Michelle Koo - President / Founder (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Michelle is a senior at Henry M. Gunn High School in Palo Alto, California. She has played viola for almost 7 years and studies with Adam Smyla from the San Francisco Symphony. She is a 2023 National YoungArts Foundation Merit winner in Classical Music/Viola. Michelle has been a member of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra since 2019 (Viola principal from 2021) and participated in National Youth Orchestra 2 in the summer of 2021 and 2022, and National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America in 2023. She has been recognized and awarded in competitions such as Junior Bach Festival, Northern California Viola Society Young Violists Competition, Korea Times Youth Music Competition, and United States International Music Competition. She is also a fourth-degree blackbelt Taekwondo athlete. Other than music, she enjoys singing, drawing, writing, coding, math challenges, and watching her favorite TV shows and Disney movies as well as playing with Barry, her cute dog.

Dongyoon (Josh) Shin - Vice President (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Dongyoon (Josh) is a junior at Henry M. Gunn High School. He started out playing the clarinet but switched to the bass clarinet after a year and currently studies with Hyemin Yun. Dongyoon was part of the Santa Clara County Band Directors Association Honor Band (SCCBDA) in 2022. During his free time, he enjoys playing golf and solving challenging problems.

Yueun Hong - Vice President (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Yueun Hong is a 9th grader at Henry M. Gunn High School. She started playing the piano at a young age. She also has been intensively learning with her teacher, YouSon Park since 2016. Yueun competed in many competitions in the Bay Area and won several of them. For her enjoyment, she swims competitively for PASA. Other than playing the piano and swimming, she enjoys reading and keeping company from her dog.

Unyew Kim (Challenger School, San Jose, CA)

Unyew (age 9), a student at Saratoga Elementary School, began studying the violin at the age of four. She continues her studies with Sunghee Park and is currently under the direction of Zhao Wei.
In 2021, Unyew won 1st place in the American Protégé, leading her to perform at Carnegie Hall in 2022. She also qualified for the national competition after taking second place at the state level of the OPUS Music Competition. She went on to win first place at the Opus National Competition in 2022. Moreover, Unyew's accolades include 1st prize in the USIMC 2023 and 2024 KAMSA Competition. Additionally, she won 2nd prize in the 2024 Pacific Musical Society and Foundation Competition.
Her passion for music extends beyond competitions, as she's actively involved with Bridges in Music, where she shares her love of violin with others.

Roger Chen (Archbishop Mitty High School)

Violinist Roger Chen, 17, is a junior at Archbishop Mitty High School. He began violin lessons at age nine, and currently studies with Ryan Chen and David Chernyavsky. Roger has been a member of the San Francisco Youth Orchestra since 2021, where he now serves as a second violin co-principal. Additionally, Roger is the 2023 winner of the KAMSA Competition as well as the Honorable Mention Winner in SFSYO’s annual concerto competition and VOCE’s state competition. Roger was also accepted into MTAC’s prestigious Young Artist Guild as the only violinist this year, as well as received the Panel Masterclass Award for the third consecutive year. An active chamber musician, Roger joined Young Chamber Musicians in the 22-23 season, where he is a violinist in the Leonidas String Quartet. Before joining YCM, Roger also competed regularly as the violinist in the Juventus Piano Trio, winning numerous top prizes in USOMC, USIMC, and VOCE. In the previous summers, Roger has attended C’est Bon Chamber Music Academy and Vivace International Music Festival. Outside of music, Roger enjoys playing tennis, video games, drawing, and watching movies.

Hannah Kim (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Hannah is a sophomore at Henry M. Gunn High School. She started playing piano at the age of 6, completed the Certificate of Merit in middle school, and won numerous awards in the United States Open Music Competition. In addition, she has spread her passion for piano by playing at nursing and retirement homes. During her free time, she enjoys baking and dancing ballet.

Yanzi He (Sacred Heart Schools)

Yanzi He is an 8th grader at Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton. She started playing piano at the age of five and has earned prizes at multiple competitions. She was a two-time winner of the Great Composers Competition (The Music of Germany & Austria, and Best Schumann Performance), second place winner of the United States Open Music Competition, prizewinner of the ENKOR International Competition, San Francisco International Innovative Music Competition, Pelican International Music Competition, and was a merit performer at the Bay Area Piano Competition 2021. She also performs and participates in many of her school's music programs and, by doing so, hopes to spread the joy of music to a broader audience. Other than piano, Yanzi enjoys playing viola in her school's orchestra, playing lacrosse, and working on robotics with her classmates.

