OUR Members
Our Director: Elvin Ko
Elvin Ko is a senior at Bergen County Academies. He is a music enthusiast who started playing piano at the age of four and trumpet in elementary school. Music has been an integral part of his life ever since; Performing piano recitals in prestigious places like Carnegie Hall, Merkin Concert Hall and National Opera Center, Domingo Hall as a winners of numerous piano competitions, playing piano in New York Youth Symphony, chamber music, and playing trumpet and piano in jazz bands. He loves to share the passion for music with community by leading a volunteering organization, Bergen County Young Musicians(BCYM) and charity activities.
Hyojung Helena Hwang
Helena Hyojeong Hwang is 19 years old, and she started studying violin at the age of 4. She attended the Seoul Arts Center’s Gifted Music Institute at 7 years old. She is currently studying with Dr. Yu Jeong Lee, and has achieved many musical goals. She has won numerous competitions and has performed solo at the Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall. She is currently an active member of the New York Youth Symphony.
Diane Cho
Diane Cho is a junior high school. She won numerous competitions including the Camerata Artists International Competition, Honorable Mention, Piano, 2018, region 1 of the New Jersey School Music Association, 9th place Violist, 2018 and Prima Volta Music Competition, 3rd place pianist, 2018. She played in School String Ensemble, violinist and violist and a Concert Master, violinist, 2018. She is actively playing many instruments in her school orchestra and band.
Aiden Ko
Aiden Ko is a 8th grader attending Tenafly middle school. He started his musical activities in the piano at 4 years old. He received Superbronze at the Golden Key Music Festival. Aiden shifted his focus to the cello during 3rd grade and he has been playing it since. He has also played trumpet for the school band in the past. Aiden enjoys playing for the community as well as for fun.
June Choi
June Choi is in the 8th Grade in Autrey Mill Middle school. He started playing piano since he was 7. Since then, he has participated in the Crescendo International Music Competition annually and worked diligently to achieve his goal to get first place. After receiving first place, he was given an opportunity to perform in Carnegie Hall three times. He also dedicates his time to share his music with his community
Ian Bang
Ian Bang is a 8th grader at De La Salle Academy. He has been playing the violin since he was 7 years old, and has also started playing the piano at the age of 9. He is part of his school's orchestra and loves to play for his community. He now plays the viola
Yewon Choi
Yewon Choi is a sophomore in Johns Creek High School. Yewon has spent most of her life devoted to music as a singer and flutist. She started her singing career since 2nd grade. She has been a part of the YMCA choir in South Korea and had the pleasure of sharing her music with the former South Korean president and the mayor of Seoul. She also sang several times on TV with celebrities for young children. Additionally, as a flutist, Yewon has been a part of the New Jersey Regional Band and the Bergen
Sian Bang
Sian Bang is the youngest member, 6th grade, from Demarest, New Jersey. He has always enjoyed and playing different musical instruments since he was 6 years old including violin, piano and oboe which he enjoys the most. He also plays in school band at Demarest Middle School.
youngwoo kim
Youngwoo Kim is a junior in Riverdell High school. He has been involved with music several times such as playing the piano. He has also been in the school band playing trumpet. Parker currently plays the drums.
sanghoon
Jung
SangHoon Jung attends Bergen County Academies and the Manhattan School of Music Precollege as a Classical Voice. SangHoon has won numerous competitions including the Schmidt Vocal Competition, New York Lyric Opera National Vocal Competition, and Hal Leonard Vocal Competition. He participated in the Opera “Sunbi” at Carnegie Stern Auditorium. SangHoon performed at Christmas Lighting Ceremonies for his town for many years and he enjoys singing for the community. SangHoon was hired by the National Chorale for 6 months to perform at the Museum of Modern Art (MomA)’s exhibit “Fault Lines” as a boy soprano in 2019. SangHoon’s singing is featured at MoMA’s web magazine “Art’s Coming” (4:38~7:03)
rhea raghu
Rhea Raghu has been a cellist for 5 years living in New Jersey. Currently, as a sophomore, she is participating in the New York Youth Chamber Program, the Tenafly High School Philharmonic Orchestra, and has recently competed in the National League of Performing Arts Young Virtuosi Recital Competition. In the past before the pandemic, she would annually play at local malls for a charity fundraising event sponsored by the Rockland County Music Teacher’s Guild supporting the charity Helping Hands for Rockland. Rhea has also been a part of the Rockland Youth Symphony Orchestra for 5 years and the Bergen County Youth Orchestra for a year. As well, she has been selected several times to perform at the Rockland County Music Teacher’s Guild Blue and Gold Ribbon Recitals.
gabrielle Hrung
Gabrielle Hrung is a 17-year-old violist and pianist. She has studied at the Musikakademie in Basel, Switzerland and is currently studying at the Wharton Institute of the Performing Arts. This is her second year in the New York Youth Symphony Chamber Music Program
ethan Lee
Ethan Lee was born in New Jersey in 2003. He has played the violin since he was in first grade. In past years he has participated in the Regionals Orchestra. This year, he got into the New York Youth Symphony Quartet. He won first place in the Elite international Music Competition. He has also won first place in the Golden Key International Music Festival String Quartet. He has performed at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall numerous times throughout his violin career. Every year, he participates in a youth orchestra called ARCO, and performs with them once a year, and at nursing homes. He is also part of a non profit organization called AINOS Ensemble True Moment, and is the lead teacher there.
Guest Performers
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Kaitlyn Kim: Performed on Nov. 21, 2018, Clarinet
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Bona Yoo: Performed on Aug. 24, 2019, Cello
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Ian Maloney: Performed on Aug. 24, 2019, Cello
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Charis Yoon: Performed on Aug. 24, 2019, Piano