Featured Soloist
Concert 1:
- Allison Phan, piano
- Orange County School of the Arts
- 8th Grade (2024-25 School Year)
My Musical Journey
I’ve grown up listening to the piano almost every day. When I was six years old, my parents signed me up for lessons at the Little Chopin Piano School. My teacher, Ms. Ting, noticed my strong musical memory and ability to pick up pieces quickly. When I turned eight, she entered me into my first competition, SYMF. Winning first place in that competition gave me the motivation to practice even harder and deepened my passion for music.
A few months later, I began practicing my first ensemble piece with a classmate. After competing in the United States International Duo Piano Competition and winning first place, I gained a newfound interest and love for ensemble pieces. Each duo, duet, or quartet I played further nourished this passion and eventually brought me to perform my first concerto: Saint-Saëns’s Piano Concerto. Preparing this piece taught me discipline, musicality, and interpretation of large-scale works. While solo pieces have helped strengthen my skills and refine my technique, ensemble playing has taught me how to collaborate and communicate with my peers.
As I’ve grown older, my passion for piano has only become stronger. Each time I complete a difficult piece, I feel proud of the accomplishment. Over the years, I’ve participated in many solo and ensemble competitions, including SYMF, IAPMT, Satori, MTAC, IPPA, Aegio, Concordia, Amici, the United States International Duo Piano Competition, and the SoCal Phil Young Artist Competition. I’ve earned numerous first and second prizes, as well as two grand prizes. I’ve also had the honor of performing at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Soka Performing Arts Center.
The most unforgettable experience of my musical journey was joining the IAPMT European Grand Concert Tour in the summer of 2024. I performed solo at the iconic Haydn Hall in Vienna, Austria, and at the Palace of Culture in Târgu Mureș, Romania. I also had the incredible opportunity to perform my concerto with the Orchestra Simfonică Cluj at the Auditorium Maximum in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, under the baton of Director Cristian Sandi. On this tour, I met many talented musicians, made lasting friendships, and created unforgettable memories.
In addition to performing, I love sharing music with my community. For the past several years, as a member of the Girl Scouts, I have had the opportunity to play piano and sing at different nursing homes and events during the holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. The smiles, hugs, and applause from the seniors inspire me to keep going. I’ve also participated in a concert to raise funds for musicians with disabilities.
I feel incredibly lucky to be guided by two amazing teachers. I would like to thank Ms. Ting Huang, who carefully corrected every note and patiently guided me through each stage of my musical journey. Your kindness and encouragement made every lesson something I looked forward to, and you helped build the foundation of my love for piano. I would also like to thank Ms. Molly Nguyen for being so much more than a teacher. Your unwavering belief in me, your tireless support, and the care you’ve shown through every lesson, every correction, and every word of encouragement have helped shape not just my playing, but who I am as a person. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. In addition, I’m especially grateful to my parents for their unwavering love and support throughout this journey. Finally, thank you to the LAYPO committee for giving me the incredible opportunity to participate in this prestigious concert.
Looking ahead, I hope to learn more concertos and ensemble pieces so I can continue sharing music with others. I want to keep performing for seniors and participating in benefit concerts for meaningful causes. While I know there is still a long road ahead, I will do my best to manage my time through high school so I can continue to practice, perform, and grow through music.
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- Olivia Gonzalez-Salgado, soprano
- Los Osos High School
- 11th Grade (2024-25 School Year)
A Singer and Unstoppable Dreamer
Ever since I was young, I had difficulty truly expressing my thoughts and emotions. Yet, through music, I feel the most attuned and connected to the feelings of a repertoire and synthesize them with my own. Music has been a significant part of my life and dreams since I was in middle school. After engaging in the role of Tessie in Annie Jr. at Day Creek Intermediate School, I knew that music was a path towards a deeper journey of personal discovery. After an acceptance into the Southern California Vocal Association and being cast as the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat production at Los Osos High School, my dreams for vocal performance grew exponentially. Since then, I wanted nothing more than to be able to sing on the big stage professionally.
