The Members

Lafayette High School

(Rockwood)

Hi, my name is Micah Bounds, I am 18 years old and from St. Louis, Missouri. I have released two singles, “Waiting Here” and “All of It,” and have plans to release more in the future. Lately, I have been working as a songwriter in the christian music scene collaborating with artists like Mel Donner, Latoya Sharon, and musicians from Kingly Records. I play a multitude of instruments and also have experience in production and live audio systems. Next year I plan to attend UMKC to study music composition and the cello.

Liberty High School

(Wentzville)

My name is Jordon Brown and I am from St. Louis Missouri. I am 18 and I go to Liberty High School. I have been producing since I was eleven years old, and my style ranges from lofi, trap, edm, boombap, basically anything electronic. I know a little piano, and I can also, funnily enough, play the tuba and have been for five years. I'm open to and listen to all types of music, even some out of my own comfort zone. I am excited to hear everyone's different styles and genres that they make music in, as well as just making good music with others :)

Lafayette High School

(Rockwood)

Hi, my name is Kyle Dean and I'm from St. Louis, Missouri. I'm currently 18 years old and I've been playing guitar, writing/producing music, and mixing audio since middle school. I now go to Lafayette High School where I am heavily involved in the music program through Tuesday Night Rock Band, Country Band, Uke Club, Sound Crew, and do other things such as being the French Club President. I am excited to work with all of you, and I hope we make something sick 🤟🤟🤟

Ladue High School

(Ladue)

Hi! My name is Ovya Diwakaran and I am a junior from St. Louis Missouri. Beginning piano lessons at the age of five and voice lessons at seven, I have always had a love for all things musical. After playing alto and baritone saxophone in middle school, I began composing for larger ensembles, and later symphonies. Through all of this, my love for piano has been a constant, and you can find me at the bench all throughout the day. When not composing, I enjoy participating in mock trial, swimming varsity for my school, and leading my school's acapella group: Viva Voce. Many thanks to my family for their constant support.

Christian Brothers College High School

(Archdiocese of St. Louis)

My name is Nash Gardner and I am from Foristell, Missouri. I am 18 years old. I have been around music my entire life even though I did not start playing until I was 13. I currently play bass, drums, guitar and keyboards in addition to being an audio engineer. I attend Christian Brothers College High School (CBC) in St. Louis, MO.

Arcadia Valley High School

(Arcadia Valley R-2)

Hey there! My name is Stone Gill and I’m a junior at Arcadia Valley High School in Ironton, MO. I’ve been involved with music my entire life, being exposed to drums at just a few months old. But over time, I developed a stutter that severely handicapped my ability to speak and articulate my thoughts fluently. Around that time, I discovered rap music and decided to attempt to write some of it. This led to the realization that I don’t stutter when I perform. So, I began to write more and more music, which also brought up the need to learn piano to make beats. I eventually started a band with my friend/drummer and we now play a “fusion” of sorts, mixing rap, alternative, singer/songwriter, metal, and reggae in a weird little package. Every year I have submitted these songs to a competition known as COMP at the University of Missouri, and have placed 5 years in a row. Also, within the last year, I helped create another band called “Rustbelt”, in which we play and write music reminiscent of the grunge/nu-metal eras. After high school, I would love to pursue a degree in music composition in Nashville. All I want to do is music, and it’s all that I want to do as a career. Thank you so much for the opportunity!

Fort Zumwalt South High School

(Fort Zumwalt)

Nathaniel Gilliatt, 17 years old, is a musician from St. Peters, Missouri. He began learning guitar at 15 years old, and went on to join choir his junior year at Fort Zumwalt South High School. That same year, he released an album with his band, Project PNC. He plans to attend UMSL as a composition major.

Fredericktown High School

(Fredericktown)

My name is Landon Kelly and I go to Fredericktown R-1 School. I am a junior and I play bass. I have been playing for around one year. Some of my favorite bands are Rage Against the Machine, Iron Maiden, and Black Sabbath. My favorite brands of bass are Ernie Ball and Sterling. I am in a small band called “Rustbelt” where we play at different venues on the weekends. We mostly play covers but are working on adding original music to our set list. My current future plans are to try some tech schools and get into the music business working on guitars and amps and freelance on bass.

