The 2024 MTAC State VOCE Competition was held online via video submission on March 15^th.  Students became eligible to participate in State VOCE by being selected as “finalists” at the Southern or Northern California Regional VOCE.  Congratulations to all our branch students who competed!

Representing seven (7) teachers, a special congratulations goes to these San Diego Branch students who received awards at the 2024 State VOCE Competition!

Intermediate Solo Strings
Alvin Wang, viola – 3^rd Place
Ethan Zhou, violin – Honorable Mention

Senior Solo Strings
Brianna Baek, violin – 1^st Place Alternate

Intermediate Solo Winds
Rashmi Chelliserry, flute – 3^rd Place

Senior Solo Winds
Daniel Torrero, bassoon – 1^st Place Alternate

Intermediate Solo Voice
Evonne Fangao, soprano –1st Place

Intermediate Instrumental Ensemble
“California Institute of Music Trio” – 2^nd Place
Caitlin Wang, violin; Alvin Wang, viola; Huizi Zhong, piano

“Trio Calzino” – Honorable Mention
Mila Keres, violin; Sophia Slott, cello; Bradley Carpiuc, piano

There are 11 VOCE divisions. VOCE stands for “Voice, Orchestral Instruments, and Chamber Ensembles.”

The 2024 MTAC Southern CA Regional VOCE competition was held online via video submission on January 12th.  ALL students who competed at regionals are to be commended for such hard work and dedication!

Congratulations to these nineteen (19) San Diego Branch students who were selected as “finalists” at the 2024 Southern CA Regional VOCE!

Junior Solo Strings
Victoria Kim, violin

Intermediate Solo Strings
Jasmine Chan, violin
Tracie Liu, violin
Alvin Wang, viola
Caitlin Wang, violin
Julian Wu, cello
Kayley Xu, violin
Ethan Zhou, violin

Senior Solo Strings
Brianna Baek, violin

Intermediate Solo Winds
Rashmi Chelliserry, flute

Senior Solo Winds
Daniel Torrero, bassoon

Intermediate Solo Voice
Evonne Fangao, soprano
Olivia Xia, soprano

Intermediate Instrumental Ensemble
“California Institute of Music Trio”
Caitlin Wang, violin; Alvin Wang, viola; Huizi Zhong, piano

Intermediate Instrumental Ensemble
“Trio Calzino”
Mila Keres, violin; Sophia Slott, cello; Bradley Carpiuc, piano

Intermediate Instrumental Ensemble
“Viva Trio”
Ethan Zhou, violin; Helen Wang, cello; Melinda Wang, piano

Regional VOCE “finalists” were eligible to move on to the State VOCE competition held online March 15.
There are 11 VOCE divisions. VOCE stands for “Voice, Orchestral Instruments, and Chamber Ensembles.”

The 2023 MTAC State VOCE Competition was held online via video submission on March 15th. Students became eligible to participate in State VOCE by being selected as “finalists” at the Southern or Northern California Regional VOCE. Congratulations to all our branch students who competed!

Representing four (4) teachers, a special congratulations goes to these San Diego Branch students who received awards at the 2023 State VOCE Competition!

Junior Solo Strings
Helen Wang, cello – Honorable Mention

Intermediate Solo Winds
Serena Liu, flute – Honorable Mention

Senior Solo Winds
Keira Suniga, bassoon – 3rd Place Tie
Daniel Tran, bassoon – Honorable Mention

Intermediate Instrumental Ensemble
“Viva Trio” – Honorable Mention
Ethan Zhou, violin; Helen Wang, cello; Melinda Wang, piano

Senior Instrumental Ensemble
“BC Duo” – Honorable Mention
Caleb Liu, bassoon & Bryce Liu, piano

NEW VOCE FORMAT
The MTAC VOCE Competition format changed beginning January 2022, with the first round, formerly a branch competition, now a regional competition, Northern and Southern California. Two (2) changes in the judging format were:

1) At Regional VOCE, numerous “finalists” in each division were selected to move on to State VOCE. All regional contestants became either a finalist or non-finalist. No awards for 1st Place Winner, 1st Alternate, 2nd, 3rd, or Honorable Mention were chosen.

