Dogwood Fall 2024

Ella Kim, 16 years old, is from Herndon, Virginia, and attends Oakton High School. She currently studies piano with Professor HieYon Choi at Peabody Conservatory. Ella started playing the piano when she was four years old. Ever since, she has won numerous awards including first prize alternate at the 2022 Virginia MTNA Competition, first prize at the Charleston International Music Competition, and the Carmel Klavier International Piano Competition.More recently, Ella won second prize at the 2024 David Dubois International Piano Competition and the AAMS International Music Competition. 

In 2019, Ella appeared on NPR’s From the Top Show as part of an eight-hand ensemble and was invited back to be featured as a soloist, and to perform in their Facebook live concert series. In 2023, Ella performed for WETA Classical’s Annual Leadership Circle event at the Embassy of Sweden in Washington, DC, and was invited to perform at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the U.S.-Korea Alliance. Ella has performed at the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, the Embassy of Austria, Embassy of Hungary, the National Institute of Health, and the US State Department.

Over the summer, Ella participated in the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artist Piano Program, where she engaged in a unique collaboration with dancers from the New York Theatre Ballet, merging music and movement. She also performed in a masterclass led by the acclaimed concert pianist Conrad Tao. Subsequently, Ella traveled to San Francisco for Bay PianoFest, where she played in a masterclass with renowned pianist Alvin Chow.

Fueled by her passion for connecting with others through music, Ella and her sister co-founded a non-profit called ITZArt4you, which enables teen musicians to harness their musical talents by providing free, weekly music lessons to children in their community. 

Outside of music, Ella serves as a student representative to the Fairfax County School Board Student Advisory Council and is the founder of ITZArt4Oakton, a club that provides a space for fellow teen musicians to share music with the Oakton community. Ella enjoys reading, K-pop, traveling and trying new foods, and is a black belt in Taekwondo. 

Everett Ha is a junior at Oakton High School and a violinist in their philharmonic orchestra. He has been playing violin for 8 years, piano for 10 years, and has participated in the solo and ensemble festival twice. He likes to swim and reads in his free time.

Lindsey Gibson is 16 years old and has been playing the violin for almost ten years. She has been a part of her school orchestras since the 4th grade, and this year she is principal 2nd violin in varsity orchestra. Aside from school orchestra, she has participated in the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras for the past 6 years, and is now a first violinist in AYSO. This past year, Lindsey attended Sewanee Summer Music Festival, and performed in the pit orchestra for the spring musical at her school. Lindsey currently is a mentor for a chamber program in AYPO and  ITZArt4you. Throughout almost ten years playing the violin, she has really enjoyed sharing her love of music with others in every way possible.

I’m a junior at Chantilly High School and my main instrument is the cello. I’ve been playing the cello since third grade and I plan to continue playing for the rest of high school. I started as an art mentor at Dogwood Elementary School my freshman year and I loved it. I have continued being an art mentor and get closer with past students and new ones. Art is one of my hobbies as well as any artistic craft or anything that requires creativity. I like using paint, alcohol markers, pencils, and oil pastels. Recently I have been wanting to learn how to crochet and make jewelry with strings or beaded jewelry. In my free time I like to read and I am currently reading a dystopian series called Scythe and I also enjoy playing video games. I love eating all types of spicy food and salty snacks, but my favorite food is definitely Korean BBQ.

Kerala Ryan, age 15, lives in Fairfax, Virginia and is currently a sophomore at Oakton High School. Kerala has been playing viola for six years and has studied with Nancy Kredel and Liz O’Hara Stahr. She currently studies with Brett Walfish. Kerala has participated in many musical opportunities in the area, including Senior District Honors Orchestra and The Capital Symphonic Youth Orchestra’s sextet. She has also been principal viola of The Junior District Honor Orchestra and principal viola of The Capital Symphonic Youth Orchestra. In the past, Kerala has attended The Lamont Summer Academy and the Rushmore Music Festival. Outside of music, Kerala enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with friends.

