The Yale Symphony Orchestra Roster

Aditya Chander is a second year PhD student in Music Theory from London, United Kingdom. His research interests lie in the domains of experimental music psychology and computational music theory. He holds a master’s degree from Stanford University in Music, Science and Technology, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cambridge in Music. He is an active orchestral violinist, having played in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, Cambridge University Chamber Orchestra, Cambridge University Collegium Musicum (baroque violin) and Stanford Philharmonia. He has also won concerto competitions at Cambridge and Stanford, resulting in performances with the Cambridge University Symphony Orchestra and Stanford Summer Orchestra. As a chamber musician, he was a member of Cambridge’s Instrumental Award Scheme for Chamber Music, and has participated in the St. Lawrence String Quartet’s Summer Seminar. Outside music, Aditya loves baking, floral shirts and modern art. He is excited to return to YSO for his second year!

Oliver Leitner (PC ’22) is a violinist from Reno, NV and is majoring in Biochemistry. He started the violin at 4 years old playing the Bob The Builder theme song and has been in love with the instrument ever since, having participated in multiple music festivals in Germany and Aspen, among others. Outside of music, he loves to run and ski, and is also highly particular about the chocolate he eats, only considering “real” chocolate to be 90% or higher. 

Phoebe is a junior violinist in Trumbull College from Atlanta, GA majoring in math and computer science. She’s also an Education Studies Scholar and Yale Daily News arts journalist. Phoebe will absolutely cry happy tears when the YSO plays its first note together again. Or when live concerts happen again. Probably both. She enjoys strawberries in her oatmeal, morning runs to East Rock and practicing her scales — spot the lie. Herbal tea is not tea, and white chocolate is not chocolate. And if you want to make her very angry, use the Oxford comma.

Nicholas Cerny is a first-year student in Timothy Dwight College from Fort Worth, Texas. He has been playing violin since the age of six and is currently a student of Syoko Aki at the Yale School of Music. He has spent his past summers playing violin at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, where he was selected as concertmaster of their Young Artists Orchestra. He is hoping to study Chemistry and Music. Outside of violin, Nicholas enjoys running, biking, and learning jazz piano.

Call me Jun-Davinci Choi. I am a sophomore in Benjamin Franklin. I am originally from Australia, where I grew up playing in school ensemble and the Sydney Youth Orchestras. Since then, I have continued engaging in music-making through ECHO: Musicians Connect, Claremont Chamber Orchestra, and New York Youth Symphony. You may find me on campus performing in pits for musical theatre and opera productions, working on psets at various libraries, and wondering around in search of good company, food, and entertainment!

I am a violinist from Los Angeles, California, and I have been playing the violin since the age of four. I have been involved in multiple orchestras and have performed solo repertoire as well. I happily reside in Timothy Dwight College at Yale. I spent my early childhood in Korea and my adolescent years in LA, so I consider myself a huge fan of both Korean BBQ and In-N-Out burgers. One of my greatest passions is watching films over the ratings of 7.6 and 74% on IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes, respectively.

Andrew DeWeese is a first-year violinist from Charlotte, NC in Pierson College. He has played violin since the age of 4 and has served in numerous orchestras including the National Youth Orchestra of the USA; the Honor Orchestra of America, of which he was concertmaster; and the NSO Summer Music Institute. Andrew especially loves chamber music and is the violinist in the Charlotte Piano Trio. He plans to study classics and something humanities-based at Yale. Andrew loves good old-fashioned movies, and Lawrence of Arabia will always be his favorite. He also loves chess but can’t seem to break past beginner status.

Epongue is from Rochester, NY, and is a senior in Davenport College studying Environmental Justice. In addition to being in YSO, she is the Head Stage Manager at the Yale School of Music and is the concertmaster of the Yale Undergraduate Chamber Orchestra. She is also a part of Students for Carbon Dividends and the Yale Dramatic Association. Epongue is a peer mentor for the Environmental Studies Department. She also loves dabbling in other genres and enjoys fitness. 

