2011 Graduates

Nicholas Alexander, Clarinet • David Ascencio, Violin • Sarah Benton, Flute • Navin Kumar Bharadwaj, Clarinet • David Brookshier, Oboe • Kevin Chan, French Horn • Perry Choi, Clarinet • Audrey Chou, Violin • Jennifer Dai, Violin • Sadaf Fakharzadeh, Viola • Miranda Gorman, Viola • Jonathan Ho, Cello • Jonathan Kim, Cello • Brian Lee, Trumpet • Michael Li, Violin • Lydia Lim, Clarinet • Christine Liu, Violin • Xiang Ming Luo, Cello • Courtney MacIsaac, Oboe • Rob Michael Manansala, Violin • Enoch Matsumara, Clarinet • Ariel Muirhead, Flute • Nikita Ramanujam, Horn • Jenna Ray, Percussion • Danielle Serrano, Cello • Jessica Sheu, Bassoon • Peter Shimshock, Tuba • Ariana Tsai, Violin • Rohit Unni, Flute • Max Veregge, Percussion • Sophia Yaksic, Viola

Join Our Season Finale Gala concert, June 16, 2012

Concert program:
Gershwin: Strike up the Band Overture
Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto No. 2 with Jon Nakamatsu
Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique

Encore – Sing Sing Sing by Louis Prima performed by all SJYS orchestras and ensembles!

Season Finale Rehearsals:
□  Sunday, December 18th, 2:00-6:00 pm @ Faith Lutheran Church
□  Monday, December 19th, 6:00-10:00 pm @ Los Gatos United Methodist Church

□  Saturday, June 9th, 10:00-4:00 pm, location TBA
□  Wednesday, June 13th, 6:00-10:00 pm, location TBA
□  Friday, June 15th, 6:00-9:30 pm, location TBA
□  Dress rehearsal: Saturday, June 16th, 3:00-6:00 pm @ Flint Center
□  Concert: Saturday, June 16th, 7:30 pm @ Flint Center

SJYS Yearbook

Connie Ho
Violin 2009
Donald Chang
Violin 2006
Alishan Merjanian
Piano, Viola 2005
Chris Lambert
Trombone 2004
Joe Morris
Clarinet 2008
Justin Li
Cello 2010
Elaine Sandoval
Flute 2007
Jeffrey Shiau
Viola 2004
Daniel Zimardi
Bassoon 2003
Shawn Williams
Trumpet 2004
Ray Furuta
Flute 2007
Bo Atlas
Tuba 2006
Tim Yip
Violin 2004
Jamie Pak
Violin 2006
Scott Cook
Trumpet 2005
Graham Hsu
Violin 2003
Andrew Neish
Trumpet 2009
Vincy Li
Violin 2003
Grace Yang
Cello 2010
Jonathan Ho
Cello 2011
Jonathan Kim
Cello 2011


SJYS Alumni are our pride and joy, and a true testament to the benefits of a music education. The most difficult challenge every season (with the exception of the first rehearsal of the year…), is when we bid farewell to our graduating SJYS Seniors as they depart and move on to the next phase of their life.

The commitment and discipline to do their very best as part of the SJYS Family provides students with invaluable life lessons (responsibility, perseverance and dependability) and, we take great pride as their musical, social and emotional development matures them into fine young adults. We witness time and time again the SJYS Alumni who excel academically far above the average student. They graduate to a new chapter, attending major universities and Ivy League schools throughout the United States and abroad.

Musically speaking, we are delighted to see many SJYS Alumni pursuing music performance, music education and performing arts degrees, attending top music conservatories and institutions and becoming members of major orchestras across the country.

We are honored and delighted to have many Alumni returning to perform with us in holiday concerts or join us on international tours. SJYS Alumni are readily available to work as seasoned SJYS summer camp counselors and as music instructors for our after-school Music Matters program, realizing the many benefits they experienced growing up with SJYS and wishing to share their skills with other young musicians.

This page is dedicated to all our SJYS Alumni with the hope that you will remain in touch with the old and new SJYS Family, inspire others, and share with us your latest achievements and experiences. We are privileged to know you and wish you happiness and success in all you do.
                   Yair
, Ju
In his seven years in SJYS, Jonathan has been in the Prelude, Intermezzo, and Philharmonic groups. He went on tour with the Philharmonic Orchestra to South America in 2009. After winning the Young Artist Competition, he also performed the Saint Saens Cello Concerto with the Philharmonic Orchestra in 2009. Jonathan currently is at Cornell University studying Computer Science.