(In 2022 only: all regional “finalists” were labeled “1st Place” in their VOCE portals even though no regional winners were chosen).

2) At Regional VOCE, all contestants were heard by only one (1) judge, with a separate judge assigned to each instrument—not division—but instrument: a different judge for violins than cellos, flutes than reeds, wind ensembles than string ensembles, etc. Each judge selected finalists for their specific instrument, voice, or ensembles.

The State VOCE judging format remained unchanged, with the traditional panel of two (2) judges per division selecting 1st Place Winner, 1st Alternate, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mentions.

Re-using the regional video was prohibited, and a newly recorded video was required for the state competition.

The non-competitive option remained available.

There are 10 VOCE divisions. VOCE stands for Voice, Orchestral Instruments, and Chamber Ensembles.

The 2023 MTAC Southern CA Regional VOCE competition was held online via video submission on January 12th. ALL students who competed at regionals are to be commended for such hard work and dedication!

Thank you to the ten (10) San Diego Branch teachers who entered students in VOCE 2023: Ruslan Biryukov, Chia-Ling Chien, Hernan Constantino, Michael Dvoskin, Alexander Palamidis, Irena Tseitlin, Pasha Tseitlin, Sophie Catherine Webber, Danette White, and Elena Yarritu.

Congratulations to these fifteen (15) San Diego Branch students who were selected as “finalists” at the 2023 Southern CA Regional VOCE!

Junior Solo Strings
Helen Wang, cello

Intermediate Solo Strings
Brianna Baek, violin
Jasmine Chan, violin
Cynthia Huang, cello
Laiyina Shate, cello
Owen Spithill, cello
Ethan Zhou, violin

Senior Solo Strings
Debora Okhotina, cello
Tyler Xiao, cello

Intermediate Solo Winds
Serena Liu, flute

Senior Solo Winds
Keira Suniga, bassoon
Daniel Tran, bassoon

Intermediate Instrumental Ensemble
“Viva Trio” – Ethan Zhou, violin; Helen Wang, cello; Melinda Wang, piano

Senior Instrumental Ensemble
“BC Duo” – Caleb Liu, bassoon & Bryce Liu, piano

Regional VOCE “finalists” are eligible to move on to the State VOCE competition.

NEW VOCE FORMAT
The MTAC VOCE Competition format changed beginning January 2022, with the first round, formerly a branch competition, now a regional competition, Northern and Southern California. Two (2) changes in the judging format were:

1) At Regional VOCE, numerous “finalists” in each division were selected to move on to State VOCE. All regional contestants became either a finalist or non-finalist. No awards for 1st Place Winner, 1st Alternate, 2nd, 3rd, or Honorable Mention were chosen.

(In 2022 only: all regional “finalists” were labeled “1st Place” in their VOCE portals even though no regional winners were chosen).

2) At Regional VOCE, all contestants were heard by only one (1) judge, with a separate judge assigned to each instrument—not division—but instrument: a different judge for violins than cellos, flutes than reeds, wind ensembles than string ensembles, etc. Each judge selected finalists for their specific instrument, voice, or ensembles.

The State VOCE judging format remained unchanged, with the traditional panel of two (2) judges per division selecting 1st Place Winner, 1st Alternate, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mentions.

Re-using the regional video was prohibited, and a newly recorded video was required for the state competition.

The non-competitive option remained available.

There are 10 VOCE divisions. VOCE stands for Voice, Orchestral Instruments, and Chamber Ensembles.

The 2022 MTAC State VOCE Competition was held online via video submission on March 15th. Students became eligible to participate in State VOCE by being selected as “finalists” at the Southern or Northern California Regional VOCE. Congratulations to all our branch students who competed!

Representing three (3) teachers, a special congratulations goes to these San Diego Branch students who received awards at the 2022 State VOCE Competition!