Albert is a sophomore in Saybrook. He hails from Cary, NC, where he first picked up the violin at age 8. Before coming to Yale, he studied with Eric Pritchard at Duke University and was a member of the MYCO Youth Chamber Orchestra. Outside of music, Albert enjoys running and eating. He is studying Computer Science.

Janet Hsu plays violin and is a junior in Berkeley College. She enjoys solving sudoku puzzles in her free time.

Samhitha Josyula is a sophomore violinist in Davenport College from Westchester, NY. She has lots of academic interests, but loves music and the note C-sharp the most. When Samhitha isn’t practicing, you can find her taking on one too many art projects, learning Bollywood dances with her roommate, or running to make room for more Coco-Roos and Ben & Jerry’s. 

I’m a first-year at Benjamin Franklin, and I love playing the violin.  I’m also a huge fan of chamber music and Franklin’s dining hall food.  Looking forward to the repertoire this season!

Hello, I’m Joo Un Lee from Tenafly, NJ. I’m a freshman in Benjamin Franklin College and I started playing violin in second grade. I was part of the New York Youth Symphony for the past five years, where I learned the joy of playing in an ensemble. I also enjoy doing community service, so I often play violin at nursing homes. Outside of music, I also love to read, watch movies, and talk about video games with my friends. Academically, I wish to pursue chemical engineering here at Yale.

Sam Panner is a senior in Ezra Stiles college from Bethesda, MD. He has been playing the violin since he was 3 years old, and he’s currently a student of Professor Kyung Yu’s at Yale. Sam loves chamber music, and he also loves playing jazz drums in combos with friends. He also likes to watch documentaries about food. Sam’s favorite color used to be green-yellow, but now it’s just green.

My name is Christine Ramirez and I am a sophomore in Saybrook college from Long Island, NY! I am majoring in Neuroscience. I also enjoy playing piano and sing for fun. When I’m not playing violin or listening to music, I love to go on runs and exercise, watch YouTube/Netflix, and have a good laugh with family and friends. 

Audrey Wang is a freshman violinist from Scottsdale, Arizona in Ezra Stiles college. She has won several top prizes from National Young Arts Competition, Music Teachers National Association Competition, Arizona String Teachers Association State Solo Competition, Phoenix Youth Symphony Young Musicians Competition, Arizona Music Festival, and the Four Seasons Orchestra Competition. In her free time she enjoys drawing, reading, baking, and outdoor activities like hiking, biking, swimming, and skiing.

Hello! My name is Julia and I am the Social Chair of YSO this year! I am a Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology major in Berkeley College, and I hope to study medicine in the future. I am proudly from Orange County, California and I love California things like acai bowls and kale. But, I do love New Haven, especially campus during fall and winter. When I’m not planning YSO social events, I’m working on Splash at Yale in the BK buttery, dancing with my suitemates, eating popcorn, or thinking about that Japanese food cart on Science Hill. Most likely, I’m doing more than one of those things at once.

My name is Adam Zhang. I’m from Audubon, Pennsylvania, and I attend Pierson College at Yale. Music has always been a big part of my life - I love listening to music and play both the piano and violin. Some of my other hobbies include tennis, hanging out with friends, and watching cooking videos. And I absolutely love Starbucks. 

Sophia Zhang is a first-year violinist in Pierson College. Having grown up in Connecticut for most of her childhood before moving to Arizona, she is a true Connecticut native at heart. She was the concertmaster of the Phoenix Youth Symphony, AZ all-region orchestra, and the Idyllwild Summer Chamber Festival Orchestra, and has performed a variety of solo repertoire as well. Sophia is a prospective MCDB major and looks forward to diving into late night study sessions accompanied by her signature Starbucks order: a blonde flat white with soy. In her free time, you’ll probably find her hiking, playing some tennis, or nostalgically binging 2000s shows.

My name’s Josh, and I’m a first-year violinist from Edmond, Oklahoma hoping to major in Ethics, Politics, and Economics! My parents are both professional violinists in the OKC Philharmonic, and so naturally I picked up the violin in first grade and have loved it since. In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing tennis, spending time with friends, and rewatching the Office!

