South Orange County Orchestra
The South Orange County Orchestra is a brand new orchestra bringing world class performances to South Orange County. Our mission is to inspire, educate, and unite audiences through music that celebrates both tradition and innovation, creating a vibrant cultural home for our community.
South Orange County Orchestra is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation and a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
About
The South Orange County Orchestra (SOCO) is Orange County’s newest orchestra, dedicated to bringing world-class symphonic music to our community. Founded in 2025, SOCO seeks to inspire, connect, and uplift audiences through performances that celebrate both timeless classics and fresh, accessible works.In April 2026, SOCO launched with a completely sold-out inaugural concert, Dare to Dream, bringing together a powerful collaboration of orchestra, choir, youth chorus, and guest artists from across Southern California. The overwhelming support from the community marked the beginning of an exciting new cultural presence in South Orange County.Now preparing for its inaugural season, SOCO is committed not only to artistic excellence, but also to meaningful community impact. Through concerts, collaborations, and educational initiatives, we aim to make orchestral music an integral part of life in South Orange County and beyond. Our vision is to create a vibrant cultural home where musicians, audiences, and young people alike can experience the transformative power of live music.
Concerts
Stay tuned for SOCO’s inaugural season! Following our completely sold-out inaugural concert, we are excited to announce a full season of performances, collaborations, and special musical experiences in South Orange County.Concert announcements, dates, venues, and ticket information will be released soon. We can’t wait to share what’s next as we continue building a vibrant home for symphonic music in our community.
Events
Coming soon.
Sponsors
We are currently welcoming our Founding Sponsors for SOCO’s inaugural season. Founding Sponsors receive prominent recognition across our marketing materials, website, concert programs, and social media platforms, and play a key role in shaping the future of the South Orange County Orchestra. We would love to partner with your business for our inaugural concert and beyond.
For sponsorship inquiries, please contact:
Anthony Zueck
President, South Orange County Orchestra
Anthony Zueck
Antho Zueck is a licensed Broker Associate with Bullock Russell Real Estate Services. Known as Mr. Hyperlocal, he grew up in Laguna Niguel and specializes in the South Orange County market. His success in real estate has been well-founded upon his life experience which allows him to authentically connect with clients from all walks of life, and all over the globe. He does residential, commercial, and business transactions.Antho operates a successful YouTube channel which publishes real estate education videos and videos on local interest stories. He has had multiple videos go viral online and been interviewed and published in the Orange County Register.For 10 years he served as an educator and private school director and his expertise and connections with local schools are prized by locals and families moving to the area. He is active in the Chinese expat community and speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese.Outside of real estate Antho maintains many hobbies through which he connects with clients. In his prior work with OC Lifeguards he traveled every inch of the Orange County coastline and is an expert on the local beaches. In the winter he serves as an elite basketball referee for South Orange County high schools. He also contributes as a volunteer to the Laguna Ocean Foundation and Naturalist For You as a naturalist educator. He is a member of the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce, the Laguna Niguel Historical Society, and the Laguna Niguel Military Support Committee. He serves on the Board of Directors for Sally's Fund of Laguna Beach and the South Orange County Orchestra.
Dr. Shawn Hamilton
Shawn Hamilton, MD, has more than 20 years of experience as a board-certified physician in internal medicine. She practices at Spruce Medical Group in Irvine, California, and is affiliated with Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, located in Newport and in Irvine, California. Dr. Hamilton speaks many languages, including Chinese (Mandarin), Taiwanese, and some medical Spanish.Dr. Hamilton graduated from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at the Charles R. Drew University of Science and Medicine in Los Angeles, with additional training in family medicine at Long Beach Medical Center. To reach as many people in her diverse community as possible, she accepts a wide range of insurances, including Cal-Optima, Medicare, Aetna PPO, Blue Cross Prudent Buyer PPO, and Blue Shield PPO.As a primary care physician, Dr. Hamilton sees her role as addressing the concerns of the men and women who visit her office, assessing their symptoms, and treating them, or if necessary, referring them to a subspecialist. She prides herself on minimizing any delay in calling in medications and processing referrals for lab and radiology orders, which has earned her accolades for running an efficient, caring practice and the Top Doctors Award of Orange Coast Magazine.
Hankyol Koo
Hankyol Koo is the Founder and Artistic Director of the South Orange County Orchestra, where he brings a passion for performance, education, and community engagement to the podium. He holds an AA in Music from Mt. San Antonio College, a BM in Music Education from Biola University, an MM in Choral Conducting from Azusa Pacific University, and an EdM in Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.As a chorister, Hankyol has performed in multiple international choral competitions as well as at multiple regional and national American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) conferences. His conducting credits include major sacred works such as Fauré’s Requiem and Duruflé’s Requiem with John West at Hollywood United Methodist Church, and Schubert’s Mass in G with Northminster Presbyterian Church in Diamond Bar, CA.Beyond the podium, Hankyol is committed to the next generation of musicians. He serves as a Teaching Artist with the Grammy winning Pacific Chorale Academy, and he founded the NPC Music Education Initiative at Northminster Presbyterian Church, a program providing conducting opportunities for music education majors from Cal State Long Beach, Azusa Pacific University, Biola University, Cal State Fullerton, and Mt. San Antonio College.Hankyol continues to develop his craft through study with internationally acclaimed conductor Tianyi Lu, and he has participated in workshops with leading pedagogues including Diane Wittry, Gary Lewis, Lawrence Golan, Anna Edwards, and Scott Weiss.In addition to his musical career, Hankyol is also an actor, appearing in commercials for major brands including Hyundai, Samsung, and a recent ESPN skit alongside Jim Gaffigan. His dual careers in music and performance reflect his lifelong commitment to storytelling, creativity, and inspiring audiences across artistic disciplines.
Musicians
South Orange County Orchestra brings together talented professional and emerging musicians from across Southern California who share a passion for exceptional music-making and meaningful community connection. Meet the artists who bring SOCO’s performances to life.
Violin 1
Danielle Liu, Associate Concertmaster
Sarah Schmainda, Associate Concertmaster
Violin 2
Joe Buzzelli
Viola
Remy Fang, Associate Principal
Taichiroh Kanauchi, Associate Principal
Christy Alesi
Matthew Witmer
Cello
Jonathan Lin, Associate Principal
Shannon Hayden
Bass
Jaime Tirzo
Flute
Emily Harrington, Piccolo & Alto Flute
Oboe
Connor Feyen, English Horn
Clarinet
Yuuki Evans, Principal
Khải Niên Nguyễn, Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
Dan Weiss, Contrabassoon
Horn
Patrick Williams
Trumpet
Trombone
Paul De La Rosa, Bass Trombone
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion
Haley MacKay
Keyboard
Harp
Aaron Tam
Aaron Tam is the new concertmaster of the South Coast Orchestra, beginning with the 2025–26 season. With his expressive sound and technical fluency, he will be featured in the upcoming Legends Musical production of Chang’e. Tam has over 25 years of performance experience and more than a decade of teaching. He has appeared in world-renowned venues including Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and Segerstrom Hall, and has performed internationally in France, Germany, Korea, China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. He will continue his active performance career and teaching schedule.Tam’s musical journey began in kindergarten when the whirlwind notes of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s The Flight of the Bumblebee inspired him to play the violin. That early spark grew into discipline and artistry. Tam went on to complete his Bachelor of Music at the University of California, Irvine, where he was awarded the Marjorie Rawlins Scholarship, won the University Concerto Competition, and served as Concertmaster of the Symphony Orchestra.At California State University, Fullerton, Tam pursued his Master’s in Violin Performance on a full scholarship, again taking on the role of Concertmaster. His training culminated in an Artist Diploma in Orchestral Studies at the San Francisco Academy Orchestra, cementing both technical mastery and a deeper artistic voice.From Carnegie Hall to the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Tam has also performed in some of the world’s most celebrated venues in France, Germany, Korea, China and Taiwan. One of Tam’s earliest international highlights came in 2008, when he received a scholarship from the International Educational Exchange Association to perform at the Olympic Youth Cultural Festival preceding the Beijing Games. Today, he performs locally with ensembles such as Synesthesia Sinfonietta, Orchestra Santa Monica, Sea Coast Symphony, and the Gem Theater pit orchestra.Off stage, Tam finds creativity in unexpected places. He writes string arrangements of video game music and television scores, merging classical training with contemporary sounds. Outside music, he enjoys cooking and backpacking, exploring flavors and landscapes with the same curiosity he brings to his art.
Anna Krahn
Anna Krahn recently graduated from Biola University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and Violin Performance. Originally from British Columbia, Canada, she has enjoyed growing up in a musical household as the oldest of seven children. She has always appreciated spreading the gift of music to others through performing, teaching, and working
with orchestral and chamber ensembles.She has been actively involved in music performance since a young age, studying piano with Dr. Betty Suderman and violin with Dr. Calvin Dyck. Her early orchestral experience includes participation in the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra and various chamber ensembles, as well as guest performances with the Vancouver Island Symphony. Alongside performance, she has a passion for music education, teaching private piano and violin students since 2016 and teaching violin at Bakerview Music Academy from 2018 to 2020.During her studies at Biola University, Anna studied violin under Professor Elizabeth Larson. She played first violin in the Biola String Quartet, also coached by Professor Larson, and served as the concertmaster of the Biola Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Professor Daniel Brier. In addition to orchestral performance, she has appeared regularly in chapel and contemporary ensembles and has had the opportunity to perform alongside Grammy-award-winning worship leader Matt Redman.In the summers of 2024-2025, Anna had the opportunity to attend the orchestral program as a violinist at MasterWorks Music Festival, where she studied with distinguished faculty including Miriam Burns, David Gier, and David Chan. Anna is passionate about music collaboration and a pursuit of artistic excellence. It brings her great joy to work with others towards a common goal of creating music that can bring a positive light into people’s lives. She is motivated to contribute meaningfully to ensembles and her students, working together with others to engage, inspire, and serve the community.
Anna Matuszczak
Anna Matuszczak is a classically trained violinist dedicated to the performance and preservation of orchestral and chamber music. She collaborates with several Southern California ensembles, including the Cabrillo Chamber Orchestra, Coronado Philharmonia, Poway Symphony Orchestra, and City Ballet Orchestra of San Diego. In addition to her orchestral work, she participates in recording sessions between Los Angeles and Orange County, performs chamber music, and occasionally appears as a soloist. Beyond performing, Ms. Mat maintains a private teaching studio, where she prepares students for auditions, performances, and music examinations. Her artistry is marked by a refined tone, expressive depth, and a strong commitment to musical excellence in both performance and education.
Bennett Imai
Bennett Kai Imai is an oboist, pedagogue, and composer. Bennett performed with the top ensembles, including as principal oboe, and actively collaborated in their chamber programs. He has performed with groups including the Whittier Symphony, Synesthesia Sinfonietta, Roudiki Orchestra, Tustin Ballet, California Young Artists Symphony, San Fernando Valley Symphony, Sequoia Symphony, Merced Symphony, and others. Bennett has performed in venues across Southern California, from Reseda to San Juan Capistrano, including the Walt Disney Concert Hall, YouTube Stadium, and Bandrika Studios. In addition, he played in Carnegie Hall with the El Camino College 2024 Symphony Orchestra and in Boston for the Longy School of Music’s Divergent 2022 Program, hosted by Loadbang.In addition to performing, Bennett enjoys privately teaching, coaching, composing, and producing music. Recent enjoyments include arranging music from video games for woodwind quintets and arranging anime and video game medleys for a large orchestra and choir.
