Class of 2021

In no particular order and in their own words!

Check back soon for more updates!

Connor Flax

How many years have you been a part of LVYO? 5

What has been your favorite memory at LVYO?

Playing Capriccio Italian my freshman year at the Smith Center.

How has music been an important part of your life?

Music is my escape from reality. It helps me clear my head and think.

What are your plans after graduation?

I’m going to major in Political Science at UNLV

Would you something about yourself that you would like included in your senior bio?

I’ve been teaching myself to play the guitar.

Cello

Philharmonic

Graduating High School

Coronado

Jacob Gunnell

Bass

Philharmonic

Graduating High School

Yes

How many years have you been a part of LVYO ? 4? I've lost count.

What has been your favorite memory at LVYO?

My favorite LVYO memory is playing Rimsky-Korsakov's Capriccio Espagnole with Mr. W. The ending to the fifth movement really cooked and we sounded fantastic.

How has music been an important part of your life?

Music has given me an outlet to create something beautiful in my heavily STEM-oriented education. Learning the double bass had been an experience both greatly enjoyable and greatly rewarding.

What are your plans after graduation?

I plan to serve a religious mission for two years immediately after I graduate, then attend BYU for an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering.

Would you something about yourself that you would like included in your senior bio?

A certain violist once was tired of his instrument and resolved to upgrade to the violin. He went to the luthier's shop and asked him for his best fiddle. "You must be a violist," the man replied. "How did you know?" the violist inquired. "Sir, this is an In-N-Out Burger."

Elizabeth Parker

Violin

Philharmonic

Graduating High School

Las Vegas Academy

How many years have you been a part of LVYO ? 8 years

What has been your favorite memory at LVYO?

One of my favorite memories was when I would stay after to help stack the chairs and reset them for the school band after my rehearsals. Something so simple turned into a blessing as I got to know Mr. Van Gilder, the para pros, and my conductor more than I had in years past.

How has music been an important part of your life?

Music has been apart of my life from a very young age. I remember listening to the radio on the way to church and singing along or listening to my parents cds in the car in between movies on car rides. But music really started shaping my life when I started violin in elementary school. Since then, my mathematics grade improved, my moods improved, I listened to music to fall asleep, it became something embedded in my everyday life. If I'm angry, I practice and take it out on my instrument (nicely, of course). It's an everyday thing for me but it's an everyday thing that has shaped my life for the better.

What are your plans after graduation?

I plan on attending UNLV (University of Nevada -Las Vegas) and majoring in music education. Later in the future I hope to either major or minor in music therapy or therapy as a general.

Would you share something about yourself that you would like included in your senior bio?

I'd like to thank my family for pushing me when I needed a push. For giving me the option to quit but with that to call and tell my teacher myself. Thank you for supporting me and encouraging me to do my best. For reminding me, "hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."

Nicole Needham

Clarinet

Philharmonic

Graduating High School

Need info

How many years have you been a part of LVYO? 7 years

What has been your favorite memory at LVYO?

My favorite memory from LVYO was one of our holiday concerts at Ham Hall. I just remember all of the coaches dressing up, and the energy and excitement of everyone was amazing.

How has music been an important part of your life?

Music is a creative outlet for me, and I think it has allowed me to express myself in a really unique way. I can even think back on parts of my life and connect them to a piece I was practicing at the time, and I know that music will always be important to me as a way to connect to others and be myself.

What are your plans after graduation?

I plan to attend Georgetown University or University of Southern California to pursue a business major, with a possible minor or coursework in music.

Please share something about yourself that you would like included in your senior bio?

I would like to thank LVYO for giving me an amazing opportunity to play with so many other talented people! I have loved being part of this group and I know it has been vital to helping me prepare for working with others and strengthening my love of music. Even in this strange year, I appreciate that LVYO continued to meet and helped make my senior year more normal!

Kade Euteneier

How many years have you been a part of LVYO? 2

What has been your favorite memory at LVYO?

Getting to play in a brass ensemble.

How has music been an important part of your life?

My family has a background of classical music so music has always been apart of my life.

What are your plans after graduation?

Serve an LDS mission.

Would you share something about yourself that you would like included in your senior bio?

I got nothin.

Trumpet

Philharmonic

Graduating High School

Foothill

Ian King

Tuba

Philharmonic

Graduating High School

Somerset Academy Losee Campus

How many years have you been a part of LVYO ? 2

What has been your favorite memory at LVYO?

Seeing a standing ovation from the audience after one of our concerts

How has music been an important part of your life?

Music has been a part of my life since I was born... I started piano at 4 years old and I’ve been in some music program ever since. It’s the one thing in this world that makes sense to me.

What are your plans after graduation?

