Guest Artists

Michelle started playing cello in fourth grade, after having studied piano since kindergarten. She currently studies cello with Eric Sung and attends the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College Division. She is also a part of the California Youth Symphony Senior Orchestra.​​​​​​​​

Eileen is a freshman at Palo Alto High School. She has been playing flute for 4 years and studies with Isabelle Chapuis. She was selected for 2024 California All State Junior High School Band and the Junior Bach Festival. In 2024, she won 1st place in competitions such as KAMSA, Charleston International, and USIOMC. Currently, Eileen is the principal flutist of the California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Beyond music, she enjoys creating visual art.

Matthew J. Hong is a 14-year-old cellist at Palo Alto High School. His dedicated musical journey began at the age of eleven and he currently studies with the guidance of Mr. Jonathon Koh. He is an active member of the California Youth Symphony Senior Orchestra led by conductor Leo Eylar, as well as the California Music Prep chamber program, where he receives coaching from esteemed professionals including Jonathon Koh, Liana Bérubé, and Dr. Pasha Sabouri. He has notably served as the principal cellist of the California All-State Junior High String Orchestra and was awarded 2nd place at the KAMSA Competition as well as 3rd place at the United States International Music Competition. He has earned acceptance into prestigious programs such as the Heifetz International Institute of Music and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Furthermore, Matthew's ensemble, the JMR Trio, which includes Junnosuke Yanagisawa and Ruiwen Ge, achieved 1st prize in the San Francisco International Innovative Music Competition and the Charleston 20th Century Music Competition. ​​​​​​​​​

Samuel Chen is a student at Gunn High School and plays the oboe, currently studying under Yu-Ting Wang. He is a member of the San Jose Youth Symphony Chamber and Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as a part of Gunn's Symphonic Band. He has also participated in the 2024 SJSU Honor Bands. He has previously played the piano and saxophone, and has performed in Merkin Concert Hall in New York City. In addition, he enjoys performing at senior homes with his friends to bring music to the wider community. Outside of music, he currently serves as the president of his school's Science Olympiad team, and enjoys math, science, creative writing, and spending time with friends.

Vincent is a student at Gunn High School and has been playing the cello for eight years, with lessons from Mrs. Irene Sharp and currently studying under Vicky Wang. He is a cellist in the Senior Symphony of the Golden State Youth Orchestra, and was the principal cellist of the Camilla Kolchinsky Orchestra in the 2023-2024 season. He is also a composer of solo, orchestral, and all sorts of ensemble music, and studies Theory and Composition with Sarana Chou. Aside from the cello, he is also able to perform on piano, viola, and french horn, and showcases his virtuosity on the triangle. Outside of music, he enjoys chess, badminton, and dark psychology, and competes in his school Science Olympiad and Cross Country teams.

Hanting Liu, 15, is a clarinet player at Henry M. Gunn High School. He has been playing the clarinet for four years, having studied under Bruce Foster for two. He is a member of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, as well as Magical Strings West and a former member of the Golden State Youth Orchestra. At school, he plays tenor saxophone in Triquetra Saxophone Quartet and soprano saxophone in the Gunn Saxophone Ensemble. Outside of playing in ensembles, he enjoys fiddling around with new instruments and has played and performed many including various clarinets and saxophones, flute, oboe, recorder, violin, and some lesser known traditional Chinese instruments such as the dizi, xiao, and hulusi.

Jack is a dedicated saxophonist and student at Palo Alto High School. He is currently a member of the Palo Alto High School Symphonic Band. He was part of the community band for the RMA Virginia front royal church and was a qualifier for the 2021–2022 Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors Association honors program. Other than music, Jack does tennis, track, and wrestling. 

Ryan Chan is a student at Mountain View High School and has played the violin for nine years, formerly studying under Joel Pattinson’s guidance. He is currently a member of the Golden State Youth Orchestra and has seven years of orchestral experience. Outside of music, he enjoys coding, playing various sports casually, and spending time with friends.

Albert Kuo is a 16 year old pianist and cellist from the Bay Area. He currently studies piano under Temirzhan Yerzhanov and cello under Leonid Friedman as a Merit Scholar at the Community School of Music and Arts in Mountain View with the highest level of scholarship. Albert has recently been awarded 2nd place in The American Fine Arts Competition in the “Golden Era of Romantic Music” category and performed at Carnegie Hall. He has previously participated in summer music programs such as “Da Capo” in Taiwan and C’est Bon Chamber Music Academy, where he was a staff and gained experience coaching younger ensembles. Albert has participated in masterclasses with world-class pianists such as Yi-Chi Lu and Ory Shihor, and has performed in chamber music, played with singers, accompanied concertos. Additionally, he is a secretary at local music volunteering organization “Notes for All”, where he helps to coordinate performances at senior centers. 

Leo is a 13 year old bassoonist at Greene Middle School. He is currently a member of the El Camino Winds in the Golden State Youth Orchestra. He also participated in the SJSU middle school honor band. He is currently studying under Dr. Yueh Chou. Other than music, Leo is a competitive swimmer and enjoys reading and hanging out with his friends in his free time.

Taylor Zhen is a student at Palo Alto High School. She has started playing violin at the age of four and currently studies violin under Mr. Davis Law. She is currently a member of the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra. Taylor was selected for 2024 California All State Junior High School Orchestra and the Junior Bach Festival. Outside of music, Taylor enjoys playing softball, listening to music, and hiking.