I sought individual feedback to help foster my voice as an aspiring professional vocal performer. At the start of sophomore year, I attended my first voice lesson at Claremont School of Music with my private lesson teacher, Mrs. Wendy Kikkert. With these rigorous lessons on technique and music theory, I became involved in many signature engagements including performing at Carnegie Hall alongside Vox Femina and at the Colburn School of Music as a soprano soloist in the 2024 Los Angeles Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir. This July 2025, I will be attending the highly competitive Washington National Opera Institute to harness my operatic, acting, choreography, and improvisational skills at the Kennedy Center. Beyond classical music, I was cast in Los Osos’ High School Musical Mamma Mia as the lead role of Donna and performed for my community at the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Candlelight Vigil as a form of healing for families who suffered a loss due to drunk drivers. On Sunday afternoons, I sing as part of the Youth Teen Choir for Mass and serve as the cantor as a form of my religious expression. I have sung as a soprano in the California Choral Directors’ Association All-State Honor Choir. For the January 2025 All-State Honor Choir, I was selected out of 100 applicants, to be the soloist for the closing choral piece, “I’ll Be on My Way” by Shawn Kirchner. Additionally, in the Chapman University’s Vocal Music Camp, I auditioned and was picked to be a soloist for two musical theatre songs, “Brand New You” from 13: the Musical and “Seasons of Love” from Rent. As part of my private musical training with the Claremont School of Music, I am pursuing the completion of the Level 10 Certificate of Merit for Voice from the Music Teachers’ Association of California. I have also performed as a soloist for various recitals including the City of Claremont Mayor’s Recital to raise funds for new pianos.
My goal is to earn a Bachelor’s of Music degree from USC’s Thornton School of Music (Vocal Arts and Opera), the Juilliard School (Vocal Arts), or the Berklee College of Music (Voice Department). After studying in college, I seek to globally participate in various operas with an emphasis of inspiring others, especially those from underrepresented communities, to explore opera as a career. I strive to spread the significance of classical music’s messages to the masses and know that I made intentional and transformational societal changes through the amplification of my voice.
I would like to conclude with a heartfelt message of gratitude to my family, friends, and Mrs. Wendy Kikkert who would not have made this vocally engaging opportunity a possibility. Since my first pick up of a microphone, I cannot thank my family enough for supporting me throughout my development as a singer. Coming from a family of nine, I confidently perform knowing that I have 8 unconditional fans in every audience. Singing on the Disney Hall stage as a soloist is a part of a dream I couldn’t achieve without my loving family encouraging me at every step of my musical journey. Thank you LAYP Committee for providing me with such an opportunity to share my development as a vocal performer in this grand, beautiful venue of Disney Hall.
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William Bolin, baritone/bass: Click Here
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Concert 2:
- Bradley Carpiuc, piano
- Sagebrush Hills Academy (Homeschool)
- 12th Grade (2024-25 School Year)
- A Genuine Love for Music
I cannot exactly remember how I started playing the piano, other than that I began essentially how most every other 6-year-old piano student starting out would, taking lessons from a local piano teacher. Yet it was evident early on that I enjoyed it, and it gradually grew into the major part of my life that it is today. What interested me the most back then—and even still today—was not necessarily just playing the piano, but classical music in general. I started composing not long after and was very interested in the music of Liszt and Chopin. Shortly after that, I became somewhat obsessed with avant-garde composers of the late 20th century; going to the music library at UC San Diego and requesting scores by Ligeti, Xenakis, Crumb, and Cage was one of my favorite things to do. Although my favorite composers are different now and most of my research takes place online, that fundamental urge to try and explore as much classical music as possible perhaps may be the central theme of my musical journey thus far. That is, my genuine love for music is manifested in what are perhaps idiosyncratic ways: listening to and reviewing every set of fugues for piano ever written, discussing obscure music with friends over email, transcribing Respighi’s Pines of Rome for piano just for the fun of it, or writing a nearly-30-page-long magazine article about the life and works of Ravel.
I did not enter my first piano competition until I was 11—the 2019 MTAC San Diego Chopin Festival. I went in not knowing what to expect, but I ended up winning my division, to my surprise. In a way, this was the result that precipitated my participation and success in numerous other competitions. I have won awards in over two dozen regional, state, national, and international piano and composition competitions ever since, including recent recognition as the Gold Medal Winner in the Southern California Bach Festival Complete Works Audition, 1st place winner and recipient of the Chet and June Schmidt Award in the 2024 H.B. Goodlin Scholarship Competition, and 1st place in the 2024 MTAC State Piano Concerto Competition as both the Southern California Regional Winner and overall State Winner. I was also selected into the Young Composers Guild last year, a 5-year tenure and the highest achievement award by the MTAC Composers Today program.
