high-schooler!  I have been playing the piano for over 10 years! I started playing the piano at age 6 when my parents told me that it would aid me in the future. I now learn under Jamie Del Priore D.M.A. In August of 2020, I won branch honors in Music Teacher Associations of California (MTAC)'s Certificate of Merit musical examination program. Since then, I have won yearly state honors for my CM testing and have performed in a highly selective and prestigious convention honors recital once. I also compose/arrange classical music! I have composed 20+ works for various solo instruments and ensembles. My compositions have been praised and premiered/performed by professional musicians. In 2023, I was one of 65 young musicians out of 150+ applicants to attend the Lamont Summer Academy, held at the University of Denver. There I primarily played solo repertoire and chamber music. Also, my composition, "Hoffnung," (Hope) for oboe, violin, cello, and piano was premiered by professional musicians from the Denver Playground Ensemble, a licensed chamber music organization, based in Denver. Upon returning from the camp, my friends Jane Wee (who is currently completing her masters in vocal performance at DU) and Vincent Stone, performed my voice-piano duet. Besides music, I also enjoy collecting stamps, reading encyclopedias, writing poetry, and watching TwoSetViolin!

Hello everyone! My name is Faye Yu. I have played piano for 5 years, and to be honest I don’t play long hours anymore, but I still appreciate and hold great respect for those who have devoted time towards music, whether through tirelessly practicing and performing, learning music theory, or composing new pieces. The reason I value music is that it is a universal language which anyone can enjoy :) Outside of piano, my hobbies include (learning) digital art, programming, and cheerleading at Cupertino High School. 

Hello! My name is Vaynil Narayanan. I am a sophomore in High school. I have been training as an Indian Carnatic Vocalist for the past 10 years. I have a great passion for exploring other genres outside of Indian Carnatic Music, such as Pop, Rock and EDM. I produce Electronic Music in styles that include Future Rave and Piano House. I do share a great love for scoring movies and scenes and sometimes take popular movie trailers and make my own score for that trailer. I have also recorded, mixed and mastered pieces for fellow members Mukil Narayanan and Max Polosky as well as some of my own vocal projects. I love to take inspiration from Classical Musicians such as Beethoven when making music. Apart from making music in my free time, I am an avid tech enthusiast and love to research tech products related to audio!

Hello everyone! My name is Claire Shao. I have been playing Guzheng for the past four years. In the beginning, I was fascinated by the sound of Guzheng – it is so different from any other instruments I have heard before, yet it could still play both traditional Chinese songs and modern music beautifully.  Gradually, I began to love and enjoy it more and more. I want to share this joy with our community. Besides music, I also love drawing, baking and traveling.  

Hello! My name is Amie and I’m currently an eighth grader at Joaquin Miller Middle School. I’ve been playing the GuZheng for about 3 years. I started playing because I saw it as an instrument that allowed me to connect with my culture and Chinese background, and as a hobby that gave me the opportunity to play and explore the countless pieces in traditional Chinese music. Besides playing GuZheng, I also enjoy playing volleyball and drawing. 

Hi! My name is Angeline! I’ve been playing the Guzheng for about four years. I first started playing it because my mom did, and was very excited to learn Guzheng from her teacher. I began to develop a deep appreciation for Chinese music; it was so similar to instruments like piano or harp yet so different uniquely. The more I played Guzheng, the more I loved it and found it relaxing yet exhilarating to play. I’ve participated in school performances and group/solo Guzheng competitions. I hope that by sharing this valuable piece of traditional Chinese culture with the community, the more people will recognize and cherish its beauty. Aside from Guzheng, I also love coding, drawing, and dancing.  makes my life meaningful. 

Hello! My name is Vaibhav and I am a current freshman at Lynbrook High School. I have been playing piano for just over 4 years. My passion for this instrument started early, as my mom would always play Beethoven and Yanni. I found myself entranced by the way their fingers moved up and down the keyboard and wove beautiful sounds, and I decided to also start playing the piano myself. I have participated in many competitions and recitals during my piano career. One of my favorite aspects of the piano is how versatile it is. You have the ability to play anything from classic pieces by Beethoven and Mozart, to the Imperial March from Star Wars. Outside of piano, I enjoy playing and analyzing many different sports, such as basketball, baseball, and football. 