Nanki Chugh is a sophomore violinist in Grace Hopper College from Santa Monica, California. She is currently studying with Wendy Sharp and loves performing with The Jef Quartet, which includes YSO members Oliver Leitner and Brian Isaacs. She is interested in pursuing both music and the Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics major at Yale. She also enjoys dancing on the Yale Jashan Bhangra Team and is intrigued by all marine creatures, especially comb jellies!

Dylan Fernandez de Lara is a sophomore in Berkeley studying Computer Science. When he isn’t playing violin, you’ll find him on the football field playing bass drum or in the Berkeley computer lab doing “work” with friends. He loves all things Texas and breakfast tacos are his favorite food.

Hi! I’m Olivia, a first-year in Timothy Dwight College from Sacramento, California. Listening and playing classical music has always been a large part of my life, and I love playing chamber music with my friends and family. Other hobbies include taste-testing food, gardening (or as I call it, mini-farming), and watching SNL re-runs. 

I’m a first-year in Johnathan Edwards college. I’m from London, UK, and I have played the violin since I was four, and attended the Royal College of Music Junior Department. I also played the trumpet for five years!

Ava is a second year student from Seattle majoring in Environmental Studies and Music. She enjoys teaching violin lessons and playing chamber music with friends. 

Anjali is a first-year in Saybrook college planning to study CS. A native of Bethesda, MD, Anjali has been playing the violin for 12 years and has spent (way too) many hours in youth and school orchestras. Talk to me about all things Avatar: The Last Airbender, artificial intelligence, and cooking/baking-related.

Hi! My name is Meili Gupta. I am a freshman in Trumbull College from Bethesda, Maryland. I’ve loved playing violin around the world, from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House, and hope to continue sharing the gift of music with anybody I meet. I’m planning to major in Computer Science at Yale, but who knows what else I’m going to learn in the next four years! 

Ernestina is a junior in Davenport majoring in Architecture. She has performed in the Young People’s Symphony Orchestra and the Bay Area Youth Orchestra Festival at Davies Symphony Hall. Outside of playing violin for the YSO, she heads the Chinese Adopted Siblings Program for Youth and enjoys doodling in the beautifully-lit stairwell of the Yale University Art Gallery. She enjoys long lunches with good friends, Arensky Piano Trio No.1, and the company of former Principal Cellist Henry Shapard.

Hello, my name is Byron Huang and I’m from Los Angeles, California. I’m a freshman in Trumbull college and have played the violin for 10 years. Other than playing the violin, I love cooking, watching tv shows/movies, and hanging out with friends!

Jaehyun Kim is a first-year at Morse College from Long Island, New York. He has been playing the violin since he was four years old and has performed in ensembles such as the Long Island Youth Orchestra, All State Symphony Orchestra, and All State String Orchestra. Outside rehearsal, he like reading, playing tennis, watching comedy sketches, trying to dance, and playing popular music.

Chris (MC ‘24) is a violinist from Seoul, South Korea and intends to major in Biophysics. Chris has played the violin for 12 years, although he probably spent most of that time out of tune. Nonetheless, Chris has performed in various venues including the Conservatoire de Luxembourg, Carnegie Hall, and the Lincoln Center. When Chris isn’t playing the violin, he’s probably dancing to K-pop or planning to go skiing.

Stella is a junior in Saybrook and originally from Nashville, Tennessee. Her academic interests are varied, but some topics she enjoys discussing include the human brain and poetry since 1950. Outside of school and playing the violin, she loves to run, hike, lay in the grass (ask her about the best spots for doing this on Yale’s campus!) and spend time with friends.

Nathan Wu, from Essex Junction, Vermont, is a first year in Grace Hopper College. He first started playing the violin in 4th grade and has since been in a variety of regional performing groups, including the Vermont Youth Orchestra, New England Music Festival Orchestra, and Vermont All-State Festival Orchestra. In his free time, Nathan enjoys hiking, skiing, trivia, and solving puzzles. Nathan is hoping to study either Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology or Computer Science while at Yale, although his plans could change at a moment’s notice.