Born and raised in Mission Viejo, Bennett received a Bachelor’s in Oboe Performance from the University of California - Santa Cruz, studying with Kyle Bruckmann, with a Minor in Electronic Music. He has been honored to perform Albinoni’s Concerto in D minor (Op. 2, No. 9) with the UCSC orchestra. He received his Master's in Music in oboe performance from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSU Long Beach, studying with Claire Brazeau.
Carmen Marquez
Carmen Marquez is a violinist, educator, and nationally recognized arts leader. She studied under Andrea Byers, a student of Ivan Galamian, and participated in masterclasses with Talich Quartet and world renowned violinist, James Buswell. Carmen earned her Master’s in violin performance from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music.As an alum of Sphinx LEAD, a two-year fellowship aimed at developing the next executive leaders of color in the arts, Carmen attended professional development retreats at Juilliard, The Met, and Nashville Symphony, amongst others. She is the former Director of Education at Harmony Project where she developed program managers and left blueprints for artistic development, where programs are thriving.She is an avid performer with Synesthesia Sinfonietta and is developing the next generation of violinists at Rio Hondo College.
Caroline Reyes
Caroline Reyes is a freelance harpist in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in harp performance and ethnomusicology from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. A passionate educator as well as performer, Caroline currently serves on the faculty of the Herb Alpert Music Center at Los Angeles City College and has served on the faculties of Roberts Wesleyan College, the Eastman School of Music Summer Session, and the State University of New York, Fredonia. She has performed with many notable ensembles, including the Long Beach Symphony, Orchestra Santa Monica, Dream Orchestra, and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. As a soloist, Caroline has been featured in the Rochester Women in Music Festival, as a guest recitalist at the Eastman School of Music, and the Rochester Fringe Festival. When not playing or teaching the harp, Professor Reyes can be found performing with and teaching Balinese gamelan ensembles.
Carolyn Regula
Carolyn’s calling to music began with the cello at age 8, and accelerated to a principal chair at age 11 and a concerto competition prize at age 15. She earned a Dual Bachelor’s in Performance and Composition, and a Master’s in Performance from Boston University. Carolyn has soloed with the New England Repertory Orchestra, Nashua Chamber Orchestra and has appeared at Tanglewood, Boston’s Symphony Hall, and Carnegie Hall. Recently, Carolyn graduated with her Performance Diploma from Mannes, studying with Yehuda Hanani.In addition to live performance, Carolyn has an online presence as “The Cello Doll.” Her Instagram reached 12K followers within one year, and her YouTube channel has surpassed 1.4 million views. She produces music videos that give classical works a visual narrative, all while showcasing her gothic aesthetic. Currently Carolyn performs in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and tours throughout the year with The Rock Orchestra as their solo electric cellist.
Chloe Descher
Chloe Descher is a flutist and educator based in Los Angeles, CA. She is currently a fellow with the Civic Orchestra of Los Angeles and recently finished residency as the piccolo/3rd flute player with the California Young Artists’ Symphony. She has also performed with the San Bernardino Symphony, Downey Symphony Orchestra, American Youth Symphony, Genesis Opera Theatre, and more. She received her master’s degree in flute performance from the University of Southern California, studying with Catherine Ransom-Karoly, Associate Principal Flute of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Chloe also received a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Kansas, under the tutelage of Dr. Daniel Velasco.Chloe has performed at music festivals such as Rocky Ridge Music Center, Flauti al Castello, and the Sunflower Music Festival. She has also performed in masterclasses for renowned flutists such as Carol Wincenc, Leone Buyse, Paula Robison, Mark Sparks, and Amy Porter. In competition, Chloe received 3rd prize at the Flute Society of St. Louis’ Young Artist Competition, and was a semi-finalist for the Naftzger competition and San Diego Flute Guild Young Artists’ Competition. She can be heard on the American Youth Symphony’s recordings of Kris Bowers Violin Concerto, and on the University of Kansas Wind Ensemble’s Album “Freedom from Fear”.Chloe is a passionate teacher and has been teaching privately for seven years. She enjoys teaching both flute and piano lessons, and hopes to provide a meaningful and educational experience to all her students. In her free time, Chloe enjoys spending time at the beach, baking, and playing with her two cats, Oliver and Penny.
Chris Amaro
Chris Amaro is a freelance percussionist/drummer, K-12 music educator, and conductor from San Diego, California.Amaro has studied numerous mediums of percussion such as orchestral, drumset, hand and auxiliary, marching, and a variety of non-western music.Contracted professionally, Amaro has performed with numerous ensembles throughout the region of Southern California. Some of which includes the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus, Coronado Philharmonia, San Diego City Ballet, Finest City Musicians’ Alliance, and the Synesthesia Sinfonietta. Additional local involvement has been with Musicians’ Club of San Diego and fellow San Diego-based artists and bands. Amaro has also shared the stage with critically-acclaimed musicians such as Yandel (2025 Sinfónico Tour), and Aoife O’Donovan (2024 Tour).Passionate about education, Amaro has worked as an avid music educator throughout the greater Southern California region. Currently, he teaches as a percussion instructor for Rancho Bernardo High School and Ramona High School. Additional work includes Percussion Manager for the San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra. Amaro formerly was a Percussion Teaching Artist for the adjunct EXPO Center site between The Harmony Project & Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA).Educational background consists of a BA in Music from CSU Long Beach, and a Single-Subject Teaching Credential in Music from San Diego State University. Amaro is currently at SDSU as of Fall of 2025 pursuing a Masters Degree in Orchestral Conducting.
Chris Hornung
Chris Hornung is an active double bassist and teacher based in Orange County. He is the principal bass of the Dana Point Symphony and Symphony Irvine, and performs regularly with a number of other orchestras in the region. Chris is active as a chamber musician and solo recitalist, and has been featured twice as soloist with the Orange County Symphony. He is a faculty member at Concordia University Irvine, Orange Coast College, Chaffey College, Mira Costa College and Coastline College, where he is chair of the Visual and Performing Arts department. Chris also teaches bass sectionals at a number of local high schools and private students of all ages. Chris received his Bachelor of Music degree from Western Michigan University and his Master of Music degree from Michigan State University. In the summers he is a faculty member at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake MI, where he teaches double bass and Music History and performs as principal bass of the Festival Orchestra.
Dan Weiss
A Texas transplant now firmly rooted in Southern California, Dan Weiss has built a career performing, collaborating, and teaching bassoon to audiences of all ages. Based in San Diego, Dan appears regularly with symphonies, chamber ensembles, ballet and opera productions, and touring artists. His performances span everything from the La Jolla Symphony and San Diego City Ballet to concerts with Evanescence, Jason Mraz, Il Volo, and Lindsey Stirling. He has also joined full-orchestra productions for San Diego Comic-Con, including Batman (1989) and Sonic the Hedgehog.Dan is the founder and Artistic Director of the Left Coast Quintet, a wind ensemble known for bringing fresh, fun, and imaginative arrangements to life. As a music contractor, he connects top-tier musicians with corporate events, weddings, stage shows, and fundraisers throughout the region.Dan’s passion for music began early in Texas, where he first picked up the bassoon before adding saxophone and guitar to his repertoire. In high school, he served as principal bassoonist for the Gilbert & Sullivan Production Orchestra, competed at the state level, and attended summer programs at Texas Tech University and the Interlochen Arts Academy.In 2001, Dan moved to California’s Central Coast, performing with the San Luis Obispo Symphony, Music Academy of the West Festival Chamber Ensemble, and the Carmel Bach Festival. He was also a member of the San Luis Obispo Wind Quintet, performing at Festival Mozaic, the internationally renowned Mozart Festival.Today, Dan continues to share his love for classical music and his commitment to engaging, high-quality performance across Southern California and beyond. Whether on bassoon or contrabassoon, in a symphony hall or at an intimate event, Dan’s goal is always the same: to create memorable musical experiences that inspire and connect.
Daniel Apolonio
Filipino-American violinist and violist Daniel Apolonio is currently pursuing his M.M. at Cal State Long Beach under the tutelage of Moni Simeonov, and graduated from New York University with a B.M. in Violin Performance and a minor in Web Development, where he studied with Giora Schmidt and Gregory Fulkerson. An active orchestral musician, he has served as concertmaster of the New York University Orchestra for 3 seasons as well as the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music Symphony Orchestra. He is also a substitute musician with the New World Symphony, Santa Barbara Symphony, Culver City Symphony, and Santa Monica Symphony. He has performed in venues such as the James B. Duke House in Manhattan, Thayer Hall at Colburn, Harris Concert Hall in Aspen, and Gilles-Lefebvre Concert Hall in Québec, in addition to having collaborated with artists such as Nelson Padgett and Carlos Avila. He has played in masterclasses for artists such as Nathan Cole, Timothy Chooi, Haik Kazazyan, Stefan Jackiw, and David Kim. He has spent summers at Festival Napa Valley and the Aspen Music Festival. Previous awards include first place in the Southern California Philharmonic concerto competition and the preliminary round of the ASTA-LA solo competition, second place in the New York University concerto competition, and a full-scholarship to the Interlochen Summer Arts Academy. An alumnus of the Orange County School of the Arts, Daniel currently resides in Cerritos, California. Previous teachers include Cheri Hutchison Dierl, Sam Fischer, Cyrus Beroukhim, and Laurie Hamilton. Aside from violin, Daniel enjoys recreational weightlifting, playing basketball, and eating comfort food.
Daniel Hwang
Daniel Hwang is a classical percussionist with a wealth of experience in teaching and performing. He has a Bachelor’s of Music in Music Education and a Bachelor’s of Music in Percussion Performance from Chapman University, where he studied with Dr. Nick Terry. He also won the conservatory’s concerto competition, performing as a marimba soloist with the Chapman Orchestra in Spring 2022. Daniel also teaches private lessons in piano and classical percussion, from which students have successfully auditioned for Orange County School of the Arts and Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles.
Danielle Liu
Violinist Danielle Liu earned her B.M. in Violin Performance from Chapman University as a Temianka Violin Scholar and recipient of the Henri Temianka–Albert Saparoff violin. Her former violin instructors include William Fitzpatrick, Sam Fischer, and Eunhee Kim. She has been featured as a soloist with several orchestras, including the Pacific Symphony Orchestra; the
Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra, as a two-time winner of its Concerto Competition; The Chapman Orchestra, as a winner of its Concerto Competition; the OC Music and Dance Chamber Orchestra; and the Crean Lutheran High School Orchestra.An active orchestral member since the fourth grade, Liu has served as Concertmistress of The Chapman Orchestra, Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra, and Crean Lutheran High School Orchestra and Honors Orchestra. She has also performed in masterclasses with renowned artists Sarah Chang, Cho-Liang Lin, and Pinchas Zukerman. An artist experienced in a variety of
genres, Liu performed in concert with the veteran R&B and pop group Surface, whose hit “The First Time” reached #1 on the Billboard charts in 1990, as well as with the original multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated group AZ Yet. She regularly improvises on violin with the band at Calvary Chapel Golden Springs. Passionate about sharing her music, she has performed throughout Orange County and internationally in China, Costa Rica, Singapore, and Taiwan.Liu will graduate with her Doctor of Medicine from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in 2026. Alongside her studies, she has continued performing as an orchestral ringer with Orchestra Santa Monica, The Chapman Orchestra, the Concordia Symphony Orchestra, the Biola Symphony Orchestra, Amati Strings, and others. She currently works on staff with the Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles, where she works administratively and musically with the Pacific Symphony Youth Quartet and the Pacific Symphony Youth Octet. An avid advocate for music education, she was one of the lead instructors of Chapman University’s inaugural Strings Instrumental Camp in 2025 and coaches the young musicians of Ivy Chamber Strings. Liu maintains a private studio of violin and piano students and performs as a freelance musician throughout Orange County and the Inland Empire.
