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Featured Soloist:
- Name: Jadon Wu
- Current School: Orange County School of the Arts
- Grade: 11th, 2203-24
- Essay Title: The Role of Music in My Life
“What?! You play the piano?! Aren’t you worried about getting injured?”
When people in the travel hockey community realized that I not only played hockey but also piano, they were incredulous. They often asked how I protected my hands and whether I was afraid that I would break a bone and not be able to play piano anymore. As a daredevil known for my speed on the ice, it never occurred to me that I could hurt my wrists or fingers. I played to win. But as time passed, I fell more in love with music, and those questions started to weigh on my mind until I realized one day that I did not want to risk not being able to play piano anymore.
I cannot tell the exact moment that I fell in love with music, for it did not happen in a day but rather was a progression of many events nurtured by those around me. My musical journey started at the age of seven when my aunt saw that I would run to bang on her piano any chance available and asked me, “May I teach you piano?” Although Aunt Ruth only taught me briefly, she made it fun and brought Dr. Angelica Prodan into my life to continue my learning. By going through the Certificate of Merit program with Dr. Prodan, my mind opened up to a whole new world of musical structures and theories that I never knew existed. Peppered within my learning were poignant moments where I watched my parents play at the piano or violin whenever their spirits needed a moment’s rest, my cousins having fun playing duets together, and my friends spontaneously bonding as they sang around a bonfire. I loved how music could be both very personal as well as communal. I loved how a particular piece of music could transport me to a moment in the past or bring out emotions in me to feel and think more deeply. When I realized the endless beauty of music and how much I enjoyed it, I willingly turned in my hockey skates for the broader experience and understanding of music and enrolled in the piano program at the Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) under the wonderful directorship of Dr. Sarkis Baltaian.
Through OCSA, I have been able to participate in masterclasses and learn from amazing professional pianists from across the nation. I have also been exposed to a great amount of music from other students’ repertoires which often make me curious to learn more about their pieces. I listen to performances of different piano and orchestral pieces any chance I have: when waiting in line, when sitting in the car on the long ride to and from OCSA, or while studying math or physics. Through collaborative opportunities at OCSA, my experiences naturally expanded to include ensembles, chamber music, vocal accompaniment, and concertos. I truly enjoy collaborating with other musicians and recently had the privilege of performing with the Antelope Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Saddleback Symphony Orchestra.
Piano has brought me on many different adventures, including playing at NYC’s Carnegie Hall at the age of nine. I have received numerous awards and prizes including First Prize of the International Keyboard Odyssiad Piano Competition, First Prize in the Bellagrande International Music Competition, and Grand Prize winner of the International Association of Professional Music Teachers. Through the years, I have become an eight-time winner of the Steinway Society of Riverside Piano Competition, a ten-time First Prize winner of the Inland Empire Piano Festival across all divisions and categories, and a five-time consecutive Gold Medal of the Southern California Junior Bach Festival Complete Works in various categories such as Well-Tempered Clavier 1, Toccata, Italian Concerto, Sinfonia & Invention, and Short Preludes and Fugues. This year, I had the honor of being named as the Orange County Register’s Artist of the Year in the Instrumental Category.
None of these could have happened without the help of the wonderful teachers in my life. I am thankful to Dr. Joan Chang for her tireless commitment to my success and nuanced skill in bringing out my best at the piano throughout this journey. I want to thank Drs. Angelica Prodan and Kirill Gliadkovsky and my teachers at OCSA for their teaching and guidance. I am grateful to Mr. Benjamin Kim at Kim’s Piano for his kindness in keeping my piano in shape (sometimes on short notice…I’ve broken over twenty strings!) and for the many resources he has provided. I would not be where I am without the support and love of my parents and sister. Finally, I would like to thank LAYPO for granting me this opportunity to play with them a musical piece I enjoy very much.
Because my hope is to become a medical doctor who also brings about healing through music, I created a group called Mending Melodies in order to bring music to seniors and those with disabilities, long-term illnesses, or injuries. My hope is that my passion for music will inspire others to realize their own dreams, whether it be on the ice, on stage, or in life.
