CLASS OF 2026
claire choi | violin
Claire Choi, a senior at Valley Christian High School, began playing the violin in second grade and currently studies with Ms. Zhao Wei. She is a member of the California Youth Symphony Senior Orchestra and has participated in several music festivals, including the Heifetz International Music Institute (2022), the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Violin Workshop (2023), and the ENCORE Institute (2025). Claire has also won awards in multiple competitions such as the Korean American Music Supporters Association Competition, the US Open Music Competition, the United States International Music Competition, and the ENKOR International Music Competition. In addition, she performed chamber music as part of a string quartet through the Young Chamber Musicians program. Outside of music, Claire enjoys drawing and dancing.
Bryan Im | Viola
Bryan Im is a senior at Bellarmine College Preparatory. He is a violist for the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra. Prior to joining SFSYO, he was the principal violist for the Golden State Youth Orchestra and has performed in Czech Republic and Austria for the 2022 Tour. He has also won the Solo Competition with GSYO and performed during the 2022-2023 season. Bryan received second prize in the 2023 KAMSA Competition, Senior Division; second in the 2023 OPUS Music Competition, State; merit prize in the 2023 OPUS Music Competition, Nationals; second in the 2023 ENKOR Int’l Music Competition; third in the 2023 Norcal Viola Society Competition; Honorable Mention in the 2023-2024 Burlingame Music Competition; and first in the 2024 Charleston Spring Music Competition. Bryan was also invited to perform at the Junior Bach Festival 2024.
Bryan is a 2025 National YoungArts Winner in the Classical Music division. Bryan has received valuable coaching and guidance from esteemed musicians such as Paul Neubauer, Matthew Lipman, Masumi Per Rostad, Beth Guterman Chu, and the Viano Quartet. In the summer of 2023, Bryan studied solo viola with Michelle LaCourse and Rayna Yun Chou at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. In the summer of 2024, Bryan participated in the Music@Menlo Chamber Music Festival. This past summer, Bryan performed at Carnegie Hall and toured Scotland as the principal violist of NYO2.
Andrew kim | oboe
Andrew is a senior oboist at Branham High School, where he performs with the Wind Ensemble on oboe and English horn, and with the Pep Band on alto saxophone. A musician since childhood, he began piano in 2nd grade and oboe in 6th, earning Music Teachers' Association of California (MTAC) Level 10 certification with state and branch honor awards. Beyond school, Andrew serves as principal oboist of the Senior Orchestra in the California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (CPYO), where he won the 2024 CPYO Concerto Competition. He has been selected four times for the California All-State Honor Band and three times for the Santa Clara County Honor Band. In the summer of 2025, he attended the prestigious Boston University Tanglewood Institute Oboe Workshop. His artistry has been recognized in numerous state and international competitions for both his solo and ensemble performances. Outside of music, Andrew is a short-track speed skater, earning 2nd place in the California State Championship and certified as a Fundamental Speed Skating coach. He is also passionate about robotics and Rubik’s Cubing.
Annabelle Lee | Violin
Annabelle is a senior at Los Altos High School. She has been playing violin since she was in 2nd grade under Chag-hee Lee, and is currently studying under Davis Law. She won 2nd place in the 2020 American Fine Arts Festival and 3rd place in the 2021 Silicon Valley Music Competition. Annabelle was an assistant concertmaster of GSYO's Senior Symphony during the 2022-23 season and the 2023-24 season. She was invited to perform in a masterclass led by David Kim, the concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, alongside three other GSYO violinists. She also performed for and helped mentor GSYO's Summer Conservatory. She was a member of PACO and is currently playing with Senior Symphony, GSYO. She enjoys writing and drawing while listening to K-pop and Mitski.
Arissa Lee | cello
Arissa is a senior at Los Altos High School. Arissa has won second place in American Fine Arts Festival 2020 and Silicon Valley Music Competition 2022, as well as placing 3rd for the 2023 KAMSA Competition, Senior Division. Arissa was selected for the Junior Bach Festival 2021 and 2022. She was also invited by Junior Bach to perform as a young artist at the 45th SF Sanctuary Salon Concert 2022. In addition, Arissa was accepted into both 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons of CASMEC All-State High School String Orchestra. Previously, Arissa was a member of California Youth Symphony's Senior Orchestra for three years and she is currently the co-principal cellist of Golden State Youth Orchestra's Senior Symphony. In her free time, Arissa likes to listen to music and collect Popmart figurines.
Hannah LEe | Violin & Piano
Hannah is a senior at Archbishop Mitty High School. She began learning piano at the age of 5 and violin at the age of 7, and currently studies violin under Ms. Zhao Wei.