Daphne Tsao
A native of Taiwan, Daphne Tsao began her musical training on piano at age 3, and on the Violin at age 7. When she was 9, she performed her television debut as the defending violinist champion on the Taiwanese show 5 Lights Award (similar to the US show “Star Search”). Since then, she has toured with orchestras throughout Japan, Singapore, Australia, the USA and Europe.Daphne is the winner and recipient of several awards and prizes, from organizations such as the Taiwanese Bureau of Art and Culture, the Southwestern Youth Music Festival, the International Young Music Festival and the Madelyn Serbin Scholarship.She earned her BA in Violin Performance from the Manhattan School of Music, has studied with Curtis Macomber and Arianna Bronne. Daphne was the recipient of a full scholarship and teaching assistantship from New York University, where she received her Master’s Degree in Violin Performance.Daphne has been a member of the violin section in the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra, the Uruek Symphony Orchestra, the Madison Symphony Orchestra, the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra, the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra, the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, the Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra and the Water City Chamber Orchestra.She has played under the batons of leading conductors including Claudio Abbado, Kurt Masur, Leon Botstein, Zdenek Macal, Carl St. Clair, Yahja Lin and John Williams, and collaborated with a number of soloists including Lang Lang , Yuja Wang , Emanuel Ax, Yefim Bronfman, Jean Yves Thibaudet, Sarah Chang, Steve Isserlis, Wendy Warner, Cho-Liang Jimmy Lin, Nai-Yuan Hu, Nathan Cole, Lucia Micarelli, Nadia Sonnenberg, Regina Carter, Mark O’ Connor, Maxim Vengerov and Dawn Upshaw.She has performed in numerous venues in New York City, including the Stern Auditorium, Perlman Stage, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center, as well as in Broadway and Off-Broadway theater productions such as Bright Star, Sweeney Todd, A Gentleman’s Guild to Love and Murder, Sunday in the Park with George, Mack and Mable, Shrek, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, Les Miserables, West Side Story, and Into the Woods, just to name a few.Well versed in all styles of music, Daphne has also performed in Los Angeles with the Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra in the Disney Concert Hall, with Googoosh in the Microsoft Theatre (formerly Nokia Theatre); with Moein in the Greek Theatre; Shawn Stockmen of Boyz II Men, Junho Son, Sohyun Kim, Eric Nam, actor Randall Park, Babyface at Disney Hall and with Singer Landy Wen and Lin You Chun in the Aria/MGM Chinese New Year Gala Concert.She can be found in various studios around Los Angeles such as the Village Recording Studio, the EastWest Studios, the Eastwood Scoring Stage, the Newman Scoring Stage, the Bridge Studio, the Westlake Studio, the Sony Pictures Scoring Stage and the Capital Records Studio with singer/ producer Alan Parson.Highlights for recording session work include films : “The Lord of the Rings”, “Inseparable” and Netflix show “Chef’s Table” and NBC prime time show “Days of Our Lives - Beyond Salem“.She also performed the American National Anthem for the Green Bay Packers of the NFL at the Lambeau Field Stadium and also in 2019 for Magic Johnson, she recorded for “The Super Bowl Today“ aired on CBS in the Eastwood Scoring Stage at Warner Bros. Studios. She played for the soundtrack and appeared in the last scene of the winner of the 96th Academy award for the Best Documentary Short Film: "The Last Repair Shop".
Davis Lerner
Davis Lerner is an active bassoonist, performer, and educator in Southern California, currently pursuing a DMA in bassoon performance at UCLA. He received his MM in bassoon performance from the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music and a BA in Music from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. His principal teachers include John Steinmetz, Lisa Nauful, and Dr. Rebecca Rivera.At UCLA, Davis performs with the UCLA Philharmonia, Early Music Ensemble, and the Gluck Fellows program in the Odd Keys! Horn, Bassoon, and Piano Trio. He also performs with the California Young Artists Symphony and has made appearances with SLO Master Chorale, Orchestra Novo, the Lompoc Pops, Opera San Luis Obispo, and the SLO Symphony. He was a featured soloist in the Cal Poly Symphony’s Winter 2023 Solo Competition and received the Cal Poly Arts Service to the Arts Award. During his months away from school, he has attended Idyllwild Summer Arts and the Assisi Performing Arts Festival in Assisi, Italy.Davis is not only a passionate performer but also a dedicated teacher, having served as a teaching assistant for musicianship, music theory, and music history classes, as well as a coach to local middle and high school woodwind students, and as a private bassoon teacher. When not playing or teaching music, Davis enjoys reading, cooking, and exploring the outdoors.
Deniz Aktas
Deniz Aktas is a timpanist, percussionist, and composer whose work bridges the concert hall and the recording studio. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, where he studied Film Scoring and Percussion on a full- tuition scholarship and graduated summa cum laude, he has built an international career both as a performer and composer.As a performer, Aktas served as Principal Timpanist with the Izmir State Opera and Ballet and has appeared with leading Turkish orchestras including the Izmir, Antalya, Cukurova, Eskisehir, and Bursa State Symphonies. In the United States, he was Principal Timpanist of the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra and the Berklee Motion Picture Orchestra, performing at Boston Symphony Hall and Jordan Hall, and recording music composed and conducted by Thomas Newman and Harry Gregson-Williams.As a composer, he has received first place in the ScoreRelief 2021 International Film Scoring Competition, second place in the ScoreLive London Competition, and first place in the Sandy Hook Memorial Composition Competition, and continues to collaborate with Grammy- winning composer Penka Kouneva.Aktas has studied with Tim Genis, Martin Grubinger, and Nancy Zeltsman, and remains active as a performer, educator, and composer, dedicated to uniting orchestral performance with cinematic storytelling.
Derek Zimmerman
Coming soon.
Dianna Gray
Dianna C. Gray received her Bachelor of Music degree and teaching credential from Chapman University in 1989. She has been a string specialist in the Irvine Unified School District for 35 years. Each summer, she leads the advanced orchestra for the Irvine Public Schools Foundation’s highly successful summer school orchestra and band program. In 2002, Dianna was awarded Irvine Unified School District’s Fine Arts Music Teacher of the Year. In 2017, she was awarded the Orange County Arts Administrators Irene Shoepfle award for outstanding contributions to the arts in Orange County. Most recently, she was awarded the 2023 Veteran Teacher of the Year by The Southern School Band and Orchestra Association.As a music director, Dianna has been a guest conductor for the elementary, middle and high school honor orchestras of the Southern School Band and Orchestra Association and the Irvine and Capistrano Unified School District honor orchestras. From 2006-2012, she was the string coach for the Irvine Valley College Symphony.As a string clinician and coach, Dianna has led string workshops for various Orange County public school string programs, The Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra, the California Music Educators Association and The Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association where she is regularly asked to present her string curriculum and methods.Despite her busy teaching career, Dianna has played as a freelance violinist in the Orange County and Los Angeles areas for 34 years. She has performed with the Chapman Symphony, the Capistrano Symphony, Saddleback Symphony and the Yorba Linda Symphony. She has performed for the La Mirada Theater, Saddleback Summer Stock Theater and the Laguna Beach Playhouse. In 1987, she performed for Pope John Paul the IInd’s visit to Los Angeles at Dodger’s Stadium. During Covid, Dianna was determined to keep the music going, and she created street concerts for neighbors, friends and family in a two-piece band with rock legend Paul Mars Black, former lead singer of of LA Guns. The concerts are still popular and she has continued to bring these rock and holiday concerts to her own neighborhood during the summer and Christmas season.In her free time, Dianna loves going to the beach with her family and friends, going to concerts, home decorating and gardening. Dianna has lived in the city of Laguna Niguel for 30 years with her husband Marcus and their son Sebastian.
Eddy Lanois
Eddy Lanois is a classical trumpeter based in Los Angeles, CA. He recently completed his Master of Music degree at the New England Conservatory as a student of Benjamin Wright. Eddy also earned a Bachelor of Music degree at the USC Thornton School of Music, studying with Tom Hooten and Jennifer Marotta. Eddy's performance experience ranges from traditional orchestra and wind ensemble settings to theatre, ballet, and opera productions as well as film scoring sessions.During the summers he has had the opportunity to participate in intensive programs such as Eastern Music Festival, the National Brass Ensemble Academy, and the LAFCI Studio Intensive.Outside of trumpet, Eddy is interested in the ideas of productivity and self- improvement writers such as Cal Newport and Ryan Holiday, and how those ideas can be applied to life as a working musician. His other hobbies include watching anime, reading, and running.
Edward Pan
Edward Pan is a Taiwanese American violinist based in Los Angeles, known for blending classical artistry with a passion for cultural diversity and community connection. His performances have taken him around the world, from Varna International in Italy and International Chamber Music Alaska, to weddings and events in Cancún, Mexico, and recording projects for Beat On, London. He has also performed and recorded in Taipei and Hsinchu, Taiwan for family events, in Cologne, Germany for the VR startup Incantlas, and in Cambridge, UK with the band The Fourth Degree.Currently completing his Master’s degree at California State University, Northridge under Dr. Lorenz Gamma, Edward previously earned his Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Long Beach, where he studied with Dr. Sheng-Ching Hsu. He has also received mentorship from Dr. Brian Bak, Dr. David Garrett, and Philip Setzer of the Emerson String Quartet.Education and outreach are central to Edward’s mission as a musician. He teaches with Harmony Project, a nonprofit providing music education to underserved communities in Los Angeles, as well as through the Pasadena Youth Orchestra and La Habra Music Community. Beyond Harmony Project, he works with the Young Musicians Foundation, Evangelical Formosan Church of Arcadia, and Pasadena Unified School District’s after school programs. He also coaches strings at Dana Middle School and participates in Arcadia High School’s Summer Music Camp.Outside of music, Edward enjoys timelapse photography, videography, and travel. Previously he was also into dragon boat racing with the USC and Killer Guppies teams, continuing to find harmony between discipline, creativity, and adventure.
Elijah Parra
Elijah Parra is a 23 year old trombonist based in Southern California. He was born and raised in Lake Forest, CA, and attended Saddleback College and Cal State Long Beach. He is currently in school to complete his Bachelor’s in Brass Performance Studies. After playing for eleven years, he has studied with other trombonists such as Joey Sellers, Mike Hoffman, Steve Trepani, and Dillon McIntyre. Elijah is proficient across multiple music genres and has recorded and performed with artists such as Richard Niles, Symphony Irvine, and Jeff Jarvis. His style of playing ranges from orchestral to jazz and experimental noise rock. As a horn section member, he has performed with the Orange County Community Symphony Orchestra, CSULB Orchestra, and has performed with Symphony Irvine at the Richard Nixon Memorial Library and The Grove in Anaheim. Additionally, he has also plays trombone for the City of Tustin Musical in the Park and Musical Theater West’s production of “Hello Dolly!” Elijah also writes for jazz combos and occasionally small chamber groups. In 2024, his chamber group composition was read by the Brightwork Pierrot Ensemble. His jazz compositions can be heard in combo groups around Southern California and were featured in an LA Jazz Society Young Artist Showcase in 2025.
Emily Harrington
Emily Harrington is a flutist and teacher based in Southern California. She is currently the flute 3/piccolo fellow with Civic Orchestra of Los Angeles and has performed with Modesto Symphony, Juneau Symphony, California Young Artist Symphony, American Youth Symphony, San Diego Philharmonic, and Music Academy of the West Orchestra.Emily has appeared as a soloist with the Palomar Symphony Orchestra in W.A. Mozart’s Flute Concerto in G Major. She was awarded third place in the La Jolla Symphony Young Artist Competition. Her musicianship has also been recognized with awards such as the Thornton Scholarship, Sigma Alpha Iota Alumnae Chapter Scholarship, Bob Cole Scholarship, Ivie Wickam Scholarship, Neva May Pipes Endowment, and Palomar Performing Arts Scholarship. She is also an avid teacher and operates her own private studio, Harrington Flute Studio.She earned her Graduate Certificate at the University of Southern California where she studied with Catherine Karoly and Sarah Jackson. She also earned her Master of Music in flute performance at USC under the tutelage of Jim Walker. She received her Bachelor of Music from CSU Long Beach, where she studied with Dr. John Barcellona. Emily has also studied with Diana Morgan, Cynthia Ellis, and Jane Masur.