- Name: Ye-Eun Hong
- Current School: Scripps Ranch High School
- Grade: 11th, 2023-24
- Essay Title: My Musical Path
Throughout my life, music has been a significant and enduring passion, beginning in early childhood. My family’s possession of an old, upright piano in our living room sparked my interest in the instrument. My earliest musical memories involve being taught the piano by my beloved mother, who had taught young children at my aunt’s piano academy as a part-time job in her twenties. Initially, my piano playing was merely to impress my parents, and I lacked a genuine interest in music. However, as I matured, I had more exposure to music, which ignited a deeper passion within me. I made the decision to pursue a piano major from the 8th grade onward, marking the beginning of my musical journey.
During my time in Korea, I seized numerous opportunities to participate in piano competitions. Since relocating to the United States in August 2023, I have been dedicated to building upon my musical achievements in this new environment. Participating in the LAYP piano concerto competition was a significant milestone after my move to the United States. Subsequently, I have participated in numerous local and international competitions. Having the opportunity to perform at the Walt Disney Concert Hall represents a pivotal moment in my musical career and serves as a tremendous motivation for my future endeavors.
In addition to my individual pursuits, I am now embarking on my first collaboration with another pianist. Previously, I have engaged in collaborative piano playing for my piano concerto auditions; however, this will be my first experience collaborating with another pianist. I am set to attend a Summer Music Camp this June, where I will be performing the Quintet for the first time in my life. I am confident that this experience will provide valuable insights into performing alongside other musicians and contribute to my preparation for the upcoming Double Piano Concerto at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
I extend my sincere gratitude to the Performer Selection Committee for the remarkable opportunity to perform with the LAYPO and express my appreciation to all the esteemed faculty members involved in organizing this wonderful event. Additionally, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my teacher, Dr. Cho-Hyun Park, and my parents for their unwavering support. I am profoundly grateful for their love and encouragement, without which I would not have achieved these milestones.
As I look towards the future, I aspire to broaden my musical experiences and explore diverse facets of the music world throughout my life. My intention is to major in piano in college, with the hope that it will further solidify my commitment to music. My ultimate goal is to unify music and the world as one, and I envision contributing to this unification with my unwavering belief in the power of music.
- Name: Albert Hacker
- Current School: Orange County School of the Arts
- Grade: 10th, 2023-24
- Essay Title: Piano, Forever in My Life
According to my parents, they said they noticed something musical about me and had exposed me to several different instruments at a very young age. In particular, they saw that I most often liked playing on the keyboard so they got a piano for me to begin taking lessons for my 5th birthday. So my mom could help me understand the lessons during practice, she also took lessons at that time since neither of my parents are musicians. However, within a few weeks my mom could not keep pace and instead transferred all of her lesson time over to me. My first recital only a couple months later was a tremendous and encouraging experience. I was nervous to perform in front of a crowd for the very first time, but at the piano it did not feel like anyone else was around. From that moment on, I knew I wanted piano to forever be in my life.
Although my parents do not have a musical background, I came to find out later that from generations before there have been accomplished musicians in our family. My great, great, great grandfather, in fact, which my parents did not even know, was a high school music teacher, an acclaimed director of bands, and published composer for concert orchestra, military band, and vocal, whose family of ten children, all trained musicians, was later inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. It is my hope that I can bring this tradition of music back into our family and keep it going for generations to come.
Through my training in music, I have grown to earn high honors in local, regional, and international competitions and completed the MTAC Certificate of Merit (CM), Advanced level with Honors on two occasions, initially while in 5th grade and again in 9th grade, and this year achieved CM Panel Honors. Some of the notable competitions I have recently participated in include earning First Place in the Crescendo International Music Competition, Advanced Level, 24 and under age category, First Prize in the Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition, 13-15 age category, and First Prize in the International Young Artist Piano Competition, 14-18 age category. At the age of 10, I made my Carnegie Hall debut, and performed there again at the age of 14. The second time as a soloist as well as ensemble with my younger brother playing violin. A performance recorded during a competition when I was 10 was aired on WQXR New York, making my radio debut. I look forward to a chance to travel to Europe to make my international debut at some point in the near future. Although I have recently been invited to perform in Italy, Spain, and Germany as part of competitions I have won, I have not yet had the opportunity to go.