Anna is a first-year in Branford from St. Louis, MO planning to major in Computer Science and Economics. She began playing the violin at the age of 5 and soon began playing in orchestras such as the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, Missouri All-State Orchestra, and NAfME Symphony Orchestra. She also loves playing chamber music and competed at Fischoff in high school with her quartet. Aside from violin, she enjoys playing Ultimate, sleeping in, and eating yummy food.

Kevin Zhou is a first-year in Berkeley College from St. Louis, Missouri. Outside of playing the violin, he enjoys playing tennis and basketball, reading, and running. He also likes to cook, and it’s always more fun if he can avoid accidentally burning himself.

Brian is a junior sociology major from Forest Hills, NYC—a neighborhood with, in fact, very few forests and hills. He is an enthusiastic orchestral violist, currently as a section member of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, and formerly as principal violist of the New York Youth Symphony and NYO-USA. His interests include biking around New Haven, “analyzing” TikToks for socio-musical trends, building weirdly large Minecraft houses, and thinking about his dog, Timber.

Andy Park is an incoming freshman in Benjamin Franklin College. Andy innocently started with a violin, joining the dark side of viola later as he was attracted to its power. As an enthusiastic violist, Andy participated in numerous orchestras and chamber music in his community. He was a principal in NYO-USA and a prior member of New York String Orchestra Seminar. He was also a YoungArts finalist 2020 and a Grand Prize winner in the Mondavi Music Competition. Besides music, Andy loves to sleep or watch random YouTube videos. He also finds comfort from star-gazing in the middle of a backpacking trip. 

Xavier Blackwell-Lipkind is a first-year violist in Davenport College from West Hartford, Connecticut. When he’s not practicing, he enjoys learning languages, writing short stories, composing music, watching mediocre indie movies, and taste-testing olives. He also plays percussion and a bit of piano.

Daniel Chabeda is a junior violist in Ezra Stiles College who is majoring in Chemistry. He is from Charlotte, North Carolina and has performed with multiple orchestral and chamber groups including the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra, Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival, and the NC Governor’s School Orchestra. Daniel enjoys watching cooking videos, discussing religion, and skateboarding! 

Jisoo is a junior in Davenport College studying Humanities. She began playing the viola at nine years old through her elementary school’s music program (support arts education in public schools!). She spends her free time trying green tea-flavored snacks, watching stand-up comedy, and reading film criticism.

I’m Aaron Dean, a first year violist in Branford College. I am originally from the Washington DC area and have been playing for 10 years. Orchestral playing has been an important part of my life, and throughout high school I participated in the District of Columbia Youth Orchestra where I had the pleasure of touring to both Columbia and Italy. Outside of playing I enjoy running and baking. I am really excited to be a part of the YSO this year!

Jonathan is a junior in Trumbull College and hails from Houston, Texas. He enjoys using a lot of air while playing clarinet and making faces while playing viola. Outside of orchestra, Jonathan sings with the Yale Glee Club, walks outside, thinks, and eats. 

My name is Annette Kim and I’m from Cresskill, NJ! I am a first-year in Trumbull College looking to major in Global Affairs. I’ve been playing the viola for 6 years and have been a part of the New York Youth Symphony. In my free time, I enjoy baking, exploring coffee shops, playing golf, and binging Netflix shows! 

Jacob Miller is a rising senior majoring in Music. He is currently taking time off to follow his passions and work for the US Census Bureau. When not composing, playing the viola, or enumerating US residents, he enjoys cooking, taking walks, and telling anyone about furniture. 

Kaci Xie is a first year in Pierson College from Atlanta, Georgia. Even though she’s a pureblood violist, she sometimes has more than one brain cell to use for reading novels and enjoying the great outdoors. 

Alma Bitran is a senior majoring in psychology.  Outside of music, she works as a tour guide at the Yale University Art Gallery. She likes to cook, write, walk around, and read on the couch, and she has recently gotten really into YouTube videos of people surfing.