Hello! My name is Bryden. I am a high school freshman, and part of a band program. I have spent eight years playing the piano.  My passion for music was really found in the three years that I’ve played the alto saxophone. I just love the sound of the saxophone. It can have a warm sound that I feel can’t be replaced by another instrument. When I have free time, I enjoy listening to music, which inspires me in my everyday life. Additionally, some things I like to do outside music include hiking, whittling wood, playing tennis, watching movies, and skiing 

Hello, my name is Ethan Lin. I started learning classical guitar at four and half years old. Guitar is unique because it can play both base and melody in a single instrument (besides piano). Besides playing solo, I also played in guitar ensemble as well as duet and trio with other music instrument, such as cello, flute and oboe. I won several guitar competitions in the bay area as well as Sierra Nevada Guitar Fest. Besides playing guitar and practicing Taekwondo, I enjoy community service. Almost six years ago, my sister and I, along with another friend started a music group “Shooting Stars”, and ever since we have been playing for local senior residents. In my free time, I enjoy playing video games and watching musicals.

Hi! My name is Daniel. I have been playing piano for 8 years, and it has become one of my favorite pastimes. Aside from piano, I played trumpet for 3 years and I currently do music production and engineering as a pastime. Over the summer, I was able to travel to Michigan to take part in a summer camp at an arts boarding school based on music. The skills I learned in piano and music theory really helped me in my endeavors as a music producer, and I enjoy all things related to music. I also love music history, and have done many research projects on composers in the past. In addition to piano and music production, I am an avid photographer, and bring my camera with me wherever I go. 

My name’s Edward and I am one of the event organizers for RythConnections Group. I’ve participated in numerous voluntary events such as meal prep and environmental based activities. I am one of the founders of a non-profit organization about recycling. One of my biggest hobbies is doing art. I’ve been doing art for more than 5 years, and it’s my favorite thing to do in my spare time. 

Hello everyone! My name is Shannon, and I am currently an 8th grader at Miller Middle School. I have grown to have a passion for the musical arts and have studied piano for 8 years. I believe that everyone should have the privilege of enjoying music. Outside of music, I enjoy editing videos, coding, and gaming.

Hi everyone! I'm Jeremy, and I live in Texas. Ever since my first visit to children suffering from leukemia at the age of five with my mother -- who is the spokesperson for a children's relief foundation -- charity has been an inherent part of my life. I've been involved in numerous relief activities for children, such as helping children whose parents served prison terms receive social care, raising money for children with serious illnesses every year, or participating in the summer rural education initiative as the youngest teacher. To me, charity is just part of my life -- something I must do just like going to school, something I can hardly survive without doing just like eating, and something I do simply because it makes my life meaningful. 

Hello! My name is John, and I'm a freshman this year at Lynbrook. I played piano for many years. I've also performed at a few other recitals and senior centers before, one of which I planned. Besides piano, I also play the violin and clarinet. I find history fun and exciting to learn, and music history is no different. I really enjoy listening and playing music, which I often find as a way to relax. Non-music related activities I enjoy include hiking, playing chess, and of course, and also history.

Anna was born in Ottawa, Canada. Anna has been practicing piano for 3 years. She has always enjoyed the beauties and peace in life. For example: She loves to make clothes. Ever since she was little, Anna has enjoyed music and beautiful landscapes. She is good at doing art, public speaking and writing chinese.

Hello! I have been playing violin and piano starting from the age of 7. I have had great experiences with both instruments and have passed Certificate of Merit Level 10 for both. As a violinist, I have been invited to Carnegie, sat concertmaster, and invited to compete at several international competitions. Another passion I have had since a young age is dance. Starting competitions at the age of 7, I participated in numerous group dances and occasionally won home National Champions both groups-wise and solo-wise. Academically, I’m interested in science research and am part of the science research club, and will be trying out Linguistics things this year.

Hi! I’m Garrett and I have played piano for around 10 years and played saxophone in my school band for 4 years. My proudest achievement is probably being awarded MTAC Panel Honors this spring. It has been rewarding to pick up and master the pieces I have listened to since I was little. One of my favorites to play is Chopin’s 3rd Scherzo, and I enjoyed creating my own interpretation after hearing famous pianists’ renditions. I also like to listen to but definitely not perform is Rach 3. Outside of music, I cook food, play tennis, and sleep. I am in the Homestead High School Class of ‘26.