Season 67
2018-2019
Senior Orchestra Roster
Associate Orchestra Roster
Wind Symphony Roster
Seniors
November 2018 Senior Orchestra Concert
The California Youth Symphony Senior Orchestra opened its 67th season with two captivating performances on November 4, 2018, at the Flint Center and November 18 at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center. Fresh off their acclaimed 22nd international tour to Europe during the summer, the Senior Orchestra took the stage under the direction of Music Director Leo Eylar, who was beginning his 29th season with CYS. The program brought together three monumental works, spanning rich French impressionism, Czech romantic warmth, and iconic American cinematic drama.
The afternoon began with Maurice Ravel’s dramatic tone poem "La Valse," a hypnotic work that transforms the elegance of the Viennese waltz into a swirling, virtuosic frenzy of sound. The orchestra was then joined by a featured young soloist for Antonín Dvořák’s masterwork, the Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104. Written during Dvořák's American years, the concerto blends soulful Czech nostalgia with expansive melodies, featuring a deeply moving slow movement that pays homage to his beloved sister-in-law.
Following intermission, the Senior Orchestra performed Leonard Bernstein’s "On the Waterfront" Symphonic Suite. Adapted from his Oscar-nominated score for Elia Kazan’s classic film, Bernstein’s suite weaves together blues-infused urban soundscapes, aggressive rhythmic energy, and a tender, soaring love theme that celebrates hope and human endurance.
Featured Soloist: Abigail Leong, Cello
Fourteen-year-old cellist Abigail Leong was featured as the soloist in Dvořák's Cello Concerto after winning First Place in the 2018 CYS Young Artist Competition held at Stanford University. Abigail began her cello studies at age four and currently furthers her musical training with Jonathan Koh in the Pre-College Division at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She made her solo debut at Carnegie Hall at just ten years old, performing the first movement of Saint-Saëns' Cello Concerto.
An accomplished chamber musician and competitor, Abigail plays in Trio Cantare, which awarded third prize at the 2018 Yehudi Menuhin Festival Galante Competition. Her long list of accolades includes top prizes in the California State Solo Competition, MTNA State, MTAC VOCE, Pacific Musical Society Foundation Competition, and the American Protégé International Concerto Competition. Outside of her rigorous concert schedule, Abigail enjoys sharing music with residents at local retirement homes and hospitals. A student at The King's Academy in Sunnyvale, she is also a passionate dancer specializing in tap, modern, and hip-hop.
2018 Holiday Concert
On December 9, 2018, the California Youth Symphony brought holiday warmth and musical brilliance to the San Mateo Performing Arts Center with its annual Holiday Concert. Featuring three of CYS's premier ensembles - the CYS Associate Orchestra, CYS Wind Symphony, and CYS Senior Orchestra—the festive afternoon program presented a rich tapestry of orchestral overtures, lively wind band works, and timeless seasonal classics under the direction of Music Director Leo Eylar and Guest Wind Symphony Director Dr. Richard Roper.
The concert opened with the CYS Associate Orchestra, conducted by Leo Eylar, delivering a colorful first half. The orchestra opened with Daniel Auber’s sparkling Overture to The Bronze Horse and Engelbert Humperdinck’s fairytale Overture to Hansel and Gretel. They continued with Benjamin Britten’s charming Matinées Musicales before bringing their set to a dramatic finish with the triumphant "Finale" from Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4. Next, the CYS Wind Symphony, led by guest conductor Dr. Richard Roper, took the stage with a lively selection of band masterworks, including Ralph Vaughan Williams’s English Folk Song Suite, John Mackey’s lyrical This Cruel Moon, Percy Grainger’s classic Molly on the Shore, and Samuel Hazo’s energetic Ride.
The CYS Senior Orchestra concluded the afternoon with a grand celebration of winter magic and holiday cheer. Featured soloist Diana McGrory joined the orchestra for a dazzling performance of Otar Gordeli’s Concertino for Flute and Orchestra, followed by Sergei Prokofiev’s whimsical Suite from Lieutenant Kijé. The program rounded out with beloved festive favorites, including Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride and A Christmas Festival, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Bruce Chase’s Christmas Favorites, and Tchaikovsky’s enchanting "Waltz of the Flowers" from The Nutcracker.