Spencer Adler is a first-year in TD hailing from Durham, NC, a town known for its barbeque, minor-league baseball, and mediocre regional university built in the Collegiate Gothic Style. When he’s not practicing, he’s probably studying chemistry, going for a run, or making dad jokes.

Hi everyone! My name is Jason Campe, I’m a senior in Davenport College, and I’m from New Canaan, Connecticut! I’m majoring in Applied Physics and doing research in a quantum computing lab, and outside of YSO you can find me organizing (and playing) intramural sports and working in the Davenport buttery. I love reading books, playing and watching sports, and eating all of the amazing food in New Haven.

Anastasia Dalianis is a junior in Morse College majoring in Humanities. She plays cello in a variety of Yale ensembles and enjoys reading, creative writing, and learning about art history.

Francis Fedora is a cellist from Croton-on-Hudson, New York. He is a rising sophomore in Timothy Dwight College. His academic interests include physics and the history and philosophy of science. He has a deep love of chamber music and also plays baroque cello with the Opera Theatre of Yale College. Due to disruption of Covid-19, Francis is taking a leave of absence to focus on musical composition.  

Giacomo Glotzer is a third-year cellist from Chicago, IL dedicated to pursuing music and neuroscience at Yale. Though he is currently taking a gap semester, he is excited to return to the YSO in the spring semester.

Julia is a junior in Saybrook studying Cognitive Science. She wanted to play the trumpet in fourth grade but wasn’t allowed to because she was too “asthmatic”, so she opted for the cello instead (she’s glad she did!). Outside of rehearsal, she can be found doing yoga, running, and looking for Coco Roos in every dining hall. This is her third year in the YSO. 

Emery Kerekes is a senior Music/Linguistics double major in Silliman College. He is Artistic Director of the Opera Theatre of Yale College, conducts the Yale Undergraduate Chamber Orchestra, and sings with the Yale Glee Club. In his free time, he enjoys cooking and writing music criticism for Opera News and The Classical Post. You can follow his music blog at https://www.theclassicalmusicgeek.com/.

Jimin Kim is a first-year in Branford College from Orange, CA. She has been playing the cello for the past twelve years and has played in her school orchestras and chamber groups. In her free time, she likes to bake, play squash, and nap!

Gregory Llewellyn ‘23 comes from the New York metro area. In his free time, he likes to fool around at the keyboard and watch anime on Netflix. His favorite composer is Poulenc.

David Peng is a first-year in Grace Hopper College from Westchester, NY. He has immensely enjoyed playing in orchestras and ensembles, including in the New York Youth Symphony. One of his favorite solo performances was playing impromptu in Colorado at 1:30 AM. He wonders if he will play at even later hours! At Yale, David will probably major in physics or a STEM-related field. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball, eating noodles, and playing Minecraft.

Carmelita Ro-Mendez is a first-year in Benjamin Franklin College from Seattle, WA.  When she isn’t practicing or playing chamber music with friends, you can find her salsa dancing, singing karaoke, studying chemistry, or learning fun food history tidbits.

Hello! I’m Kyle Shin, a first year in Morse College. I’ve played cello since I was 8 years old. It’s a hobby I love, and I’m so excited to be part of YSO. I’ve played in my high school orchestra and in the Greater New Haven Youth Orchestra. 

Christina Young is a first-year student in Timothy Dwight College. She is from Redwood Shores, California, and hopes to major in biomedical and mechanical engineering. She started playing cello at age nine and loved playing it in her school symphony orchestra, pit orchestra, and the All-State orchestra. She currently studies cello under Professor Olé Akahoshi at Yale. When Christina is not playing cello, she enjoys drawing, designing, cross country, lacrosse, and spending time with her friends.

Isaac is a first-year in Berkeley College. He is from Garland, Texas and hopes to major in Urban Studies or English. In his free time he likes to hike and make iced coffee.

My name is Alice Zhao, and I am a junior in Jonathan Edwards College. I grew up in Plano, Texas, and am currently double majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, as well as the History of Science, Medicine, and Public Health. I have been playing the double bass since I was about 11 years old and have loved it ever since!