Fredericktown High School

(Fredericktown)

My name is Simon Kelly and I attend Fredericktown High School. The musical instruments I play are Drums, Guitar, and I also sing. I started playing drums when I was about 4 years old. When my dad realized that I would air drum during his music with his band, he noticed I was actually keeping time so he got me a drum set for Christmas. From that point, I was hooked on music. Instead of watching cartoons as a kid, I would watch live Metallica and Megadeth shows. About a year and a half ago, I picked up my dads guitar and I got hooked on that as well. At the beginning of this school year, my brother and I got asked to join a band with one of my best friends from Arcadia Valley. This was a lifelong dream! After high school, I want to go to college and major in music performance to become a studio musician in Nashville.

Liberty North High School

(Liberty)

My name is Paige McCubbin and I’ve been creating music my whole life. I’m 18 years old and based in Liberty MO. Since elementary school, I’ve been writing short poems that depicted feelings or topics I was drawn to. Eventually, I went as far as teaching myself guitar and bass to advance my little poems into songs. I’ve always loved being able to create a sound that reminded me of a person, place, emotion, or color. I’m a member of both the Chamber and Concert choir at my school. As well as an executive member of the Songwriters Club. My plans after high school are to attend Missouri State University and study audio engineering/tech. I’m so incredibly thrilled to be creating music with so many talented artists and I cannot wait to see what comes out of this experience!

West HS/Summit Technology Academy

(Lee's Summit)

My name is Chase Mortensen and I’m from Lee’s Summit Missouri. I’ve been playing guitar for 9 years and have been trying to perfect my songwriting craft since 2020 when I was first dabbling around with different riffs and sounds. My influences are all mainly metal bands and guitarists, my two favorites being Alexi Laiho from Children Of Bodom and a guitarist named Buckethead. I’ve written songs with some friends of mine, too. I’ve been inspired by a lot of my peers at LSW and STA to do the things I’m currently doing and wish to do in the future.

Potosi High School

(Potosi R-3)

My name is Audrey Neel, I am 18 years old and live in Hillsboro, MO. I was inspired at age 3 by my older sister to begin fiddle lessons and would often find my way to the stage while my sister competed in fiddle contests. Piano, guitar, mandolin, and hammered dulcimer are additional instruments I play. From ages 7-16, I was in two youth bluegrass bands as the lead vocalist and fiddler player. As a student in high school concert choir, I am currently a three-time state soloist and a former Missouri All-Stater. I am also in Swing Choir at my high school. My plans are to attend college to continue in music both vocally and instrumentally and in the business side of music.

Hi, I'm Nolan Ortinau! I'm a Senior, my main performance areas are guitar and voice, and my favorite genre to play and listen to is jazz-- lately, I've been really into Bill Evans. After high school, I aim to pursue a degree in jazz studies, and hope to maybe be a postsecondary educator in music one day. I'd like to thank our amazing facilitators and my fellow musicians for making this all happen, and I hope you like it!

My name is Andrew Wilkie. I started playing the clarinet in 6th grade, and that’s what sparked my love for music, and my passion for it has only grown stronger ever since. In addition to writing my own music, I am involved in my school’s band and show choir programs where I play clarinet, tenor saxophone, bass guitar, electric guitar, piano, and sing. As a person who deeply appreciates the art of music in all of its forms, I am very excited to work together with this diverse set of musicians in the first iteration of The Collective, and to hopefully put on a wonderful show with them in the process.

Raytown South High School

(Raytown)

Hi! My name is Philip Wolfe. I'm 17 and I go to Raytown South High School in the Kansas City area. I have been classically trained in piano and playing since I was 5 years old. Since then I've branched off to multiple genres and even other instruments such as low brass, bass, and drums. I have a love of writing music and I hope to move into a creative music position like songwriting, composing, and arranging as a career. Enjoy the show!