Ahmed Rayhan
Rayhan Ahmed is a senior at Maryville High School. He has played the clarinet since fifth grade, studying with his long-time teacher, RoAnn Romines. In addition to his role in the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra, he also plays in Maryville High School’s marching and concert bands under the direction of Adam Ford. He has attended Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts and has attended TMEA’s All-State program three times. His current hobbies include watching combat sports and playing disc golf. Rayhan is currently deciding among Virginia Tech, Indiana University, and Middle Tennessee State University, and he plans to pursue a music performance major.
Trey Barrett
Trey Barrett is a graduating senior at Hardin Valley Academy. He has played bassoon for seven years, studying with Aaron Apaza and, currently, with Jessica Findley Yang. Trey has been a member of the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra for the past three years, and a member of the Tennessee Wind Symphony and Hardin Valley Academy Wind Ensemble for four years. He was a winner of the 2020 Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition and performed as soloist with the KSYO in the Tennessee Theater. He has also had the privilege of attending the Advanced Bassoon Institute at Interlochen and experiencing master classes with Benjamin Kamins, Eric Stomberg and Conrad Cornelison. This fall, Trey will study bassoon performance either at The Eastman School of Music, Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music, or the University of South Carolina. He is also looking forward to attending the Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, NC, this summer, to play bassoon in the orchestra program. In his spare time, Trey enjoys playing disc golf and composing electronic music.
Aliza Blackmon
Aliza Blackmon is a senior at Bearden High School. She has played the flute for nine years and taken private lessons from Mr. Jordan Sera and her current teacher, Ms. Jill Bartine. She has been a proud member of the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra for three seasons, as well as the Bearden High School Marching, Concert, and Symphonic Bands for four years under the direction of Ms. Megan Christian and Mr. James Wilson. She attended the Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts in 2019, served as a BHS Drum Major her senior year, and participated in TMEA All State for four years. Outside of music, Aliza loves baking, running, writing, reading, tutoring, and playing chess. She currently plans to attend the University of Alabama with a full academic scholarship, majoring in chemistry with a music minor and on the pre-medical track. She would like to thank all of her teachers for their patience, love, and guidance over the past four years.
Marianne Bryan
Marianne Bryan is a senior at Jefferson County High School. She received her first violin when she was three years old, and has taken lessons for thirteen years. She has been in the KSYO for eleven years. Edward Pulgar has been her private teacher for over ten years. Marianne also participates in her school band program, where she plays clarinet and oboe, and she has been a part of ETSBOA all four years of her high school career, on both violin and clarinet. After graduation, she plans to attend East Tennessee State University to major in rehabilitative health sciences on her way to becoming a physical therapist.
Alexander Canon
Alexander Canon is a senior at Bearden High School. He has played the viola for 9 years under the instruction Sheri Fleshner and Alicia Keener. He has participated in many honors ensembles including ETSBOA All-East for four years and TMEA All-State his senior year. He plans to double major in college in meteorology and music at either Mississippi State University or the University of Oklahoma. Alex would like to thank Mr. Dan Thompson, Mrs. Cynthia Wright, and Ms. Rain Binger for their guidance and pushing him to be his best.
Cheng Ding
Cheng Ding is a senior at Maryville High School. He played the clarinet in the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra for one year before the Covid-19 pandemic. He has played clarinet for seven years under the instruction of RoAnn Romines. He has participated in the Maryville High School Chamber Orchestra, band, and marching band. He has also participated in ETSBOA All State East bands, All State East Orchestra, TMEA All State Band, and NAfME All National Band. Ching will attend Vanderbilt University this fall to pursue higher education in music performance as well as another undeclared major.
Brock Freeland
Brock Freeland is a homeschooled senior currently in his fifth season as a percussionist with the Youth Orchestra. During his experience with KSYO, he has been instructed by James Clemons. He participated in the Knoxville Christian Homeschool Concert and Symphonic Bands in fifth through eleventh grades, qualifying for Junior Clinic Gold Band in all three years of middle school, and for Senior Clinic and All-State the next three years. Brock is active in TeenPact Leadership Schools, serving on staff in many different states across the U.S. for the past three years. He is also a Team Member at Chick-fil-a Turkey Creek, where he recently won the Remarkable Futures Scholarship. He enjoys traveling with his parents, Brent and Sabrina, and three sisters. In the fall, Brock plans to attend Liberty University, where he was awarded a Valedictorian Scholarship covering full tuition.