Antonis Christou is a sophomore in Grace Hopper College studying Computer Science and Music. His orchestral exploits have taken him from the YSO to the National Youth Orchestra 2, but he secretly considers him a violinist. He enjoys holding pedal tones for hundreds of measures, having his name mispronounced, and waxing philosophically οn the illusion of free will. In his spare time, he can be found building programs with rather dubious practical uses and transcribing Greek folk tunes. 

Weston Kerekes is a first-year in Silliman from Santa Monica, California. For the past few years, he has spent most of his time outside the classroom rehearsing and playing gigs for orchestra, choir, and jazz band. Music has always been a very important part of his life, and he is excited to continue to play and sing at Yale. Outside of music, he likes to spend time hiking, watching documentaries, and improving his pizza recipe.

Tammy Chung is a first-year flutist in Jonathan Edwards planning to major in Cognitive Science and the History of Science, Medicine, and Public Health. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, she loves attending concerts at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, visiting museums, and exploring DTLA coffee shops. When not practicing her flute, she can be found experimenting with different lattes, petting adorable puppies, attempting rock climbing, and hiking with her friends.

Jeremy Goldwasser has been playing flute and piccolo for 11 years. A Statistics and Data Science major, his primary academic interests lie in the intersection of math and artificial intelligence. Besides music, Jeremy enjoys going on hikes, reading nonfiction, and playing chess in his spare time. 

Rosa Kleinman is a sophomore in Benjamin Franklin studying economics and political science. She lives in northern New Jersey and has performed in various ensembles including the Brevard Music Center Concert Orchestra and the All-Eastern Band. When not practicing, she enjoys reading, hiking, and listening to the Freakonomics podcast.

Supriya Weiss is a sophomore flautist in Saybrook majoring in mathematics. Though a native of Phoenix, Arizona, Supriya will spend the fall in LA enjoying a semester’s reprieve from the biting cold of the northeast. She is one of this year’s Halloween Show co-producers and can’t wait to bring this YSO tradition to the virtual stage!

Annie is a junior flutist in Davenport College majoring in Economics and Math. She is from North Potomac, MD, and enjoys adding a touch of Old Bay seasoning to just about anything. Annie is also a member of Yale’s Groove Dance Company and the Yale Undergraduate Ballet Company.

Alec Chai is a junior oboist in Morse College majoring in Chemistry. He is from Colorado Springs, CO, and does in fact like to ski. He was recently chosen as a Yamaha Young Artist, but was disappointed to not get a free oboe. In addition to being an oboist, Alec is also a member of the Yale Undergraduate Piano Collective and dabbles in jazz on the saxophone. When he’s not making reeds, Alec is probably playing basketball or being sad about his reeds.

Allison Huang is a first-year from Irvine, California in Trumbull College. She has played with the Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble for four years. With the PSYWE, she had the honor of performing in concert halls across Vienna including The Golden Hall of The Musikverein, The Wiener Konzerthaus, and The MuTh. Aside from music, Allison loves good (Asian in particular) food, staying active, and being with friends!

Miranda Margulis-Ohnuma is a first-year in Branford and plays oboe, English horn, and cello. She has played with the New York All-State orchestra, All-Eastern Band, and other orchestras, bands, chamber groups, jazz bands, and pit orchestras, but never in anything as big as the YSO!

Matthew Miller is a first-year in Trumbull College. From Laurel, Maryland, he has played with the Maryland Youth Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Maryland All State Band and Orchestra, and his high school’s wind and chamber ensembles. He was selected as principal oboe of the 2020 Maryland All State Senior Orchestra, which, unfortunately, never got the chance to perform. Off the oboe, you can find Matthew advocating for mental health or looking for new recipes to cook. He’s excited for his first season with the YSO!

Hello! I am Eduardo Pagliaro-Haque, and I’m a first year in Benjamin Franklin. Oboe playing started being an important part of my life after fifth grade, and once I entered middle school, I then started getting involved in regional and all-state festivals where I met so many other passionate, friendly musicians. I’ve not had too much experience with being a part of an orchestra outside of that, so I’m very excited to be a part of YSO this year and learn more about and with all the other members!

