Lucas Choi is part of the class of 2025 at Archbishop Mitty High School. Under the tutelage of Mrs. Kyeong Hwa Kim, he started playing the cello when he was 8 years old. He is currently in the California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra as principal cellist and won the CPYO concerto competition in 2024. In 2023 and 2024, Lucas participated in the California All-State HS Symphony Orchestra and the All-State Honors Symphony Orchestra.

He received first place in competitions such as the American Fine Arts Festival Concerto Competition, the Silicon Valley Music Competition, and the Charleston International Music Competition. He placed in the US International Music Competition, the American Protégé International Music Talent Competition, and the New York Classical Music Competition. In 2022, he also performed a solo at Carnegie Hall.

When he’s not doing cello, Lucas also likes to play piano, which he has placed first in several competitions, such as the US International Open Music Competition, the Music Legacy Open Competition, and the United States Open Music Competition, while earning the Certificate of Merit level 10 with state and branch honors.

He also likes to be involved with the community by being a member of the Academy of Music and Arts for Special Education where he participates in helping kids with special needs in learning music and art.

Michelle Choi is a senior in Cupertino High School. She played piano for five years, but switched in the viola at age 10 under Yunsun Kim. She participated in the 2021 Junior All-State Orchestra, as well as passing the audition for the 2021 Kamsa Orchestra. She was principle player at Sam H. Lawson Middle School and played at the Silicon Valley Youth Orchestra. Outside of music, Michelle enjoys reading and playing games with her friends.

David Kim, 16, is a senior at Saratoga High School and has studied viola under his instructor, Yunsun Kim, since he was six. David has been awarded in various competitions such as KAMSA (Korean American Music Supporters’ Association), The Northern California Viola Society Competition, USIMC, American Protégé International Competition, and many more. He has also contributed in several ensembles, chamber groups, and orchestras including CASMEC’s California All-State String and Symphonic Orchestra, KAMSA orchestra, SVYS (Silicon Valley Youth Symphony), MUSE (Music and Us Serves Everyone) Ensemble, and several others. Aside from his competition and orchestral experiences, David participates in various volunteering activities ranging from his local senior centers to his school’s MESH (Music Education with Saratoga High) program. In addition, David had the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall and traveled along with his school’s SSO (Saratoga Symphony Orchestra) throughout Europe to perform in various prestigious music halls including the Musikverein, Smetana Hall, and many more. Outside of music, David enjoys playing archery to which he was placed in various local, state, national, and international tournaments.

Brandon is a senior at Los Gatos High School. He started studying the cello with Mrs. Kyeong Hwa Kim around 7 years ago. Through various extracurriculars and programs, he loves to give back to the community with music. In particular he enjoys giving musicians an opportunity to grow and perform and volunteering as a cello teacher at AMASE to help special-need children with music lessons. Outside of music, Brandon enjoys sports/activities, learning, and building and growing relationships with people.

Violet Hong is a Senior and the class of 2025 at Valley Christian High School. Violet started learning piano at the age of 10. She has joined praise teams at her church in both Korea and the US with her piano skills. She has won awards from several music competitions including the silicon valley music competition and the crescendo music competition where she got the honor and privilege to perform in Carnegie Hall. Also, she has played the violin since 2016. She is a member of the VCHS String Ensemble for 3 years. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music and playing games.

Ian Kim, age 17, is a senior at Saratoga High School. He has been actively playing the double bass for 8 years and studies under the guidance of Bruce Moyer. Ian is currently the principal bass player of the Saratoga High School Symphony Orchestra and Saratoga Strings. Besides from school, he participates in numerous ensembles and orchestras such as the California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, KAMSA orchestra, and more, all of which he has also earned the principal position in. As a freshman, Ian was able to achieve the title of principal player for the California All State Symphony High School Orchestra and has won the Saratoga High School Concerto Competition. Additionally, he was able to participate in NYO2 where he also earned the principal position and has also received numerous masterclasses and lessons from people including Minje Sung, Mikyung Sung, Kristen Bruya, and Timothy Pitts. In his free time, Ian enjoys watching movies and playing volleyball with his friends.

Junwoo (John) Lee is a senior at Santa Teresa high school. He played piano since he was 9. He passed level 9 on the CM test for the piano in 2023. He got 2nd place for piano solo for the Silicon Valley Music Competition 2023 and honors circle for the ensemble. In 2022, he got honors circle for piano solo and 3rd for ensemble in the Silicon Valley Music Competition. John has also won several awards from art competitions such as the honorable mention award for the scholastic art competition. In his free time, he likes to play badminton and is on the varsity team at Santa Teresa.