Dogwood Fall 2024

Winner of the Berta Rojas Grand Prize of the 2023 MGI Myrna Sislen Youth Guitar Competition, Ethan Kim  has been playing and performing the classical guitar for 5 years. As grand prize winner, Ethan opened the concert for internationally renowned guitarist Bokyung Byun at the John E. Marlow Guitar Series. In 2023, Ethan was invited to perform for WETA Classical’s Annual Leadership Circle Salon Series at the Embassy of Sweden, where he had the opportunity to perform for the Ambassador of Sweden and friends of Washington DC’s classical radio station. More recently, Ethan had the honor of performing at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea for the Korean Ambassador’s event commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the US-ROK Alliance. Outside of music, Ethan enjoys fishing, watching movies, and is a black belt in Taekwondo.

Lily is a senior at Chantilly High School and she has been playing cello since 3rd grade. Lily has been apart of her school’s orchestra for 4 years now. She has been volunteering for ITZArt for about 4 years and has other experience teaching kids like at her church’s children ministry. Outside of cello, Lily loves art, video games, volunteering, and reading.

Kerala Ryan, age 16, lives in Fairfax, Virginia and is currently a junior 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.

Varenya Immidisetti is a sophomore at Langley High School and has been playing the cello for seven years. She is excited to continue being a part of the  Itzart team and share her passion for music with others. She loves mentoring younger kids and helped many in math,  coaching volleyball rec teams, and training them in dance. In her free time, she likes to play fun tunes, play volleyball, and badminton, and listen to music.

Ranbir is a junior at Chantilly High School with a growing passion for the violin, which he has been playing for eight years. In addition to playing with the Chantilly Chamber Orchestra, he also enjoys sharing his love of music by giving private lessons to beginner students. In his free time, Ranbir likes riding his bike, sleeping, and spending time with family.

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 currently a junior at Chantilly High School, and has always enjoyed creating art since childhood. He attends art classes both inside and outside of school, and is also a violinist in Chantilly’s Chamber Orchestra. This will be Jonathan’s fourth year as a mentor working with ITZArt4you, and he looks forward to meeting new students and running the art program at Dogwood Elementary. In his free time, Jonathan enjoys listening to music and sketching.

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 16 years old, and a junior at Oakton High School. She has been playing the piano for over 10 years and has studied 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.

Everett Ha is a senior at Oakton High School and a violinist in their Chamber orchestra. He has been playing violin for 9 years, piano for 11 years, and has participated in the solo and ensemble festival twice achieving top marks both times. He has participated in ITZArt for every fall, spring, and summer session since its founding and loves mentoring to help others find and build their passions. In his free time, he loves reading, swimming, and listening to music.