Featured Soloist
Concert 1:
- Victoria Sun
- Harbor Day School
- 8th grade
- Essay Title: My Journey Through Music
One of my earliest memories of music was watching my older sister play the piano. I was fascinated by the keys and begged my parents to let me try just one lesson. They thought it would be simply a short phase five-year-old me would outgrow and lose interest in. However, somehow that one lesson turned into years of practicing, performing, and growing.
Over time, piano became much more than an extracurricular activity to me, as it became something that challenged me and helped shape who I am today. One of my earliest unforgettable musical experiences was making my concerto debut at the age of nine with the Qingdao Opera Symphony Orchestra. I still remember how surreal it felt hearing the orchestra around me for the first time. Since then, I have had the privilege of performing with ensembles including the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra, North Coast Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Collective of Orange County, and now, the Los Angeles Youth Philharmonic. Each performance has taught me something different, whether it was trusting myself or the collaboration of the people around me.
As I continued studying piano with my teacher Ms. Myong Joo Lee, I participated in many more competitions and performances. I have also participated in summer music festivals such as the InterHarmony International Music Festival and Vancouver Piano Sessions, where I performed in masterclasses with Haochen Zhang and Boris Slutsky. Over the years, I have been fortunate to perform at venues all over the world including Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, Zipper Hall, Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver, and Chiesa Santo Spirito in Acqui Terme, Italy, among others. One especially unforgettable experience was being invited to perform at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England, where I also had the honor of meeting King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Beyond performing, I also care deeply about sharing music with others and building a community. Currently, I serve a leadership role in the non-profit organization of Pacific Serenades, helping bring music to local communities through performances and other events. Being involved in organizing functions like these allows me to see how music can connect people from vastly different backgrounds, which is something I am interested in pursuing in my future.
Furthermore, I also enjoy composing music and exploring how music can tell stories on screen. In the past few years, I have participated in short film and documentary projects and had opportunities to compose and record original music in professional studio settings, including at the Fox Studios in Los Angeles. Exploring composition has truly allowed me to experience music from a completely different perspective than performing.
Lastly, I would like to sincerely thank my teacher, Ms. Myong Joo Lee, for being such an inspiring teacher and mentor throughout my musical journey. Her guidance and dedication has helped me grow not only as a pianist, but also as a person. I would also like to thank my family and parents for their constant love and support, and for always encouraging me to pursue my passions and happiness. Finally, I would like to thank the LAYP concerto committee for this wonderful opportunity to perform with the Los Angeles Youth Philharmonic. I am truly grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way.
- Charlotte King
- Mira Costa High School
- 10th Grade
- Essay Title: Finding My Inner Voice
Music has always been, and I hope will always be, an integral part of my life. When I first started playing the piano at five years old, I could not have imagined just how important music would become to me. At ten, I decided to play the flute. I remember choosing it mainly because it fit into my backpack. I started taking private lessons over the summer before fourth grade, simply to learn a few notes before school started, so I wouldn’t fall behind. My intention was to stop the lessons once school started.
Little did I know that I had just met the flute teacher I would still be studying with seven years later. I distinctly remember standing on Kitty Fitzgerald’s balcony, spitting lentils and rice grains in order to learn how to tongue on the flute. Kitty taught me everything, from the basics of how to assemble and hold the instrument all the way through to where I am today. I could not fully express my gratitude to her even if I tried. Not only has she helped me grow into the musician I am today, but also the person I am today. Growing up, I was a very shy child. Speaking in front of a classroom or even finding the courage to ask a question in class was traumatizing. I avoided at all costs social interactions where I had to verbalize my opinions. Playing the flute helped me to find a voice, my voice. I have been able to express myself in ways I never imagined possible through this beautiful instrument. I admit that I am still a shy individual, however music has given me the courage to be heard.
As an introverted person, anxiety followed me to the world of music. I remember feeling absolutely terrified the first time I played in front of my band class. My hands shook, my thoughts raced, and I convinced myself that I never wanted to perform again. I could not have been more incorrect. As I have grown as a musician, I have learned to handle performance anxiety to where I enjoy performances. Music is so much more than my petty fear of judgment. Music is about sharing what you love, and communicating it effectively with an audience, no matter how big or small. In many ways, music is the same as giving a speech. Musicians use punctuation like commas, exclamation marks, and question marks; we enunciate our ideas with articulations; and express our emotions through dynamics, vibrato, and so much more. Music is my voice. If I told my younger self that I would be performing a solo at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in just a few short years, I probably would have freaked out and refused the opportunity. I could never have imagined having the courage to step onto this beautiful, world-renowned stage. And yet, here I am.
I owe much of my new-found confidence to my middle school band teacher, Mrs. Haslop. She was the person who initially nominated me to audition for LAYPO back in 2023. Not only did she foster my confidence, she opened my eyes as a musician. During middle school, music transformed from an extracurricular activity into my main passion, and Mrs. Haslop supported and encouraged me throughout that journey.
I would not be where I am today without the help of numerous other teachers, peers, and mentors. I recently began lessons with Marley Eder, who has challenged me to dive deeper into musical interpretation and artistry. He has introduced me to so much new repertoire in such a short span of time. I have also learned an enormous amount from teachers at the Northern California Flute camp including Karen Van Dyke, Gary Woodward, Tomiko Tsai, Aaron Goldman, Catherine Boyak, Alexa Still, John Thorne, and Jeanne Baxtresser, among others. Not only did these people have ingenious insight in music, performance, and life in general, they have been a huge inspiration to me as a growing individual. This summer, I am incredibly fortunate to attend Interlochen Arts Camp where I will be able to fully immerse myself in the world of music for six weeks, surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Michigan.
Having performed solos with LAYPO for three years during their chamber music series concerts, I have matured as both a musician and performer. I have also gained experience playing with SCSBOA, California All-State bands, and with the Colburn School. Playing alongside such talented and dedicated musicians is an opportunity I do not take for granted, and I have enjoyed every minute of it.
I want to deeply thank the LAYPO selection committee not only for the opportunity to perform at Walt Disney Concert Hall, but also for allowing me to gain such valuable musical experience over the past three years. I would also like to thank my family, who has supported me from the very beginning of my musical journey, and continues to tolerate my late-night practicing. Finally, I am grateful to all the teachers, mentors, family, and friends who have guided and encouraged me each and every day. Without them, I would not have found my inner voice.
Concert 2:
- B
- S
- 12th Grade
- Essay Title:
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- e