Emma Breen
Emma Breen is a teaching artist with both the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Youth Orchestra Los Angeles. Recent orchestral engagements include substitute appearances with the Santa Monica Symphony, Bakersfield Symphony, and Claremont Orchestra, among others.The first woman to win principal-trumpet in the American Youth Symphony, Emma's performance experience spans classical, contemporary, and commercial work, including contributions to Barbie: The Movie in Concert and an upcoming project with the Wu-Tang Clan. They have appeared as a soloist on screen and served as a brass consultant for feature films, bringing both artistry and adaptability to a variety of media.Emma holds degrees from Northwestern University (B.M.) and UCLA (M.M.), where she is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Trumpet Performance. Principal teachers include David Bilger, Michael Sachs, Tom Rolfs, Jens Lindemann, and David Washburn.When not playing trumpet Emma can be found working in the Zamudio Cancer Research Lab and feeding a graduate school level caffeine addiction.
Gabriela Santillan
Gabriela Santillan is a dedicated cellist from Laguna Niguel, California, with nine years of intensive musical training and orchestral experience. She has pursued her studies at OC Music & Dance and Saddleback College and will continue her education at the California State University, Fullerton School of Music under Bongshin Ko. Her principal teachers include Chris McCarthy and Eddie Yue Chang, and currently studies with László Mëzo. She has additionally worked in masterclasses with distinguished artists such as Yoshika Masuda, David Garrett, Joon Sung Jun, Alexander Suleiman, Varty Manouelian, and Madalyn Parnas Möller.Gabriela has appeared in performances with the Saddleback Symphony Orchestra, Global Harmony Symphony, Orange County Community Symphony Orchestra, and served as principal cellist for her school district’s honor orchestras, SCSBOA and OC Lantern Festival Orchestra. She has also performed with the American Pops Orchestra for the 2025 38th Hispanic Heritage Awards in Washington, D.C. She has also participated in notable events including the CSUF Cello Fest and the Casa Romántica Music Festival & Academy. Gabriela is the Second Prize recipient of the Saddleback Concerto Competition and a scholarship awardee of the San Juan Capistrano Committee of the Orange County Philharmonic Society.In addition to her orchestral and academic work, Ms. Santillan is an independent Mexican regional vocalist and versatile performing artist. She is regularly engaged for both vocal and cello performances at weddings and private engagements throughout Southern California. Ms. Santillan also serves as a cello instructor at the Laguna Niguel School of Music and also maintains a private teaching studio. She remains committed to artistic excellence and to fostering the musical growth of the next generation of young cellists.Outside of her musical work, Gabriela enjoys cooking, spending time outdoors, and going on fishing trips. She maintains an active lifestyle through pilates classes and values activities that support balance, wellness, and creativity. In her free time, she also enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Gina Buzzelli
A native of Bowling Green, OH, Gina Buzzelli is a freelance musician based in Los Angeles. She is currently a Violin Teaching Artist for YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) at Inglewood. Gina holds a Masters degree and a Graduate Certificate in violin performance from the University of Northern Colorado. At Ball State University she earned a BM in violin performance and was the recipient of the Presidential Scholarship in the Arts as well as the Presidential Academic Scholarship. Gina has had the opportunity to perform in masterclasses with artists such as Hilary Hahn, Felix Olschofka, Simon Roland-Jones, St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Orchestra, and Trio Solis. During the summers she has participated in numerous orchestral festivals including the National Repertory Orchestra, Round Top Festival Institute, Eastern Music Festival (as a student in 2013 and a string fellow in 2018), and the International Lyric Academy Opera Festival in Viterbo, Italy. She had the pleasure of sitting concertmaster for the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra for their 2025 season. In addition to being classically trained, Gina has pursued other genres participating in jazz combos at both Ball State University and the University of Northern Colorado, and has attended the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop, Mark O’Connor Fiddle Camp, and Blue Ridge Fiddle Camp. Furthermore, in May of 2015 she was a featured soloist with BSU’s top jazz band on their European Tour and is a founding member of the All Angles Orchestra and Dynamix String Quartet.
Grace Lee
Coming soon.
Greg Ozment
Greg Ozment is a dynamic percussionist and multi-instrumentalist whose performances bring energy, precision, and heart to every stage. Since 2011, he has captivated audiences across Southern California and is now in his seventh season as Principal Percussionist with the Southern California Philharmonic. His versatility has also led him to perform with the La Mirada Symphony, Palos Verdes Regional Symphony, Dana Point Symphony, Whittier Regional Symphony, and the Huntington Beach Symphony.Beyond the concert hall, Greg shares his musical gifts as a vocalist and church musician at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Tustin, and has appeared in beloved musical theatre productions including Hairspray and Legally Blonde.Dedicated to giving back through education, Greg serves as adjunct faculty in music appreciation for older adults with Santiago Canyon College, Santa Ana College, and North Orange Continuing Education, inspiring students to connect with the joy of music at every age.
Henry Mock
Henry Mock is currently a graduate student in his second year of master’s degree at the University of Southern California, where he studies with Shawn Mouser, former associate principal bassoonist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. As an active musician outside of school, Henry has experiences performing with various orchestras such as the American Youth Symphony, California Young Artists Symphony, Pacific Symphony, and the Brevard Music Center Orchestra. Throughout his career, he has had opportunities to play under conductors such as Leonard Slatkin, Keith Lockhart, Carl St. Clair, Teddy Abrams, and Andrew Gram, and has shared the stage with numerous soloists, including Yuja Wang.As a soloist, Henry has won the Bellflower Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Concerto Competition and has performed the Mozart bassoon concerto. As a chamber musician, Henry was the member of the University Wind Quintet at California State University Long Beach where he earned his bachelor’s degree in bassoon performance under the tutelage of Michele Grego, second bassoonist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Currently, Henry actively plays with the Fine Winds quintet, performing in various venues throughout southern California.Henry is also a passionate educator and has spent a lot of his time teaching and coaching, working with groups such as the South Coast Youth Symphony Orchestra as the winds coach. Under his mentorship, Henry’s students have held positions in the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Colburn Youth Wind Ensemble and have been accepted into prestigious schools such as San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Peabody Institute, New York University, Oberlin Conservatory, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and Indiana University.
Hiroshi Ikeda
Hiroshi Ikeda has pursued his undergraduate studies in Clarinet Performance from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach. There, he has studied with Helen Goode-Castro, Michael Grego, and Deborah Carnahan. At the Cole Conservatory, Hiroshi performed with the Wind Symphony, which the group has been featured as one of the showcase ensembles for the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Convention and the New York Band Association Festival at Carnegie Hall. He was also a member of the Symphony Orchestra and was selected as a soloist performing Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in the first collaborative concert with the University’s Department of Dance.Hiroshi has spent summers at the Buffet Crampon Academy, Eastern Music Festival, and Round Top Music Festival. There, he has studied with reputable clarinetists such as Stanley Drucker, Dan Gilbert, Eugene Mondie, Ixi Chen, Gregory Raden, Andre Moisan, Jonathan Gunn, Hakan Rosengren, and Yehuda Gilad.Hiroshi is currently co-principal clarinet for the Palos Verdes Regional Symphony Orchestra, principal clarinet for the Huntington Beach Symphony Orchestra, and second clarinet for the California Millennial Choirs & Orchestra. He also serves as a substitute for various regional orchestras in Southern California. Mr. Ikeda teaches clarinet privately in the South Bay & Long Beach areas. His students have successfully auditioned into top groups at their respective school band/orchestra, Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA), Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (PSYO), and All-Southern Honor Bands (SCSBOA).On his spare time, Hiroshi plays soccer recreationally, actively participates in community activities with Soka Gakkai International and SoCal Asian Interactive, and checking out local eateries.
Holly Knoch
Holly Knoch is a violinist from Dallas, Texas, based in Los Angeles.She has most recently studied under the tutelage of Andrew McIntosh at the California Institute of the Arts, during which she received both modern and baroque violin instruction.Holly works in the LA area as a freelancer, improviser, arranger and teacher. She has played with many orchestras including the Galveston Symphony Orchestra, the American Youth Symphony, and has been part of collaborations with REDCAT. She currently plays with Los Angeles Baroque as their Concert Associate on baroque violin.Holly holds a Masters of Music for violin performance from the California Institute of the Arts and a Bachelor of Music for violin performance from the University of Houston.
James Keene
James Keene is a Los Angeles based versatile soloist, chamber musician, and music pedagogue.Originally from the Caribbean, at age 14 James’s family moved to the Philadelphia, PA area where he quickly joined the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra and was immediately promoted to Co-Concertmaster during the first rehearsal by the conductor, Joseph Primavera.In 2004 James was admitted as a scholarship recipient at Interlochen Arts Academy. There, he studied with Hal Grossman and was first violinist in the arts high school’s flagship string quartet, the Hemingway String Quartet. As a member of this ensemble, James performed numerous concerts throughout the Midwest, including in Chicago, Detroit, and Grand Rapids. The quartet also performed a live, televised performance on ABC Chicago’s Good Morning America.James then attended Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, where he studied with Todd Phillips, Catherine Cho, and Lenuta Ciulei. As a scholarship student at Mason Gross, James traveled to Spain with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops and served as co-concertmaster.James later received the Presidential Scholarship from San Francisco Conservatory, where he studied with Wei-He. During this time, he served as violinist in the Reno Philharmonic, the Merced Symphony, and the Mendocino Music Festival.In the present, James appears regularly with the New Haven Symphony in Connecticut, the Philly Pops, the Mann Center Orchestra, the New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra, and is known in the New York metropolitan area as a performer and teacher. Throughout his career he has played solo, chamber, and orchestral performances for audiences throughout China, Italy, Spain, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and the USA. He is an active festival musician, and appears regularly with the Trinity Alps Chamber Music Festival, the Pikes Falls Chamber Music Festival, the Gateways Music Festival, and the Colour of Music Festival, where he has served as concertmaster. As co-founder of the Southwest Chamber Music Festival, which will be entering its 5th season in 2026, he also performs regularly in New Mexico.He was the recipient of the 1st place award at the Russel Johnson Strings Competition in Philadelphia, PA and has shared the Carnegie Hall stage with Dionne Warwick. He has also engaged in live and recorded collaborations with Jay-Z, Vanessa Williams, The Who, and Andrea Bocelli.