Hannah was awarded first place in the instrumental division of the 2019 Pacific Musical Society Competition, grand prize in the 2025 Silicon Valley Music Competition, and 2nd place in the 2025 ENKOR International Music Competition. She was accepted to the California All-State Orchestras in 2022 and 2023 and served as assistant concertmaster for the 2024 High School Symphony Orchestra.
Additionally, Hannah attended the 2023 Bowdoin International Music Festival, where she studied with Peter Winograd and Kurt Sassmannshaus. She was also a participant in NYO2 and toured Scotland as part of the 2025 Edinburgh International Festival.
Hannah is the assistant concertmaster of the California Youth Symphony's Senior Orchestra and a member of YCM.
Kayla Lee | Violin
Kayla Lee is a senior and fourth-year Honors Fellow at Valley Christian High School, currently studying under Ms. Zhao Wei at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Some of her musical accomplishments include placing first in the USOMC, KAMSA, Silicon Valley Music Competition, and receiving distinctions from the 2024 and 2025 YoungArts National Arts Competition, Peninsula Symphony Orchestra Young Musicians Competition, and Burlingame Music Club Young Musician’s Competition. In addition, she has soloed with the KAMSA Youth Orchestra, Temple Hill Symphony, and the CYS Associate Orchestra. Kayla has previously attended the Bowdoin International Music Festival and Encore Chamber Music Institute. She participated in tours with NYO2 to the Dominican Republic, NYO-USA to South America, and was the concertmaster of NYO-USA under the baton of Gianandrea Noseda for the 2025 Asia tour with Ray Chen and Clara-Jumi Kang. She has also played in masterclasses for musicians such as Danielle Belen, Kurt Sassmannshaus, Emanuel Ax, Herbert Greenberg, Christopher Costanza, Fred Lifsitz, and the Gryphon Trio. As a passionate chamber musician, she plays in her string quartet at Young Chamber Musicians and is currently the co-concertmaster of the CYS Senior Orchestra.
Olivia Park | Flute
Olivia Park, a senior at Archbishop Mitty High School, plays the flute, piccolo, and alto/soprano saxophones in her school’s jazz band and pit orchestra. A three-time recipient of the Mitty Undergraduate Award for Performing Arts, she was also named an Outstanding Musician at the 2025 Folsom Jazz Festival for her performance of Pure Imagination. A 2025 National YoungArts Winner with Distinction in Classical Music, Olivia is the principal flutist of the CYS Senior Orchestra and has served as the principal flutist of the CA All-State High School Symphony Orchestra for 2024 and 2025. She has also appeared as a concerto soloist with the KAMSA Youth Symphony Orchestra and the CYS Associate Orchestra, and has won first prizes in competitions including the ENKOR International, KAMSA Young Artists Competition, and the Silicon Valley Music Competition. Her additional honors include the Outstanding Gold Medalist with scholarship at the 2025 USOMC and a Command Performance at the 2025 CMEA Festival. Outside of music, Olivia holds a 3rd-degree black belt in Taekwondo and works as a Junior Instructor to teach younger students.
Andrew Son | CLARINET
Andrew Son is 17 years old and is a 12th grade student at Bellarmine College Preparatory. He has been playing the clarinet for 6 years and currently is studying under Hye Min Yun. He is the Principal Clarinetist at the Bellarmine Symphonic Band and a member of California Youth Symphony Senior Orchestra. He participated in the California All-State Honor Band in 2024 and 2025. He also participated as a principal clarinetist at KAMSA orchestra. He participated in several competitions and won awards such as in the KAMSA Competition, Silicon Valley Music Competition and American Protege Concerto Competition. In his free time, he likes to swim and play with his dog.
nolan woo | Cello
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Nolan Woo is a senior at Saratoga High School. Under the guidance of Kyeong Hwa Kim, he began playing the cello at the age of 7. A 2025 National YoungArts Winner, Nolan has been awarded first place in numerous competitions. In addition, he was selected to solo with the New Millennium Chamber Orchestra, the Diablo Valley College Philharmonic Orchestra, the Saratoga Symphony Orchestra, and the California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Nolan serves as principal cellist for the California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Saratoga Strings, and Saratoga Symphony Orchestra. He was also selected for the California All-State Symphony Orchestra in 2023 and 2024. Nolan has attended the ENCORE Chamber Music Institute on a merit scholarship as a member of the Senior Camerata. He has also attended the Morningside Music Bridge, an international, full-scholarship program for gifted artists at the New England Conservatory.