Kazuho Yasuno, age 12, is a 7^th grader at Amity Middle School-Orange and has been a member of GCTYO since 5^th grade. Kazuho met the cello for the first time at age 2, watching the 2 Cellos on YouTube and playing “air-cello” at home, in the yard of his preschool, and everywhere else. He began real cello studies when he was 5 years old. His musicality has been developed with Silvio Interlandi, and his passion for cello is blooming. In the summers of 2022 and 2023, Kazuho participated in Kirishima International Music Festival in Japan as the youngest master class student with Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, a world-renowned Japanese cellist and the music director of Suntory Hall, and Kangho Lee, the dean of the music department of Korea National University of Arts. Kazuho said in a newspaper interview: “I want to be the best cellist in the world, because nothing will happen unless I aim for it.” In 2023, Kazuho performed with the CMEA Southern Regional Middle School Orchestra as principal cellist. Kazuho’s current teacher, Rebecca Patterson, principal cellist at New Haven Symphony, says, “Haydn will be one of his signature pieces.”

Nolan Medalla, age 17, is a senior at Wilton High School. He began taking oboe lessons at age 10 under the excellent direction of Janet Rosen, Principal Oboist with Norwalk Symphony Orchestra. Nolan is also proficient in piano, clarinet, and tenor saxophone. Nolan has been a musician with GCTYO for five years, most recently as Principal Oboist with Principal Orchestra. From 2022 – 2024, Nolan performed on oboe with the CMEA Western Regional Band and Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, he participated in the CMEA All-State Festival. Nolan also composes music and won first place for music composition for his high school’s PTA Reflections competition and went on to win third place in the state of CT in 2022. Nolan is an active member of his high school music program with his participation in wind ensemble, marching band, jazz ensemble, and symphonic and pit orchestras. Nolan is also a member of his high school’s Tri-M Music Honor Society and President of the Chemistry Club. Outside of music, Nolan enjoys boating, cooking, and programming. Nolan plans to pursue a dual degree in music composition and computer science in college next year.

Alex Parent, age 17, has been studying cello for 9 years, predominantly under the excellent direction of Adam Grabois. Alex, a senior at Fairfield Ludlowe High School, has enjoyed performing with the school chamber orchestras, securing principal cellist. He has been a member of Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras (GCTYO) since fourth grade, performing with Principal Orchestra for the past 5 years. For three years in a row, Alex secured a seat in the CMEA Western Regional High School Festival Orchestra and was accepted into All State his junior year. He is also an active member of the Tri-M Honor Society and Orchestra Club. Alex has participated in a wide variety of quartets including the GCTYO chamber program in collaboration with Orchestra Lumos, the Asya Meshberg Chamber Music Institute, the Amici Chamber Program, and the New England Music Camp Chamber Music Intensive.  Additionally, he teaches cello to elementary students in Fairfield. Outside of music, Alex is the captain and goalkeeper of the Ludlowe varsity soccer team, a varsity member of the Fairfield ski team, and a Junior Deacon at Greenfield Hill Congregational Church. He finished his Eagle Scout project supporting the Multicultural Magnet and High Horizons School by rehabilitating their orchestra room including building three 8-foot cello stands. Alex plans to pursue both a music and science major in college.