Allison Chu is a Ph.D. student in Music History. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Clarinet Performance (2019) and a Bachelor of Arts in English (2019) from the University of Michigan. While at Michigan, she worked with the UM Gershwin Initiative as an Editorial Assistant and conducted research focusing on George Gershwin’s Blue Monday through a grant from the UM School of Music, Theatre & Dance EXCEL program. Allison was one of the founding members of the Grant Hagan Society, an affinity group that supports people of color in the Yale Department of Music, and she currently works as a research assistant for the Sawyer Seminar, “The Order of Multitudes.” Her research interests include the status of opera in contemporary society, twenty-first century operatic compositions, and the representation of identity on stage.

Eli Gilbert, a first-year in Benjamin Franklin College, is a clarinetist from Santa Cruz, California. He plans to study Applied Math, but that could easily change! When not playing music or working on recording projects, Eli loves science, running, coding, conducting, and walking around European cities at night.

Daniel Kim, a sophomore in Ezra Stiles College, is a clarinetist from Skillman, New Jersey. In his free time, Daniel enjoys playing basketball and cooking Korean food.

Born in London, Mia comes from a family of musicians which meant that immersion in all things musical was compulsory from birth. Despite showing early promise at the piano, Mia realised that it was too solitary and that what she really wanted to do was play with other people. She switched to the clarinet and swiftly realised it was the instrument for her, spending eight years at the Junior Department of the Royal Academy of Music. Mia is now a freshman in Saybrook College where she spends a great deal of time listening to opera, doing yoga and reading!

Timothy Kim is currently a freshman in Timothy Dwight College from Greenwich, CT. Initially starting on piano, violin and trombone, Tim dropped all of them to pursue the bassoon when his piano teacher first introduced it to him. Outside of music, Tim enjoys being with his friends and playing rugby. 

Carter is a freshmen in Pauli Murray College potentially pursuing a data science major. He is from Weston, MA and began playing bassoon in freshmen year of high school. As a student, music has always been the fundamental foundation in Carter’s life, with his weekends and summers always being fully engaged in various musical activities. He has performed with the 2019 NAfME All National Ensemble, as well as the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and Rivers Youth Orchestra. He has also performed in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, and Brazil. In his free time, he enjoys practicing martial arts, reading, playing golf, or face timing friends. He is absolutely thrilled for the incoming journey with YSO!

Dawson Thomas is a sophomore in Ezra Stiles College (Moose Love!) pursuing a physics and mathematics major. He is from Atlanta, GA and began playing the bassoon in middle school. Music has played a major role in his life ever since. Around campus (or sometimes remotely haha), he leads outreach initiatives for the Society of Physics Students and conducts particle physics-related research. In his spare time, he might be found hiking, reading, playing piano, folding origami, or just generally vibing. He looks forward to making the most of this unique YSO season!

Maddy Tung is a senior in Timothy Dwight College pursuing a combined BA in Music and Humanities. She began playing bassoon at age eleven and has performed in Italy, Australia, and Chicago’s Symphony Center. In her free time, she likes to read, write, draw, dance, dine, deliberate, and engage in various other (less alliterative) pursuits.

Sonny Young is a prefrosh in the class of 2025. He is from the Bay Area in California but regrettably does not take advantage of the weather by always staying indoors. He started playing the bassoon at age 13. Aside from music, he is interested in chemistry and enjoys solving puzzles.

Andrew is a first-year from the best residential college (Silliman). He’s from Wilbraham, MA, and hopes to study MCDB on a pre-med track. When he’s not practicing, he enjoys writing, watching reality TV, and hiking. After three years with the Springfield Youth Orchestra and four with the Minnechaug Wind Ensemble, he’s beyond excited to be joining YSO for the ‘20-‘21 season!

Henry Berger, a first-year in Jonathan Edwards, is a French horn player from Rochester, NY. He is planning to study mechanical engineering, with a heavy dose of political science. In his free time, Henry enjoys ultimate Frisbee, board games and crossword puzzles, and relaxing with a good book.