First attend Interlochen over the summer; then attend college as a dual major for Performance and Composition. Join a philharmonic somewhere in the world and fulfill my passion of music

Would you share something about yourself that you would like included in your senior bio ?

Continue my passion: Tuba, Bass Trombone, Majoring in Performance in Southern Utah University.

Thomas Onghongon

Violin

Philharmonic

Graduating High School

Las Vegas Academy

How many years have you been a part of LVYO ? 9

What has been your favorite memory at LVYO?

I really enjoyed playing with Alpin Hong at the joint concert held a bunch of years ago.

How has music been an important part of your life?

It got me to my current high school and through my middle school.

What are your plans after graduation?

I will attend a four year college for undergrad and participate in music program outside of my major.

Would you share something about yourself that you would like included in your senior bio ?

I really am grateful that I have been able to play in an orchestra every year since I was seven. This has allowed me to meet so many people and build relationships with my peers.

Matthew Nuttall

How many years have you been a part of LVYO ? 4

What has been your favorite memory at LVYO?

My favorite memory of LVYO has been meeting new friends and performing music.

How has music been an important part of your life?

Music has been a major part of my life since I was young and I've always enjoyed having something to go to to have an outlet and way to express myself.

What are your plans after graduation?

I will be attending UNLV.

Viola

Philharmonic

Graduating High School

Arbor View

Samantha Ann Mahoney

Oboe

Philharmonic

Graduating High School

Somerset Academy Losee

How many years have you been a part of LVYO ? 3

What has been your favorite memory at LVYO?

The best memory I have of LVYO is from my second year while I was playing with the Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Mr. Maine. We were all heading to separate rooms to work in sectionals when a handful of the woodwind people were asked if they wanted to sign this petition about selling organs. The rest of that rehearsal we spent playing and worrying if someone was going to come and take our organs. Eventually, they had our names crossed out since we were under the age. The only thing to get put minds off it was to play our music and knowing it wasn't just me who signed it.

How has music been an important part of your life?

Music has been a part of who I am since I was born but I didn't always pursue it through the oboe. For the longest time sang day in and day out (though I still do but not with the same dream). Then in the 4th grade I picked up the Violin and that's when I first learned to read music but it wasn't until 8th grade that I picked the oboe up and actually saw it could be something. Violin was a chore for me but the oboe made me feel different and since then I've turned my entire focus towards it. The biggest thing music has ever done for me is show that I can do something. I'm not a prodigy or anything and a lot of the time I feel behind as I'm sure lots of musicians do. With those moments comes good ones too and I often realize that I don't need to be a prodigy because there is enough in me to do it without that help. I'm learning constantly that I can bring joy to people's lives every time I pick it up either to myself or to others because honestly that is what music is for me. Music has brought my confidence up and helped me do the one thing I'm always trying to do. Make people feel, forget and smile.

What are your plans after graduation?

Going to UNR and majoring in Music and then moving to the country side.

Would you share something about yourself that you would like included in your senior bio ?

I love to read and write letters

Brianna Durant

Viola

Symphony

Graduating High School

Shadow Ridge High School

How many years have you been a part of LVYO ? 4

What has been your favorite memory at LVYO?

My favorite memory was performing at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts with Mr. Maine as our conductor. It was an amazing experience to be performing on a stage where world-renowned orchestras have also performed.

How has music been an important part of your life?

I love music and constantly listen to it - all kinds of genres from different eras. Music can make you feel different emotions - it can cheer you up when you're down and you can create memories that are associated with specific musical songs. I have enjoyed my time at LVYO and have learned so much from Mr. Maine, not just musically but also in discipline. He's the only conductor that I have enjoyed practicing for in my spare time.

What are your plans after graduation?

I will be leaving Las Vegas and heading to the University of Nevada, Reno in August. I will be studying International Affairs.

Madeline Fitzpatrick

Violin

Philharmonic

Graduating High School

Las Vegas Academy

How many years have you been a part of LVYO? 5 years

What has been your favorite memory at LVYO?

Hanging out with friends in rehearsals and at concerts.

How has music been an important part of your life?

Music is how I’ve made most of my friends and it’s going to be my area of study in college.

What are your plans after graduation?

I will be going to the University of Arizona and majoring in music education.

Would you share something about yourself that you would like included in your senior bio?

Once at a concert I made a paper airplane out of a scratch piece of paper I had found, and I threw the paper airplane off of the highest balcony in the Smith Center because I wanted to see if it could make it to the stage, but it just flew into the balcony right below us and I was really scared that I’d get in trouble.

Marissa Deaton

Cello

Symphony

Graduating High School

Shadow Ridge

How many years have you been a part of LVYO? 4

What has been your favorite memory at LVYO?