Featured Soloist & Guest Director
Diana McGrory, Flute
Fourteen-year-old flutist Diana McGrory was featured as the soloist in Gordeli's Concertino for Flute and Orchestra. A freshman at Woodside High School residing in Menlo Park, Diana began playing flute at age six and has studied with Jill Heinke Moen for five years. She has earned top awards in both solo and chamber divisions of the MTAC VOCE competitions at regional and state levels, as well as highest ratings in the CMEA State Solo and Ensemble festivals.
Diana has performed in master classes for distinguished flutists including Mary Karen Clardy, Jill Felber, and Amy Porter, and studied privately with Susan Milan and Patricia Surman. A versatile multi-instrumentalist who also plays piccolo, saxophone, and piano, she serves as lead alto sax in the Woodside High Jazz Ensemble. Beyond her musical achievements, Diana regularly shares her passion for music through teaching young students and performing at local senior centers, churches, and veterans' facilities.
Dr. Richard Roper, Guest Wind Symphony Director
Guest Director Dr. Richard Roper led the CYS Wind Symphony in a dynamic program of modern and traditional wind band repertoire. Dr. Roper holds music degrees from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the Yale School of Music, and the University of Maryland, and studied in Paris as a Harriet Hale Woolley Scholar.
A dedicated educator and active performer, Dr. Roper serves on the faculties of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College Division, UC Santa Cruz, College of San Mateo, and Santa Clara University. In addition to directing the El Camino Wind Orchestra and SFCM Pre-College Brass Ensemble, he is an accomplished trumpeter who performs regularly with leading Northern California groups, including Symphony Silicon Valley, Santa Cruz Symphony, Opera San Jose, and Monterey Symphony.
March 2019 March Concert
On March 17, 2019, the California Youth Symphony Senior Orchestra returned to the San Mateo Performing Arts Center for the second concert of its 67th season. Under the baton of Music Director Leo Eylar, then in his 29th season with CYS, the orchestra presented a dramatic spring program showcasing French orchestral color, Russian virtuosity, and one of the most imaginative tone poems in the symphonic repertoire.
The concert opened with Emmanuel Chabrier’s vibrant "España," an infectious showpiece inspired by the rhythms and melodies of traditional Spanish folk dances. The first half continued with Sergei Rachmaninov’s beloved "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini," featuring featured young pianist Catherine Huang. Built as a set of twenty-four brilliant variations on Paganini's famous Caprice No. 24, the work seamlessly blends dazzling piano virtuosity with sweeping Romantic lyricism, highlighted by the famous eighteenth variation.
Following intermission, the Senior Orchestra performed Richard Strauss’s monumental tone poem, "Don Quixote," Op. 35. Subtitled "Fantastic Variations on a Theme of Knightly Character," the work vividly recounts Miguel de Cervantes's immortal tale through orchestral storytelling. Cellist Davis You portrayed the idealistic knight Don Quixote, while violist Jocelyn Pon portrayed his loyal squire Sancho Panza, leading audiences through a series of musical adventures that ranged from battles with windmills to quiet moments of noble reflection and a poignant final epilogue.
Featured Soloists
Catherine Huang, Piano
Sixteen-year-old pianist Catherine Huang was featured as the soloist in Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini after winning First Prize in the 2018 CYS Young Artist Competition. A junior at Lynbrook High School studying with Professor Hans Boepple, Catherine has built an extraordinary record of competitive success. She was named a 2019 National YoungArts Winner in Classical Music, won first prize at the 2018 Lee University International Piano Competition, and earned top honors at the Arthur Fraser and IIYM International Piano Competitions. She is also a two-time state winner of both the MTAC State Concerto Competition and the San Francisco Chopin Competition.
Catherine has appeared as a soloist with the El Camino Youth Symphony, Peninsula Symphony, and South Carolina Philharmonic, and has performed in masterclasses at the Southeastern Piano Festival and Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Beyond her solo achievements, Catherine serves as an officer for Lynbrook Music for Community, regularly organizing performances at senior homes and leading a wildfire benefit concert that raised over $4,000 for victims in California. In addition to piano, she enjoys dance, math competitions, and coding.