James Sherry
Trumpet soloist and composer James Sherry is a musician living in Southern California. James Sherry directed instrumental music programs at The Johns Hopkins University, University of Dubuque (Iowa), and Mahidol University College of Music in Thailand. In Asia, his institution hosted the World Saxophone Congress, the International Trumpet Guild Conference, the Asian Symphonic Band Festival, which he adjudicated in 2004 and 2005, and the Southeast Asian Youth Orchestra and Wind Ensemble (SAYOWE), where he was the Music Director of the SAYOWE All-Nations Ensemble, comprised of young professional musicians from Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Myanmar.An active clinician, Dr. Sherry has organized and presented successful workshops with hundreds of high schools and colleges and traveled as a clinician for Community Concerts, a subsidiary of Columbia Artists Management Incorporated, New York, and Young Audiences of Washington, DC. Dr. Sherry’s dissertation, entitled The New York Brass Quintet (1954-1985): Pioneers of Brass Chamber Music, is cited in three scholarly texts.Dr. Sherry, an instructor at Santa Ana College, previously taught in the Baltimore, Long Beach, Chicago, and Santa Ana public schools. His band received the top prize in the Chicago band festival. He was the coordinator and Music Director of the Baltimore School for the Arts TWIGS Band and conducted the Chicago Meritfest Honor Band in performance in the Chicago Symphony Center Orchestra Hall. He has worked with honor bands across the US and directed the University of Iowa Johnson County Landmark Jazz Ensemble in the 45th Annual Band Extravaganza in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.James received commendations for community service from Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer and the police chiefs of Baltimore and Washington, DC. Dr. Sherry began his career as a community organizer with at-risk youth in New York City and worked for a decade as a performing artist and music educator in Baltimore, Washington, DC, and Chicago.As a trumpet player, he has been featured throughout the US, including solo performances at Idyllwild Arts Academy, the Baltimore’s Artscape Festival, Maryland Institute for the Creative Arts (MICA), Peggy and Yale Gordon Trust Concert Series, the Foxboro Orpheum Theater in Boston, the National Jazz Park in New Orleans, the Kennedy Center, and hundreds of schools and colleges around the world, including residencies at Vietnam’s Hanoi Conservatory and in Alberta and Ontario, Canada. He was the First Prize winner at the Baltimore Chamber Music Competition with the Lyric Brass, as well as the First Prize winner in the “Catch A Rising Stars” Competition in Fairfax, Virginia. He has performed as principal trumpet with the Bay Atlantic Symphony (New Jersey), Columbia Pro Cantare (Maryland), Thailand Philharmonic, and the Peninsula Symphony (California), and as lead trumpet or jazz soloist with Slide Hampton, Buck Hill, the Russ Morgan Orchestra, and the Bob Hope Show.He now performs in the Greater Los Angeles Region with the Peninsula Symphony, Whittier Symphony, Shiri and the Shiribims Klezmer Band, Chicago Tribute Experience, and several jazz ensembles. He earned music degrees from Yale University and the Longy School of Music, and a doctorate from the Peabody Conservatory. His teachers include William Vacchiano, Allan Dean, Ed Hoffman, Langston Fitzgerald, Amy Schendel, and Chris Still. He lives with his wife and musical partner, Dr. Bang Lang Do, in Orange County, California.
Jane Levy
Jane Levy began her cello instruction with Elaine Armstrong in Long Beach at the age of seven. She formed her own String Quartet in high school and continues to play with a quartet called the "Enchanted Strings" doing parties, special events as well as special occasions.While in high school she toured Europe performing with the Orange County Youth Symphony and upon graduation from high school received a full music scholarship to Chapman University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and studied with Dr. Margerie Enix and Ian McKinnel. With the Chapman Chamber Orchestra she performed in China, Hawaii, Europe and toured both the East and West coasts of the United States.After graduation, she set up her own studio in Fountain Valley and began teaching private lessons. She continues to perform with her quartet "The Enchanted Strings" and her newest adventure includes a baby lullaby CD which she produced, wrote, and performed solo. The CD can be found at her website www.cellobyes.com.
Jonathan Lin
Hailing from San Diego, California, Jonathan Lin has been a passionate cellist since the age of nine. His formal education in cello performance began with a bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where he studied under Dr. William Grubb and graduated in 2018. He continued his advanced studies at the Manhattan School of Music, earning a Master of Music degree in 2020 with Professor Philippe Muller. Furthering his expertise, Jonathan obtained a Graduate Certificate from the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music in 2022, studying with Professor Andrew Shulman.During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jonathan expanded his musical horizons through private studies with Robert Demaine and Ronald Leonard. In 2024, he had the privilege of working with Richard Aaron at the Aspen Music Festival. His previous teachers include esteemed artists such as Joon Sung Jun and Yao Zhao.Jonathan's dedication to his craft is evident in his participation in master classes with renowned musicians including Yehuda Hanani, Adriana Contino, Brooklyn Rider Quartet, Robert Demaine, Brinton Smith, Lynn Harrell, Johannes Moser, Hans Jorgen Jensen, Ani Kavafian, and Steven Isserlis. He has also benefited from the guidance of Timothy Eddy, Amit Peled, Michel Strauss, Andres Diaz, Anne Williams, Minji Kim, Tom Landschoot, John Walz, and Alan Rafferty.His chamber music coaching has included instruction from members of the American String Quartet, Ariel String Quartet, Borromeo String Quartet, as well as distinguished musicians such as Ko Iwasaki, Richard Slavich, Nicholas Mann, Jeffrey Irvine, the Shanghai Quartet, Yura Lee, and Ralph Kirshbaum.Jonathan's festival experiences are extensive, having participated in the Idyllwild Summer Music Festival, Montecito International Music Festival, Madeline Island Chamber Music, Heifetz International Music Institute, Josef Gingold Chamber Music Festival, Festival MusicAlp, Orford Music Academy, Domaine Forget, and the Aspen Music Festival.An accomplished performer, Jonathan has garnered numerous accolades, including 2nd Prize at CCM’s Undergraduate Instrumental (Baur) Competition in 2016, Musical Merit Foundation of Greater San Diego Competition Scholarships in 2017 and 2021, 2nd Prize in the Strings Division of San Diego's Music Scholarship Council Competition in 2021, Best Contemporary Piece Performance prize at the 2022 La Jolla Young Artist Competition, and 1st Prize in the USC Thornton School of Music's Solo Bach Competition in 2024. He was also a recipient of the CCM’s Werner Scholarship in 2018.Jonathan’s orchestral experience includes serving as the principal cellist for the San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra, with notable performances such as the Side-By-Side concerts with the San Diego Symphony in 2013 and 2014. Additionally, he was a member of the Music For All’s Honor Orchestra of America in 2014.Currently, Jonathan is a substitute cellist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the New World Symphony and held the position of Principal Cellist with the California Young Artists Symphony from 2022 to 2024.
Kaitlyn Irianto
Kaitlyn Irianto is a violinist based in Orange County and has recently earned her Bachelor’s of Music in Violin Performance from Chapman University as a Temianka and Musco scholarship recipient.In her time at Chapman, she has served as principal and as concertmaster of the Chapman Orchestra and as a member of the Temianka String Quartet. In addition, Kaitlyn was the first recipient loaned a 1952 Becker violin donated by Caron and Jeff Winston during her time at Chapman. She has received various masterclasses from members of the Juilliard String Quartet, Emerson String Quartet, Cornelia Heard, Cho-Liang Lin, and Nicholas Mann. Previous teachers include Eunae Koh, Sojin Kim, Chloe Tardif.As an orchestral and chamber musician, Kaitlyn had attended the Aspen Music Festival, Mostly Modern Music Festival, Atlantic Music Festival, and Borromeo Music Festival. Previous to her undergraduate, she had studied at the Orange County School of the Arts as part of their strings program and received primary private instruction under William Fitzpatrick, as well as taking part in the Musishare Young Artists Program.A dedicated advocate for music education, Kaitlyn currently teaches violin to young and adult players. In her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys knitting and going to the beach.
Katie Kim
Katie Kim is a violinist and received her bachelors of music in violin perfomance at University of California, Irvine, where she studied under Haroutune Bedelian. During her time at UCI, she served as concertmaster of the UCI Symphony Orchestra and was the winner of the 2017 UCI Concerto Competition, performing Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concerto as a soloist with the orchestra.Katie currently performs with Synesthesia Sinfonietta, with whom she performed alongside Yandel for his Sinfónico tour at the YouTube Theater earlier this year, and will be performing again at the Yaamava’ Theater in Highland, CA. In addition to her orchestral work, she records and performs across Orange County and Los Angeles, including as a featured artist on The Sound Scientists album and as a member of Eli’s Band.Beyond performance, Katie is dedicated to music education as the Assistant Director of the Marina High School Orchestra Program, a private violin instructor at Soundscape, and through her own private studio.
Khải Niên Nguyễn
Khai Nien Nguyen is a clarinetist, educator, and scholar from Southern California, currently pursuing a Master of Music in Clarinet Performance at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he studies with Boris Allakhverdyan. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Clarinet Performance with a minor in Music Theory from Oberlin Conservatory.As a performer, Khai Nien has appeared with ensembles including the Los Angeles Philharmonic and is the winner of the 2026 Atwater Kent Concerto Competition, performing Copland’s Clarinet Concerto. He has also appeared as a soloist with the Vietnamese American Philharmonic in Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto. A member of the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra, he performs in both orchestral and chamber settings as part of the organization’s mission to expand access to classical music. He has premiered several new works and is particularly interested in contemporary and community-focused performance.Dedicated to music education, Khai Nien has served as guest faculty at the Qingdao International Clarinet Seminar and the Tianjin Orchestral Art Music Festival. He also maintains a private teaching studio, working with students from diverse backgrounds and levels of experience.Beyond the European classical tradition, Khai Nien connects with his Vietnamese heritage through performing folk music. His scholarly interests explore how music theory can inform interpretive and expressive decisions, with particular attention to how analytical approaches can support creativity across musical genres.Khai Nien is deeply committed to mentoring marginalized students and fostering greater inclusivity and access in music. Through performance, teaching, and scholarship, he seeks to cultivate compassion and connection within his community.
Lillian Young
Lillian Young is a bassist and composer from Austin, Texas. Lillian is currently working towards their master’s in bass performance at the University of Southern California, studying with David Allen Moore. They completed their bachelor’s degree at Boston University, studying music performance with Todd Seeber and composition with Ketty Nez and Martin Amlin. Their previous bass instructors include Tom Van Dyck and David Dawson.Lillian has attended summer festivals including the Lucerne Festival, New Music on the Point, Music Academy of the West, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, and Curtis Summerfest. As a bassist for ALEA III, Lillian has performed in Boston and at the Musa Hellenica Festival in Chios, Greece. Their music has been performed at the Musa Hellenica Festival, by Sound Icon, members of the Lucerne Festival Contemporary Orchestra, Music Academy of the West fellows, Boston University students, and the Westwood High School Symphony. Lillian is a two-time recipient of the Wainwright Prize at Boston University for a song composed about nature.
Luchi Jiang
Luchi Jiang is a second-year master’s student studying Violin Performance under Samuel Fischer at the University of Redlands Conservatory of Music. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Music from the Northwestern University Bienen School of Music in 2022 studying under Gerardo Ribeiro. At Redlands, Luchi serves as the concertmaster of her university’s Symphony Orchestra and performs regularly with the Redlands Symphony Orchestra (RSO) as a Qualified Student Musician. She was the first-prize winner of her university’s Concerto Competition and recipient of the President’s Honor Recital award in 2025 and will make her solo concerto debut with the RSO in May 2026. As an orchestral violinist, Luchi has performed in renowned venues worldwide including the Sydney Opera House in Australia, multiple famous concert venues in China, and the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Center of the Arts in Orange County. Outside of classical performance, Luchi has worked as a freelance recording musician, recently working with violinist Ray Chen on one of his YouTube projects, and participating in a film score album recorded at the Warner Bros. Studios Eastwood Scoring Stage in Hollywood as part of the LAFCI Studio Intensive program in 2024. She also manages and creates content for her own YouTube channel where she plays covers of her favorite songs online. In her freetime, Luchi enjoys watching shows and playing video games. Luchi is thankful for where music has taken her so far and is excited to see what the future holds.
Luke Kesoglou
Coming soon.