All the concerts because they are always so fun packed and the fact that we’d always be playing Christmas music in October.

How has music been an important part of your life?

With music, it allowed me to make lifelong friendships with many close-knit people. The past six years that music has been in my life has been truly unforgettable. And as my first conductor always told me, “You can only ever do what you put your mind to.”

What are your plans after graduation?

I plan to attend UNLV Honors College to pursue a career in the medical field.

Would you share something about yourself that you would like included in your senior bio?

I am the Student Body Secretary and a member of National Honor Society. I have worked at McDonald’s for the past year and a half. I play numerous instruments, including my main being the cello and my secondary being violin while also having experience in percussion. I have traveled throughout the United States along with many other countries which is another one of my passions.

Brianna Francis

Violin

Philharmonic

Graduating High School

Nevada State High School

How many years have you been a part of LVYO ? 6

What has been your favorite memory at LVYO?

My favorite memory at LVYO is either being able to perform at the Smith Center in previous years or participating in a quartet this year.

How has music been an important part of your life?

Music has been a great way to connect with people and make friends throughout the years.

What are your plans after graduation?

I plan on going to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and majoring in aeronautical science - fixed wing flight after graduation.

Would you share something about yourself that you would like included in your senior bio ?

I plan to continue playing violin throughout college, even if it’s just for fun.

Katelyn Gagliardi

Trombone

Philharmonic

Graduating High School

Clark High School

How many years have you been a part of LVYO ? 1

What has been your favorite memory at LVYO?

My favorite memory was the first rehearsal of 2020, because I was finally able to play music in a group again after so long.

How has music been an important part of your life?

Growing up, I was forced to move very frequently. Though my surroundings were always changing, the one thing that remained constant in my life was music.

What are your plans after graduation?

My plan is to study chemistry at UW Seattle and become a forensic scientist.

Would you share something about yourself that you would like included in your senior bio?

I cry every time I watch the SpongeBob Musical.

Madelyn Hassenzahl

(Image not available)

Clarinet

Philharmonic

How many years have you been a part of LVYO ? 7

What has been your favorite memory at LVYO?

the concerts where time flew by because of the fun we were having

How has music been an important part of your life?

It has helped me feel like part of a team or family through band.

What are your plans after graduation?

go to university to become an OBGYN sonographer

Would you share something about yourself that you would like included in your senior bio?

High school was cool, but I'm excited for what the world has in store for me.

Vincent Andrei Esconde

(Image not available)

Current Group

Philharmonic

Graduating High School

Rancho High School

How many years have you been a part of LVYO ? 5

What has been your favorite memory at LVYO?

My favorite memory at LVYO is always the Smith Center concerts.

How has music been an important part of your life?

Music has been an important aspect of my life, for the most part it has been the eye of the storm in my life. Music made me realize that I am more than capable of anything that I put my mind into. Learning to play an instrument and playing a wide range of repertoire with it helped me reach my full potential as a teenager. But most importantly, music has provided me with many friends who share the love and appreciation for music the way that I appreciate it.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation I plan on attending the University of Nevada, Reno and join the College of Science to major in Biology. I plan to take the pre-med route and then go to medical school to become a physician that specializes in Pediatric Surgery.

Would you share something about yourself that you would like included in your senior bio?

During High School I was a fully loaded student, I became our Key Club President and earned a high distinction of being named President of the Year among northern Las Vegas schools. I also served in the School Organizational Team, National Honor Society, Magnet Ambassador, TRIO Program, and The Filipino Club. I also had the high honor of serving as concert master for three years straight at Rancho Highschool's Orchestra. In my downtime, I like to go out with friends and sing as loud as we can as we drive to the most random places. My advice to young musicians is to forget about the competitive nature of music, enjoy learning and exploring your instrument and never let where you sit in the orchestra bring you down, but instead use that as an inspiration to get better!

Angielena Luong

Viola

Current Group

Philharmonic

Graduating High School

Ed W. Clark High School

How many years have you been a part of LVYO ? 2

What has been your favorite memory at LVYO?

One time after rehearsal last year, one of the senior violinists had locked his keys in the trunk of his car. It was pretty late at night, so we ended waiting for his mom with him while listening to Beyonce and singing show tunes in my car.

How has music been an important part of your life?

Music has been a major part of my life for as long as I can remember. It has shaped me to be the person I am today, not only through discipline but through the way I approach problems, my outlook on life, and best of all, the chances I get to hang out with my peers.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I plan on attending the University of Washington in Seattle and continuing to play in different ensembles there!

Would you share something about yourself that you would like included in your senior bio?

I have had an amazing experience in LVYO and want to thank those who encouraged and joined me in this adventure!