I feel competitions and recitals are important to help with building up the performance skill, but to me the music is not just about that. My early interest in music, which I have kept with me, has been to share music with others. I have performed at several retirement communities in Southern California as well as nationally while traveling with family, other community venues, and sometimes without prior planning at restaurants and other public spaces. As a musician, I feel it is important to find as many opportunities to play as possible, which is not always easy to come by when other aspects of life get to be busy, particularly studying and homework.
I enjoy performing as a pianist in chamber music groups and have participated in a few different programs and festivals since I was 9, as well as often accompanying my younger brother who plays violin. He and I had the opportunity of performing a full one hour concert with just the two of us last summer at a retirement community in northern Virginia, on two separate occasions while we were visiting the area. I had previously taken violin lessons and participated in Honors Orchestras while in Middle School, which included a spectacular season finale at Segerstrom Concert Hall, as well as with the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA). Having the violin experience has helped me as a pianist to understand how to better accompany and compliment the other instrumentalists during the performance of a piece.
As for future plans, piano and classical music will most certainly be an integral part of my life. Besides becoming a pianist, I am also interested in becoming a brain surgeon, both of which have been a dream of mine as far back as I can remember. All in the interest of helping others, contributing something of high value to the world, and sharing it with as many people as possible. In college, I would like to major in both Piano Performance and Medicine.
I would like to thank my parents and teachers for helping me to become the pianist I am today and for their continued, unwavering support to enable me to become the professional pianist and human citizen I am working towards. There are a number of teachers I have had the honor of working with and learning from through private lessons and master classes that my heart goes out to. My primary teacher, Ms. Wenny Chandra, who I believe understands me better than I sometimes understand myself, has stood by me since I was 5. I appreciate her patience, believing in me, and accepting me to this day as her student even as I stepped away for a time to learn with others. I think it was important for me to do that, but just as important, if not more so, for me to find my way back.
I would also like to thank the Los Angeles Youth Philharmonic for making this opportunity possible and providing this wonderful platform for the talented musicians of our region and beyond to grow and share in the beautiful music together. Thank you!
- Name: Sean Paredes
- Current School: Mark Keppel High School
- Grade: 10th, 2023-24
- Essay Title: An Unlikely Path
Before I turned seven, I never considered music or playing the piano. It wasn’t until my grandmother suggested piano lessons that the idea even crossed my mind. Naturally, I agreed—it was my grandmother, after all! Thus began my musical journey on her old upright piano. Over the years, I learned from several teachers until I finally found the right fit at Poprock Academy. They encouraged me to envision a future in music, which helped me realize my deep desire to integrate music into my life. In the past two years, I have focused more seriously on playing the piano, with aspirations of competing in various competitions.
For my musical growth, I often seek inspiration from interviews with esteemed musicians like Seymour Bernstein and Glenn Gould. Their insights and advice are invaluable, and I strive to incorporate them into my own playing. Additionally, I regularly explore various online channels dedicated to pianism, such as Josh Wright and Tonebase Piano, which provide a wealth of knowledge on practice techniques and pianistic insights that I integrate into my daily routine.
Last year, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in ConcertaFest Europa, a summer program in Vienna where students performed concertos abroad. This experience introduced me to my future piano teacher, Dr. Robert Ward. Under his guidance, I honed techniques such as rotation and gained deeper insights into musicality and diverse composer styles, significantly elevating my performance standards. Reflecting on my past achievements, I have received honors such as first prize at Disney Hall and a Merit prize in the Opus State Competition.