Subin Kim (St. Simon Parish School)

Subin is a 7th grader at St. Simon Parish School. She started playing the clarinet in 4th grade. Since 2022, she has been a member of the California Youth Symphony Wind Symphony. In 2023, she was also selected as a member of the All-State Junior High School Symphonic Band. Additionally, she achieved 3rd place in the Silicon Valley Music Competition in both 2022 and 2023, 2nd place in the American Protégé International Woodwinds and Brass Competition in 2021, and 2nd place in the San Francisco International Innovative Music Competition in 2021. Apart from her dedication to the clarinet, Subin enjoys reading, writing and drawing.

Andrew Hwang (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Andrew is a junior at Henry Gunn High School, and is a member of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra and Young Chamber Musicians. He currently studies with Adam Smyla, and his previous teachers are Dimitri Murrath, Sujung Seok, and Minji Kim. 

Andrew is a 2024 National YoungArts winner, 1st place winner of the 2023 Vivo International Music Competition, and 2023 Charleston International Music competition. He has also won Best Bach prize from the 2022 Norcal Viola Young Violist Competition, awards from 2021 Houston International Music Competition, 2021 United States International Music Competition, 1st place from the 2021 KAMSA Competition, and Grand Prize from the 2021 Silicon Valley Music Competition. 

Andrew has spent his summers in the 2023 Bowdoin Music Festival, 2022 Music@Menlo, and in the 2021 Heifetz PEG. He is also a member of the Back to Bach Project, and is a leader of the Nahnoom Benefit Concerts.

Clair Koo - Advisor (Stanford University)

Participating Musicians

Aliya Alsafa (Stanford University)

Brandon Garza (The University of Texas at Austin)

Celina Lim (Punahou school)

Claire Chang (Ellen Fletcher Middle School)

Daniel Ma (Stanford University)

Irene Hong (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Kyuhyun Kim (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Lawrence Chai (Stanford University)

Linh Vo (Stanford University)

Moshi Tang (Harvard University - New England conservatory)

Olivia Oh (The King’s Academy)

Vivian Kao (Cupertino High School)

And more

Claire Chang (Ellen Fletcher Middle School)

(Y2022) Claire Chang is a 8th grader at Ellen Fletcher Middle School in Palo Alto. She is also a pre-college student at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) and is currently studying piano with Prof. Corey McVicar. She has been learning the piano since 5 years old and has won various awards through her early career. She won 1st place in the ENKOR International Music Competition (2021), the United States International Music Competition (2019), United States Open Music Competition (2018), and US International Open Music Competition (’19, ’20). She also was a prizewinner in the LA International Liszt Competition (2021) with the Best Performance Award of Paganini Etude and LA Young Musician International Competition (2019). She was selected and has participated in a masterclass with Garrick Ohlsson at SFCM. Her other hobbies include indoor rock climbing, reading, and spending time outdoors with her dog.

Irene Hong (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Irene Hong is a junior at Henry Gunn High School and has been playing violin for around 6 years. She has been a member of GSYO for 2 years and currently is a member of CYS. She participated in California All-State of Music Education Conference (CASMEC), All-State Jr. High School String Orchestra in 2019 at Fresno Convention Center and was awarded third place winner of the Ensemble in the United States Open Music Competition (USOMC) 2020. Irene also has won second place in a competition of BAMA in 2021, and she also participated in KAMSA YSO in 2021. Besides playing violin, she enjoys drawing and listening to music.

Kyuhyun Kim (Henry M. Gunn High School)

(Y2022) Kyuhyun Kim is a freshman at Henry M. Gunn High School. He started playing piano at the age of 7. He has won several awards in the United States Open Music Competition, United States International Music Competition, Junior Bach Music Festival, and a first-place finish in the 2022 Silicon Valley Music Competition. For his enjoyment, he also plays on the Gunn JV Soccer Team and enjoys other hobbies like cubing and programming.

Vivian Kao (Cupertino High School)

(Y2022) Vivian Kao is a 10th grader at Cupertino High School.

Vivian is the first prize winner of the AADGT International Young Musicians Competition, American Fine Arts Festival Golden Era of Romantic Music Competition, Charleston Competition, Grand Metropolitan International Music Competition, Grand Prize Virtuoso International Competition, & the USOMC Competition. Vivian has also received top prizes in the MTAC Piano Solo Competition, CAPMT Piano Honors Competition, American Protege Competition, & the Marilyn Mindell Piano Competition, and was also a semi-finalist in the Seattle International Piano Competition.

