Archangelo Corelli

Gustav Mahler

This is Saturn's first year playing in orchestra at Whitney Young and first time playing the cello. He also plays guitar, bass, piano, and drums outside of school. He's also a member of Whitney Young Pride Club and the props crew deputy for The Young Company. Favorite orchestra memories include hanging out backstage before concerts and making friends with the other students in beginning orchestra. Next year, he will be at The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago majoring in Theatre Technology. 

Mayumi played the violin in the first grade and has come back eleven years later. This has been their first and last year in Beginning Orchestra with Mr. Mascari. Favorite orchestra memory is introducing Sofia Minner to the wonders of sea shanties. Next year they are going to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study psychology.

Beni has been playing the violin for 10 years. She currently studies with Nathan Sommefield, and she has been in Chamber Orchestra for three years. Her favorite orchestra memories include the trips to Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Missouri, as well as the night hikes at Chamber Camp. Next year, she is attending Fordham University in New York to study journalism and fashion. She plans to continue her musical studies well into the future. 

Andres is departing after his third year playing double bass. He had prior experience in music with piano and guitar, but decided to learn something new, taking lessons from Crystal Rebone. His favorite orchestra memories include getting lost at NIU with Isabelle and Manny, playing laser tag against Mr. Mascari's team, and getting to Fantasia: on a Theme by Thomas Tallis (he loves it a lot). Next year, he will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, intending to persue psychology and theatre. He will still, though, try to continue playing music in some way or other.

JC Garcia played viola for a combined 7 years. They played for concert and symphony during their academic center years, then took a 3-year hiatus and is now back in symphony for their final year. Their favorite orchestra memories were taking so much candy from college radio students on Valentine's Day at ISU during the orchestra festival. Next year, they will be attending the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee to study architecture design. If possible, they hope to continue being a lighting designer and play music.

Isabelle has been playing the cello for 4 years. Her favorite memories include the field trips her first year in symphony and getting lost at NIU. Next year, she will be going wherever the wind takes her with the intention of pursing university later! She hopes to continue playing instruments.

Imogen has been playing the viola for 5 years and the violin for 12. They are currently taking lessons from Hilary Butler with South Side Suzuki and this is their second year playing with the Chamber Orchestra. A favorite orchestra memory is not coming in last during laser tag on the Madison/Milwaukee tour. Next year, they will attend the University of St Andrews in Scotland to study English, and they hope to continue playing viola in one of the ensembles there. 

Renz is a violinist for Whitney Young's Chamber Orchestra. He's been playing violin for about 12 years and primarily studied with Emilia Blaszak-Freymiller. Some of his favorite memories from Orchestra was during Chamber Camp where he got to play gaga ball and go on a nature hike with his friends. Next year, Renz will attend University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, pursuing their pre-law track. If possible, he hopes to find time to continue playing music and composing.

Shari plays the cello and has been playing it for 4 years since her freshman year of high school. This is her third year playing with the Symphony Orchestra. Some of her favorite orchestra memories are taking the train to the ISU Orchestra Festival and having lunch there with most of the cello section. Next year she will be attending Iowa State University to study animal sciences. In the future she wants to keep playing the cello as a hobby.

Brian has been playing the viola for nearly three years. He began his musical journey in Beginning Orchestra during his sophomore year and has since been a member of Symphony Orchestra throughout his junior and senior years. His favorite memory from Orchestra is attending field trips, which offered a break from routine and an opportunity to learn new things. Next year, Brian will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he plans to study Economics. He hopes to keep music a meaningful part of his life in the years to come.

Leila has been playing the violin for 9 years and began viola this year. She has been in the WY Orchestra program all four years of HS. Her favorite orchestra memories are taking the Amtrak to ISU and dancing to LADAMA at the Harris Theater’s Mix at Six. Next year, she will be attending Tufts University to study Biology on a pre-vet track. She hopes to learn the cello one day.

Aidan has been playing the viola for five years. He is currently studying under Jennifer Dunne and this is his first year in Chamber Orchestra. His favorite orchestra memories include late night campfire conversations at chamber camp and walking around Madison on tour. Aidan is attending Northwestern University next year, and is planning on majoring in physics and pre-medicine. He hopes to continue playing music at Northwestern.

Danaly learned to play viola her junior year, this is her second year taking orchestra. Her favorite memory is singing karaoke on the bus ride back from the ISU festival. She is also immensely grateful for meeting Flora, Robyn, August, Langston, JC, and Brian, they all have a special place in her heart. The following year, she is taking off to focus on her dreams and aspirations, while saving money to hopefully purse a career that feeds her soul.

Anna has been learning the cello for the three years she has been in the Whitney Young Orchestra program. Her favorite memories of her time in orchestra consist of eating pizzas and running around the school with other orchestra classmates. Next year she will attend Loyola University Chicago to study nursing, while hopefully scraping by enough time to keep learning the cello.    

Priscilla has been playing the violin for 7 years. She is studying with Mrs. Jennifer Dunne, and this is her first year playing with the Chamber Orchestra. Furthermore, she has played piano for 12 years and is studying with Dr. Xiaomin Liang. A favorite memory this year is Secret Santa. Outside of the orchestra, she serves as the Fundraising Chair of the Student Council Executive Board and as a member of the Science Olympiad. Next year, she will attend Northwestern University to study Biology and Linguistics. She plans to continue taking piano lessons and join the Philharmonia.

Katu started playing the violin when he was 4 years old. He took lessons at the New Music School up until 5 years ago and this is his first year in Chamber Orchestra. His favorite memories with the orchestra are visiting the House on the Rock as well as playin laser tag. Next year, Katu will be attending the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. He has entered as Undecided and plans to explore his options at UIUC.

Manny has been playing bass for 3 years. He has taken lessons with Crystal Rebone, and this is his second year playing in the Symphony Orchestra. Favorite orchestra moment is performing at the ISU festival and listening to the other orchestra's performances. Next year, he will attend Wilbur Wright College to study mechanical engineering and hopes to continue playing the bass in some way in the future.