Sounds of Ukraine: Meet the Performers!

Jacqueline Guo is a 17-year-old percussionist from San Jose, California, and has performed as member of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, Pre-University Percussion Ensemble, California All-State Wind Symphony, and National Youth Orchestra (NYO-USA/NYO2). Outside of music, she enjoys working on video editing projects, including music-related illustrations and virtual orchestral recordings, curating music playlists, browsing the internet, and sleeping in (whenever possible).

Diogo Muggiati-Feldman is a 15-year-old classical and jazz trumpet player from San Jose, California, who recently moved to New York City. He has been a member of the New York Youth Symphony, California Youth Symphony, Interschool Orchestras of NY, NYC Dept. of Education All-City Orchestra, and National Youth Orchestra (NYO2). He was also principal chair in the California All-State High School Wind Symphony and placed 3rd at the National Trumpet Competition in 2022. His other hobbies include procrastinating, exploring the city, and critically evaluating street musicians.

Ivan Wang is a 17-year-old cellist from Trabuco Canyon, California. He served as a principal cellist of Carnegie Hall’s NYO2 in the summer of 2021 and takes part in Chamber Music | OC’s Pre College Program. He was recently selected as a quarter-finalist to compete in the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Artists. Ivan is also a founding member of The Endpin Project, a nonprofit group of cellists giving back to the community.

Daniel Castorena is a 18-year-old senior violist from Humble, Texas. He began his musical training at the age of 13 on violin, transitioning to viola 3 years later, and is under the guidance of Andrew McCallum and Elyse Catoe. Some of his most notable accomplishments include performing with Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra (NYO2), the TMEA All-State Symphony Orchestra, the Houston Youth Symphony, and the Virtuosi of Houston. Daniel plans on pursuing Viola Performance at the university level after he graduates.

Nathan Shepherd is a seventeen-year-old bassonist and pianist from Lanesville, Indiana. He spent a month in residence with the 2021 National Youth Orchestra of the United States (NYO-USA), and the 2019 NYO2 program, performing at the New World Center Carnegie Hall. He was chosen to appear on National Public Radio’s From the Top show #397, and received the corresponding Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Award. Nathan has shared the stage with the Louisville Orchestra to perform Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto and has been the principal bassoonist of the University of Louisville Wind Ensemble, Indiana All-State Orchestra, and traveled with the Kentucky Ambassadors of Music European tour in 2016 and 2018. Outside of music, Nathan is passionate about visual design, including calligraphy and hand lettering, as well as creating logos and visual identities.

Sandhya Mahesh is a 17-year-old violist who has played with ensembles such as Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra, Interlochen’s World Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Houston Youth Symphony, and the TMEA All-State Symphony Orchestra. Also a pianist, she has earned the National Piano Guild’s Social Music Diploma and is a candidate for the Paderewski Gold Medal from the American College of Musicians. Her work with Chords for a Cause has earned her The Presidential Volunteer Service Award and The Congressional Award, reminding her of her ultimate goal to positively impact the younger generation and promote the classical arts.

Connor Cowart is a 17-year-old french horn and jazz pianist from Bentonville, Arkansas. He has been a member of ensembles such as the National Wind Ensemble of America, the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA), and region and state ensembles. He is inspired by musicians Joey Alexander, Jacob Collier, Gustav Mahler, Sam Greenfield, and Stefan Dohr, and hopes to inspire younger generations as his musical influences have done for him.

Benjamin Serur is a Venezuelan cellist who began his musical studies training at the age of 7 through the El Sistema program and at the Simon Bolivar Music Conservatory. He is currently assistant principal cellist of the Houston Youth Symphony,  was prize-winner at the Virtuosi of Houston 2021 concerto Competition, and was a member of Carnegie Hall’s NYO2 in the summer of 2021. A senior in high school, Ben plans to pursue music in his higher education. 

Luis Urdaneta is a 17-year-old violinist who began playing at the age of 6 in the National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras and Choirs (El Sistema) in Caracas, Venezuela. He plays as principal second violin of the Houston Youth Symphony and was selected to join TMEA’s All-State Symphony Orchestra in 2022. A junior in high school, Luis looks forward to expanding his musical experience and hopes to play with a professional orchestra or teach music in the future.

Prince Sarsoza is a 17-year-old pianist from Pearland, TX who began his musical training at the age of 4. He has accompanied a number of award-winning choirs and orchestras as well as participated in recitals and solo performances. Also a bass trombonist, Prince plays in bands and other local ensemble groups. As an advocate for all things classical (and more), he hopes that, through his playing, he is able to inspire all those who listen to him.