Ranbir is a sophomore at Chantilly High School who has been playing the violin for 8 years. He has previously tutored younger students in the musical field, helping with things such as school auditions. Currently, he is a first violinist in the Chantilly HS Chamber orchestra and has performed in multiple recitals.

Laila Kebaish is a sophomore at Oakton high school. She has been playing violin for 6 years and is currently in her school orchestra.

Mason Kang is a Junior at Oakton High School.  Mason has been playing piano for the last 10 years and has just recently started to learn the guitar.  Outside of practicing music, Mason likes to indulge in photography, play video games, and make piano arrangements.  Mason has been part of the Oakton Crew Team since the start of his freshman year.

Sophia is a junior at James Madison high school and has been playing violin for 8 years. She has been playing in an orchestra since seventh grade and is currently a member of the American Youth Philharmonic (AYP). She has also been a part of AYCO and AYSO in the past. Sophia has also had the opportunity to be principal of District Honors Orchestra. She enjoys playing music and spreading her knowledge of music to others!

Vivian is a student at Madison High School and has been playing cello for 7 years. She also has been a part of AYPO since 6th grade. Apart from cello, she plays volleyball. In her free time, she loves hanging out with her friends, baking, and watching movies! She is excited to volunteer for ITZArt!

Joey is a junior attending Oakton High School who has been playing the violin for 7 years. He is a part of his school’s chamber orchestra and has been a section leader and student representative. He was also accepted into the all-district orchestra. Joey hopes to spread his love of playing violin to younger generations and help them improve. Aside from violin, Joey enjoys playing sports, coaching and training sports, and walking on the beach. He enjoys eating food and drinking water.

Jonathan Liu is a 15-year old attending Chantilly High School. He has been interested in art since a young age, enjoys pencil sketching, and began learning painting from an art studio recently. Jonathan also plays the violin, and has been learning with a private instructor for 3 years. He has participated in The Falls Church Spring Festival twice, receiving a superior rating both times, and is a member of Chantilly High School’s Chamber Orchestra. Jonathan joined ITZArt4you 2 years ago, and is excited to continue mentoring. In his free time, Jonathan enjoys reading, listening to music, and trying new things.

Naomi Armentrout is a freshman at Oakton High School. Naomi has been studying cello for 10 years, since she was 4 years old. She is currently a member of the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra’s (AYPO) Symphonic Orchestra (AYSO). She won second prize at the 2023 Elite International Music Competition, Seniors Division and got the chance to perform at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall.

Outside of music, Naomi loves to play volleyball.

Ellie Armentrout is a Junior at Oakton High School. Ellie has been studying violin since she was 6 years old, and plays in the Varsity orchestra at OHS. She also regularly plays in the worship team at her church. Outside of music, Ellie loves reading murder mysteries, listening to music, and watching Formula One.

Ella Kang is 15 years old, and a sophomore at Oakton High School. She has been playing the piano for 10 years and studies with Gabe Churray. Her favorite pieces to play on the piano are ragtimes, and she enjoys listening to pop music outside of piano. In her free time, she enjoys baking, hanging out with friends, and watching her favorite tv shows.

Adithi Kanchinatham (14), is a freshman at Oakton highschool and has been learning the violin for the past 10 years. She is a part of the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and has participated in Junior District Orchestra. Outside of the violin, Adithi loves to dance and spend time with family and friends.

My name is Mae Salhab, I am a junior at Oakton High School and have a huge passion for art specifically drawing! I am very involved with Oakton and am a part of Deca, Best Buddies, and multiple other clubs. I love working with kids and teaching. I have played soccer for 12 years and hope to one day coach. I’m excited to be a part of ITZART and spread my joy of art and make more awesome memories this year!

Hello! My name is Yasmina, and I’m currently a freshman at SLHS. I love art a lot and spend the majority of my free time drawing, playing video games and studying.

My name is Kate Crockett, I am a junior at Oakton High School and have been part of an art program in school since elementary! I am a swim coach at Aqua Tots and love coaching and working with kids. I am on my high school’s wrestling team and have a huge passion for sports. I’m excited to be a part of ITZART and learn more about the program as I go as well as spread my love of art with others.