Christopher Sumnicht is 16 years old attending Patrick Henry High School and studies with Sheryl Renk, Principal Clarinetist of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra (SDSO). He is currently the Principal Clarinetist in the International Youth Symphony and was the Principal Clarinetist in the San Diego Youth Symphony (SDYS) Orchestra and First Chair in the SDYS Philharmonia. Additionally, he was Principal Clarinetist for the SDSU Symphony Orchestra, and played in the “Best and Brightest Concert” performance with the SDSO.

Valerie Kim was the San Diego Symphony Orchestra’s 2008 “Hot Shot” and former concertmistress of SDYS Sinfonia, Valerie, 13, has made appearances at SummerFest as well as with live TV broadcasts, orchestras, and music festivals in New York, Florida and California. Her most recent teachers in San Diego include George Katz, Jeff Thayer, and Rebekah Yoon. Currently, Valerie studies violin with Itzhak Perlman and Donald Weilerstein, and piano with Ernest Barretta at The Juilliard School of Music.

Dominique Kim, 16, is the former principal flute for San Diego Youth Symphony (SDYS) Philharmonia and TPHS Wind Ensemble and currently attends LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts and The Juilliard School. Dominique was San Diego Symphony’s 2009 “Hot Shot” and the La Jolla Symphony’s 2010 Young Artist Competition’s Most Promising Young Talent. She has performed as piano and flute soloist with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, University of San Diego Orchestra, Civic Youth Orchestra and Young Artists’ Symphony. George Katz, Jane Masur, Dana Burnett and Demarre McGill are among her local teachers.

Aileen Chung, 11, studies with Margaret Batjer, Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Since 2009, Aileen has won first place in the SYMF Competition at CSULB, won the Bellflower Symphony’s Young Artists Concerto Competition, and served as Concertmaster for the Irvine Unified School District Honor Orchestra. This summer, she attended Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, performing on the Honor’s Recital and serving as Concertmaster for the Junior Orchestra. Aileen has taken master classes with Ivry Gitlis, Ruggiero Ricci, Emanel Borok, Joel Smirnoff and Aaron Rosand.

Carlos Aguilar, 15, is a sophomore at Escondido High School. He is currently a member of the San Diego Youth Symphony’s Symphony Orchestra and was the Assistant Principal Flute for Sinfonia in 2011. He began playing flute in the fourth grade in the school band. He studies with Dr. Elena Yarritu.

David Chang, age 15, studies with Margaret Batjer, Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. In 2009, David won first place in the IKPA Competition in Irvine, California and the following year won the VOCE Competition. In 2008, he was soloist with the All Southern Middle School Honor Orchestra. During the 2011-12 season, David will serve as a co-concertmaster for the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra. David has taken master classes with Ruggiero Ricci, Ken Iso and Aaron Rosand at the Montecito Summer Music Festival.

Ching Hwa (Anita) Chen, a junior at Torrey Pines High School, has been playing the violin since age six. She has studied with John Ramirez and currently studies with Michael and Irina Tseitlin. Anita was the concertmaster of the TPHS Advanced Orchestra from 2010-2011, placing second in the 2011 San Diego American String Teachers Association Competition and third in the 2011 Goodlin Competition. She was concertmaster of San Diego Youth Symphony Sinfonia and is now an assistant concertmaster in the Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonia.

Jessica Luce, 16, has been playing oboe for five years. She performs with the Mission Hills High School Band and studies privately with Gracie Fowler at Palomar College. In June, she was selected to tour Italy with an orchestra conducted by Frank Ticheli. Jessica successfully auditioned for the San Diego Youth Symphony and will join the Symphony Orchestra in the fall. She looks forward to performing and growing with fellow musicians of a high standard.