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STUDENTS
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PATHWAY
ADAM EL YAKINE
INSTRUMENT: Violin
AGE: 14
NEIGHBORHOOD: Elk Grove Village
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE: When I first performed in front of a big audience at Copernicus Center in Chicago
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT CHICAGO: O'Hare Airport and Air and Water Show
AKI SANTIBANEZ
INSTRUMENT: Violin
AGE: 15
NEIGHBORHOOD: Prairie District
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Merit School of Music
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE SO FAR: Attending a festival in France this summer because it made me practice and learn music more quickly as well as experience traveling and performing in a different country that I knew nothing about. I also had to learn harder repertoire like Souvenir de Florence by Tchaikovsky.
AMIRAH MUHAMMAD
INSTRUMENT: Violin
AGE: 14
NEIGHBORHOOD: Crete, IL
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra
FAVORITE SONG: Humoresque by Dvorak
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE SO FAR: Touring with Sounds of Harmony.
ANDREI NAGUE
INSTRUMENT: Violin
AGE: 17
NEIGHBORHOOD: Skokie
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra
MY MOST SIGNIFICANT MUSICAL EXPERIENCE: Being able to have my first experience preforming for others in studio class and getting into a state of mind known as “the zone.” Something that I believe will occur more often through more performance experiences and opportunities.
ANDREW OLVERA
INSTRUMENT: Clarinet
AGE: 18
NEIGHBORHOOD: Little Village
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Merit School of Music
FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC: Brahms' Clarinet Quintet
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE SO FAR: I've had the opportunity to play as principal clarinet for Rhapsody in Blue in the Merit Philharmonic Orchestra
BEATRICE VALENZUELA
IINSTRUMENT: Violin
AGE: 13
NEIGHBORHOOD: Wilmette, IL
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT CHICAGO: The people, the culture, the music scene, and the arts!
BENJAMIN FERNANDEZ
INSTRUMENT: Cello
AGE: 17
NEIGHBORHOOD: Skokie
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra
SUMMER EXPERIENCES: I went to ARIA Summer Music Festival, in which I was able to learn from multiple teachers. Teachers that are now on my radar for college, and that have brought my attention back to the foundations. It was a humbling experience but a necessary one, and I have goals to pursue throughout this next year.
FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC OR SONG: Faure's Cello Sonata No. 1; It's a beautiful piece of music and I love Stephen Isserlis' recording.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT CHICAGO: I love the diversity and the amount of people that are in Chicago. We are truly blessed by having such opportunities to grow. I am grateful for Chicago and everyone in it, because it has all taken a tremendous impact in my life.
BRYAN HERRERA
INSTRUMENT: French Horn
AGE: 12
NEIGHBORHOOD: Cicero, IL
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE SO FAR: Playing in ILMEA and Bandtastic; those programs made me want to play more ever since.
FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC OR SONG: One that I've played is Seven Nation Army, music by Jack White, arranged by Paul Murtha.
DAVID ROCHE
INSTRUMENT: Viola
AGE: 17
NEIGHBORHOOD: Edgewater
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, Merit School of Music
SUMMER EXPERIENCES: I attended Center Stage Strings this summer. I studied chamber and solo repertoire for 4 weeks at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE SO FAR: Participating in the 2024 Chicago Youth in Music Festival and playing with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago was truly a transformative experience for me. Playing side-by-side with professionals at a high standard of focus and preparation was very inspiring.
DELIA MENDOZA
INSTRUMENT: Flute
AGE: 13
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Merit School of Music
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE SO FAR: When I spent a day at the Chicago Flute Club with my private lesson teacher. That was when I started getting serious about music and I got to test out a lot of different flutes.
FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC OR SONG: I like the piece Syrinx by Claude Debussy
DESI JOHNSON
INSTRUMENT: Cello
AGE: 12
NEIGHBORHOOD: Little Village
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Sistema Ravinia
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE SO FAR: Meeting famous black conductors that I never knew before
DIEGO DAHLE
INSTRUMENT: Cello
AGE: 17
NEIGHBORHOOD: North Evanston
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Midwest Young Artists Conservatory, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra
SUMMER EXPERIENCES: This summer I attended the Credo Summer Music Festival, played in a side-by-side rehearsal with Gustavo Dudamel and the National Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, and played an unaccompanied solo recital
FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC OR SONG: My favorite recording right now is of the Dvorak Cello Concerto, performed by Yo-Yo Ma and the New York Philharmonic conducted by Kurt Masur in 1995
DMYTRO SALDAN
INSTRUMENT: Violin
AGE: 15
NEIGHBORHOOD: Ukrainian Village
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Merit School of Music, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT CHICAGO: There is no contender to stand up against Chicago's environment and vibe. It's easy to get where you need to go by just walking or using transport, and the people are friendly.
EMILY PEREZ-OJEDA
INSTRUMENT: Clarinet
AGE: 16
NEIGHBORHOOD: West Englewood
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Chicago High School for the Arts, Merit School of Music
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT CMPI: I heard about it from my classmate and friend, Kaylee Johnson
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE SO FAR: Listening to the Lieberman Flute Concerto live, because it was performed in a very impactful way to me.
FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC OR SONG: My favorite piece of music is the Oboe Quartet KV 370 by Mozart.
ERIC NICKERSON
INSTRUMENT: Cello
AGE: 18
NEIGHBORHOOD: Homewood
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra Music Institute of Chicago
SUMMER EXPERIENCE: Participated in Fulton Summer Music Academy
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE SO FAR: Performing for Sheku Kanneh-Mason in a masterclass sponsored by CMPI
FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC OR SONG: Elgar's Cello Concerto
EZRAEL LUKMAN
INSTRUMENT: Cello
AGE: 16
NEIGHBORHOOD: Wood Dale
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Music Institute of Chicago, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra
SUMMER EXPERIENCES: Participated in Castleman Quartet Program at SUNY Fredonia
FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC OR SONG: Kol Nidrei, Op. 47 by Max Bruch
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT CHICAGO: Opportunities for everything music, from CSO performances to resources like CMPI, MIC and others. I also appreciate the sightseeing in industrial advancement from O'Hare International Airport's plane-spotting opportunities, to seeing frequent hypercar delivery trucks.
GABRIELLA JOEW
INSTRUMENT: Flute
AGE: 12
NEIGHBORHOOD: Lincoln Park
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, Merit School of Music, Midwest Young Artists Conservatory
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT CMPI: I learned about CMPI from CYSO's newsletter and from my friends who were studying flute
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MUSICAL EXPERIENCE SO FAR: I've been fortunate to meet and learn from some renowned musicians, but the most significant musical experience of my life was my first recital. I was only seven years old, had been learning the flute for just three months, and played a 20-second piece. Yet, it was the first time I realized how thrilling performing on stage could be.
HANNA MARSZALEK
INSTRUMENT: Violin
AGE: 15
NEIGHBORHOOD: Algonquin, IL
LARGE ENSEMBLES: Midwest Young Artists Conservatory, Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra
MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCES: Performing with the Piano Guys, attending Shkolnikova Academy.
FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC OR SONG: Either Brahms' Double Concerto or Sibelius' Violin Concerto
ISRAEL FERNANDEZ
INSTRUMENT: Cello
AGE: 11
NEIGHBORHOOD: Skokie
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, Merit School of Music
EXTRACURRICULARS AND CLUBS: I am a defender in my AYSO soccer team.
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT CMPI: I heard about the program from my brothers Benjamin and Luis, who are both CMPI fellows.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT CHICAGO: I love the famous pizza of Fontano's, the Michoacana Ice Cream Bar, and walking with my dog Canelo in Navy Pier.
JACOB CORNEJO
INSTRUMENT: Flute
AGE: 18
NEIGHBORHOOD: Gage Park
SUMMER EXPERIENCES: I have attended the Sewanee Summer Music Festival for two summers. I also participated in a side-by-side with Gustavo Dudamel and the National Children's Symphony of Venezuela, and performed during the Chicago Jazz Festival.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE SO FAR: Attending a summer music festival. It opens your eyes to how much fun making music can be. You leave a festival with more experience, friendships, knowledge, and even better technique.