It was in 2018 that I had my first exposure to playing chamber music, which was through the Greater San Diego Music Coterie Chamber Music Festivals. I subsequently joined the main orchestra of the same organization as an 11 year old in a community of adult musicians. The effect that playing in chamber music groups has had in my being able to play as a soloist with an orchestra cannot be overstated. I have been in numerous other ensembles since then, including a piano trio for the past two years. I was also fortunate to have been a member of the Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra during my four years of high school, and spent three formative summers in Bloomington at the Indiana University Piano Academy. I occasionally serve as a collaborative pianist as well, accompanying choirs, friends, and my sisters who play the violin. Participating in all these programs and experiences has significantly improved my ability as an overall musician, not just as a soloist.
I am taking a gap year before entering college, and will be applying to schools this Fall. I plan on continuing to study piano and music, and will most likely pursue a dual degree or double major with math. I do not know what exact form music will take in my future life, but I definitely believe that it will continue to play a significant role.
I am grateful to the LAYPO Organization for giving me the opportunity to perform with their orchestra. The fact that I am set to play one of my favorite piano concertos at the Walt Disney Concert Hall still seems improbable. I also want to thank Dr. Angela Yeung and Hernan Constantino for being exemplary directors of the orchestras I am a part of, and for giving me the opportunity to play concertos with their orchestras. I am indebted to my piano teacher, Dr. Anna Savvas, who has guided me along this path for nearly a decade; I have learned an incredible amount about playing the piano and music in general from her, and I am grateful for her constant support over the years. Lastly, I want to thank my parents and my two sisters for their encouragement and support in all my endeavors, both musical and otherwise. I would not be where I am today without them.
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- Dylan Huang, piano
- Ridgecrest Intermediate School
- 8th Grade (2024-25 School Year)
Ever since I was four years old, I have known that music is my passion. I started off by taking piano group lessons with my sister where I was first exposed to piano. A few months later, I joined the Hyperium Conservatory and started my musical journey.
This is when I met my piano teacher, Herbert Waltl, who I still study with to this day. The RCM certificate program was when I felt the first formal structure of my piano education. It was two years later when I completed the RCM level six exam. The same year, I won the New York Golden Classical Music Award which was my very first award. I remember travelling to New York City to perform in the winners’ recital. This achievement sparked further inspiration in me and this is when I began participating in more competitions. Through this process, I developed a passion for performing in front of audiences. I loved the feeling of finishing a performance and receiving applause. When I was eight years old, I expanded my musical knowledge by learning how to play the violin as a secondary instrument.
In the past years, a decent amount of my practice time has been dedicated to orchestra music. My first orchestral opportunity was when I was eight years old and I performed a Mozart concerto with Huntington Beach Symphony Orchestra as a piano soloist. This milestone seemed like a huge task, but it was also exhilarating playing in front of hundreds of people. The orchestra gave me positive feedback and encouraged me to play with them in the future. Over the years, I have performed several piano concertos with Huntington Beach Symphony Orchestra. I love to see how music brings families together when they come out to enjoy the concerts. As a proud honor, I performed the world premier of composer Glenn Wescott’s Concerto Royale. I was particularly happy that Glenn Wescott, the composer, was in the audience to see the performance in person.
When I was in fifth grade, I auditioned for and was selected to join the American jazz composer David Benoit’s Pacific Vision Youth Symphony playing the violin. As part of the orchestra, I was fascinated by how so many individuals work together to play one song. In my middle school years, I continued with violin and piano in my school’s advanced orchestra. Next year, in 9th grade, I am also going to be a pianist for my high school orchestra at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School which I look forward to doing.
Over the years, I have been awarded in around eighty regional and international competitions. These include 1st prizes in several competitions under CAPMT, American Protégé International Concerto Competition, Satori Young Pianist Competition Prodigy Solo and Prodigy Baroque, International Youth Music Competition, and US International Open Music Competition in the Young Prodigy Category. One of my most memorable awards was winning first prize in Grand Prize Virtuoso with an ‘Exceptional Young Talent Award’. I have had the honor to be invited to play in special locations including Elgar Room at Royal Albert Hall in London, the Beethoven House in Bonn, Germany, and Vienna’s Weill Recital Hall.