Additionally, Vivian also enjoys playing the cello. She is a section leader in her school's chamber orchestra and is also part of the California Youth Symphony Senior Orchestra. She also enjoys performing chamber music, and her ensemble recently won the Euro-Elite International Music Competition. Vivian also has performed in nursing and rehabilitation centers, and retirement communities to share music with others.

Members

Michelle Koo – President / Founder (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Emily Hwang – Vice President (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Ryan Choi – Vice President (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Yueun Hong – Communicating Officer (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Clair Koo – Advisor / Founder (Stanford University)

Irene Hong (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Pearl de la Motte – Founding Member (Julliard School of Music)

Kayla Choi (Harker School)

Participating Musicians

Aiden Kwon (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Andrew Hwang (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Brandon Kwon (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Brandon Garza (John Marshall High School)

Cara Lee (Woodside Priory School)

Claire Chang (Ellen Fletcher Middle School)

Claire Wang (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Dana Kim (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Dongyoon (Josh) Shin (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Elise Naddell (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Evan Hyunh (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Hannah Lam (San Ramon Valley High School)

Huisun Hong (Amador Valley High School )

Jaden Kim (Orange County School of the Arts)

Jiin Yun (Orange County School of the Arts)

Kyuhyun Kim (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Olivia Pham (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Reade Park (Proof School)

Seongju Kim (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Uijin Lee (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Vivian Kao (Cupertino High School)

Yoonseo Lee (Henry M. Gunn High School)

Kayla Choi (Harker School)

(Y2022) Kayla is in the third grade at the Harker School. She likes singing and playing piano. Outside of music, she draws, dances, plays golf, and practices ballet.

Cara Lee (Woodside Priory School)

Cara studies piano with Jessica Kelly. In her free time she enjoys drawing, coding, reading, watching her favorite show, Law and Order, and spending time with her family, friends, dog and guinea pigs.

Evan Huynh (Henry M. Gunn High School)

(Y2021) Hi, my name is Evan and I play the guitar. I've been playing for almost a year and started through one of my friends. I enjoy listening to and learning songs written and arranged by guitarists such as Ichika Nito, Sungha Jung, and several others. In my free time I enjoy playing with my dog and spending time with my family and friends. Additionally I am a competitive tennis player and play number 1 and 2 for Gunn High School.

Members

Clair Koo – President / Founder

Michelle Koo – Co-President / Founder

Cara Lee

Chili Eckman

Christopher Yao

Dana Kim

Daniel Yim

Emily Hwang

Jangwoo Park – Founding Member

Pearl de la Motte – Founding Member

Ryan Choi

Yueun Hong

Participating Musicians

Aidan Kwon

Andrew Hwang

Brandon Kwon

Claire Chang

Claire Wang

Chloé de la Motte

Evan Huynh

Irene Hong

Kayla Choi

Naomi de la Motte

Rachel Yim

Vasuda Dokiparthi

Dana Kim (Cupertino High School)

(Y2022) Dana Kim is a junior at Henry M. Gunn High School. She started playing the cello at 9 years old and currently studies with Vicky Wang in Palo Alto. She has also been a member of GSYO for 4 years and was awarded in VOCE, Silicon Valley Music Competition, and USIMC. Aside from music, she enjoys playing soccer, watching movies, and playing with her dog.

Daniel Yim (Bellarmine College Preparatory)

(Y2022) Daniel Yim, 16, is a junior at Bellarmine College Preparatory and has been studying the cello since age 9. He has been a member of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra (SFSYO) since 2018. He was also a part of the Ignatius Piano Trio in the Bellarmine Chamber Music Club and serves as the Principal Cellist of the Bellarmine Chamber Orchestra. In addition, Daniel is one of the founders and member of the Apollo Trio. He also volunteers in Sky Ensemble, bringing music to the elderly, and in Bravo Strings, where he teaches economically disadvantaged students about classical music. In addition to the cello, Daniel was a prizewinner at numerous piano competitions, including the James Ramos International Competition, the Marilyn Mindell Piano Competition, the MTAC Piano Solo/Concerto Competition, the San Francisco Chopin Competition, the United States Open Music Competition, and the United States International Music Competition.

Aside from music, Daniel enjoys hiking, creative writing, and listening to music.

Members

Clair Koo – President / Founder

Michelle Koo – Co-President / Founder

Elijah de la Motte – Founding Member

Jangwoo Park – Founding Member

Pearl de la Motte – Founding Member

Participating Musicians

Anna de la Motte

Chloe de la Motte

Chloé de la Motte

Chloé is a 9 year old violinist from San Francisco. She has been playing the violin since the age of 2. She is one of nine kids and enjoys playing music with her family. In her free time she enjoys drawing and having fun with her siblings. 