"SJYS has been a lifechanging experience. Not only has it broadened my musical knowledge and taught me the intricacies of playing with a large group of musicians, but it has also given me some of my best friends."
Jonathan graduated in 2011 and is majoring in Management Science and minoring in music at UC San Diego. He is also a member of the La Jolla Symphony, a semi-professional community orchestra associated with UCSD.

Jonathan joined SJYS since 5th grade as a member of the Prelude Ensemble and worked his way into the Philharmonic Orchestra. As a member of the Philharmonic, he has gone on two tours, the first to South America and the second to Europe. He won the Young Artist Competition in 2009 and performed the Elgar Cello Concerto with SJYS. His most memorable experiences are playing with Jon Nakamatsu in 2008 and performing at the Mozarteum in Salzburg during the 2011 European tour.

“I want to thank SJYS for being such a large part of my life. For the past eight years, I’ve gone to rehearsals every Monday, weeklong summer camps, and concerts to learn with some of the best conductors and to gain friendships with all the people I’ve performed with in SJYS. Almost half of my life has been with this awesome organization and I’m so glad for all the opportunities it has given me. It’s opened my eyes to new countries, amazing people, and experiences that I can carry with me for the rest of my life and I can’t wait to see what SJYS will be like in the future.”
Grace joined SJYS in 2004, starting in the Concert Orchestra, and in 2006, she moved up to the Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2008, Grace won the SJYS Concerto Competition and performed the Lalo Cello Concerto in D Minor in March 2009. She went on the 2009 South America tour as the principal cellist. She is currently studying at New York University in Steinhardt as a Music Technology major.

"Every single second that I have spent with SJYS has been very special, and throughout the years, the symphony basically became my second family. I have found some of my closest friends while being a part of this orchestra. SJYS has made my passion for classical music grow and has enabled me to develop my leadership skills. Being a part of SJYS has influenced my decision in pursuing a career in the music field. I hope to keep the invaluable relationship I have with the symphony forever!"
Vincy graduated in 2003 and has toured Germany&Austria, and Japan with SJYS. She has a degree in Molecular Cell Biology from UC Berkeley. She started the University Baroque Ensemble at Berkeley with Professor Moroney. She is currently doing her Masters from Boston University in Project Management and working as the office manager at Kamimoto String Instruments.

"The experiences inside of touring with SJYS really made a difference for me and started my career. In college, I realized I want to make available for all musicians to travel around the world and perform at different concert halls. I'm creating a path for myself now as an office manager and getting my degree in Project Management to make that vision a reality."
Andrew is starting his 2nd year at UC Davis in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering after internship with NASA this summer. He is currently in the UC Davis Marching Band and is principal trumpet of the UC Davis Symphony.

“SJYS introduced me to classical music which now happens to be my favorite genre. It has also introduced me to some of my friends that I will have with me for the rest of my life.” He toured with SJYS to Spain, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Chile, and Argentina and would love to do more.
Graham graduated from SJYS in 2003 and went to the San Francisco Conservatory studying with Wei-He. He plays professionally with Stockton and Santa Cruz Symphony and teaches violin currently. He remembered the tour to Japan as the best in his life.
Scott is finishing his Masters in Trumpet performing at IU Jacobs School of Music after graduating from SJYS in 2005. He won 2nd place with his trumpet ensemble at the National Trumpet Competition. Last year he went on a tour of the Midwest with his brass quintet, including a performance at the Merit School of Music in Chicago, as well as master classes and clinics at several high schools in the Chicago area. He will be performing Berlioz' Symphonie Fantastique with Maestro Leonard Slatkin this year.

“My SJYS experience gave me a huge advantage when I went to Music School because I had already performed music that other students were just beginning to discover. I had the time of my life on two tours, to Japan and Spain, which to this day are some of my favorite memories.”
Jamie graduated from SJYS in 2006, after 9 years of playing from Prelude to Phil. He performed Sarasate's Navarra in the YAC. He graduated from U.C. Berkeley in 2010 with a B.A. in Molecular and Cell Biology and a minor in Music and is currently working as a junior specialist doing research under UC Davis School of Medicine's Neurology Department.

“Even though I didn't choose to join SJYS in third grade, it was easily one of the best decisions of my life to stick with it until leaving for college. The memories and the friends I made are irreplaceable, and SJYS is the biggest reason why classical music is as precious to me as it is today.”
Tim was the Concertmaster for Philharmonic and he graduated in 2004. He graduated from UCLA in 2010 with a BA and MM in Violin Performance. He is currently teaching violin and coaching strings in San Jose.