As a pianist, I am always eager to participate in orchestras and display works of musical art to the world. As I continue to learn and develop, I hope to become involved with music theory and composition. I would like to carry on my musical voyage into college and beyond while also pursuing my interest in science. I am deeply appreciative to the people that made the journey possible. I would be nowhere close to where I am now if it were not for my piano instructor, Mr. Waltl. Thank you to my family who have supported me since the start and who have spent countless hours giving me a chance to learn music. Lastly, I would like to express sincere appreciation to the LAYPO committee for granting me this unique and special opportunity.
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- Demi Zeng, piano
- Chaparral Middle School
- 7th Grade (2024-25 School Year)
- The Journey of a Musician in the Making
According to my parents, I first saw a piano when I was about two years old. Upon spotting it, I eagerly asked, “Can I touch it?” When the owner gave me permission, I clambered onto the stool and started banging at the keys. I was suddenly immersed and fascinated by the way pressing one of the keys created a different sound. That’s probably the moment when my music dream started. When I was about five years old, my parents enrolled me in a group piano class. Accompanied by other musical children, I sang and played with glee. A year later, I began private lessons. As I learned, I was awed by how much music could represent life, full of love and joy, but also of sadness and anger.
When I started learning with Jeffrey Lavner at Colburn, I was introduced to a larger variety of repertoire and composers. His professional guidance shaped my technical proficiency and ignited my passion for piano. Studying at Colburn has also offered me many opportunities, such as playing in studio classes, Friday Night Recitals, School Honor Recitals, and more. Learning music theory helped me understand repertoire deeper and learn to discover the interesting ways utilized by composers to harmonize a melody or develop a motive. As I progressed, I developed a sincere passion and appreciation for music.
Throughout my musical endeavors, I have earned many awards from competitions and festivals including first-place winner of multiple annual SYMF competitions in different categories; second place winner in the Los Angeles International Liszt Competition; silver medalist of Southern California Junior Bach Complete Works competition; first place winner of the MTAC Glendale Branch Orchestra Performance Competition; and first-place winner of various MTAC LA Branch festivals. In addition, I had the privilege to perform with the SYMF Orchestra and Glendale Orchestral. I also achieved an incredible honor to be selected to perform at the Colburn McAllister Honors Recital. Furthermore, I have participated in master classes with Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Christopher O’Riley, Jae-Hyuck Cho, and Paavali Jumppanen.
My musical pursuits also encompass proficiency in cello and harpsichord. I am the principal cellist in Chaparral Middle School Philharmonia Orchestra. In addition to being a soloist, I love collaborating with other musicians. Currently, I am the pianist of a piano quintet at Colburn. Playing in a chamber ensemble has improved my sight-reading and ear-training skills. It also enhanced my collaborating skills.
Learning music has rewarded me with countless joyful moments. It has also taught me a lot of valuable lessons which I cherish. For example, I learned that nothing can be done well without hard work and persistence. Without the hours of practice I put into piano every day, I wouldn’t be at this stage today. This, consequently, made me realize that patience and willpower are crucial to success. These lessons have helped me succeed in school too. With these lessons in hand, I feel more assured and ready to face whatever challenges life throws at me.
I aspire to be a musician who brings joy and happiness to people of all ages and circumstances. I have volunteered by sharing music at West Covina Cortez Park Senior Center. Uplifting others’ days with music has been a huge pride of mine.
Currently I’m studying in Chaparral Middle School. Besides loving music, I’m enthusiastic about science, too. Although I haven’t decided on a major yet, I’m pretty sure that music is something that I will continue to love and practice.
I would like to thank my parents for supporting and guiding me through this journey. Their endless patience, care, and thoughtfulness have made them my closest friends. I am extremely grateful for my piano teacher Jeffrey Lavner, his kindness, patience, encouragement, guidance and support made me grow to the next level. I’m also very thankful for my previous piano teacher Lilit Babayan. She inspired me to learn piano and instructed me to build musical fundamentals. Last, I must extend my gratitude to the LAYP piano concerto competition committee for offering me this wonderful opportunity to perform with LAYPO in the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
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- Justin Baek, cello
- Palos Verdes Peninsula High School
- 10th Grade (2024-25 School Year)
- Story of My Music
When I was seven, my private teacher enrolled me in the Certificate of Merit for piano. At first, I disliked the constant grind of trying to perfect each song, but as I moved up to higher levels and more difficult but interesting pieces, I grew to love it. I later started my cello Certificate of Merit journey in fifth grade and experienced a new satisfaction and joy of playing piece after piece. Since I started, I have surpassed the CM Advanced Level for both cello and piano. I have also had the joy of playing for orchestras such as the Palos Verdes Regional Symphony Orchestra and the Young Artists’ Orchestra of Los Angeles, the latter of which I was awarded first chair.
