Aiden Jiang
Aiden Jiang is a junior at Dougherty Valley High School and has been playing violin for 6 years. He has won Second Place in the American Protege International Concerto Competition, performing at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. Aiden is a member of the Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra and has attended state orchestras such as the CASMEC All-State Orchestra and CODA Honor String Orchestra. In his free time, Aiden plays water polo, piano, and goes to the gym.
Braden Wang
Braden Wang is a sophomore at Dublin High School. He has been studying violin under his teacher James Choi for ten years. Braden is a former member of the Berkeley Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra and is currently a part of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra. He has attended the 2022 and 2023 CODA All-State orchestras, the 2024 Music at Tateuchi program, and the 2025 Addicott Summer Chamber Music Festival. Braden has won numerous competitions including the Fremont Young Recitalist Competition, the Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra concerto competition, and the United States Open Music Competition. He made his orchestral debut with the Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra, playing the 3rd movement of the Bruch Violin Concerto. In his free time, Braden enjoys running and playing chess.
Vivian Le
Vivian has been a Melody Connects Mentor since 2024 and has been playing violin since she was 10 years old. She enjoys playing and performing with other musicians, especially in a chamber music setting. She has played chamber music in numerous settings, such as participating in Colburn’s Chamber Music Intensive and playing in Fantasia Duo, a duo formed with her pianist friend. She enjoys listening to classical music, particularly Debussy and Bach. She has obtained her Advanced Level CM Certificate for violin with honors and is currently working on her Advanced Level CM certificate for piano. She has performed in various places and is passionate about spreading the joy of music to others.
Colby Chan
Colby has been playing cello since 4th grade. He has also played piano since he was 5 years old. At the moment, he is a freshman at Monte Vista High School, where he plays as the cello section leader. In 2021, he was ranked second in the North California Young Talents Music Competition.
Rena Jair
My name is Rena Jair. I’m a Freshman in Foothill High School in Pleasanton, California. I have been playing the viola since 6th grade, and previous to that, the flute for several years. I have been the first chair in my school orchestra and was in the school quartet. I have also participated in the Junior High All State Orchestra 2021-2022.
Alumni
Class of 2025
Aaron Hsi- Jason Guo
- Lily Zhou
- Vintine Anrich
Class of 2024
- Adeline Lee
- Jimin Lim
- Elizabeth Chin
- Ketivinne Anrich
- Isaac Kim
- Benjamin Chen
- Calvin Chan
- Fiona Xie
Class of 2023
- Olivia Hsu
- Aadarsh Nair
- Hannah Thai
- Sarvani Vuguntur
- Emily Chang
- Michelle Seo
Class of 2022
- Ian Carlos
- Duncan Ritchie
- Audrey Dao
- Shannon Liu
- Rayna Tsai
Class of 2021
- Albert Ding
- Amy He
- Mingye Wang
- Samantha Mau
- Caitlin Gong
- Ella Vo
- Isabella Wu
- Jenna Kim
- Trisha Bhima
Class of 2020
- Anais Clancy
- Erin Park