Matt Kubis
Matthieu Kubis is a professional Trombonist, Music Educator, and Band Leader with over 15 years of experience performing and teaching across the United States. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, he began his formal academic studies in 2012 at Sam Houston State University, studying under Ben Osborne (Austin Symphony), John McCroskey (Houston Symphony), and Ilan Morgenstern (Houston Grand Opera). In 2015, following a successful audition, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Band, subsequently studying under Dr. Ken Ebo at the Naval School of Music. He would then go on to perform as a member of Marine Band San Diego’s various ensembles before transitioning in 2020 to the 300th Army Band in the Army Reserve. To further develop his practical skills and experience with academic expertise, he completed his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies at San Diego State University in 2024, studying under Karl Soukup and Kevin Esposito.While with Marine Band San Diego and the 300th Army Band, Matthieu has performed in more than 700 public events ranging from ceremonies and parades to professional sports games and national tours. As a Band Leader, he directs and arranges music for Jazz Combos, NOLA style Brass Bands, and Ceremonial Ensembles. Additionally, he has been a featured Trombone Soloist in over 350 performances.Beyond his military career, Matthieu performs professionally at the San Diego Zoo with the Chameleons Brass Band and has performed at various theme parks and venues to include SeaWorld, Legoland, Petco Park, and the Balboa Theatre. Additionally, he performs with numerous professional and community ensembles, to include the 524 Brass Band, Marty Conley’s Big Band Xpress, JazzKatz Orchestra, and various classical ensembles. His musical journey has led to masterclasses and performances with Bill Watrous, Marshall Gilkes, Wycliffe Gordon, Allen Vizutti, Bob Mintzer, Willie Murillo, Walter White, Megumi Kanda, Don Lucas, etc.As an educator, he has worked with middle school and high school programs in Texas and Southern California, teaching private lessons, leading brass sectionals, and preparing students for auditions, contests, and honor ensembles. Many of his students have gone on to earn placements in regional honor bands.Matthieu is dedicated to instilling a passion for music in the next generation. He believes that by creating strong fundamentals and allowing opportunity for creativity, you can encourage students to develop and grow not only in their technical abilities and musical proficiency but also in their confidence and love for performance.When he isn’t performing or teaching, Matthieu enjoys traveling, hiking, creating new music, Disney, and exquisite cuisine.
Matthew fang
Coming soon.
Maura Phelps
Based in Long Beach, CA, Maura Phelps is freelance performer, educator, and board certified music therapist. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Performance and Music Therapy at Western Michigan University where she studied under the tutelage of Bruce Uchimura, cellist of the Merlin Trio. In 2022 Maura completed her Master’s Degree in Performance, studying under David Garrett, a long time member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Maura has performed with a variety of ensembles. From 2017-2020 she served as the Associate Principal cellist of the Holland Symphony Orchestra and played with the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra. She has played a variety of musicals and enjoys exploring all genres of music.Since moving to California, she was the winner of the California Association of Professional Music Teachers Concerto competition in 2021 and had the pleasure of performing with the Grammy winning ensemble, Tonality at the 2022 ACDA conference.For nearly a decade, Maura has been committed to the music education of students from all backgrounds. From 2021-2023 she served as a teaching artist with Harmony Project - Long Beach and assisted within the Huntington Beach Unified High School District. Maura relishes the time she spends teaching her own studio of cello and ukulele students.When not performing and teaching, Maura works as a board certified music therapist serving psychiatric patients in a state facility. She values the impact music has on the mind and body to heal our most vulnerable members of society.
Michael Medina
Michael Medina is the Associate Principal Trombone of the San Gabriel Valley Symphony. A proud SGV native and Alhambra High School (Class of 2018) alum, he earned degrees in Trombone Performance and Music Education from the University of Redlands (’24), as well as a Master’s in Learning and Teaching.Michael also serves as Principal Trombone for the LLS Orchestra and the Alwani Middle Eastern Orchestra, with performances at venues including Zipper Hall and BroadStage. He is the Co-Founder and trombonist of OFFTHEAIR, a Southern California-based funk/pop band.In addition to performing, Michael is a dedicated educator who teaches privately and actively freelances. He is passionate about expanding youth access to the arts through both education and performance.
Naomi Bernardino
Naomi Bernardino is a cellist from Newbury Park, California. She is currently finishing her bachelor’s degree in cello performance at Indiana University and previously studied at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSU Long Beach. In the past few years, she has played in various ensembles, including California Young Artists Symphony, and served as principal cellist of Lyceum Oaks Youth Orchestra, formerly known as CVYO. Naomi is passionate about outreach, music education, and music’s ability to inspire. She plans to continue her education and pursue a professional music career in Southern California.
Neven Basener
Born and raised in San Diego County, Neven Basener has developed a love for performing over the past several years of honing her craft. Growing up in Vista, Neven first started her horn-playing journey at the age of eleven in her middle school wind band. Within a year, Neven would skyrocket to first chair in the top band, and she would continue her upward-trajectory throughout high school. Neven is an alumni of the San Diego Youth Symphony, where she received the Ovation Principal Merit Award as principal horn in both the Symphony Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra. Neven earned her Bachelor's degree in music from California State University San Marcos, while studying with former second Horn of the San Diego Symphony, Warren Gref. Throughout her time as an undergraduate, Neven enjoyed performing as a member of the La Jolla Symphony under director Sameer Patel, performing monstrous works with the symphony, like Bela Bartòk’s Concerto for Orchestra, as well as Igor Stravinsky's “Rite of Spring” and “Petrushka”. Keeping her roots in Southern California, Neven is now pursuing her Master’s Degree in French Horn performance at the USC Thornton School of Music under former principal horn of the Metropolitan Opera, Julie Landsman. Neven also enjoys being involved in the Southern California music scene, often working with groups such as the San Diego City Ballet and the Coronado Philharmonia. Most recently, Neven has had the honor to perform withworld-renowned Phantom of the Opera soprano, Sarah Brightman, for a portion of her 2024 “Christmas Symphony” North America tour, as well as with Italian vocal pop group, Il Volo, at the Peacock theater in Los Angeles earlier this year. Neven’s hard work has continued to pay off. While earning her Bachelor’s degree, she was the recipient of the President Karen S. Haynes Music Scholarship, the Wagner Music Scholarship, and the CHABSS Student Success Grant. Neven is also a current recipient of the William A. Schaeffer Merit Scholarship Award for the duration of her graduate studies at the University of Southern California.
Nicholas Tseng
Born and raised in Southern California in a multi-cultural and multilingual household with English, Taiwanese, Japanese, and North American cultures and traditions, Nicholas brings this vibrant heritage to his performances as well as his photography.As a flutist, he has performed in Tokyo, Japan at Flute Celebration 2024 by Seiya Ueno alongside principal flutists from around the world including, Sébastian Jacot, Clément Dufour, Virgile Aragau, Shigenori Kudo, and Xavier Luck. Whilst in grad school, he has performed with the Mizzou New Music Ensemble, MU Symphony, and Wind Ensemble, additionally with the Millennial Choirs and Orchestras at the Kauffman Centre.Nicholas holds Bachelor’s Double Degrees in Flute Performance and Psychology from the University of California, Irvine and a Master’s in Flute Performance from the University of Missouri, Columbia with full scholarship and stipend from the generous Sinquefield Charitable Foundation. His primary teachers include Alice K. Dade, Patricia Cloud, and Suzuki teacher trainer Ivy Huang. He has appeared and performed in masterclasses for Matthew Roitstein, Cobus du Toit, James Hall, and Anne Zentner. Since moving home, he has returned to South Coast Youth Symphony Orchestra as the winds section clinician and performs with the group at prestigious concert halls around Orange County.Beyond music/performing, Nicholas is also an entrepreneur, professional photographer, and automotive enthusiast. Specializing in musicians' portraits, concert photography, and automotive photography. His work has appeared on magazine covers and been seen and shared by major brands like Powell Flutes, Mancke Headjoints, Bowers and Wilkins, Canon USA/Japan, BMW USA, and Porsche Canada. As a social media manager, he established online presence for both the MU Symphony and his own flute accessories company, CAM.VOYAGE.
Paul De La Rosa
As a freelance musician and low brass specialist, Paul De La Rosa has performed in world class venues like Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and The Seoul Performing Arts Center in South Korea. Paul regularly performs in orchestras, big bands, and contemporary ensembles. Currently, Paul plays trombone for the South Orange County Orchestra, Synethesia Sinfonietta, the West Coast Wind Ensemble and the Kenny Shroyer Jazz Ensemble featuring Dick Nash. He can be found on Julie Morimoto’s album entitled “Start of Something Beautiful” Catch Paul streaming on Peacock performing on the television show, “Paris and Nicole: the Encore”.
Paul Hyun
Paul Hyun received his BM in Cello Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music as well as a Performance Certificate for Chamber Music from San Francisco Conservatory of Music. His main teachers were Stephen Geber, Jean Michel Fonteneau, and Metta Watts. He also received instruction from Mark Kosower, Stephen Balderston, Emil Colon, Geoffrey Solow, Orlando Cole and Sieun Lin. Paul has performed in masterclasses for David Requiro, Robert de Maine, Kenneth Olson, Jonathan Koh and Laslo Varga. Paul has participated as a member of the San Francisco Youth Symphony, All State Symphony Orchestra, Angel Fire, Encore School for Strings, Aria International Summer Music Festival, Hidden Valley Music Seminars, Roundtop Orchestra Festival and the National Orchestral Institute. In the past, Paul served as principal cellist for the SF Korean Symphony now known as Silicon Valley Philharmonic and Winchester Symphony Orchestras. Paul is currently teaching privately for all ages and levels in Orange County as well as being a cello coach for both Santiago Charter Middle School and Canyon High School. Paul is also the Founder and Director of Improvicelli, a collaboration of cellists who entertain audiences in musical styles from classical all the way to Jazz Improvisation. Doing this also educates music students by teaching them to think outside the realms of classical music while keeping the fundamentals of their training. Paul has been a featured soloist with Palo Alto Philharmonic, SF Korean Symphony, Prometheus Symphony, San Jose State Symphony and the Gradus ad Parnassum Youth Orchestra. Outside of teaching, Paul's goal is to teach all music students how to enjoy and love music while learning ways to improve themselves through their own abilities. He has two duos he performs regularly with: Celli à Deux and Supersmash Celli. Paul plays on a 2002 Andrew Carruthers Ruggieri Cello and a Concert White Electric Yamaha cello. Fun fact, Paul is also the younger brother of violinist Katie Hyun. He is also a professional martial artist and teach self defense to the Irvine community.
Paul Hyun
Paul Hyun received his BM in Cello Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music as well as a Performance Certificate for Chamber Music from San Francisco Conservatory of Music. His main teachers were Stephen Geber, Jean Michel Fonteneau, and Metta Watts. He also received instruction from Mark Kosower, Stephen Balderston, Emil Colon, Geoffrey Solow, Orlando Cole and Sieun Lin. Paul has performed in masterclasses for David Requiro, Robert de Maine, Kenneth Olson, Jonathan Koh and Laslo Varga. Paul has participated as a member of the San Francisco Youth Symphony, All State Symphony Orchestra, Angel Fire, Encore School for Strings, Aria International Summer Music Festival, Hidden Valley Music Seminars, Roundtop Orchestra Festival and the National Orchestral Institute. In the past, Paul served as principal cellist for the SF Korean Symphony now known as Silicon Valley Philharmonic and Winchester Symphony Orchestras. Paul is currently teaching privately for all ages and levels in Orange County as well as being a cello coach for both Santiago Charter Middle School and Canyon High School. Paul is also the Founder and Director of Improvicelli, a collaboration of cellists who entertain audiences in musical styles from classical all the way to Jazz Improvisation. Doing this also educates music students by teaching them to think outside the realms of classical music while keeping the fundamentals of their training. Paul has been a featured soloist with Palo Alto Philharmonic, SF Korean Symphony, Prometheus Symphony, San Jose State Symphony and the Gradus ad Parnassum Youth Orchestra. Outside of teaching, Paul's goal is to teach all music students how to enjoy and love music while learning ways to improve themselves through their own abilities. He has two duos he performs regularly with: Celli à Deux and Supersmash Celli. Paul plays on a 2002 Andrew Carruthers Ruggieri Cello and a Concert White Electric Yamaha cello. Fun fact, Paul is also the younger brother of violinist Katie Hyun. He is also a professional martial artist and teach self defense to the Irvine community.