Looking ahead, my ambition is to pursue a major in music, fueled by the dream of becoming a concert pianist. I recognize that this journey is challenging, and I eagerly anticipate pursuing my goals. Beyond becoming a concert pianist, I also aspire to a career in teaching, where I can share my knowledge with others. Unlike other academic paths, the allure of the piano lies in its inherent challenges, which continually inspire and motivate me. It is this blend of passion and perseverance that fuels my desire to pursue a career centered around the piano.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the LAYPO for granting me this incredible opportunity, to my mentors Paul Kwo, John Lanier, and Dr. Robert Ward for their unwavering support and guidance, and to my parents for their enduring encouragement.
- Name: Chloe Jiang
- Current School: Harvard-Westlake School
- Grade: 10th, 2023-24
- Essay Title: Musical Milestones
My melodious journey began at the age of four. As the young student I was, I wasn’t immediately able to grasp the value of music amidst tedious class sessions or late night practices hacking away at difficult passages. However, between the time I first clunked the keys of our old piano to the last time I bowed in front of an audience on stage, I’ve learned to love and appreciate piano. Over time, music has grown to become an integral part of my life and daily routine.
My first break into the performative world came at age seven when I won the Los Angeles Young Musician International Competition. With tremendous patience and guidance from my piano instructor, I traversed through various competitions and activities. Throughout my middle and high school years, I participated in the Certificate of Merit program, putting my theory and playing skills to the test. This rewarding, albeit sometimes frustrating, experience resulted in my passing Level 10 in my freshman year, motivating me to continue pursuing music. That same year, I was accepted into my school symphony. Being in an ensemble environment was a thrilling experience; I developed various skills as an orchestral and choral pianist, as well as a percussionist. Additionally, I had the honor of performing a piano concerto with the rest of the orchestra. In competitions, I’ve received First Prize at the Concours International de Concerto Competition and Grand Prize at the Pacific Stars International Piano Competition, as well as honorable mention in the Bay Area Piano Competition and MTAC Concerto Competition. My experiences have only culminated in a stronger passion for music, revealing areas for improvement and inspiring myself to push harder on this journey.
Even when I’m away from the piano, music has influenced other aspects of my life. Through performances and exposure to different audiences, I learned to gain confidence, which has impacted how I approach new challenges and motivated me to further explore my other passions, such as golf and science. Beyond high school, I see myself pursuing paths in STEM, such as medicine or psychology. Yet, while my future remains undecided, I envision myself continuing piano alongside my academic pathways.
I am infinitely grateful to my piano teacher, Lilit Babayan, who has mentored my journey since my elementary years. To my parents, I am incredibly thankful for their unconditional love and support; their belief in me has uplifted my continued interest and motivation in music, even through difficult times. Finally, a warm thank you to LAYPO for providing this wonderful chance to perform with the orchestra.
- Name: Allison Yu
- Current School: Palos Verdes High School
- Grade: 11th grade, 2023-24
- Essay Title: My Love for Violin
My parents and grandparents didn’t play instruments, but they always loved classical music. As a child I was surrounded with Mozart, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky’s music emanating from CDs, and I was in awe of how majestic and vibrant their music sounded. When I started playing violin in elementary school, I wanted to sound just like the recordings I grew up with. I would stand on the couch with my tiny violin and play songs from Suzuki book 1, but I would pretend that I was a soloist on a beautiful stage, standing in front of a huge audience. I am so grateful to LAYP for making my childhood dreams come true.
Throughout many years of practicing violin, I have grown so much as a musician and a person. I have participated in CM, Southern California Junior Bach Festival, and many competitions such as SYMF, Pelican International Music Competition, and the Great Composer Competition. I have also had the amazing opportunity to perform with incredible orchestras, such as PVRSO, LAMYO, and of course, LAYP. An unexpected venture that I didn’t even know was possible for a violinist, until I was asked to do so, was playing violin in the pit of my school’s musicals. I loved getting to know the talented musicians and actors at my school, and playing styles of music (pop, musical theater) vastly different from what I was used to. Playing violin has taught me the art of hard work, dedication, setting goals, and never giving up when something is hard.