My name is Rafi, and I’m a first-year Horn player in Davenport College. I’m from St. Louis, Missouri, and an avid fan of Cardinals baseball. In addition to playing music, I enjoy rock climbing and pretty much any outdoor activity.

Richard is a French Horn player from NYC, studying Computer Science. He enjoys meeting new people, biking, cooking, and traveling. He’s thrilled to be joining the YSO!

Connor Totilas is a first year in Benjamin Franklin from Windermere FL. In his spare time, Connor enjoys long-distance running and has taken an interest in learning the inner workings of the stock market. At Yale, he plans to major in math and physics as well as explore the world of quantum mechanics.

James Brandfonbrener is a junior Music major in Morse College. He studies composition with Kathryn Alexander. James plays trumpet in the Concert Band and the Marching Band, as well as in a Jazz Combo and in Coup de Brass. He also plays piano and music directs.

My name is Aria Harris and I’m a freshman in Morse College. I grew up in Lexington, MA, a suburb outside of Boston. I started trumpet when I was 11, at which point my favorite song to play was Jingle Bells. More recently in my career, I played in the Boston Youth Symphony and Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble throughout high school. I’m most looking forward to playing the Halloween show this year!

My name is Eli, and I’m a senior English major in Stiles. I grew up in Kirkwood, Missouri and started playing trombone in my fifth grade band class. Since then, I’ve played in a lot of ensembles that aren’t nearly as fun as the YSO. Aside from being in orchestras, I like reading, hiking, writing, eating, running, and coffee.

Hi! My name is JT, I’ve been playing the trombone for ten years now, and I think I’m starting to get the hang of it. I hail from Hershey, PA, and I’m a sophomore in Yale’s best residential college (Pauli Murray, of course). My (not so) fun fact is that I’m allergic to fruit, but it’s okay because now I have an excuse to not eat healthy.

Fernando is a bass trombonist from San José, Costa Rica. He is a sophomore math major in Ezra Stiles, and can often be found working on problem sets in the Stiles common room in the middle of the night, practicing his Russian, and doing his best to understand Americans.

My name is Max Hammond, and I’m a first-year pianist in Silliman! I hope to study math and music —and explore the connection between them — while at Yale. I’ve been playing piano since I was four, and I’m so excited to get to be a part of YSO this season!

George is a sophomore in TD college. Winner of the 2014 Canadian Chopin Competition, he has performed numerous times with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. He is excited to be a part of YSO and looks forward to making beautiful music with his fellow musicians.

Annette Lee is a sophomore in JE. She plays the harp and piano and has played both instruments since the ages of nine and four, respectively. Annette was a 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts, 2018 YoungArts Finalist, and 2018 Classical Instrumental Grand Finalist in the Music Center’s Spotlight Competition. In addition, Annette won 1st prize in the American Harp Society National Competition’s 2019 Intermediate II and 2017 Intermediate I categories. Besides playing and listening to classical music, Annette loves listening to K-indie and lo-fi music. Fun fact: Annette discovered the harp through her love for Greek mythology!

Alvin is a junior in Silliman College majoring in economics. When he isn’t sleeping or working on psets, he is spending his time playing pool in various residential colleges, jumping on random objects, and working out.

Nevin is a sophomore in Silliman from Katy, TX. He is double majoring in math and computer science, and he has played percussion for close to 10 years now. Outside of music, Nevin enjoys playing chess and cooking, and he’s willing to challenge anyone to a 1 on 1 game of basketball.

Hi! My name is Angelica Lorenzo and I’m a first year in Grace Hopper College. I’ve been playing percussion since second grade with ensembles and programs such as The Percussion Scholarship Group, National Youth Orchestra 2, YoungArts, From The Top, and Interlochen Arts Camp. One of my most memorable musical experiences was playing timpani for Shostakovich Symphony 5 at Carnegie Hall. Outside of music, I enjoy biking, reading, eating food, and exploring new places with friends.