Gretchen Greene
Gretchen Greene is a senior at Morristown West High School. She began studying the cello under the instruction of Darby Crigger, and now studies with Andrew Bryenton, principal cellist of the KSO. This year marks her third season with the KSYO. Gretchen is also a member of the Morristown Youth Orchestra as the principal cellist. This year she participated and placed in the All East and All State competition. Her other interests include playing the piano, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Gretchen plans to attend Walters State Community College in the fall, majoring in chemistry. She will then transfer to a four-year university to pursue a career in medical laboratory science. Gretchen would like to thank the instructors and staff of KSYO for their devotion to the musical arts and for giving her the opportunity to be a part of such a talented group of musicians.
Nia Grubbs
Nia Grubbs is a senior at West High School, where she is a Full IB Diploma candidate. She has played the viola for six years and the violin for five years. This is her eighth season with the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra. In addition to orchestra, she played percussion in her middle school band. Outside of music, she enjoys reading. She plans to attend Pellissippi Community College where she will be figuring out her major. She would like to thank Leah Cushing and Jennifer Bloch for their tireless dedication and enthusiasm in teaching her violin/viola.
Rulan Gu
Rulan Gu is a senior at Farragut High School. This is her tenth year playing the violin and her seventh season with the Knoxville Youth Symphony Orchestra. She has also played in Farragut High School's orchestra. Outside of music, Rulan actively participates in coding and math competitions, is a team lead of Farragut's robotics team, and participates in various school clubs. She plans to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) this fall and major in either physics or computer science.
Abby Hausladen
Abby Hausladen is a senior at Oak Ridge High School. She has played violin for fourteen years and currently studies with Karen Kartal. This is her seventh season with the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra. In her free time, she enjoys jogging (slowly), playing tennis, and finding four-leaf clovers. This fall, she plans to attend William and Mary to study finance.
Katelyn Hedrick
Katelyn Hedrick is a senior at Berean Christian High School. She has studied the cello from the age of six and is currently in her eleventh season with the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra Association. She began studying cello with Kathleen Bowman and has primarily studied with Dr. Wesley Baldwin for the past ten years. Katelyn has had the opportunity to participate in masterclasses, camps, cello competitions, and ensembles at various venues. She also enjoys fitness training/running, public speaking, and days on the lake. Katelyn plans to attend The University of Tennessee, Knoxville in the fall to pursue a degree in communications and public relations. She would like to thank friends and family for their continued support and the KSYO for the opportunity and joy it has been to her for so many years.
Hayle Kim
Hayle Kim is a senior at Farragut High School. She began playing violin at the age of six under the instruction of Kathy Hart, and this is her eleventh season with the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra Association. She has also been a violin assistant in the Junior and Preludium orchestras for five years, a member of the Student Representative Committee for two years, and is the Technology Assistant for the KSYO this year. Outside of music, Hayle is involved with and holds leadership positions in several extracurricular activities such as Youth Leadership Knoxville, Student Government Association, Science Club, National Honor Society, and Health Occupation Students of America. Hayle will be graduating with a number of awards and distinctions, including National AP Scholar, National Merit Finalist/Scholarship Winner, and US Presidential Scholar Candidate. This fall, she plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania and major in neuroscience. Hayle would like to thank all of the KSYO conductors and staff for being such integral parts of her growing and learning experience throughout her years in the KSYO.
Sol Kim
Sol Kim is a senior at Farragut High School. He has studied flute with Cindy Kim for seven years. This would have been his second season with the KSYO. Sol is also a member of the Farragut High School Concert and Marching Bands. While unsure about where he will attend school in the fall, he plans to pursue a degree in math.