I have also grown to love the artistic, expressive side of music. Finding a balance between playing each note with technical accuracy, and playing the notes with meaning, is one of the most difficult but enjoyable parts of music. Working on scales, technique exercises, and sound quality is incredibly important, but I have also learned that the story behind a piece of music is equally important when it comes to delivering a powerful performance. My teachers have taught me to see music in terms of ‘colors’ and ‘textures’ and imagery in order to bring a piece to life.
I am not sure what I want to major in yet, but I would love to continue playing music in college through orchestras or smaller ensembles. Performing music brings me so much joy and I hope to spread that same joy to my peers on campus. I also love dancing and doing musical theater, so I hope to explore other avenues of creativity and performance in college and beyond.
My musical journey and achievements would not have been possible without the support of so many people. I am very thankful to my family, and especially my parents, for always driving me to music lessons and competitions, and for always being there for me, no matter whether I fail or succeed. I am grateful for all of the school orchestra and local orchestra musicians I have met for always inspiring me and for being such kind friends. Lastly, I would love to thank all of the teachers and orchestra conductors who have shared their love of music with me and turned a childhood hobby into one of my greatest passions.
- Name: Angela Wang
- Current School: Diamond Bar High School
- Grade: 10th, 2023-2024
- Essay Title: Courage.
The most cherished childhood memory I have of music was when I used to wake up to my grandfather playing a different melody from his Flute Music by French Composers book every morning. The contrast between the fast ticking of the metronome and his continuous yet slow rhythm of playing, singing, then playing, then singing, sparked curiosity and interest in me. Gradually, it was how I grew to realize that I wanted to play how he played and sing the way he sang. In 2016, when I won my first International Grand Prize, my grandfather proudly smiled at me but told me that I must continue to find 勇气, courage.
As time went on, my grandfather’s advice slowly transformed into a silent presence in the back of my mind, a subconscious question I always sought to find answers to. One memorable year, I learned about synesthesia at CASMEC and worked towards destigmatizing the notions around the condition. The efforts spent reaching out to numerous neurologists, working with unfamiliar lab equipment, and writing papers only initially got me turned away from learning more from experts in synesthesia because I was 14 years too “young”. I successfully overcame my first test of courage, which taught me a valuable lesson that the “silent” presence of 勇气 was an empowering reminder to push beyond my perceived fears and reach new heights.
I’m grateful to have recently earned the position as Principal Flute of the Pacific Youth Symphony Orchestra and have played as principal piccolo of California All-State Symphony Orchestra, principal flute of All-Southern Wind Ensemble, and being a part of orchestras like the Claremont Young Musicians Orchestra and the Pasadena Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. It was a joy to have learned from Jim Walker, Catherine Ransom Karoly, John Thorne, Aaron Goldman, and Catherine Boyack at summer festivals such as Beyond the Masterclass and NorCal Flute Camp. Outside of performing, I spend my time providing free online music lessons to young students across the nation and helping them realize personal potential and helping them find what courage means to them.
I’d love to express my deepest gratitude to the LAYP Performer Selection Committee for expanding new horizons to all the young musicians from across the world and encouraging musical opportunities with LAYPO. To my teachers Alexandra Miller and Jim Walker, and my parents and grandparents: It was your unconditional support, unwavering encouragement, and ultimate belief in my abilities that have led me to become who I am today.
I want my music to inspire others to sing and manifest confidence within people’s hearts. I hope that my future experiences will bring further moments that shape my belief that music is transformative and acts as a deeply interpersonal language.
- Name: Erin Liao
- Current School: Eleanor Roosevelt High School
- Grade: 10th grade (2023-2024)
- Essay Title: Harmony and Growth
Music entered my life when I was five years old through piano lessons and youth choir. I was introduced to the flute when I was ten years old in my school’s band program, and I absolutely fell in love with the instrument. I started taking lessons after playing in the band for a year. My flute journey would eventually show that this instrument helped my love for music blossom into something that exceeded my expectations.
