Hi! I'm Sydney, I'm 17 years old, and I'm from Raleigh, North Carolina. I've played piano for the past 10 years, competed and performed at the district and state level, and studied music theory both in and outside of school. Having never met another black pianist in all of the years I've played piano, I created this organization to bring student musicians of color together across the country in a safe space to share music and volunteer. I graduated high school with honors, and I'm excited to embark on a new personal and academic journey at Howard University! Aside from my career as a pianist, I enjoy reading and STEM, and I am also an artist, a Girl Scout, and a 1st Dan black belt in taekwondo.

Gabrielle Louis | gabriellelouisbps@gmail.com

Hello! My name is Gabrielle Louis, I’m 17 years old and I am from Lubbock, Texas! I am heavily involved in my local and school organizations, but I always have time to create and appreciate art. I paint, bake, and garden in my free time as well as spend time with my family of six. I believe that by joining the BPS I will be able to help promote the amazing creativity of artists of color. My passion lies in agriculture, namely plant biology, and I hope to go on to perform developmental research for countries across the world. I also participate in my local NHS and FFA chapters and serve as a leader at my church. I hope to inspire and achieve great success within and for this organization!

Ik Ekpunobi | ikekpunobibps@gmail.com

Hi! My name is Ik Ekpunobi and I’m 17 years old. I have lived in Shanghai, China; Lagos Nigeria; and now, Raleigh, North Carolina. Aside from piano, which I’ve been playing for about ten years, I’ve played the cello, drums, marimba, and other percussion instruments. I enjoy playing classical music in addition to ragtime and, more recently, improvisational jazz. When I’m not playing the piano, I love playing volleyball and watching medical dramas. I have a strong academic interest in STEM, particularly the life sciences and math, and am a member of my local chapters of the National Honor Society and the TRI-M Honor Society for Music. Recently, I started teaching two young African American boys piano and enjoy sharing my experience with younger musicians. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the Black Pianists Society and fellowship with other pianists of color!

Nicholas Amuh | nicholasamuhbps@gmail.com

Hello! My name is Nicholas Amuh and I'm from Chicago, Illinois! I am an 18-year-old freshman student currently at Brown University. I joined this organization not only to teach, but to inspire young pianists to continue achieving their musical goals. I began playing the piano at the age of five and later, the cello at the age of nine. As a multi-instrumentalist, I enjoy learning and listening to various genres of music including classical, jazz, hip-hop, R&B, contemporary, and baroque. Aside from music, I love to read, write poetry, and tutor students in math.

Mithuna Totapally | mithunatotapallybps@gmail.com

Hello! I am Mithuna Totapally, a 16 year old high school junior from Columbus, Ohio. I play tennis in my free time, and I also like to bake. Apart from that, I tutor elementary-age students in math and volunteer at a science center. I have always wanted to use my talents of being creative and different to make an impact, and I believe that as a member of the Black Pianists Society, I am able to do just that. The Black Pianists Society has an awe-inspiring message, and I wanted to put my skills to use in order to assist this organization, and hopefully help it become something much greater.

Myah Yancey | myahyanceybps@gmail.com

My name is Myah Yancey. I am 17 years old, and I am from Suffolk, Virginia. I love to dance. I am proficient in contemporary, lyrical, modern, jazz, and ballet. I also enjoy playing the guitar, learning languages, theatre, and art. The Black Pianists Society is an outstanding program that provides members great opportunities to expand their creativity. I am thrilled to participate in a program that advocates for the development of black artists.

Megan Masri | meganmasribps@gmail.com

Hello! My name is Megan Masri, and I’m a 15 year old from McLean, Virginia. I enjoy playing lacrosse and cooking in my free time! I have been playing piano since I was four years old and my favorite song genres are pop and classical. Since I was little I always felt a connection to music through playing the piano while also singing for fun. I am an active participant in numerous clubs at my school and volunteer at STEM events. I have a strong passion for computer science and biomedical engineering. I joined the Black Pianist Society to connect pianists from all over the world to inspire each other. I hope to make a positive impact and help this organization grow to empower more artists!

Jesus Rivera | jesusriverabps@gmail.com

Hello! My name is Jesus Rivera and I am 17 years old and a senior from Fontana, California. I am involved in track and field and cross-country for sports since I love running and exercising. Inside of my school I am part of the National Honor Society, Key Club, AVID, and Academic Decathlon. Outside of school, I am a tutor and volunteer helping out in my community whenever I get the chance. I wanted to join BPS for its message of empowering POC in the musical industry by helping them achieve their dreams of being able to play as a profession and be able to advance career wise in this field. My passions include fitness, reading, drawing, and learning new languages. My goal is to become a pediatrics surgeon or biomedical engineer (but definitely something in the science field).

Myra Lewis | myralewisbps@gmail.com

Hello! My name is Myra Lewis and I am a senior in Charlotte, North Carolina. I am 17 years old and very excited to serve in the role of Chief of Social Media. As a heavily involved member of my local, state, and national community, I have always wanted to change the world in some type of way. When I was presented with the opportunity to be a part of BPS, I, of course, agreed! As an artist myself, I knew this organization was not only going to help diversify a beautiful field, but also show the world just how powerful people of color are. As a dancer since I was 2, I always searched for people who looked like me and would not judge my background for doing what I love. I hope to help and change the life of someone wanting support from other people of color!!