JAN VARGAS NEDVETSKY
INSTRUMENT: Cello
AGE: 18
NEIGHBORHOOD: Wilmette, IL
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Music Institute of Chicago
SUMMER EXPERIENCES: I participated in the Gstaad Menuhin String Academy in Switzerland and in the Cleveland Institute of Music Chamber Music Intensive
EXTRACURRICULARS AND CLUBS: I am a fellow in the Musikakademie in Lichtenstein and I am a co-founder of Musicians for Hope, which raises funds for music programs in public schools.
FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC OR SONG: Dvorak's Cello Concerto, John Williams' Star Wars
JAZMYN IRONS
INSTRUMENT: Flute
AGE: 16
NEIGHBORHOOD: South Chicago
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Merit School of Music
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED IN STUDYING MUSIC: I started when music teachers came to my elementary school with opportunities to try out different instruments and sign up to play in band.
FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC OR SONG: My favorite piece is Be Stil My Soul by Rhonda Larson
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT CHICAGO: I love the scenery of Chicago. The scenery has so much variety that you can travel across the city to where it's very urban with a lot of tall buildings, or you can go to the botanic garden and see a place with a lot of plants and nature.
JESSE PEREZ
INSTRUMENT: Flute
AGE: 17
NEIGHBORHOOD: Carpentersville
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra
HOW I GOT MY START IN MUSIC: I went to one of my brothers high school concerts, and at the end of the concert there was a flute soloist that played beautifully. After hearing the flute player I decided to get into music and play the flute.
JOAQUIN CORDERO
INSTRUMENT: Violin
AGE: 15
NEIGHBORHOOD: Arlington Heights, IL
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: People's Music School, ChiARTS
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST SIGNIFICANT MUSICAL EXPERIENCE SO FAR: Going to Europe with the Blue Lake International Orchestra was the best experience I’ve had, not only did I get to stay with 5 different host families, but I got to learn many things about their culture and practice their language with them. This all would have never been possible without the help of John Rogers (CEO of Ariel Capital Management) and his generosity in helping dedicated musicians like me, financially, plan for their future.
JULIANA DOOLIN
INSTRUMENT: Cello
AGE: 12
NEIGHBORHOOD: Munster, IN
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Hyde Park Youth Symphony, Merit School of Music
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT CHICAGO: I love the architecture of the buildings along the lakefront.
KAYLEE JOHNSON
INSTRUMENT: Flute
AGE: 16
NEIGHBORHOOD: North Austin
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Sistema Ravinia, Chicago High School for the Arts, Merit School of Music
SUMMER EXPERIENCES: This summer I went to Interlochen for the 6-week orchestra summer camp! I learned so much and met so many people and made so many memories I will cherish forever.
MY MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE: Attending camp was one of the most significant musical experiences so far because I got to look into what like would be similar to as a musician in college.
KEN TABUCHI-YANG
INSTRUMENT: Cello
AGE: 13
NEIGHBORHOOD: Rockton, IL
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Rockford Symphony Youth Orchestra
SUMMER EXPERIENCES: Heifetz International Institute 2024
EXTRACURRICULARS AND CLUBS: National Junior Honor Society (officer), Science Olympiad (state team), Chamber Orchestra at Music Academy in Rockford, Community Service project
MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCES SO FAR: I was selected to play solo (cello) and accompanied a pianist/composer and 2 Joffrey Ballet dancers from Chicago at Rockford Dance Company's 50th anniversary in May 2024. I was invited to play solo (cello) in the CD recording in Rockford which was released in May in 2024. This project protecting the endangered birds and species in Illinois was sponsored by Audubon Society in Rockford and Rockford Art Council. I performed in a masterclass at Grant Park in Chicago with Johannes Moser in August 2024. I had another masterclass in Rockford with Amir Eldan, Professor of Cello at U-Michigan in September 2023.
KEVIN SOTO
INSTRUMENT: Cello
AGE: 16
NEIGHBORHOOD: Albany Park
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, The People's Music School
SUMMER EXPERIENCES: I participated in the 2024 Chicago Chamber Music Festival and their concerto competition.