He has performed at chamber recitals for the Chancellor of UCLA, concerts with LA Opera conductor commemorating Jewish composers at Royce Hall, LA, concert with Mark O'Conner, violinist, Mendelssohn octet with Anne Akiko Meyers, violinist, chamber concerts with UCLA music faculty for LA Philanthropic society and the LA Chamber Music Guild.
Bo graduated from SJYS in 2006 and is finishing his BM in Tuba Performance at University of Kansas. He was a YAC winner and performed with the orchestra in 2006. And in 2009, he was the winner of the young artist division of the Great Plains Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference (GPRTEC) and in May 2010 he was a semi-finalist in the International Tuba-Euphonium Conference (ITEC) Solo Artist Tuba Competition.

“There were so many wonderful experiences from SJYS. I remember my first year we went to Japan on tour. While we were there we did a joint concert with the orchestra from Tsukiyono. I remember on that concert we also played 1812 overture and brought in brass players from all around to play, and had an extra 60 or so players surrounding the sides of the auditorium as well as the double sized orchestra on stage, EPIC.”

“SJYS was a fundamental part in my music education. I can safely say that without SJYS I would not have chosen the music path, seeing as it gave me great experiences and also opened up networking opportunities for me.” Bo is starting his second season as Principal Tubist with the Topeka Symphony Orchestra, He has also subbed with the Kansas Brass Quintet, the Kansas City Symphony, and the Fountain City Brass Band. He has just started his own brass quintet, the Lawrence 5, which can be found at www.Lawrence5.com.
Connie is currently a sophomore at University of Pennsylvania. She joined SJYS in 2001, starting with the Prelude String Ensemble and graduated in 2009. She performed the Vivaldi Concerto for 4 violins with SJYS in March 2009 as a YAC winner . Here is her performance. (more…)
Ray graduated from SJYS in 2007 and is currently B.M. candidate at Stony Brook University, with a full scholarship and the only undergraduate flutist to ever be accepted into the the world renowned Carol Wincenc's Graduate only flute studio. He also study chamber music with The Emerson String Quartet; Cellist, Colin Carr; and Bassoonist, Frank Morelli; and studying Baroque music with Harpsichordist and co founder of Juilliard's Historical Music Program, Arthur Haas.

This coming year 2010 -2011 he plans to compete in many national competitions as well as give 3 solo and chamber music recitals including contemporary flute music, "steal from the rich and give to the poor" Recital of arrangements, and a Brazilian Choros concert. He has also begun a business relationship with Composer Yuko Uebayashi from Paris France, performing her music along with his duo partner pianist, Jasmin Arakawa. They will be creating and editing a piano score for her unpublished Flute Concerto as well as perform it.

He Participated in Sarasota Music Festival, Banff Music Festival, has won Long Beach Mozart Festival Competition, Stony Brook Concerto Competition, UCSB Concerto Competition and is newly appointed flutist of North Shore Pro Music Concert Series in New York. In 2010 he organized a concert series and outreach project targeting High School Students about to enter college, giving them help and information on college and auditions. This project won a 3,000.00 Grant from the city of San Jose and was featured in The Mercury News entitled "Giving Back"

“SJYS most definitely helped in my decision to become a musician. Yair was a very inspiring and influential person to me growing up. This was really first class musical education we were all getting, and while I was a participant, there were many other VERY HIGH LEVEL performers. I am lucky to have participated when I did.”
Shawn is currently attending the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY pursuing a Masters of Music in Jazz Trumpet. He has a BM in Jazz Studies from Cal State Northridge. He was the March 2005 featured youth artist for the International Trumpet Guild. First Place Winner with the Cal State Northridge Jazz "A" Band at the Monterey Jazz Festival Spring 2008.

“Being apart of SJYS has enlightened me with multiple styles and genres of music I can truly appreciate. As a musician in this ensemble I have learned to listen and blend with my talented colleagues. While only being fourteen when I joined this prestigious group it was the first time I heard a group of musicians my age play with such grace and beauty. Every rehearsal and concert has inspired me to play using my emotions every time I play my instrument. Touring with SJYS to Japan in 2003 has influenced me by showing me that music is a universal language. That any group of people no matter what language you speak, age, race, etc can communicate through music.”
Dan has a BM in Bassoon performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and a MA in Music History and Literature from San Francisco State University. He has been on tour with SJYS 4 times. He played for the San Jose Youth Symphony, San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, Santa Rosa Symphony, Monterey Symphony, San Francisco Academy Orchestra, San Francisco Conservatory Orchestra, Stanford Symphony, San Jose State University Symphony and is currently a performing musician as well as musicology student. He has performed in the Salzburg Festival, Granada Music Festival, and Nice Music Academie of France.

