The Summer Symphony was founded upon the belief in student drive. We pride ourselves in being a by-students, for-students nonprofit organization. Our leadership team is essential to the extensive coordination, logistics, and planning our intensive requires, and they work year-round to bring you an enriching Summer Symphony experience worth your time.
FOUNDER, DIRECTOR, NONPROFIT PRESIDENT
Esther Jung is a Class of 2020 Canyon Crest Academy graduate and freshman Regents' and Chancellor's Scholar at UC Berkeley, studying Public Health on a pre-med track. She has thrived with music in her life for over 12 years.
Esther began her music studies at age 6, starting with piano lessons and following with violin the year after. After moving to San Diego in 2012, she studied violin under the tutelage of Ms. Rebekah Yoon for 8 years. Esther has experience in over 15 different ensembles in principal chairs, including the Maurice Kawashima Associate Concertmistress Chair of the highest SDYS orchestras, Concertmistress of Youth En Gedi Ensemble, Assistant Principal of the California All-State Orchestra, Founder and Violinist of Trio Vivo, Concertmistress of the CCA Orchestras, and several others ranging from travel ensembles to jazz quartets.
She has gained an array of awards as both a soloist and a ensemble member, from winning First Place with her trio at Carnegie Hall in New York City in April 2019, to receiving several leadership awards for her extensive community service teaching violin to students with autism at AMASE San Diego and presidency over a multitude of music organizations. Her numerous accolades, executive positions within her music career, and belief in the power of music have culminated in her founding the Summer Symphony in 2016 and directing it every year forward to what it is today.
Esther Jung is a Class of 2020 Canyon Crest Academy graduate and freshman Regents' and Chancellor's Scholar at UC Berkeley, studying Public Health on a pre-med track. She has thrived with music in her life for over 12 years.
Esther began her music studies at age 6, starting with piano lessons and following with violin the year after. After moving to San Diego in 2012, she studied violin under the tutelage of Ms. Rebekah Yoon for 8 years. Esther has experience in over 15 different ensembles in principal chairs, including the Maurice Kawashima Associate Concertmistress Chair of the highest SDYS orchestras, Concertmistress of Youth En Gedi Ensemble, Assistant Principal of the California All-State Orchestra, Founder and Violinist of Trio Vivo, Concertmistress of the CCA Orchestras, and several others ranging from travel ensembles to jazz quartets.
She has gained an array of awards as both a soloist and a ensemble member, from winning First Place with her trio at Carnegie Hall in New York City in April 2019, to receiving several leadership awards for her extensive community service teaching violin to students with autism at AMASE San Diego and presidency over a multitude of music organizations. Her numerous accolades, executive positions within her music career, and belief in the power of music have culminated in her founding the Summer Symphony in 2016 and directing it every year forward to what it is today.
2023 SUMMER SYMPHONY LEADERSHIP TEAM
Max Tao is a junior at Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego, California. He has been playing the cello for nine years and is a persistent member of MMYO Advanced Orchestra. He has served as the principal cellist and assistant principal cellist for the Chamber Orchestra of Canyon Crest Academy in his sophomore and junior years respectively. Additionally, he has been honored to win prestigious awards like getting 3rd place in the 2022 San Diego Young Cellist Competition and 1st place in the American Protege International Music Talent Competition to perform at the Carnegie Hall. Max's favorite part of playing the cello is being able to collaborate with other dedicated musicians along with contributing back to the community through performing all themes of music.
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Sherilyn Faith is a Senior at Canyon Crest Academy. They have been playing the clarinet for seven years, the tenor saxophone for five, and self-taught guitar. Sherilyn’s musical career started with programs under the guidance of Frank Glasson, and recently was in the Coastal Communities Concert Band. They enjoy performing classical and jazz music, and are a member of the Wind Ensemble and the Instrumental Conservatory at CCA. They have qualified for State Honors for Certificate of Merit each year, since 2017. In their free time, Sherilyn enjoys makeup, fashion, making jewelry, and volunteering with local non-profits in the community.
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Yoyo Wu is a rising freshman at CCA and has experience with several musical instruments. She began to play piano at age 6, and recently won first place in the 2023 American Protege Piano and Strings Competition and was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall, New York, in December 2023. She became a percussionist as part of her school band and has been with many ensembles, including the percussion section leader of Showcase level ensembles in SDYS, 2022 California All-State Junior High School Honor Band, and 2023 YOLA National Festival Symphony Orchestra. She has played marimba for more than three years and won the SDYS Concerto Competition in both 2021 and 2022, and performed as a marimba soloist with the Sinfonia in May 2023. Yoyo also hopes to share the beauty of music with others in the community.
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Anthony Kim is a freshman at Torrey Pines High School and has many accomplishments as a leader, soloist, and concertmaster. Anthony was previously the Concertmaster of multiple ensembles at SDYS. Recently, he has been accepted to the 2023 All-State High School orchestra. He is a winner of the Goodlin Festival Competition, SDYS Showcase Annual Concerto Competition, and MTAC Concerto Competition. At TPHS, he leads multiple music clubs and organizations. Anthony finds great fulfillment as a musician by utilizing his talents to make a positive impact in his community through various means.
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Sophia Farber is a freshman at Canyon Crest Academy and has been playing cello for seven years. From 4th through 6th grade, Sophia participated in the Solana Beach School District band, giving her experience with woodwinds and brass. In order to continue participating in an ensemble during the pandemic, Sophia joined Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra, where she now plays cello in the Advanced Orchestra. Sophia has participated in many types of ensembles, from concert band to chamber music, and full symphony to cello trios. Sophia’s passion for ensemble playing comes from the joy she gets every time she plays with others and creates something amazing. In addition to her musical life, Sophia enjoys swimming, running cross country, and spending time with her family and friends.
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PAST LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBERS
MEMBERS OF THE SUMMER SYMPHONY 501(c)(3) NONPROFIT BOARD ARE DENOTED WITH AN ASTERISK*
STUDENT CONDUCTORS
DILLON HALPIN is a 20 year old Flautist from San Diego who loves spending his time at the beach, producing electronic music, laughing with friends, and being with family. He grew up attending Mira Mesa High School, and has spent the last 3 years at UCSB as a flute performance major under the direction of Jill Felber. He is a member of the UCSB Chamber Orchestra, UCSB Flute Choir “Gaucho Flauto” and the Nunes Quintet. Dillon plans to pursue a masters degree after he graduates, and then a career in orchestral conducting.
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MIA REDELINGS, a junior at the University of California at Irvine, has studied conducting for 6 years and has conducted the Carmel Valley Summer Symphony, 2017 - 2021. Mia is currently attending the Curtis Institute Summer Conducting program as a merit scholar recipient and was also accepted to the 2020 Boston University Tanglewood Conducting Summer Seminar. Additionally, she attended the Los Angeles Conducting Institute in 2019 at Caltech. As a student conductor, Mia has conducted excerpts from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker for rehearsals with the San Diego Symphony, as well as the 3rd movement of Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23 with pianist Jeeyoon Kim and a San Diego Symphony chamber group. Mia has studied piano (10 yrs), violin (9 yrs), and flute (8 yrs), and is in her 2nd year of studying university level Music Theory and Composition. As an alumni of the San Diego Youth Symphony (8 yrs), she was assistant principal in their most advanced orchestras. Mia has also played in chamber groups with the Hausmann Quartet program, performed as a guest flautist with the Shanghai Youth Symphony, and has volunteered in the community as a mentor to young musicians and served as a music therapist at Scripps Mercy Hospital.
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