Junior Solo Strings
Elisha Kim, violin – 3rd Place

Senior Solo Winds
Daniel Tran, bassoon – 2nd Place

Senior Solo Voice
Flora Yuan, soprano – 1st Alternate

Intermediate Ensemble
“BC Duo” – Honorable Mention
Caleb Liu, bassoon & Bryce Liu, piano

NEW VOCE FORMAT
The MTAC VOCE Competition format changed beginning January 2022, with the first round, formerly a branch competition, now a regional competition, Northern and Southern California. Two (2) changes in the judging format were:

1) At Regional VOCE, numerous “finalists” in each division were selected to move on to State VOCE. All regional contestants became either a finalist or non-finalist. No awards for 1st Place Winner, 1st Alternate, 2nd, 3rd, or Honorable Mention were chosen.

(In 2022 only: all regional “finalists” were labeled “1st Place” in their VOCE portals even though no regional winners were chosen).

2) At Regional VOCE, all contestants were heard by only one (1) judge, with a separate judge assigned to each instrument—not division—but instrument: a different judge for violins than cellos, flutes than reeds, wind ensembles than string ensembles, etc. Each judge selected finalists for their specific instrument, voice, or ensembles.

The State VOCE judging format remained unchanged, with the traditional panel of two (2) judges per division selecting 1st Place Winner, 1st Alternate, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mentions.

Re-using the regional video was prohibited, and a newly recorded video was required for the state competition.

The non-competitive option remained available.

There are 10 VOCE divisions. VOCE stands for Voice, Orchestral Instruments, and Chamber Ensembles.

The 2022 MTAC Southern CA Regional VOCE competition was held online via video submission on January 10th. ALL students who competed at regionals are to be commended for such hard work and dedication!

Thank you to the nine (9) San Diego Branch teachers who entered students in VOCE 2022: Ruslan Biryukov, Dawn Renee Calvo, Chia-Ling Chien, Hernan Constantino, Alexander Palamidis, Rachel Eunhee Park, Pasha Tseitlin, Danette White, and Elena Yarritu.

Congratulations to these fourteen (14) San Diego Branch students who were selected as “finalists” at the 2022 Southern CA Regional VOCE!

Junior Solo Strings
Elisha Kim, violin
Jasmine Chan, violin

Intermediate Solo Strings
Cynthia Huang, cello
Tyler Xiao, cello

Senior Solo Strings
Samraj Khurana, violin

Intermediate Solo Winds
Serena Liu, flute

Senior Solo Winds
Xili He, flute
Daniel Tran, bassoon

Senior Solo Voice
Flora Yuan, soprano

Intermediate Ensemble
“BC Duo” – Caleb Liu, bassoon & Bryce Liu, piano
“Stairway Trio” – Ethan Zhou, violin; Helen Wang, cello; Kanon Endo, piano

Regional VOCE “finalists” are eligible to move on to the State VOCE competition.

NEW VOCE FORMAT
The MTAC VOCE Competition format changed beginning January 2022, with the first round, formerly a branch competition, now a regional competition, Northern and Southern California. Two (2) changes in the judging format were:

1) At Regional VOCE, numerous “finalists” in each division were selected to move on to State VOCE. All regional contestants became either a finalist or non-finalist. No awards for 1st Place Winner, 1st Alternate, 2nd, 3rd, or Honorable Mention were chosen.

(In 2022 only: all regional “finalists” were labeled “1st Place” in their VOCE portals even though no regional winners were chosen).

2) At Regional VOCE, all contestants were heard by only one (1) judge, with a separate judge assigned to each instrument—not division—but instrument: a different judge for violins than cellos, flutes than reeds, wind ensembles than string ensembles, etc. Each judge selected finalists for their specific instrument, voice, or ensembles.

The State VOCE judging format remained unchanged, with the traditional panel of two (2) judges per division selecting 1st Place Winner, 1st Alternate, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mentions.

Re-using the regional video was prohibited, and a newly recorded video was required for the state competition.

The non-competitive option remained available.

There are 10 VOCE divisions. VOCE stands for Voice, Orchestral Instruments, and Chamber Ensembles.

The San Diego Branch VOCE 2021 was held online this year, with students submitting videos of their performances by February 1.  A total of 34 soloists and 4 ensembles competed in 8 categories, representing 10 teachers.

Thank you to our co-chairs!

Hernan Constantino, Danette White, and Yuko Maruyama

Thank you to our teachers represented!