Phillip Pacier
Phillip Pacier is regionally recognized for his diverse skills as a performing musician, conductor, and music educator. He is currently the principal trumpet of the La Mirada Symphony and is an active freelance trumpeter. Phillip’s orchestral experience spans most of California and Arizona, having appeared with the Orange County Master Chorale, Santa Barbara Symphony, Flagstaff Symphony, and the Bear Valley Music Festival, among others. He also spent five years as the lead trumpet player for La Sonora del Caribe, a regionally recognized Latin dance band, and has been featured on several recordings, spanning both classical and popular genres.Phillip is also very active as a music educator and is currently on the faculty of several Southern California community colleges. He is also noted for his skills in conducting and arranging music and previously served as the assistant conductor of the Southern California Youth Philharmonic. You may even see him around town playing electric bass, though nothing can equal his love for the trumpet.
Rachel Kim
Hyun Shil (Rachel) Kim has been playing the violin for nearly 30 years. She is a violin performance graduate and a recipient of the Merit Scholarship Award from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Rachel has studied under international violin soloist, Mrs. Joan Kwuon. She began Suzuki training with Mrs. Sunny Lim (certified Suzuki teacher) and later advanced to studying with Mrs. Elizabeth Holburn (University of Michigan) and Mr. William FitzPatrick (Juilliard) as her main local teachers. Rachel also had the opportunity to perform masterclasses and study with multiple professors from the Juilliard School, Cleveland Institute of Music, Vanderbilt, Rice, NEC, and SF Music Conservatory.In Rachel’s pre-college years, she was the youngest member to join the South Orange County Chamber Orchestra and has also won a section violin position in the highly competitive Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra for multiple years. She has played chamber music in the Junior Chamber Music program of Orange County and has been the awarded winner of the Voce Competition in South Orange County and the Korean American Young Artists Competition. Rachel has been a pupil of the Musishare Program for seven years and has attended numerous music festivals such as the Killington Music Festival, the Aspen Music Festival, and Tanglewood.Rachel currently performs, records, coaches/teaches at multiple music schools/programs, and has her own private violin studio. She has been an active performer and educator for the past 10 years. Even though her violin roots originated from a traditional classical background, she enjoys and has had the privilege of being involved in a wide variety of musical contexts such as performing and recording pop, rock, jazz, hip hop, film scores, video game music, musicals, and electronic dance music.Rachel performs with a number of local orchestras multiple times throughout the year annually. She regularly collaborates with local orchestras around her community and has made appearances in public schools, hospitals, churches, and retirement centers. Rachel strives to bring music to her community and joined as many music programs and orchestras that were available in her area. Rachel has recorded music with artists such as Leo-Z, Tyler the Creator, Steve Martin, Hans Zimmer, etc. in Remote Control Productions Studio, Ocean Way Studio, and Megatrax Studio. She has been a participant in the Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra, Hollywood Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Dream Orchestra, Downey Symphony, Corona Symphony, UCLA Symphony, and the American Youth Symphony.
Remy Fang
Coming soon.
Renee Qin
Renée Qin is a Canadian harpist, composer, and multimedia artist whose work has been presented across North America and Europe.She served as principal harpist of the Stanford Symphony Orchestra and Stanford Philharmonia from 2021 to 2024 and has performed as principal harp with the Stanford Wind Symphony, Nova Vista Symphony, South Bay Philharmonic, and Redwood Symphony. In 2025, she served as the sole harpist of the Orchestra of the Americas during its residency in Monterrey, Mexico. She has also performed with the San Francisco Philharmonic, Mission Chamber Orchestra, and alongside members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at the Orpheum Theatre.Recent highlights include performances at TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht and the 2026 One Harp World Opening Gala Concert in Toronto, where she appeared as both harpist and composer. Her multimedia work combines acoustic harp with electronics, real-time visuals, and audience interaction.As a concerto soloist, Renée has appeared with the Stanford Philharmonia, Stanford Symphonic Chorus, Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra, and Harmonia Chamber Orchestra.A First Prize winner at the 2018 Canadian Music Competition National Final, Renée received the 2025 RH Prestige Best Composition Award for her chamber work At the Edge of Time. In 2024, she was named one of CBC Music’s “30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30.”She holds a B.A. in Music and Economics from Stanford University and an Artist Diploma from OAcademy Conservatory, where she was an Orchestra Fellow.
Sarah Ping
Canadian-American violinist Sarah Ping made her solo debut with Orchestra London at the age of 14 as part of its Last Night of the Proms series. Since then, she has appeared as a soloist with numerous orchestras and performed recitals across North America and Europe. Sarah completed her studies at the New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) as a scholarship student, studying with the distinguished violinist James Buswell.Sarah has been featured as a soloist on a live performance and interview on Toronto’s Classical 96.3 FM and has performed at some of North America’s most prestigious venues, including Boston Symphony Hall, Jordan Hall, Roy Thomson Hall, the National Arts Centre, Place Des Arts, and George Weston Recital Hall. She has also recorded for WGBH Boston Public Radio, Boston University, Harvard University, and Berklee College of Music. As a dedicated chamber musician, she has collaborated with members of the Juilliard, Guarneri, Borromeo, and Orion String Quartets.Her orchestral career includes performances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra under Peter Oundjian and Itzhak Perlman, the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra under Benjamin Zander, Haffner Sinfonietta of Boston, and New England Conservatory Philharmonia. Sarah has served as concertmaster and principal second violin with the Banff Festival Opera and Orchestre de la Francophonie, and has performed under conductors including Fabio Luisi, Hugh Wolff, Ludovic Morlot, and Yan Pascal Tortelier.Sarah has been featured at festivals across North America and Europe, including the Banff Centre Summer Arts Festival, Heifetz International Music Institute, Centre d’Arts Orford, and Cursos Superiores de Música. She has collaborated with distinguished artists such as Midori, Pinchas Zukerman, Donald Weilerstein, Joan Kwuon, Victor Danchenko, David Zafer, and Benjamin Bowman, concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera. As a member of the New England Conservatory Contemporary Ensemble, Sarah worked closely with composer Gunther Schuller and artistic director John Heiss, giving the Boston premiere of Schuller’s Octet in Jordan Hall, a work commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.In addition to her performing career, Sarah is a passionate educator with over a decade of teaching experience. She has taught at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School, North End Music and Performing Arts Center, and Melrose High School, and currently directs the orchestral program at Bethel Classical Academy while maintaining an active private violin and viola studio in Orange County. Her students have earned principal positions in school orchestras, been selected for honors ensembles, and performed at community events, including Boston’s annual Trellis Lighting ceremony alongside Mayor Marty Walsh. Sarah is also the recipient of the Peter Chandler Memorial Award, recognizing leadership, musical excellence, and contributions to Canada’s arts community.
Steven Bodenhoefer
Steven Bodenhoefer is a contrabassist who grew up local to South Orange County with a love for classical music, both listening to and performing with a variety of groups. As a musician, he has performed with various groups while attending the Orange County School of the Arts, graduating in 2017. Currently, he resides in Santa Ana, performing as the principal contrabassist with the Santa Ana College Orchestra and Orange County Community Symphony Orchestra (active seasonally) as their principal bassist while also on staff with the South Coast Youth Symphony Orchestra as their low strings coach, using a well-balanced approach to help develop the next generation of cellists and contrabassists.
Ty Kanauchi
Ty Kanauchi is a violist with a bachelor's and master's in viola performance from Califorinia State University Fullerton. She performs with orchestras in Los Angeles and Orange County such as the Civic Orchestra of LA, San Gabriel Symphony, OC of OC, and Dream Orchestra of LA.She is also the founder of Quartet 57, a quartet that features queer musicians and performs her robust quartet arrangements of popular music.As well as a performer, she is a private teacher for several students and is a viola coach for Valencia High School, New Hope Orchestra, and Buddha's Light Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Taylor Cooksey-Nguyen
Violist Taylor Cooksey-Nguyen is a passionate leader, avid performer, and empathetic educator based within and beyond the San Francisco Bay Area. She has had the privilege to travel the world as a soloist, chamber musician, studio musician, and orchestral musician, sharing her love for music with people in venues in the USA, Europe, and beyond. She currently serves as a Section Violist for both Stockton and Modesto Symphonies, the Assistant Principal Violist for Golden Gate Symphony, and regularly substitutes for orchestras including San Francisco Symphony, California Symphony, Sacramento Phil and Opera, and many more. When not performing classical viola, Taylor spends her time singing and playing violin in the band Victor and the Callers.As an orchestral musician, Taylor has performed in leadership positions for Berkeley Symphony, SFJAZZ, Merced Symphony, SF Academy Orchestra, Berkeley Chorus and the American Youth Symphony, and has served as a section member with multiple other orchestras throughout California. Taylor has performed with bands including Journey and Trans Siberian Orchestra in 2022 and 2023 respectively, and has performed at GDC alongside Austin Wintory and Troy Baker during the 2024 Main Stage Concert. Taylor has also played violin and viola alongside a wide range of musicians including Moein, Dariyush, Matteo Bocelli, Patti Austin, Teddy Swims, Chris Potter, Los Rakas, Oscar Cortez, and Snow Tha Product. Taylor has performed in halls across the country, including Carnegie Hall, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the Kennedy Center, and the Davies Symphony Hall, and has performed in cities including Oxford, Paris, Edinburgh, Prague, and Hamburg.Taylor has appeared as both a violin and viola soloist with Seraphim Youth Symphony, where she performed at the XXX London Olympic Games, UK’s Bristol Cathedral, as well as the Chambord Castle and La Madeleine Cathedral in France. As a chamber musician, Taylor served as the violist of Bob Cole Conservatory of Music’s University String Quartet, the most prestigious group at the school. She also led the school’s chamber orchestra in multiple performances throughout Germany and Prague, serving as both the solo and principal violist. Taylor also had the wonderful opportunity to serve as the principal violist of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s Baroque Chamber Ensemble for her duration at the school, where she performed on a period instrument. As a studio musician, Taylor has recording credits for the band Tribal Seeds, as well as for the short film “Bruised” by Rok Won Hwang and Samantha Tu.Taylor earned her Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance from California State University, Long Beach in 2019, where she studied with Dr. Jason Bonham. Taylor then went on to earn her Master of Music in Viola Performance from San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 2021, where she studied with Mr. Jonathan Vinocour. While at CSULB, Taylor also spent two years in the Music Education department, where she shadowed various elementary, middle, and high school educators throughout the Long Beach Unified School District and took courses to further develop her teaching methods. While at SFCM, Taylor had the opportunity to receive masterclasses and lessons from members of the Telegraph Quartet, Matthew Young, Teng Li, and Jessica Bodner.
