Dokern An is 16 years old and a junior at Stockdale High School. His musical journey began with studying the violin at the age of 10 under the guidance of Rebecca Brooks. Throughout elementary and middle school, he participated in the school orchestra, Panama Buena Vista Strolling Strings, Kern County Honor Orchestra, and the CMEA Solo and Ensemble Festival. Mrs. Brooks’ passionate and generous instruction helped him discover his true love for music. In eighth grade, he earned his first Command Performance Rating at the CMEA Solo and Ensemble Festival with the Bruch Violin Concerto no. 1 (1st movement) and was first accepted into the Bakersfield Youth Symphony Orchestra (BYSO).
At the beginning of his freshman year, An began taking lessons with Mikyung Kim Kwon via Zoom, whose mentorship greatly influenced his musical development and appreciation for music. She always pushed him to bring the best out of him after each performance. Under the guidance of Rebecca Brooks and Mikyung Kim Kwon, An has continued to grow as a musician and achieved many accomplishments.
An currently serves as the concertmaster of the Bakersfield Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Stockdale High School Symphony Orchestra. He achieved three consecutive Command Performance awards at the CMEA Solo and Ensemble Festival. He also received a Gold rating at the CMEA Southern California Solo and Ensemble Festival in 2025. Additionally, he won the BYSO Concerto Competition for the 2025-2026 season. He was a member of the California All-State High School String Orchestra in 2024, All-Southern California High School Symphony Orchestra (SCSBOA) in 2025, CODA Honor Symphony Orchestra in 2025, and the California All-State High School Symphony Orchestra in 2026. He was also accepted and invited to play with the LA Youth Philharmonic Summer Orchestra in the Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2024.
Locally, An actively performs throughout the community in ensembles such as the Kern County High School Honor Orchestra and has recently began his own private teaching with young musicians. Throughout An’s high school career, he has actively participated in the community by playing with the Kern County High School Honor Orchestra, BYSO, the BYSO String Quartet, the Stockdale High School String Quartet, the Stockdale High School Symphony Orchestra, and the Bakersfield International Music Festival at CSUB.
In his free time, An enjoys staying active and enjoying his favorite hobbies. He loves playing tennis and watching Carlos Alcaraz, his favorite tennis player. An loves supporting the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tottenham Hotspur. He also enjoys exploring new foods and restaurants with friends and family.
An is sincerely grateful for his two wonderful teachers, Rebecca Brooks and Mikyung Kim Kwon for guiding him in his musical journey and believing in him. An also thanks all of his school music teachers who encouraged and motivated him over the years. He is also forever thankful for his parents who have supported him in every way possible in his musical journey.
Watch Dokern An perform Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso by Camille Saint-Saëns on the violin for the 2026 Classical Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.