Nathanael Laing
Nathanael Laing is a senior at Bearden High School and will graduate as Valedictorian. He began playing violin eight years ago under the instruction of Rachel Loseke and Gordon Tsai, and has been a part of the KSYO for three years. In addition to his violin involvement, Nathanael also serves in leadership roles in Student Government, Model UN, and Pens for a Purpose, and he engages in genomic research at UT. In his free time, Nathanael enjoys mountain biking and reading. He is especially grateful for Rachel Loseke and Maestro Fellenbaum, whose energy and passion for music have inspired him to continue his involvement with violin during college. Nathanael plans to study aerospace engineering at either The University of Tennessee or Georgia Tech.
David Lee
David Lee is a senior at Farragut High School. He has played the violin for nine years under the instruction of Karen Kartal and loves to volunteer at the Joy of Music School where he teaches kids the violin. At school, he is the president of competitions at HOSA and an active member of the Science Olympiad team, where he has made many fond memories traveling together with friends. In his free time, David enjoys reading comics and sneaking naps at school.
Kevin Li
Kevin Li is a senior at Oak Ridge High School. He has played violin for seven years, studying with Susan Shor and Karen Kartal, and is finishing his fourth season with the KSYO. He has also performed with the Oak Ridge High School Orchestra, MTSU Honors Orchestra, ETSBOA All-East Orchestra, and as a solo pianist. Outside of music, Kevin enjoys sleeping and complaining about homework, and he plans to major in computer science at the University of Michigan College of Engineering in the fall.
Campbell Maben
Campbell Maben is a senior at the L&N STEM Academy. He is in his ninth season as a violinist with the KSYO, and he also plays in the KSYO Chamber Music Program. He has taken violin lessons for eleven years and currently studies with Geoffrey Herd. Campbell has participated in the L&N orchestra program, ETSBOA All-East, TMEA All-State, and Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts. Beyond violin, he enjoys tennis, piano, bird photography, and hanging out with his cats. He would like to thank the KSYO family for continual support during his cancer treatment and is happy to share that he has achieved complete remission. Campbell will attend UT Knoxville and plans to major in pre-med biology with a minor in violin performance.
Maddie Maben
Maddie Maben is a senior at the L&N STEM Academy. She has played cello for seven years and has been a member of the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra for six seasons. Maddie has participated in school orchestra and has attended TMEA All-State, ETSBOA All-East, and the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts. She is also a pianist, a tennis player, and an avid volunteer. Maddie plans to attend UT Knoxville with a major in materials science and engineering and a minor in applied music.
Kieran Maben
Kieran Maben is a senior at the L&N STEM Academy in downtown Knoxville. He has studied double bass for seven years with Preston Davis, and this is his sixth year with the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra. Throughout high school, Kieran has participated in ETSBOA All-State East, TMEA All-State, Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts, the Knoxville Jazz Youth Orchestra, and his school orchestra. He also enjoys playing guitar and electric bass, mountain biking, and playing tennis. This fall, Kieran will attend UT Knoxville to study mechanical engineering.
Bobby Moran
Bobby Moran is a senior at the Webb School of Knoxville. He is a violinist, skateboarder, chess player, wrestler, lacrosse player, car enthusiast, robotics engineer, cross country runner, soccer player, and member of the KYSO. His future plans include majoring in acting and minoring in violin performance, although he has yet to determine where he will study. Bobby would like to thank his mom for constantly reminding him to practice, his dad for schlepping him around, and his sister for unknown reasons. And to Kathy, “Thank you for making the last 257 Monday nights special. I’ll miss you and yes, I did the math.”
Emily Nulton
Emily Nulton is graduating from HomeLife Academy and has played the viola and tuba for six years. She has been a part of KSYO and KCYB for the last two years. Before that, she played in the Johnson City Homeschool Band and the Symphony of the Mountains Youth Orchestra. Next year, Emily will attend The University of Tennessee and will major in biomedical engineering. She will also be a member of The Pride of the Southland Marching Band and participate in concert and pep band.