The lessons I had with my teacher were truly inspirational; it was from her demonstrations every week that I would find motivation to improve on the flute. With these lessons, I was able to take advantage of many opportunities. Two years ago, I had the privilege of performing a solo with the Los Angeles Youth Philharmonic Chamber Music Series, which was my first soloist performance with an orchestra. I also attended a few competitions: I won first prize in the SYMF Wind Open Competition, second prize in the SYMF Young Musicians Concerto Competition, and first prize in the American Protege International Woodwinds and Brass Competition. Additionally, I play principal flute in the Claremont Young Musicians Orchestra (CYMO).
As my flute playing ability improved, I further put my skills to the test by auditioning for honor groups, such as the LAYP. Throughout these past few years, I auditioned and earned spots in the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) honor bands and the California All State Educators Conference (CASMEC) honor bands. I also earned a spot in the Music For All National Honor Band of America. Ultimately, I used these achievements to measure my improvement, from the SCSBOA honor band in sixth grade to associate principal flute in the CASMEC Wind Symphony this year. I have been a part of the CASMEC honor bands for the past three years and the SCSBOA honor bands for the past five. I look forward to playing with these honor bands every year because of the many new experiences and memories I gain. At these honor bands, I meet amazing people that I build long-lasting connections with, which demonstrates two of my greatest values: collaboration and friendship. Some of these friends are in the LAYP with me, and I couldn’t be more grateful to play with these wonderful musicians. Engaging in these different honor groups makes music a huge part of my life, which I want to continue through orchestras, bands, chamber groups, and later in college through a dual degree or a double major.
To conclude, I want to express my gratitude to those that helped me along this wonderful journey. I am extremely grateful for my flute teacher, Evelyn Tung, for helping me throughout these years of playing the flute. Thank you for being patient with me through difficult passages, expanding my musicality, and staying up late to give feedback on my audition recordings, through all of which I have witnessed your love for music as a teacher. I also want to thank my parents and family, who have supported me through the long hours of “behind-the-scenes” practice. Finally, I want to thank the Los Angeles Youth Philharmonic for giving me the honor of performing a concerto at the Walt Disney Concert Hall; I am so excited to realize this dream. With all the encouragement and support, I am determined to continue playing music, sharing music, and loving music.
- Name: Brady Ahn
- Current School: Chaminade College Preparatory
- Grade: 11th, 2023-24
- Essay Title: Musical Mastery
Music has always been a significant part of my life, with my mom always dancing to baby tunes with me on her feet. I was eager to learn an instrument, starting piano at age five, however, I pivoted to clarinet when I was ten years old. I was captivated by its rich and versatile sound, and began my journey with simple pieces from my practice book to gradually moving onto beautiful sonatas and concertos from renowned composers such as Krommer, Weber, and Mozart.
Each step of my musical growth was guided through programs and dedication. I participated in the Certificate of Merit program, reaching the Panel level and being awarded the honor of attending the Panel Masterclass, which gave me insight into my musicality and development. Through this journey, my teacher has been a constant source of inspiration and guidance and my parents have always been a fountain of encouragement and support. Playing with LAYP, as well as participating in my school’s wind ensemble and California’s All-State band taught me the joys of collaborative music-making and the importance of musical balance and teamwork.
Throughout my journey, I have been fortunate to receive several honors and awards that have significantly contributed to my musical growth. In 2022, I won the Grand Prize with a perfect score at the International Youth Music Competition. That same year, I received a State-Level Honorable Mention and 1st place at the regional level in the California Association of Professional Music Teachers Concerto Competition. My participation in the Music Teachers of California VOCE Competitions also brought me great success; I secured the 1st place Alternate at the state finals in 2022, and I won 1st place at regionals in both 2022 and 2023. Additionally, the Great Composers Competition was another highlight, where I earned 1st Prize for Music of Northern Europe and 2nd Prize for Artist of the Year.
As a rising high school senior, my future is still hazy, but I am determined to pursue some degree of music in college, whether it be a band or even majoring in music. I whatever the future may hold, I would like to continue preforming and spreading the joy of music.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my parents for their unyielding support and belief in me. Also, a special thank you to my teacher, Jongeui Kim, whose passion and expertise have been instrumental in my growth. Finally, to all my friends and family, your contributions have made my musical journey a rich and fulfilling one.
