CLASS OF 2018
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JAIME AN
BIO
// School: Saratoga High School
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// Years Active: 2016- 2018
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// Instrument: Cello
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Jaime An graduated from Saratoga High School in 2018. She began studying cello under Jihee Kim at the age of 10. In 2012, she placed 1st in the Korea Times Competition and won Grand Prize in 2015. As the 2015 California senior string winner in the MTNA competition, she competed in the Southwest Division Competition and was the Honorable Mention. Also, she won 1st in AFAF Concerto Competition 2016. Jaime has studied with Hans Jorgen Jensen at the Meadowmount School of Music in 2014 and 2015, and went to Bowdoin Music Festival in 2016. In her free time, Jaime loves to spend time with her family and friends.
HANNAH CHOI
BIO
// School: Amador Valley High School
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// Years Active: 2016- 2018
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// Instrument: Viola
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Hannah Choi graduated from Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton in 2018. She started playing piano at the age of 7 and started playing violin as a hobby when she was in 7th grade. However, when her private teacher suggested “a bigger violin”, she had no hesitation in switching her instrument to viola. Hannah is now a violist at AVHS. Since she immigrated from South Korea 8 years ago, she is pretty fluent in both Korean and English. This and the fact that she has a bright personality have helped her participate in several events at church as an MC. Hannah truly enjoys spending her time with her family and friends, but she also loves spending time watching videos on her computer.
ANDREW KANG
BIO
// School: Archbishop Mitty High School
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// Years Active: 2016- 2018
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// Instrument: Clarinet
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Andrew Kang graduated from Archbishop Mitty High School in 2018. He began playing the clarinet when he was in 5th grade with his school band and also joined the California Youth Symphony Wind Ensemble. He is currently the assistant principal clarinetist at California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Andrew also has played the piano since he was 4 years old, and currently is a member of his school orchestra as a pianist. He has been a winner of various competitions including US open music competition, SF Korean Times Youth Music Competition, and Santa Cruz Baroque Festival Youth Chamber Competition. He enjoys playing his instruments in other opportunities such as benefit concerts and his school musical pit orchestra.
Andrew also loves water sports and spends a lot of time in the swimming pool with his school water polo team and swim team throughout the year.
EDWARD KIM
BIO
// School: Palo Alto High School
// Years Active: 2016- 2018
// Instrument: Trumpet
Edward Kim graduated from Palo Alto High School in 2018. He started playing the violin in elementary school under Davis Law. In 7th grade, he switched over to the trumpet. As of now, he plays in the California Youth Symphony and recently played in his school marching and symphonic band. In his free time, Edward enjoys biking with his friends and watching documentaries.
GIO KIM
BIO
// School: Henry M. Gunn High School
// Years Active: 2016- 2018
// Instrument: Oboe
Gio Kim graduated from Henry M. Gunn High School in 2018. She has been playing oboe for 6 years. She is the principal oboist of the Gunn High School Wind Ensemble and is a member of the Gunn High School Woodwind Quintet. Gio has been a member of ECYS for 4 years and is currently a part of the Senior Symphony Orchestra. Gio has participated in KAMSA for 2 years and has performed at a benefit concert for Nahnoom. Gio has won awards from KAMSA and SV Youth Symphony. In her free time Gio enjoys reading, running, and volunteering.
SONYA LEE
BIO
// School: Saint Francis High School
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// Years Active: 2016- 2018
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// Instrument: Cello
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Sonya Lee graduated from Saint Francis High School in 2018. She began playing the cello at the age of seven. She has studied under Irene Sharp, Kim Kyeong-Hwa, and Eric Sung. She currently attends the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Precollege Program and is a member of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra.
BENJAMIN PRINCE
BIO
// School: Archbishop Mitty High School
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// Years Active: 2017- 2018
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// Instrument: Trumpet
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Ben, 17 graduated from Branham High School in 2018. His trumpet career started when he was introduced to the trumpet in his school band in 6th grade. He has been a part of the San Jose Youth Symphony Chamber orchestra in 8th grade. He is a part of Branham's jazz band as the lead trumpet player. In his spare time, he enjoys socializing with friends, playing video games, and wondering about the future.
RACHEL SHIN
BIO
// School: Cupertino High School
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// Years Active: 2016- 2018
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// Instrument: Flute
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Rachel Shin graduated from Cupertino High School in 2018. She learned to play the piano at the age of 5 and the violin at the age of 9. She started playing the flute in sixth grade and played flute as first chair at her school band the following year. Rachel was also a flutist at California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (CPYO) as an assistant principal and a principal flutist at Korean American Music Supporters Association (KAMSA). Alongside musical activities, Rachel is active in her school. She served her class for three years as a rally chair for one year and vice president for two years. She is now her school's media team video executive on ASB. Rachel is also an editor-in-chief for her school's award-winning yearbook staff. Outside of school, Rachel dances on her studio's competitive award-winning team, Dance Academy USA Production Company (DAUPC). Rachel is also the web designer of the Sky Ensemble website. In her free time, Rachel enjoys reading, watching movies, all while drinking several cups of boba.
KEVIN SUNG
BIO
// School: Bellarmine College Preparatory
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// Years Active: 2016- 2018
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// Instrument: Violin
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Kevin Sung graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory in 2018. He began studying violin when he was nine years old under Davis Law as a student of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. In 2012, Kevin was concertmaster of the California Philharmonic Youth Associate Orchestra, and currently is a member of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra as a first violinist. Kevin has won the US Open competition in 2016, and was finalist of the Pacific Musical Society Competition in 2014. He has participated in the full scholarship program of the Dominican Summer Music Camp in 2014. He has toured with the San Francisco Youth Symphony in 2015. Kevin has worked under Gerardo Ribeiro during the Meadowmount School of Music in 2016. He has worked with other musicians such as Florin Parvulescu, Jinjoo Cho, Bill Fitzpatrick, and the Telegraph Quartet.