Levi Parish
Levi Parish is graduating from Oak Ridge High School, where he currently serves as President of the International Relations Club, plays varsity Tennis, and is a member of the National Honor Society. Levi has played viola in Oak Ridge School orchestras since fourth grade, and takes lessons from Susan Shor. This is his third year in KSYO. He earned a chair in the Tennessee All East Orchestra all four years of high school, and a chair at All-State in tenth grade. Levi enjoys sailing with Sea Scouts Ship 300, teaching himself a variety of languages, and creating board games to explore past and present conflicts between nations. He is the recent winner of a National Merit Battelle Scholarship and will attend The University of Alabama Honors College on full scholarship. He plans to double-major in history and civil engineering and looks forward to playing in Alabama’s orchestra.
Evelyn Pendley
Evelyn Pendley is a senior at Oak Ridge High School. She has played cello for eight years and studies with Kathryn York. This is her first season with KSYO, as well as with a quartet in the KSYO Chamber Music program. Along with three years of volunteering in her school's pit orchestra for their annual musical, she has enjoyed competition with ESTBOA, as well as chamber groups and quartets in Oak Ridge. In addition to her cello studies and performances, Evelyn has maintained a rigorous course of study in high school. Outside academics and music, she enjoys eating tasty homemade foods and ice cream, and art--she is currently finishing a Sharpie mural on a wall in her room. Evelyn has been accepted into Brigham Young University, where she will continue to learn the cello while pursuing an engineering degree.
Selena Piercy
Selena Piercy is a senior at Oak Ridge High School. She has played for six years, first under the instruction of Hannah Irwin and then Hillary Herdon at The University of Tennessee Knoxville. In those six years, Selena has had the opportunity to be involved in various music camps and master classes throughout the United States. She has also been a member of the Oak Ridge High School Orchestra, KSYO Chamber Program, and All-East, All-State, and All-National Orchestras. This fall, Selena will attend the University of the South, where she will major in psychology.
Dominque Romain
Dominique Romain is a senior at Hardin Valley Academy. She has played the violin for seven years, and this is her sixth year as a violinist in the KSYO. She studies under Jenifer van Tol, and plans to continue playing throughout college. In the fall, Dominique will attend Yale University to major in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology, while also running track and field. Outside of music, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and painting. She would like to thank everyone in the KYSO community for making her time in the program special.
Zarek Schade
Zarek Schade is a senior at Karns High School. He began playing the violin at age four and joined the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra in third grade. He has enjoyed being part of KSYO and the Hart Strings family for over a decade. In addition to playing the violin, Zarek is a member of his high school golf and tennis teams. In his leisure time, he likes being outdoors and on the water. After graduation, Zarek will attend The University of Tennessee in hopes of earning an engineering degree.
Ethan Sherlock
Ethan Sherlock is a percussionist who attends Hardin Valley Academy. He has been a part of the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra for two seasons and has studied with Clark Harrell, principal percussionist at the KSO. Ethan participated in the ESTBOA honor band for all four years of high school; he has also been in the county honor band and has been principal percussionist at Hardin Valley for two of his four high school years. He will attend the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University to major in percussion performance, having been accepted at several schools and receiving multiple scholarship offers. Ethan would like to thank Chuck Brock, Alex Rector, Clark Harrell, and of course, his parents for the endless support and guidance to pursue his dreams.
Anastasia Slisher
Anastasia Slisher is a senior at the L&N STEM Academy, and this is her seventh year playing the oboe. Now in her second year in the KSYO, she takes private lessons with Claire Chenette and participates in her school's band and orchestra. Her hobbies include research and reading. She will attend the University of Maryland in the fall with a double major in astronomy and physics.
Annalise Smith
Annalise Smith is a senior at Farragut High School. She began to study the violin with Mary Ann Fennell when she was five years old and began playing with the KSYO as a fourth-grader in Preludium. Her nine seasons in KSYO have given her an opportunity to learn from all of the talented conductors in each of the five orchestras; they have nurtured her confidence as a musician and solidified her love of many musical genres. She plays violin with the worship and praise team at Farragut Christian Church, occasionally singing solos as well. Annalise also plays the flute and served as the drum major in the FHS marching band. Her musicianship continues to flourish under the private instruction of Eunsoon Corliss. In the fall, Annalise will attend The University of Tennessee Knoxville, majoring in chemical engineering. She would like to thank her family, friends, boyfriend, conductors, church family, and teachers for instilling the value of perseverance and for providing unwavering support throughout her musical journey.