- Name: Rachel Rogstad
- Current School: Arrowhead Christian Academy
- Grade: 12th, 2023-24
- Essay Title: Inspiration through Music
Ever since I was a small child, a love of music has been instilled in me from my dad. He would listen to Beethoven symphonies in the car, play Ravel pieces on the piano, and constantly surround himself with classical music, which I also grew to love. My love for music and specifically singing grew when I joined a choir in elementary school. From that time onward, I have joined every choir I could, from the University of Redlands youth choir to my auditioned choir at my high school to both regional and all-state honor choirs.
Since seventh grade, I have been taking voice lessons with Jennifer Sparks, who has helped me grow as a musician and artist by helping me develop my individual voice quality and encouraging me in all my musical pursuits. I have also grown incredibly as a musician through my high school auditioned choir, Kerygma, which I participated in all four years. All three of my choir teachers in high school choir taught me so much about how to express myself through song and how to be a good musician and ensemble member. It was one of these teachers, Sarah Alonzo, who also introduced me into SCVA Honor choir and ACDA All-State choirs, which I have participated in for three years. At these honor choirs, I had the opportunity to work with wonderful directors and sing challenging repertoire that helped me grow in my versatility.
This last year in particular opened my eyes to my love for not only singing, but helping others grow in their singing abilities. I was an intern for my choir teacher, Vaigafa Tanielu, and she gave me the opportunity to assist with music direction for the fall musical, as well as coach middle school students in solo pieces for an upcoming festival. I loved being able to make discoveries with these middle school students and help them prepare their pieces, and this unlocked a desire to possibly teach choir or voice and help young musicians find their voices as my teachers helped me find mine.
Next year, I will be attending California Baptist University and pursuing a double major in Music and Theatre, with the hopes of making a career out of both performing in and teaching choir and theatre. I would also love to music direct shows, bringing my choir expertise into the world of theatre. Above all, I want to keep music central in my life and bless others with it.
Thank you so much first to my parents, who have supported me in my entire journey. Many thanks also to Jennifer Sparks for guiding my vocal journey, to Tatyana Henk for teaching me so much about musicality and how to shape pieces, to Hilary Maiberger for helping me harness my unique voice and find different colors and nuances in it, to Sarah Alonzo for deepening my love for choir, to Candy Fodera for being such a joy to make music with, and to Vaigafa Tanielu, who trusted me with so much this year, supported me, and showed me how to be a good leader in music. I could not have done this without all of you!
- Name: Heather Breckow
- Current School: Crescenta Valley High School
- Grade: 11th, 2023-24
Music is everything to me. Ever since the moment I started singing, I basically have not been able to stop. Whether it was singing along while watching Tangled, writing songs about the adventures my dolls went on, or even putting on my favorite songs on loop until I knew every word, it has been my life. So I decided that I would be a singer. From elementary school talent shows onward, I’ve taken every opportunity that I could to sing. It was just a hobby at first. Something I did sometimes, just like softball or writing. But around the sixth grade, the people around me started noticing that I had something special. So they signed me up for vocal lessons with my current teacher, Miss Tara. She completely rocked my world. Within months, my technique skyrocketed. While I’d always had talent, she made it shine.
Quickly I began veering more into classical territory. I was- and quite frankly, still am- a woman obsessed. I joined my high school’s advanced choir, began performing on a regular basis, and signed up for anything and everything involving singing. This included SCVA’s top honor choir, and the Los Angeles Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. They have given me such amazing opportunities. I’ve gotten Gold Medal rankings, Outstanding Musicianship awards, Superior+, cash prizes, all for my solo singing. But what good is talent if you aren’t using it to do good? So I sing regularly at retirement homes. I also performed the national anthem for an American Citizenship ceremony; to know that the first thing they heard upon becoming American citizens was my voice? It’s an honor I cannot begin to describe. I love what I do, and am blessed everyday. If my voice can brighten someone’s day just a little bit, that’s all that matters. I sing when I’m happy, and I sing when I’m sad, and I sing when I’m feeling nothing, and I sing when I’m feeling everything. I plan to keep singing as long as I can, so I hope to double major or at least minor in vocal performance. In addition, I intend to make the world a better place. I have already raised over $1000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, I have organized voter registration drives, spoken directly to lawmakers, volunteered, and more. Anything I can to to help other people, I strive towards.
