I'm a Junior at University City High School. Despite starting to play the violin through my elementary school’s orchestra at a comparatively late age, rather than the typical 3 or 4 years old, I made up for lost time with a relentless work ethic and countless hours of practice. Thanks to the guidance of numerous mentors and educators, I have been able to become the accomplished musician I am today, having honed my skills for over 9 years. Notably, I have held the position of concert mistress (first chair) at my school since my freshman year, taught aspiring musicians at Los Altos elementary and Villa Musica, and participated in the San Diego Youth Symphony and several chamber groups such as HCMP and VM. My passion for music is steadfast, and I consider it a privilege to impart this love and joy to younger students.

I am currently a Sophomore at Mira Mesa High School. I have been playing piano for 11 years, Violin for 8, and Viola for half a year. I am currently in Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra and was in the San Diego Youth Symphony until last year. I was also in various chamber groups in HCMP, Villa musica, and also played for chamber competitions.

I am a sophomore at Steele Canyon High School and I have been playing violin for 11 years (with some breaks here and there) and viola for about 2 years. I am currently the viola section leader at my school and I was also the viola section leader for the GUHSD honors orchestra last year. I’ve always loved music and helping kids so being a coach here will push me to grow as a person, and as a musician which will help me contribute in the future.

I'm currently a sophomore at University City High School and have been playing violin for 7 years. I have experience in ensembles at Villa Musica and HCMP and have experience working with and teaching younger students in fields of musical and academic pursuit. I truly believepositive instructional influence is pivotal in musical improvement. By becoming a coach I hope to aid students in my community on their musical journey.

I am a senior at University City High School, where I am currently taking Marching Band, Orchestra, and Percussion. I have been playing cello for 8 years, and percussion, with a focus on keyboard percussion, and Timpani for 2. Music has improved my life in many ways, and I believe that it will do the same for everyone if they are given the opportunity, and I would love to be able to spread that opportunity and make a difference within my community.

I'm currently a Junior at UCHS. I've been playing the Saxophone for 6 years and played the piano for 8. I have held numerous leaderships in clubs and organizations including instruction as a section leader in the UC marching band and as a swim instructor at the Standley Aquatics center. I feel that I have been extremely lucky with the opportunities that have been presented to me (being able to play band and orchestra instruments in elementary school instead of recorder and having access to private lessons). Throughout budget cuts and reallocation of resources, band programs are being extremely downsized and students are not receiving the music education they deserve. I feel that as a coach I can give back to my community that contributed to my music journey and spread my passion for music to the next generation.

I'm currently a junior at SDSCPA. I've played cello for ~5 years and taken multiple leadership positions in the past for youth orchestras and other activities. I am excited for what this program could bring to the students involved, including the memories, hard work, experiences, improvements, and sense of achievement or pride in themselves. I want to be a coach because I want to be able to teach or help kids improve in cello and improve in their positive views of their hard work.

I am a junior this year at UCHS. I have been playing the piano for quite a while now and the saxophone as well. I have played the saxophone in SDYS for three years and young lions jazz conservatory for one year. Playing these instruments really helped me sharpen my time management skills and provided me with a hobby. It is my goal to share these experiences and skills to other kids who might not have had the same environment I did.

I’m currently a senior at University City High School. I started playing clarinet in the 5th grade, so that means I’ve been playing for nearly eight years. I have participated in honor bands since middle school, performing among high achieving musicians and learning much from them. Within my school band, I have held leadership positions as both clarinet section leader and drum major, aiding in the process of creating and sharing music within our community. The opportunity to participate in this organization is extremely appealing to me because I have desired a way to bring the joy of music to those less privileged than I and to use the talents I’ve been given to aid others in this beautiful art.

My name is Mila Keres, and I am currently a sophomore at Torrey Pines HS. I’ve been playing violin for 8 years now, and I’ve held leadership positions at orchestras throughout the country, such as MMYO and a couple summer music festivals (international). I currently play in MMYO’s advanced orchestra and have played many chamber concerts around San Diego, both paid and volunteered. Right now, I am a competitive solo and chamber violinist, and I will be performing as a soloist with my school orchestra in December. I think this program is an incredible opportunity, and I would love the chance to take something I love and spread it to a wider audience, hoping to leave an impact on the lives of younger children.

My name is Leif Andersen. I'm a sophomore at UCHS, and have been playing double bass for 5 years. I play in San Diego Youth Symphony's Sinfonia ensemble, and have experience playing with the SDUSD district honor ensembles and Villa Musica ensembles, as well as various others. I have also done work as a bassist in solo and small ensemble performances. I would like to be a part of this program because I strongly believe in its values of teaching music. I hope to inspire the same passion for learning to play music in other people that my teachers have done and are doing for me.

My name is Ethan Oshmago. I am currently a freshmen attending university city high school. I’ve been playing mellophone for only a few months now on the centurion sound marching band. Prior to that, I played French horn for around 3-4 years which definitely helped with my knowledge for mellophone. I’ve had not been in any special programs before. I want to be in this program because I want others to be interested in music just like how I am. By becoming a coach, I believe I can be a useful asset for teaching young minds on how to play an instrument and what playing an instrument can lead to years later on.

My name is sofia rahmanain and I have been playing the violin since I was four years old. I have been first chair violinist in my counties honor orchestra. I would like to pass my talent down to the younger generations, and that is why I am drawn to this program. I believe I can make a difference for my community as a member of this program.