Natalya Smith
Natalya Smith is a senior in the homeschool program at Christian Academy of Knoxville. She has played the cello for nine years under the teaching of Stacy Nickell. This is her fifth year playing in the KSYO. Natalya plans to attend Johnson University to major in English and minor in journalism. She plans to pursue a career as a traditional storyteller.
Carlene Soderberg
Carlene Elizabeth Soderberg is a senior at Knoxville Catholic High School. She began playing the cello at the age eleven, is active in her school music programs, and is currently studying under Alicia Randisi-Hooker. Carlene was a soloist for the Glenn Nature Reserve benefit concert in Yellow Springs, Ohio; youth winner of the 2020 Scruffy City Concerto competition; and a finalist of the 2020 KSYO Concerto Competition. Carlene was also selected for the 2020 Live Virtual Concert's International Young Artists Concert. She has attended Chamber Music on the Hill at Converse College under the direction of Sarah Johnson and under the tutelage of Tanja Bechtler and Dr. Jonathan Kramer. It was there that she started the Subito Duo with Steinway Young Artist Michael Drusdow. After COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, the Subito Duo plans to perform cello sonatas and other chamber music at Steinway Galleries along the East Coast. In her spare time, Carlene sings, plays other instruments such as electric bass and kalimba, and plays in her school's drum line. She plans to attend the University of North Carolina School of the Arts to major in cello performance.
Ishani Spanier
Ishani Spanier is a senior at Bearden High School, where she will graduate as Salutatorian. She has played violin for twelve years under the instruction of Mary Ann Fennell. This is her tenth season with the KSYO. She has received six Superior rankings from the Knoxville Music Teachers Association, played violin for retirement homes for seven years, and was selected as a winner of the 2020 American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition. Outside of music, she attended the 2019 Governor’s School for Science and Engineering, conducted economics research with Dr. Marianne Wanamaker at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and participated in her school’s Student Government, Key Club, Robotics, Science Olympiad, and National Honors Society. She will attend Georgia Tech in the fall as a recipient of their Stamps Presidents and Gold Scholarship, and she plans to major in industrial engineering.
Emma Stark
Emma Stark has been playing the violin since she was nine years old and has been a part of the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra for the past eight seasons. She has studied privately under the instruction of Elizabeth Farr and Ruth Bacon Edewards over the past nine years. Emma has also enjoyed learning to paint as well as baking throughout high school. After graduating, Emma plans to attend The University of Tennessee to study entrepreneurship.
Lucas Turner
Lucas Turner is a senior at Farragut High School. He has played piano and violin for a combined eleven years, studying both instruments with Jeanie Melton. In the past three years, he has picked up viola, studying with Eunsoon Corliss, and bass guitar, with a band of friends. Lucas has been in the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra for the past three seasons. He plans to attend The University of Tennessee to study nuclear engineering.
Izzy Wang
Izzy Wang is a senior at Oak Ridge High School. She has played the violin for seven years and this is her fifth season in the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra. Outside of violin, she also enjoys playing soccer and taking naps. This fall, she will attend Case Western Reserve University to study chemical engineering.
Hannah Yoon
Hannah Yoon is a senior at Farragut High School. She has played violin for nine years and has also played flute for seven years. This is her tenth year in the KSYO: eight on violin, two on flute. She is a proud member of the Farragut Marching Admirals under the direction of Kenneth Carrico and Elizabeth Gott. She participated in the ETSBOA All-East clinic in 2018 and 2019, and in various competitions in and out of state. After graduation, she plans to study communication design at Parsons School of Design in New York City. She would like to thank her parents for their unconditional support over the years and the many teachers and instructors she has had the opportunity with whom to study. She would like to give a special thanks to Kathy Hart, her violin teacher of nine years and lifetime role model.