“SJYS influenced my decision to make a career out of being a musician. I would have never found my life's true calling had it not been for my decision to join SJYS.”
Jeffrey played viola for SJYS for 6 years and is a graduate of UC San Diego. He currently has a start up company in the Bay Area. He enjoyed the tour to Japan, where he performed for sold out audiences and explored a country half way across the world with friends.

“Playing in a symphony takes a hybrid of discipline and creativity. The weekly training of these characteristics has crossed over positively into the other aspects of my life. Plus, some of my best friends were forged during my time with the symphony.”
Elaine was a member of the Avant Flute Choir and the Philharmonic. She is attending Soka University of America and preparing for her undergraduate thesis and application to graduate school. She has been the conductor of the school orchestra, and even had the opportunity to conduct over 100 students in the orchestra and choir at SUA's graduation ceremony performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony "Ode to Joy" for two years.

“While at SJYS, I really enjoyed the professional environment, and the fact that the majority of the young musicians around me were really striving to better themselves both as musicians and overall as people. To this day, I remain friends with many people that I met through SJYS, and we still share our love of music and encourage each other to continue to progress. It was also at SJYS that I developed many of the leadership and organizational skills that are so valuable to me now. When I was in the flute choir, I sometimes got asked to conduct rehearsals or sectionals, and I really appreciate the trust of my music teachers, particularly Teresa Orozco-Peterson, David Ladd, and Yair. I am sure that it is through my experience in SJYS that I obtained the skills, wisdom, and confidence to help develop and lead the music ensembles at my university. My experience playing in SJYS of course was also major in influencing my decision to pursue music education as a career.”
Justin started playing for SJYS at the Prelude String Ensemble. He just graduated and heading to UC Berkeley.

“Music has helped to shape my dreams and aspirations by teaching me invaluable tools that make me who I am today. By being a part of the San Jose Youth Symphony, I was able to develop social skills with my section, which has helped me break out of my shell and interact with more people. In addition, music has taught me that even young musicians have the ability to influence other lives around the world through events such as Season of Hope and the Kenya Dream Benefit Concert.”

Through out these years, Justin had many memorable experiences with SJYS. They include the great concert in the Dvorak Hall of Rudolfinum, and all the great food during the South American tour. Justin was a winner of the 2009 Young Artist Competition. Here is his performance of the Faure Elegie with the orchestra.

Joe won the 2007 Young Artist Competition and performed the Weber Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in March 2008. He is currently studying at University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, expecting to graduate with a BM in Clarinet Performance in 2012. He was a semi-finalist at the 2010 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition senior string division, won the Bruce Zalkind Memorial Endowed Music Award for outstanding woodwind performance at USC, and performed at the National Orchestral Institute 2010, Aspen Music Festival and School 2010 (including an orchestra performance with Leonard Slatkin!)

“My time in SJYS was amazing and was probably the biggest influence in my decision to pursue music as a career. There was nothing in high school that made me happier than those Monday night rehearsals. SJYS was my home away from home and the experiences I had in the ensemble and on the tours made me realize how much I loved playing music.”

Here is Joe’s performance with SJYS.

Chris graduated in 2004 and currently working for Respawn Entertainment programming video games. He played for Lyratones, SJSU Latin Jazz Ensemble and Redwood Symphony. He was the Tour Manager for the 2003 Japan tour and had an unforgettable experience at Karaoke. He likes to travel, sail, and translate popular children's fiction into Classic Greek.
Alishan graduated from SJYS in 2005. He was the winner of the Young Artist Competition and performed the Rachmaninoff 2nd piano concerto March 2005. He went on tour with Jon Nakamatsu and the orchestra to Spain and had many memorable experiences. But as he noted

“SJYS was awesome. There is nothing as fun as playing great music with friends. It inspired me to be a music teacher so that other kids could have as much fun as I do.”

He is currently studying at San Jose State University majoring in Piano Performance, and teaching piano and violin. He went on tour with the New Choir to Korea this summer as their accompanist and one of the tenors.
Donald graduated from SJYS in 2006. He holds a B.S. in Biophysics and is currently a PhD candidate on Cellular Biophysics at Columbia University. He spent 6 years with us as a violinist and camp counselor.

“SJYS was not just a group of young kids making wonderful music; we were family of musicians. We forged our friendships through the strong ties of rehearsal, hard work, and our common ground of music. To this day, I still remain very close to the friends I made through SJYS. From one season of SJYS to another, each performance was a step and contribution towards the person who I am today. I am grateful for the network and experience SJYS has provided me as these memories cannot be reproduced in any other environment.”