Elijah de la Motte, Founding Member

Hi! My name is Elijah de la Motte, I play the cello and I attend the San Francisco Conservatory of Music studying with Jean Michel Fonteneau. I love the cello because it can bring so much joy to so many people.

Emily Hwang - Yale University (2023)

Violist Emily Hwang is a senior at Gunn High School and studies with Dimitri Murrath at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College Division. She was the California winner of the 2019 MTNA Competition and alternate winner of the 2020 MTNA Southwest Division. Emily placed 2nd in the 2021 Houston International Music Competition and the 2020 ENKOR International Strings Competition. Additionally, she has participated in the 2019 Music@Menlo and 2020 Morningside Music Bridge festivals, and performs regularly in Benefit Concerts for the Red Cross. Emily is also a member of the Back to Bach project, an organization that introduces children to classical music.

Ryan Yongwon Choi - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2023)

Yongwon is a Senior in Henry M. Gunn High School in Palo Alto. He started playing the clarinet in 2015 under Hyemin Yun. He played at Jou Music Institute Recital in 2018 at the recital hall of Santa Clara University. He was a member of the California All-State of Music Education Conference (CASMEC), Jr. High Concert Band 2019 at Fresno Convention Center and he performed his solo clarinet part in CASMEC. He attended the Santa Clara County Band Directors Association Honor Band (SCCBDA) in both 2020 and 2021. He was awarded third place winner of the Ensemble in the United States Open Music Competition (USOMC) 2020. He also got third place for the solo clarinetist in San Francisco International Innovative Music Competition (SFIIMC) 2020. He enjoys K-pop dance and coding, too.

Clair Koo, Founder / President - Stanford University (2022)

(Y2021) Clair is a senior at Henry M. Gunn High School. She currently studies violin with Davis Law, and has been part of the SFCM since 2015 and the SFSYO since 2018. She is a 2022 National YoungArts Foundation Merit winner in Classical Music. Also, Clair is one of the founders and a member of the Apollo Trio. She has been recognised and awarded for her performances in United States International Music Competition, Junior Bach, DVC/HNU Young Artist String Competition, and Peninsula Symphony Young Musicians Competition. She also qualified for the 2020 CalASTA State competition and is a member of the California All-State High School Symphony Orchestra in 2021. She practices Taekwondo and is currently a fourth degree black belt. In her free time she enjoys drawing and spending time with her friends, family, and dog.

Pearl de la Motte, Founding Member - Julliard School of Music (2022)

(Y2021) Pearl de la Motte is a 17 year old from San Francisco and she currently studies viola with Dimitri Murrath at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She is one of 9 children and is homeschooled. She started playing the violin when she was just 2 years old then switched to the viola when she was 10. Pearl has won many awards for her playing and recently she won 1st place in the HB Goodlin Competition. When she’s not playing music, she works with her 6 year old sister on the violin, knits, and plays with her siblings. 

Chili Ekman - Julliard School of Music (2022)

(Y2021) Violinist Chili Ekman,17, currently studies with Ian Swensen and Joseph Maile at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College Division. He began violin studies at age 3 and attended the Crowden School from 2012 to 2015. Chili was one of the winners of the Junior Bach Festival in 2016 and he performed the Bach Triple Concerto under conductor Ben Simon at Herbst Theatre. Chili has participated in master classes and lessons with the Telegraph Quartet, Jeff LaDeur, Tanya Tomkins, Eric Zivian, Robert Lipsett, William van der Sloot, Axel Strauss, David Finckel, Wu Han, Dimitri Atapine, and Michael Brown. Formerly a member of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra from 2018-2020, he has also attended Greenwood Music Camp, Innsbrook Music Festival, Beijing International Music Festival, and Music@Menlo.

Christopher Yao - Eastman School of Music (2021)

(Y2021) Christopher is currently a senior at Henry M. Gunn High School in Palo Alto, California. He has been playing piano since he was four and plans on pursuing music further in college. Some of his accomplishments include being a winner of the 2020 Celia Méndez Young Pianists Beethoven Competition, a semi-finalist in the 2020 West Virginia International Piano Competition, and third place in the United States International Music Competition. He has also been playing violin for eight years and is a member of his school orchestra.

Jangwoo Park, Founding Member

Jangwoo is a college student in South Korea, studying artificial intelligence. He learned the piano until middle school, and still playing the piano is his most favorite hobby.