Teran Hall
Teran Hall is an accomplished violist and violinist whose musical journey spans from Nashville, Tennessee to California. He has served as Principal Violist of the Belmont University Symphony Orchestra, the Civic Orchestra of Abilene, and the University of Redlands Symphony Orchestra. He is currently a first violinist in the Pasadena Community College Orchestra. Teran was featured as Principal Violist of the elite Belmont Strings chamber group in the PBS broadcast of Christmas at Belmont held at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. He also performed at Walt Disney Concert Hall with the Fresno Orchestra & Opera Summer Academy which he attended on a full scholarship, and served as a Youth Orchestra Coach during his time there.Teran was honored as the inaugural recipient of the endowed Mark Riggs Violist Scholarship via the Civic Orchestra of Abilene recognizing his exceptional artistry and leadership. He has also shared his expertise as an Assistant Orchestra Director within the Abilene Independent School District. Teran holds a Master's of Music in Performance from the University of Redlands where
he attended with a graduate assistantship.
Timothy Moy
Timothy Moy is a freelance horn player that is based in Los Angeles and Orange County. He is currently the Principal Horn for Bellflower Symphony, a Rotating Section Horn Player with Whittier Regional Symphony, and most recently was appointed as the 3rd Horn with La Mirada Symphony. Outside of Bellflower Symphony, Whittier Regional Symphony, and La Mirada Symphony, Timothy has also performed with the Four Seasons Orchestra, Pacific Brass, Southland Symphony, American Youth Symphony, the Westside Ballet Company and more. Tim is also an active Chamber Musician performing as the Resident Horn Player for Citrus City Brass and Fine Winds. In Boston, Timothy performed with the Dubois Orchestra, as the 4th Horn, and the New England Brass Band. Timothy’s playing career has taken him to venues in Boston, Santa Monica, Cerritos, Aliso Viejo, and Los Angeles, San Diego, Tempe, Long Beach, Las Vegas, Bryce Canyon National Park and more. Timothy also performed in Powell River, British Columbia, Canada with the PRISMA Music Festival Orchestra during the summer of 2022. Timothy was also a participant at the Rafael Mendez Brass Institute in Denver, Colorado as a part of Citrus City Brass during the summer of 2024. Timothy also went on a tour with Citrus City Brass to the island of Maui in February 2025 to perform for schools and the public. Most recently, Timothy performed with Yandel’s Sinfónico Tour at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood in June 2025.Timothy received his Bachelors of Music in Horn Performance at California State University Fullerton where he studied with Steve Mahpar and Warren Gref. Timothy also earned his Masters of Music in Horn Performance at Boston University where he studied with Eric Ruske. While in his free time, Tim likes to spend time with his friends and family, play video games, and go out and explore the LA and OC food scenes.
Victoria Lee
Oboist Victoria Hiromi Doo Lee takes music anywhere. From appearing with chamber groups at aquariums and art museums in California and touring as a soloist in Europe, to performing in unusual venues such as wind octets in Branson pubs and the Park Avenue Armory with the New York Philharmonic.Victoria began her studies with Lisa Patanella, Dr. Jonathan Davis, and Ariana Ghez while at the Orange County School of the Arts. After moving to New York for college, her career escalated quickly as both a classical and contemporary musician. A typical season would include early Renaissance double reed band music with the New York Kammermusiker, performing with the New York Youth Symphony as principal oboe, and premiering works such as Mohammed Fairouz’s opera Sumeida’s Song.Her passion for teaching began in college when she was appointed as the Manhattan School of Music’s MSM Sundays oboe instructor, a program designed to provide private lessons to amateur musicians in New York City. In the same year, she was invited to teach with the MSM Distance Learning Center and maintained a small private studio via video calling for high school students in the cities of Norfolk and Stanton, Nebraska. Since sparking her career as an educator, Victoria has taught with Bocal Majority double reed summer camps in Northern and Southern California and represented the organization at several double reed and music education conferences. She is a regular guest speaker for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA), presenting seminars on oboe pedagogy at their annual professional development convention.Victoria is a section oboist and Woodwind Coordinator for the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra, located in Branson, MO, whose mission is to re-popularize classical music by performing in unusual venues. In addition to regular performances, the members of the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra share a common passion for both collaboration and education, contributing to multi-media projects with the White River Artists Alliance or presenting programs for children at the local library.Victoria holds a BM in Classical Oboe and MM in Orchestral Oboe Performance from the Manhattan School of Music. Currently in her tenth season as the principal chair of the Santa Monica Symphony, Victoria is also a founding member of the esteemed reed quintet Syrinx, which won the 2019 Beverly Hills National Auditions, and of the groundbreaking Catalyst Wind Collective, for which she also serves as Secretary and Librarian. Victoria is on the faculty of California State University of Los Angeles, Cerritos College, Orange Coast College, Irvine Valley College, and Fullerton College, and also coaches at many local middle and high schools. She held the position of Oboe & Chamber Music Instructor in the Orange County School of the Arts' prestigious Frederick Fennell Wind Studies program for ten years. An active freelance oboist in four Southern California counties, she resides in Huntington Beach, maintaining her career as an in-demand performer, clinician, and private teacher.
Victoria Lee
Oboist Victoria Hiromi Doo Lee takes music anywhere. From appearing with chamber groups at aquariums and art museums in California and touring as a soloist in Europe, to performing in unusual venues such as wind octets in Branson pubs and the Park Avenue Armory with the New York Philharmonic.Victoria began her studies with Lisa Patanella, Dr. Jonathan Davis, and Ariana Ghez while at the Orange County School of the Arts. After moving to New York for college, her career escalated quickly as both a classical and contemporary musician. A typical season would include early Renaissance double reed band music with the New York Kammermusiker, performing with the New York Youth Symphony as principal oboe, and premiering works such as Mohammed Fairouz’s opera Sumeida’s Song.Her passion for teaching began in college when she was appointed as the Manhattan School of Music’s MSM Sundays oboe instructor, a program designed to provide private lessons to amateur musicians in New York City. In the same year, she was invited to teach with the MSM Distance Learning Center and maintained a small private studio via video calling for high school students in the cities of Norfolk and Stanton, Nebraska. Since sparking her career as an educator, Victoria has taught with Bocal Majority double reed summer camps in Northern and Southern California and represented the organization at several double reed and music education conferences. She is a regular guest speaker for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA), presenting seminars on oboe pedagogy at their annual professional development convention.Victoria is a section oboist and Woodwind Coordinator for the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra, located in Branson, MO, whose mission is to re-popularize classical music by performing in unusual venues. In addition to regular performances, the members of the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra share a common passion for both collaboration and education, contributing to multi-media projects with the White River Artists Alliance or presenting programs for children at the local library.Victoria holds a BM in Classical Oboe and MM in Orchestral Oboe Performance from the Manhattan School of Music. Currently in her tenth season as the principal chair of the Santa Monica Symphony, Victoria is also a founding member of the esteemed reed quintet Syrinx, which won the 2019 Beverly Hills National Auditions, and of the groundbreaking Catalyst Wind Collective, for which she also serves as Secretary and Librarian. Victoria is on the faculty of California State University of Los Angeles, Cerritos College, Orange Coast College, Irvine Valley College, and Fullerton College, and also coaches at many local middle and high schools. She held the position of Oboe & Chamber Music Instructor in the Orange County School of the Arts' prestigious Frederick Fennell Wind Studies program for ten years. An active freelance oboist in four Southern California counties, she resides in Huntington Beach, maintaining her career as an in-demand performer, clinician, and private teacher.
Wan Chin Chang
Wan-Chin Chang appears regularly as a soloist with orchestras such as the Blue Lake Festival Orchestra, Dana Point Symphony, Southern California Philharmonics, MiraCosta College Symphony, La Mirada Symphony, Southland Symphony, Temecula Valley Symphony, Orchestra Collectives of Orange County, Orange County Symphony, and Orange County Wind Symphony. Besides concerto and solo performances, she also frequently collaborates with other musicians in chamber recitals. She had been invited to perform at across the county, appearing in Valdosta University, Saginaw Valley State University, Grand Valley University, Fullerton College, Fallbrook Music Society, White Lake Chamber Music Festival, Blodgett Faculty Recital Series at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, The Gladys Frisch Harris Piano Festival, and Orange Women's Club.Dr. Chang attended the University of Southern California and Aspen Music Festival with full scholarships, and she was the winner of the Leni Fe Foundation Scholarship, Pi Kappa Lambda Award, Chamber Music Award, and Outstanding Graduate Award. She also served as an assistant lecturer while completing her DMA in piano performance with a minor in violin performance from USC under the guidance of Antoinette Perry on the piano, and Eudice Shapiro on the violin. She is currently the assistant concertmaster of Sea Coast Symphony and principal second violin at Orchestra Collective of Orange County.As an educator, Dr. Chang’s students consistently receive top ratings and prizes in MTNA and MTAC evaluations and competitions. Several of her students have been accepted into music schools such as University of Southern California, California State Universities (Fullerton, Long Beach, and San Marcos), and Chapman University. She has been on the judging panel of The Musical Merit Foundation of San Diego, MTAC San Diego Concerto Competition, Chopin Festival in San Diego, Southern California Philharmonic Young Artists Competition, Pelican International Music Competition, Concours International Competition, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp staff competition and camper competition. She is currently on faculty at MiraCosta College in Oceanside and Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo. During the summer, she is the piano department director at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan.
Xinrae Cardozo
Xinrae Cardozo is a graduate student at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, where she studies French horn performance under Julie Landsman. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music as a Stamps Brass Quintet Scholar from 2020 to 2024. Xinrae has attended festivals including the Sarasota Music Festival and Blackburn Music Academy. In her free time, she enjoys baking, trying new food and spending time with her three dogs.
Yasmine Abuelhija
Yasmine Abuelhija is a cellist with experience performing in various ensembles across Southern California and Utah. She currently holds an artist fellowship with the California Young Artists Symphony, and is a recent graduate of the University of Utah, where she studied under Dr. Elliott Cheney. Her orchestral experience also includes positions with the Los Angeles Arab Orchestra, Utah Philharmonia, Salt Lake Symphony, the Orange County Community Symphony Orchestra, and the Orange County Youth Symphony.Yasmine has participated in notable music festivals such as the 2025 ARIA International Music Academy in South Hadley, MA, where she studied with renowned cellists Mihai Tetel, Steven Doane, Dmitry Kouzov, Stephen Balderston, Paul York, and Bruce Uchimura. She was also awarded an apprenticeship to participate in the 2023 National Music Festival in Chestertown, MD. Yasmine is also the founder of Giving Bach Performing Arts, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing music to senior homes.
SOCO Youth Chorus
The South Orange County Orchestra Youth Chorus proudly made its debut at SOCO’s sold out Inaugural Concert on April 11, performing alongside the full orchestra in an exciting and inspiring evening of music-making. We are so proud of the incredible growth, dedication, and artistry our young singers demonstrated throughout our first year.As SOCO prepares for its Inaugural Season, we are excited to announce that Youth Chorus auditions for the 2026–2027 season will be held this summer. The SOCO Youth Chorus offers young singers the opportunity to rehearse, learn, and perform in a collaborative musical environment alongside professional musicians and conductors.If you are interested in joining the SOCO Youth Chorus, please send us an email so you don’t miss audition information and upcoming announcements.The SOCO Youth Chorus is led by Emma James, Youth Chorus Director.
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The South Orange County Orchestra welcomes inquiries from musicians, supporters, and community partners. Whether you’re interested in performing with us, sponsoring our work, or learning more about upcoming concerts, we’d love to hear from you.
Auditions
Thank you to everyone who auditioned for the South Orange County Orchestra! We truly appreciate the time, preparation, and talent you shared with us.We do not have any auditions scheduled at this time, but we’ll keep everyone posted as new positions and opportunities become available. We hope to hear you play again in the future!
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We’ve received your message and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.Whether you’re a musician, supporter, or community member, we’re grateful for your interest in helping us bring world class music to South Orange County.We look forward to connecting with you soon!