As I continue to grow as a musician, I hope to hold on to the skills that I have attained thus far. I plan on exploring unique options as well, such as music composition and production, but I will always do my best to pursue music performance as well.
I am extremely grateful to the Los Angeles Youth Philharmonic Performer Selection Committee for this amazing opportunity. I would also like to give my gratitude to my private teacher, Hyunji Evonne Yi, for guiding me through every step of my journey. And of course, I would like to thank my friends and family for supporting me in my musical career and sticking with me to the end.
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- Liam Thomas, violin
- Homeschool
- 7th Grade (2024-25 School Grade)
I started my musical journey at the age of 2 when I saw a video of an orchestra play. Although I don’t recall the piece or the performer, it immediately sparked an interest in the violin in my mind. I started taking violin lessons when I was 2 and half years old, after 6 months of searching for a teacher willing to take on such a young student. My first teacher, Ms. Cecilia Coo, who developed my violin playing skills over the course of 6 years, also helped me develop a great love for music and its impact on people’s lives. She would often take me and her other students to nursing homes and churches to play for people, and that is something I still enjoy doing to this day.
My first experience playing as a soloist with an orchestra was at the age of 7, when I performed J.S. Bach’s Concerto in A minor with the Los Angeles Youth Philharmonic in Zipper Hall. As I walked on stage, I was filled with nervous anticipation. After the initial applause, a quiet stillness fell over the room, and I waited for the conductor’s cue. But in that quiet moment, I heard a familiar voice. My then 4 year old brother was excited to recognize me on stage and he cheerfully called my name. Everyone was surprised as this broke classical concert etiquette. Moreover, he continued by saying “Hi”. The audience erupted in laughter, the conductor also laughed, and my nervous energy disappeared. I remember this being a very enjoyable experience.
The next time I played with the orchestra was again with LAYP at the age of 10, when I performed the Haydn Concerto in G major. This was a very special performance for me under the baton of Dr. Gene Chung, who allowed me to include the cadenza I had composed for it. I was very grateful for that opportunity and still treasure it in my memories.
Over the years, I have received honors and awards such as FirstPrize in the Southern California Philharmonic Concerto Competition, for which I had the honor of performing“Zigeneurwiesen” with their orchestra in two consecutive concerts. I have also performed in Zipper Hall as the Grand Prize at the Liana Cohen Music Festival. Other First Prize Awards include the San Fransisco International Young Artists Competition, CalASTA-LA Bowed Strings Competition, Vienna Grand Prize Competition, the Charleston International Music Competition, Great Composers Competition, Satori Competition, and many more. I have also performed enjoyed performing with my church orchestra on several occasions, including Vivaldi’s “Winter” for our Christmas concert.
My dream is to pursue a career in music and to that end I plan to apply to the Conservatory for a degree in violin performance. Music has been an extremely large part of my life so far, and I feel that as I further develop my technical abilities, I will be able to better express my interpretation and understanding of the violin. I have been very fortunate to have received excellent instruction and mentorship from all my teachers over more than ten years now. I began my studies at the Colburn School with Ms. Aimee Kreston at the age of 9 and later studied with Ms. Joan Kwuon who has been my teacher for the past 2 years and has helped me mature in my understanding of the art of violin playing. I am also very grateful to Miclen LaiPang who has mentored me for many years.
I would like to thank my parents for all the support and dedication they have put into my musical journey. Any accomplishments I have ever made would’ve never been possible without them. Above all, I thank God for the talent he has given me, and I hope to honor Him with it. I believe that God created music to connect people, both to each other and to Himself. I really want to be a part of that story.
See also parent’s essay written when Liam was in second grade: https://layouthphilharmonic.wordpress.com/2019-22-soloist/
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Youth Philharmonic Orchestra | Band | Choir 