Yena Han is currently a junior at Leland High School, specializing in violin performance. As a member of the San Jose Youth Symphony Philharmonic Orchestra, she has performed on various stages. Since the age of six, Yena has also been actively involved with the Almaden Youth Musicians nonprofit organization, participating in benefit concerts, performing at senior centers and nursing homes, contributing to the community through music.
In competitions, Yena has been recognized for both solo and chamber performances. As a soloist, she received 3rd Place in Violin at the Prima Volta International Music Competition (2025), 1st Place in Violin at the San Francisco Innovative International Music Competition (2024), and 3rd Place at the Music Teachers’ Association of California VOCE Competition (2019), among others. In chamber and orchestral settings, she earned 2nd Place in Chamber Ensemble at the U.S. International Open Music Competition (2025) and, as a member of Leland’s Chamber Orchestra, achieved 1st Place in all divisions and 1st Place in the Chamber Orchestra Division at the Anaheim Heritage Festival WorldStrides (2025), along with additional honors.
Looking ahead, Yena aspires to continue growing as a violinist and to share the power of music to inspire and bring joy to others.
Ashley Ihan Kwak is a sophomore at Leland High School and has been playing the violin since the age of seven. She has performed in various concerts and community events, gaining valuable stage experience. Since ninth grade, Ashley has been a member of her school orchestra, further developing her musical skills. She is also an active member of Almaden Youth Musicians (AYM), a volunteer organization she has participated in since seventh grade, where she shares music through nursing home visits and benefit concerts that support meaningful causes. Currently, she continues to perform with her school, church, and volunteer groups, and hopes to keep creating meaningful performances that inspire and connect with others.
Allison Kim, a freshman at Valley Christian High School (VCHS), began her violin studies at the age of seven and is currently studying under Sonyoung Kang. She participates as a violinist in the San Jose Youth Symphony Philharmonic Orchestra, having joined SJYS in 2022. Since then, she has served as concertmaster of the Concert Orchestra (2023-2024) and principal for violin 2 in the Chamber Orchestra (2024-2025). She was also a part of the 2025 Korean American Music Supporters Association (KAMSA) and was a first violinist at the 2025 California Junior High All-State String Orchestra. Beyond her orchestral and ensemble work, Allison has won several violin competitions, including 2nd place in the 2025 US International Open Music Competition (USIOMC) Violin Solo, 2nd place in the 2025 Chamber Ensemble, Superior Command Performance in the 2024 CMEA Regional Solo & Ensemble Festival, a Gold medal at the 2024 CMEA State Solo & Ensemble Festival, and 2nd place in the 2024 Charleston Romantic Music Competition. She is also actively working on completing CM level 10 on both violin and piano, which she currently has a level of 9 for both.
Allison is deeply involved in her community, actively participating in various programs. As a 2nd violin principal in Almaden Youth Musicians, a non-profit community service organization, she performs in bi-annual benefit concerts to support various community organizations and regularly plays at senior centers and nursing homes. She also volunteers to support the homeless community by making and serving sandwiches.
Ashley Lee is a 14-year-old freshman violinist at Leigh High School in California. She began playing the violin at the age of nine. Since 2022, she has been a member of Almaden Youth Musicians, a nonprofit organization, performing in benefit concerts and at senior centers. She joined the San Jose Youth Symphony in 2024 and currently serves as 2nd Violin Principal of its Chamber Orchestra. In 2025, Ashley performed with the CODA California All-State Junior High String Orchestra and earned the CM Level 9 Honor. She also won the Grand Prize for the solo violinist section at the 2025 International Young Performing Artists Competition. Ashley enjoys playing the violin most of all, but she also likes drawing and playing tennis in her free time.
Justin Heo, a sophomore at Santa Teresa High School, began playing the violin in 3rd grade and quickly discovered a passion for music. Even during the pandemic, when private lessons were paused, he performed with his middle school orchestra, participating in several concerts. Over time, Justin was drawn to the deeper, warmer sound of the viola and decided to make the transition.
Since then, he has been an active member of AYM(Almaden Youth Musicians, a non-profit community service organization), participating in the mentoring program and big/small ensembles. Through seasonal benefit concerts and senior center performances, Justin has found joy in sharing music with others while growing as a musician. He is currently studying viola under the guidance of Sonyeong Kang.
Noah Lim is currently a sophomore at Valley Christian High School, and member of Almaden Youth Musicians, a non-profit organization since 2023 where he demonstrated a keen interest in using music as a way to bring people together and support meaningful causes. Through this ensemble, he has gained valuable performance experience and learned the importance of using music to service the community.
He began his musical journey on the piano from 2nd grade to last year of elementary. In the middle school grade, he discovered the viola and has since dedicated himself to developing his skills on the viola. Under the guidance of his instructor, Sonyeong Kang, Noah has continued to refine his technique and musicianship, developing a deep appreciation for the viola’s warm, expressive sound.
Angela Lee is a 10th grader at Archbishop Mitty High School. She is a cellist for the Almaden Youth Musicians (AYM), a non-profit organization directed by young musicians in the South San Jose area aiming to help communities through music by performing at senior centers and raising funds.
Angela has been playing the cello since the 3rd grade, and she is currently performing with the Mitty orchestra and AYM. In the previous years, she played the cello at the California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (CPYO) for 4 years. She is also an archery athlete and enjoys crocheting in her free time.
Luke Kim, a sophomore at Valley Christian High School ( VCHS), began his cello studies at the age seven and is currently studying under Bobae Lee. He developed into a dedicated and accomplished young musician. By 8th grade, he earned the prestigious Level 10 Certificate of Merit from the Music Teachers’ Association of California, a recognition of both his technical mastery and musical artistry.
Luke currently serves as the principal cellist of the San Jose Youth Orchestra and the Emmanuel Youth Orchestra, where he leads his section with skill and passion. His commitment to excellence and love for music have made him a standout performer, both as a soloist and as a leader in ensembles. He also has participated in the VCHS orchestra and chamber as cellist.
As he continues his musical journey, Luke remains devoted to deepening his artistry, expanding his repertoire, and sharing the joy of music with his community.
Watch Yena Han, Ashley Ihan Kwak, Allison Kim, Ashley Seoyeon Lee, Justin Heo, Noah Lim, Angela Lee, and Luke Kim perform Octet in E-Flat Major, Op.20 by Felix Mendelssohn on the violin, violin, violin, violin, viola, viola, cello, and cello for the 2025 Autumn Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.