Chi-Yuan Chen, violin; Chia-Ling Chien, cello; Hernan Constantino, violin, viola, & ensemble coach; Peter Dayeh, clarinet; Annelle Gregory, violin; Sunjin Kim, violin; Alex Palamidis, violin & ensemble coach; Pasha Tseitlin, violin, viola, & ensemble coach; Elena Yarritu, flute & piccolo; and Hiroko Yoshinaga, voice

Thank you to our judges!

Ai Nihira & Xian Zhuo—Intermediate Solo Strings, and Intermediate & Senior Ensembles
Kenneth Liao & Andrew Hayhurst—Junior & Senior Solo Strings
Rose Lombardo & Sheryl Renk—Intermediate & Senior Solo Winds, and Solo Voice
Dan Ratelle—Solo Voice

Congratulations to EACH student for your performance—for dedication to music—and willingness to put yourself out there and go for it!!

Below are the results. 1st Place Winners are eligible to compete in the online MTAC State VOCE in March (with further application). If 1st Place Winner cannot compete, then 1st Place Alternate may do so (2nd Place cannot substitute).

Junior Solo Strings
1st Place—Ethan Zhou, violin
1st Place Alternate—Caitlin Wang, violin
2nd Place Tie—Alvin Wang, viola
2nd Place Tie—Kayley Xu, violin
Honorable Mention—Anthony Kim, violin

Intermediate Solo Strings
1st Place—Samraj Khurana, violin
1st Place Alternate—Ellie Seohyun Lee, violin
2nd Place— Brianna Baek, violin
Honorable Mentions (alphabetical)—Benjamin Amidei, violin; William Guo, violin; Daeho Lee, violin

Senior Solo Strings
1st Place—Janice Hu, violin
1st Place Alternate— Stacy Widyono, violin
2nd Place Tie—Sunny Fan, cello
2nd Place Tie—Kevin Hu, violin

Intermediate Solo Winds
1st Place—Serena Liu, flute
1st Place Alternate—Ramona Terry-Lorenzo, flute
2nd Place—Xili He, flute
Honorable Mention—Richard Lin, flute

Senior Solo Winds
1st Place—Nithin Chilakapati, flute/piccolo
1st Place Alternate—Gary Lin, clarinet
2nd Place—Nathan Haghgoo, flute
Honorable Mention—Praveena Ratnavel, flute

Senior Solo Voice
1st Place—Flora Yuan, soprano

Intermediate Instrumental Ensemble
1st Place—String Duo
Caitlin Wang, violin; Alvin Wang, viola
Honorable Mention—String Quartet
Claire Kang, violin; Jocelyn Lee, violin; Danielle Hu, viola; Ari Schweitzer, cello

Senior Instrumental Ensemble
1st Place—Sunrise String Quartet
Stacy Widyono, violin; Daeho Lee, violin; James Renk, viola; Dylan Renk, cello
2nd Place—SKY Trio
Kevin Hu, violin; Sunny Fan, cello; Eric Wang, piano

Congratulations to MTACSD students who competed in the online State VOCE last spring after winning (or a winning tie) at our branch VOCE! Representing four teachers, here are the 2020 State VOCE results for San Diego Branch students:

Junior Solo Strings
Ethan Zhou, violin—3rd Place

Intermediate Solo Strings
Stacy Widyono, violin—3rd Place

Senior Solo Strings
Adam Kulju, violin—3rd Place

Intermediate Solo Winds
Nathan Haghgoo, flute—1st Place Alternate

Intermediate Instrumental Ensemble
“Ember String Quartet”—Honorable Mention
Stacy Widyono, violin; Chisato Kamakura, violin; Maya Rosenbaum, viola; Josephine Kim, cello

Senior Instrumental Ensemble
“The String Beans”—2nd Place
Evan Zhou, violin; Wei-Shan Huynh, violin; James Renk, viola; Dylan Renk, cello

San Diego Branch VOCE 2020 was an amassment of extraordinary talent and skill under one roof! Ten teachers sent a total of 34 soloists and 6 ensembles to compete, and 1 non-competitive entry. They were assisted by 8 accompanists. The event was held January 5 at Grossmont College in two competition rooms, and was open to the public.