I would like to thank my mom, dad, and brothers for supporting me always. I am so lucky to have gotten a family as wonderful as you guys are, and I hope you are as proud of me as I am proud of all of you. Additionally, of course, I’d like to thank Tara Wallace, my vocal teacher. Like I said earlier, she is quite possibly the best vocal teacher out there. If you have ever considered taking vocal lessons, Tara and her studio (The Hummingbird Academy, if you’re interested) have helped me so much, and I am eternally grateful. Finally, thank you to Allison for showing me that I really could sing for the rest of my life. I don’t know if you remember me, but I will never forget you.
- Name: William Bolin
- Current School: Orange County School of the Arts
- Grade: 2024 Graduate
- Essay Title: Making Music My Own
I am a grandchild of a pianist, an elementary music teacher, a high school band director, and a choir director. My parents met while singing opposite each other in a college opera, and I was raised around great music. My mom, pregnant with me when she portrayed Carmen in a midwest music festival (can I say I’ve performed Carmen?), used to “blitz” me into naps by approximating Mozart and Rossini arias and overtures into my face, sotto voce, while she rocked me to sleep; and I watched my dad, a tenor, pianist, and eventually a college choral conductor, work in many facets from an early age. However, they never pushed me; in fact, throughout my youth, I played baseball as a catcher and tried to do well in school. They taught me to love being curious about all kinds of topics and, though I had a piano teacher who schooled me on Bach and a grandma who secretly slipped her copies of Joplin ragtime into my checked bags, no one really expected that, when I was in 10th grade at a large public high school, I would run into a Schubert aficionado in my choir director and embark on a vocal music odyssey in which I continue to find fulfillment to this day.
I still remember the way Lieder seized my attention that fall, culminating in a first recital presentation of Schubert’s Fruhlingsglaube for a packed audience of parents in South Orange County. We sang everything that year, including solos, behind a mask. I remember feeling the urge to “run” backstage before my number; but I commanded myself to enter the stage and do the job I’d been honored to be asked to do. By the second stanza, I felt at liberty to open up and let the composer’s music run freely through my voice and body, and this was so fun, that I bought mountains of music on Amazon and began to learn every Lied that was out there during the next two years. I also became enamored with English art song, and opera, from early operas to Tchaikovsky to Britten. To this day as well, I remain a Bach fanatic. One year, I listened to Glenn Gould and others play all kinds of Bach for a cumulative 400 hours on Spotify. It was great to be counted in the top .005% of the great master’s listeners that year!
Being at OCSA even for a short time– was transformative. During the past year, I got to sing two Broadway roles- as Mufasa and Maui– for a community theater; comprimario roles for a college opera theater; and a professional production of La fille du Regiment under Cheryl Lin Fielding. I also was honored with the 2024 Gold Prize from YoungArts Foundation, where I sang a masterclass for Denyce Graves; 1st Place, Laila Conlin/Pacific Symphony, 1st Place for South Coast Singers “Stars of Tomorrow” Competition; 1st Place at VoCAL Southern California, All- State Singer for Classical Singer Magazine, and Finalist for OC Register Artist of the Year.
I owe my parents, directors, and teachers, who have been with me the whole way, a debt of gratitude. I am proud to bear the legacy of their mentors, as well as the digital legacy of so many terrific interpreters available to today’s listeners, whose performances have informed mine. In the short term, I hope to offer what I’ve learned through an upcoming Digital Media Fellowship with NPR and then embark on an undergraduate degree. I hope my educational and professional future includes performing in Europe, lots of great art song in all languages, and a huge professional discography. I hope to make enriching modern lives with the pleasure of vivid art music a livelihood– and my own legacy.
Youth Philharmonic Orchestra | Band | Choir 