EXTRACURRICULARS AND CLUBS: I am on a Salsa dance team called Aspira at Lane Tech. I also am a part of the KAISO Steel Pan Ensemble
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT CHICAGO: I love the sense of community in the city and how many opportunities there are here. I also love the structure of the city and how it is built, it is truly beautiful.
LILY YOSHIHARA
INSTRUMENT: Violin
AGE: 17
NEIGHBORHOOD: Schaumburg
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra
MY MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE: Participating in the ILMEA Honors All-State Orchestra in 2023 and attending Birch Creek
FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC OR SONG: Tchaikovsky Symphony No.6 Pathétique
LUIS FERNANDEZ JR.
INSTRUMENT: Violin
AGE: 14
NEIGHBORHOOD: Chicago
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Merit School of Music
HOW I GOT MY START IN MUSIC: II got inspired to play the violin by a kid in my music school playing the violin, I somehow felt the need of playing it, it was like a call in my head.
FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC OR SONG: Sibelius' Violin Concerto
MAJEED MUHAMMAD
INSTRUMENT: Cello
AGE: 13
NEIGHBORHOOD: Kenwood
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Hyde Park Youth Symphony
HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START IN MUSIC: Dad had me and my brother malik in music studios or schools since we were four years old.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT CHICAGO: The beach in Hyde Park
MALIK MUHAMMAD
INSTRUMENT: Viola
AGE: 16
NEIGHBORHOOD: Kenwood
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Hyde Park Youth Symphony, Merit School of Music
MY MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE: Joining CMPI is the most significant musical experience I have had. That is, once you consider all the great things that have happened because of it. Because of CMPI, I’ve moved from violin to viola which is a much better fit, and found a really great viola teacher, Stacia Spencer. Because of CMPI and their relationship with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, I enrolled in the Civic's 12-week young composers' program and had my song ‘Softly Blue, Suddenly Grey’, featured and performed in their online concert during COVID by Civic Fellows Joe Bricker and Hannah Christensen. Because of that experience, I was recommended to apply for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Young Composers Initiative under Meade Composer In-Residence and recent Grammy Award winner-Jessie Montgomery. I have since had two of my compositions, ‘Recoverless’ & ‘Magnitude’, performed at The Symphony Center by musicians from the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
NEAL KOTAMARTY EISFELDT
INSTRUMENT: Violin
AGE: 15
NEIGHBORHOOD: Lake Zurich
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Music Institute of Chicago
HOW I GOT MY START IN MUSIC: My father encouraged me and introduced me to my first violin.
MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE: Debuting in Carnegie Hall with Bruch Violin Concerto #1 in G minor.
FAVORITE PIECE: Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake
NEENA AGRAWAL
INSTRUMENT: Viola
AGE: 15
NEIGHBORHOOD: Albany Park
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Music Institute of Chicago
SUMMER EXPERIENCES: American Viola Society Convention and Primrose Competition, Ascent Chamber Music Festival, and Oberlin Viola Workshop
MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE: Playing principal viola for Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony with the National Pathways Festival Orchestra in Nashville last April.
NISHANT CARR
INSTRUMENT: Cello
AGE: 15
NEIGHBORHOOD: Lincolnwood
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Music Institute of Chicago, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra
FAVORITE PIECE: Cello Concerto No. 1 in E Flat Major by Shostakovich
MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE: Meeting people and teachers at summer camps every year.
OLIVIA DOOLIN
INSTRUMENT: Viola
AGE: 16
NEIGHBORHOOD: Munster, IN
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Merit School of Music
OSCAR SOTO
INSTRUMENT: Flute
AGE: 15
NEIGHBORHOOD: Wheeling, IL
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Midwest Young Artists (MYA)
PALOMA FURST CHAVIRA
INSTRUMENT: Violin
AGE: 15
NEIGHBORHOOD: Park Forest
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, Merit School of Music
SUMMER EXPERIENCES: I attended the Ascent Chamber Music Festival, the Chicago Chamber Music Festival, and also went to France to play in the Cordes en Gascogne Chamber Festival. I played in a side-by-side rehearsal with Gustavo Dudamel and the National Children's Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE SO FAR: Traveling to France to play with my studio mates and my teacher Desirée Ruhstrat at the Cordes en Gascogne Chamber Music Festival in Couloumé-Mondebat.
FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC OR SONG: String Quartet in F major by Maurice Ravel
RAVEN MCADAMS
INSTRUMENT: Trombone
AGE: 11
NEIGHBORHOOD: West Garfield Park
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Sistema Ravinia
SAMUEL ALVAREZ
INSTRUMENT: Cello
AGE: 15
NEIGHBORHOOD: Logan Square
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Merit School of Music
SUMMER EXPERIENCES: I participated in a side-by-side rehearsal with Gustavo Dudamel, attended summer music camp at Lawrence University, and played in a masterclass with Johannes Moser.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE SO FAR: Performing as a soloist in the orchestra piece "Rainbow Body"
FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC OR SONG: It's so hard to choose just one, but as of now it is Tchaikovsky's Sixth Symphony. I got to see it live at the Grant Park Music Festival!
SARAH MORRIS
INSTRUMENT: Clarinet
AGE: 17
NEIGHBORHOOD: Chicago Heights
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra
FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC OR SONG: My favorite piece right now is La Bayadere, Act 3, No. 39
SAUL CIRILO
INSTRUMENT: Trumpet
AGE: 16
NEIGHBORHOOD: Marshall Square
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Chicago High School for the Arts
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE SO FAR: Attending summer music camp, where I met lots of new people who feel the same way about music
FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC OR SONG: Mahler's Symphony No. 2
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT CHICAGO: I love the city and the orchestra, as well as how many opportunities there are.
TIFFANY KIM
INSTRUMENT: Oboe
AGE: 16
NEIGHBORHOOD: West Rogers Park
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Midwest Young Artists Conservatory, DePaul Community Music Division
EXTRACURRICULARS AND CLUBS: I am an avid member of my school's Math Team as well as captain of the Varsity Golf Team.
HOW I GOT MY START IN MUSIC: My first encounter with the oboe was at a musical "petting zoo" at my music school right before COVID.
FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC OR SONG: I am an oboist, but I am a die-hard fan of Ray Chen and my favorite piece is Waltzing Matilda.
VICTORIA GARCIA RUIZ
INSTRUMENT: Viola
AGE: 14
NEIGHBORHOOD: Buffalo Grove
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Midwest Young Artists Conservatory, Music Institute of Chicago
SUMMER EXPERIENCES: This summer I was able to participate in MYAC Chamber Music Workshop and summer orchestra, CIMC (Chicago International Music Competition), and CCMF (Chicago Chamber Music Festival). Through these programs I was able to practice performing in all kinds of settings, participate in masterclasses, and study a diverse range of repertoire.
FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC OR SONG: One of my favorite pieces right now is Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 8. I got the opportunity to play both the first and second movement during the summer and I am fascinated by the unique harmony and by the nature of the piece and why it was written.
WYNSTAN WILLIAMS
INSTRUMENT: Cello
AGE: 13
NEIGHBORHOOD: Englewood
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Hyde Park Youth Symphony
SUMMER EXPERIENCES: My summer goal was to learn the last two pages from Suzuki Book 5.
HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT CMPI: My older sister Autymn is an alum
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE SO FAR: Going to the Suzuki Institute summer camps with all my siblings and staying at the hotel. Also, having recitals at my house and having all the family and neighbors there.
FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC OR SONG: Elgar's Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
XIRUO WANG
INSTRUMENT: Violin
AGE: 12
NEIGHBORHOOD: Hyde Park
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS: Music Institute of Chicago
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE SO FAR: I played the Bach Double with Hilary Hahn
FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC OR SONG: My current favorite piece is Carmen Fantasy by Sarasate. My favorite composers are Mozart, Beethoven, and Sarasate. My favorite soloists are Hilary Hahn, Midori, and Maxim Vengerov.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT CHICAGO: Museums, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the beach!