My name is Da’Shaud Adair and I am a junior at Steele canyon. I have been in band since the third grade and have played a wide variety of instruments. I’ve played Horn for 6 years Trumpet for 7, Euphonium for 3 years and Tuba for 4 years . I’ve been blessed enough to be apart of the Grossmont College band under the direction of Russ Sperling as well as taking place in my district honor band. I have taken a couple leadership roles in my music career such as section leader, vice president and more to come. I myself love playing music and I want to help spread that joy to others as well as helping people find happiness in things that they maybe don’t know they like yet. When becoming a coach not only do I want to help myself become a better leader but as well as helping people become better musicians.

My name is Dustin Johnson, and I’m currently a junior at Steele Canyon High School. I’ve been playing many instruments and got my start at a very young age, dabbling in things like Drum Set since 4 years old. Once I got to 3rd grade, I began to play instruments like The Trumpet and along the way, picked up Flute and was reunited with Drum Set and have since then performed all the instruments listed above in concert. I’ve performed both Flute and Trumpet at the collegiate level under the direction of Russ Sperling in both Grossmont District Honor Band(Trumpet), but also Grossmont Community College Band(Flute). By becoming a coach, I can contribute much advice, experience, and lessons that I encountered as roadblocks and didn’t have anyone to help me get around them as well as contribute to the movement that is integrating the importance of music into our youth, our future, and our society.

Hello, my name is Henry Jiang. I am currently a sophomore at UCHS. I am in Sinfonia orchestra in San Diego youth symphony. I have been taking lessons and practicing my instruments for many years which has been very enjoyable and a great experience. Despite my gift of music, I haven't been able to reach out to others and make a difference with my music. I would like to be a coach in order to utilize my skills as a cello/piano player to make a positive impact in my community. I am currently trying to reach out to a senior home to play chamber music there but so far I am unsuccessful. I hope to reach out and bring music to others in a different way and I feel like I am very fortunate for Minim to come with this great opportunity. Thank you and I hope to be a part of this.

My name is Connor, I am currently a Sophomore at UCHS. I have been playing the viola for 6 years and I have been apart of the San Diego Youth Symphony and played for fundraisers. I like this program because it lets me teach people what I love and because I want more people to know how fun music is. By being a coach I think I can help new players learn and grow and maybe even have them teach people in the future.

My name is Howard Truei. I am currently a junior at University City High School. I started playing piano at young age; my progress was interrupted after I moved to San Diego. During COVID, I took advantage of the surplus of time to take up piano again. I volunteered at the TK Music Academy where I acquired valuable experience under my mentor Thai Khuong. Although I had to discontinue my lessons after financial difficulties, I still practice regularly to maintain my progress.

My name is Hana Fitzenz and I'm currently a freshman at UCHS. I've been playing flute for 5 years and have participated in honor bands since middle school. I can also play the piano. The opportunity to be a part of this organization brings me joy as it gives me a chance to share the beautiful art of music with others. I hope to be of use while helping people find hobbies in music.

I am Aaron Puthuvalil, a freshman attending University City High School. This is my 6th year playing the violin. I've played violin in previous years for school orchestra, string groups at Villa Musica, as well as the District Honors Orchestra. I joined the San Diego Youth Symphony's "Concert Strings" program recently. Though I have not had formal sessions teaching people lessons, I occasionally assist my siblings in their instruments of violin and piano. Music is very important to me and my family, as it strengthens discipline, perseverance, and creativity. I look forward to not only sharing the gift of music with others, but giving back to something that plays a major part in my life. As for participating as a board member, I am eager to accept and fulfill any task or command I receive. As a Private First-Class in the UCHS USMCJROTC program, I have demonstrated lots of initiative, enthusiasm, and dependability for something I truly enjoy. Many officers and cadets have set high expectations for my future in the program. I have a personable and amiable demeanor. When a student/family needs help, I will be more than happy to work with them to resolve their situation.

My name is David Deutsch, and I'm a junior at University City High School. I've always been into music - as a toddler I would spend hours trying to play the toy recorder I got for my first birthday. I started playing piano at three years old. Since then, I have practiced the instrument seriously and managed to perform six times in Carnegie Hall, and internationally at locations such as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and Albert Hall in London. Two years ago I received my musical high school diploma from the National Guild of Piano Teachers and a Paderewski medal, for being marked in the top tier for ten Guild exams in a row. Yet as I take a step back, I realize that as a soloist, I sometimes feel a little out of place. I have never been able to play in a large team in the way that orchestra musicians can, and it's a lot harder to find a common drive with another musician when neither of you are playing together. So is it possible for a soloist to share his love for music with others? As I found out at my most recent Carnegie appearance, there is a way - teaching. To me, this program is a chance to teach talented, aspiring musicians and hopefully change someone's life - but it's also an opportunity for me to step out of the soloist world and back into the wonderful collaborative space where I think all musicians belong.

My name is Adam Bergstrom. I'm currently a Freshman at UCHS. I've been playing the cello for 4 years, privately and within school related groups. I am drawn to this program because it is something I display passion and interest in. I want to be more involved with my instrument and aid in other children’s musical journey. It brings me great joy to work with these people and foster a community of music as a lifelong gift to the community.

​My name is Elena Campanario Johnson and I am a Freshman at UCHS. I have been playing the violin for 9 years. For many years I was in the San Diego Suzuki School of Music. In this school I took private lessons and group lessons as well as played in their chamber orchestra. I also have been honored to be concertmistress for my middle school and district honor orchestra. Currently I am playing the violin in Mainly Mozart’s Youth Orchestra along with taking private lessons with Hernan Constantino. Just like Shinichi Suzuki, I believe any child can learn to play an instrument. By being a coach I hope to help others find their passion for music.

My name is Trees and I am a freshman in University City High School. I have been playing cello for 3 years and double bass for 2 years. I am currently in a jazz band club. I would be happy to help your music education grow and you become more confident in your playing. I love teaching others I hope you enjoy your instrument.