Davis You, Cello
Cellist Davis You, sixteen, performed the solo role of Don Quixote in Strauss's tone poem. A junior at Palo Alto High School studying under Jonathan Koh, Davis previously won the 2017 CYS Young Artist Competition and the 2018 Felix Khuner Young Artist Concerto Competition with the Prometheus Symphony. His awards include an Honorable Mention in the 2019 National YoungArts Competition, First Place in the 2018 KAMSA Competition, and semifinalist honors at both the Klein International String Competition and the Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians.
An active chamber musician, Davis plays in a string quartet through the Young Chamber Musicians program, was named a Koret Young Performer at the Music@Menlo festival, and took second prize at the 2018 Galante Competition. He is also an active member of the Bach to Bach Project, helping introduce classical music to young students across the community.
May 2019 March Concert
On May 19, 2019, the California Youth Symphony Senior Orchestra brought its 67th season to a triumphant close at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center. Led by Music Director Leo Eylar in his 29th season with CYS, the grand finale celebrated the remarkable accomplishments of our young musicians through a vibrant mix of virtuosic concerto movements and one of the most powerful symphonic works in the classical repertoire.
The first half showcased four exceptional winners of the annual CYS Graduating Senior Soloist Competition alongside Kabalevsky’s sparkling Overture to Colas Breugnon. Violinist Jennifer Park joined the orchestra for Saint-Saëns’s brilliant Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, followed by flutist Katie Lang performing the opening Allegro moderato from Carl Nielsen’s Flute Concerto. Violinist Melody Chen then delivered a lyrical rendition of the first movement from Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2, before flutist Emily Du closed the solo showcase with the playful, jazzy finale from Jacques Ibert’s Flute Concerto.
Following intermission, the Senior Orchestra delivered a performance of Gustav Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 1 in D Major ("Titan"). Moving through four expansive movements—from the quiet nature calls of a rustic springtime opening to a spirited Austrian Ländler, a shadowy minor-mode "Frère Jacques" funeral march, and a roaring, triumphant finale—Mahler’s masterpiece provided an unforgettable conclusion to a spectacular season.
Featured Soloists (Graduating Senior Competition Winners)
Melody Chen, Violin
Violinist Melody Chen, 17, began her violin studies at age six and spent six years performing with the California Youth Symphony. A student of Motoko Toba from Santa Clara University, Melody has earned top honors in numerous competitions, including Grand Place at the Silicon Valley Youth Music Competition and First Place at both the DVC/HNU Young Artist String Competition and the KAMSA Competition. A graduating senior at American High School, she served as president of the Art Club, performed electric violin at school rallies, and worked as a freelance graphic designer. She attends UC Berkeley as a Regents' and Chancellor's Scholar.
Emily Du, Flute
Flutist Emily Du began studying music on the piano at age five before taking up the flute at age eleven with Kassey Plaha. She served as principal flutist of the CYS Senior Orchestra as well as the Lynbrook High School Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. Her solo and chamber accolades include an Honorable Mention in the National YoungArts Competition, First Place at the International Grande Music Competition, and selection for the National Flute Association High School Flute Choir. Emily attends Carnegie Mellon University to study business administration with a minor in music.
Katie Lang, Flute
Seventeen-year-old flutist Katie Lang served as co-principal flute of the CYS Senior Orchestra during her third year with CYS. A senior at Branham High School studying with Karen Van Dyke for six years, Katie has performed in the Santa Clara County Honor Band and the California All-State Concert Band. She also served as music coordinator for her school’s BLISS (Bringing Love in Sound and Song) club, organizing performances at local senior living communities. Katie attends the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music to pursue flute performance under Denis and Erin Bouriakov.
Jennifer Haneul Park, Violin
Violinist Jennifer Haneul Park, 18, began piano at age four and violin at age eight, studying under Elizabeth Park. Her performance highlights include a solo appearance at Carnegie Hall and competitive awards from the Peninsula Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, VOCE, the Bach Music Festival, and the U.S. Open Music Competition. At Archbishop Mitty High School, Jennifer served as concertmaster of the orchestra, staff writer for The Monarch, and founder and president of the Korean Culture Club. She attends Syracuse University majoring in communication.
Pictures (from left):
Emily Du; Melody Chen; Jennifer Haneul Park; Katie Lang