Co-Chairs:
Hernan Constantino, Danette White, and Yuko Maruyama

Studios represented:
Ruslan Biryukov, cello & coach; Hernan Constantino, violin & coach; Peter Dayeh, clarinet; Constantino Felicetta, clarinet; Annelle Gregory, violin; Sunjin Kim, violin; Tasha Koontz, voice; Alex Palamidis, violin & coach; Pasha Tseitlin, violin & coach; and Elena Yarritu, flute & piccolo

Accompanists:
Yulia Atoyan, Dana Burnett, Melissa Creider, Katherine Dvoskin, Yuju Jung, Dale Liao, Joanne Stohs, and Bryan Verhoye

Judges:
Ai Nihira & Jian Wang—Junior & Intermediate Solo Strings
Ethan Parnela & Edmund Stein—Senior Solo Strings, and Intermediate & Senior Ensembles
Amy Taylor & Sheryl Renk—Intermediate & Senior Solo Winds, and Solo Voice
Dan Ratelle—Solo Voice

6 teachers worked as volunteers:
Ruslan Biryukov, Peter Dayeh, Annelle Gregory, Sunjin Kim, Alex Palamidis, and Pasha Tseitlin

3 San Diego Branch board members provided additional support on site:
Chutaphin Yeager, Brian Goral, and Miriam Cole

A tremendous thank you to all involved!!

Congratulations to EACH student for your performance—for dedication to music—and willingness to put yourself out there and go for it!!

Below are the results. 1st Place Winners (including ties) are eligible to compete at the MTAC State VOCE in April. A further online application is required. If 1st Place Winners cannot compete, then a 1st Place Alternate may do so. Note that 2nd Place cannot substitute in the absence of 1st.

Junior Solo Strings
1st Place Tie—Brianna Baek, violin
1st Place Tie—Ethan Zhou, violin
1st Place Alternate—Julian Wu, cello
2nd Place—Alexia Ciobanu, violin
3rd Place Tie—Jasmine Chan, violin
3rd Place Tie—Benjamin Luo, violin
Honorable Mention—Joyce Kwack, violin

Intermediate Solo Strings
1st Place—Stacy Widyono, violin
1st Place Alternate—Justin Wu, cello
2nd Place—Ethan Zhang, cello
3rd Place—Kevin Hu, violin
Honorable Mentions (alphabetical)—Chisato Kamakura, violin; Daeho Lee, violin

Senior Solo Strings
1st Place Tie—Adam Kulju, violin
1st Place Tie—Phoebe Olszewski, violin
1st Place Alternate—Alina Hernandez, violin
2nd Place—Evan Zhou, violin
3rd Place—Janice Hu, violin
Honorable Mentions (alphabetical)—Charlotte Hou, violin; Wei-Shan Huynh, violin; Andrew Yang, cello

Intermediate Solo Winds
1st Place—Nathan Haghgoo, flute
2nd Place—Nithin Chilakapati, flute/piccolo
3rd Place—Ramona Terry-Lorenzo, flute

Senior Solo Winds
1st Place—Gary Lin, clarinet
2nd Place—Elaine Yiu, flute
3rd Place—Daeyoun Na, clarinet

Senior Solo Voice
2nd Place—Sophia Khurana, mezzo-soprano

Intermediate Instrumental Ensemble
1st Place—”Ember String Quartet”
Stacy Widyono, violin; Chisato Kamakura, violin; Maya Rosenbaum, viola; Josephine Kim, cello

2nd Place Tie—”SKY Trio”
Kevin Hu, violin; Sunny Fan, cello; Eric Wang, piano

2nd Place Tie—”String Quartet”
Janice Hu, violin; Tristan Upton, violin; Dasha Zerboni, viola; Ethan Zhang, cello

Honorable Mention—”Mini-Cellissimo”
Han Li, cello, Debora Okhotina, cello

Senior Instrumental Ensemble
1st Place—”The String Beans”
Evan Zhou, violin; Wei-Shan Huynh, violin; James Renk, viola; Dylan Renk, cello

2nd Place—”San Diego Youth Cello Quintet”
Darren Jiang, cello; Andrew Yang, cello; Sebastian Brumm, cello; Ethan Zhang, cello; Justin Wu, cello