CELBRATING OUR ALUMS
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2025 GRADUATING SENIORS
We wish you every success. May music always be a meaningful part of your lives!
We asked our 13 graduating seniors—the Class of 2025—to tell us a bit about themselves and their plans. Here are their stories!
Joshua Golshani
How long have you been in LAYO?
Two years.
Why did you want to be a part of LAYO?
To get more opportunities to play with others, become better, learn more about music, and to meet new people.
What are some of your best memories?
Getting to visit Europe for the first time.
What’s next for you?
Going to community college probably with a focus on computer engineering, or some other kind of science.
Beatrice Jiang
How long have you been in LAYO?
Four years.
Why did you want to be a part of LAYO?
I joined LAYO to be part of a community that shares my love for classical music. It’s given me the chance to collaborate with talented musicians, perform incredible orchestral works, and take my musicianship to the next level.
What are some of your best memories?
Performing at the legendary Carnegie Hall during LAYO's New York tour was a surreal experience. I also had an amazing time traveling through Europe and playing in historic venues on the Prague/Vienna tour. These concert tours gave me unforgettable musical memories and helped me meet some of my closest friends.
What’s next for you?
I hope to attend college and pursue a career as an electrical engineer and researcher.
Daniella Traum
How long have you been in LAYO?
Three years.
Why did you want to be a part of LAYO?
I wanted to be part of LAYO because I wanted the viola to be a bigger part of my life. Joining a youth orchestra allowed me to play more music and meet other musicians.
What are some of your best memories?
Some of my favorite memories are definitely from the Europe tour. The beautiful towns I walked through and palaces we toured were amazing! The rose garden in Vienna was absolutely gorgeous!! I’ll never forget Excalibur City upon arriving in Czechia. I am so thankful this group brought me to so many amazing places.
What’s next for you?
I’m super excited to study public policy at Cornell. I plan to focus on environmental issues and continue playing the viola in college.
Leena Adeli
How long have you been in LAYO?
Since August 2016.
Why did you want to be a part of LAYO?
I have been playing the violin since first grade and was part of the elementary school orchestra. My older sister, Layla, joined LAYO in January 2016, and we traveled to Italy with her for the 10-day Italy tour. I was hooked. I wanted the same experience.
What are some of your best memories?
There are so many amazing memories from my years at LAYO. Making new friends outside of my school friends is one great experience. But of course performing at concert halls such as Walt Disney Concert Hall and Carnegie Hall are some of the most memorable experiences.
What’s next for you?
So far I have been accepted to three "early action" universities. I will hear from the rest in March and will then make my decision. I plan on pursuing a career in public and global health. I hope to join a chamber group so music can continue to be part of my life.
Andre Huaman
How long have you been in LAYO?
Four years.
Why did you want to be a part of LAYO?
I wanted to continue pursuing music into high school, continue to challenge myself, and grow as a musician.
What are some of your best memories?
Performing in Carnegie Hall was a life-changing experience. I felt like my whole life and work as a musician had led up to that moment. I also loved walking through Prague and Vienna with my friends as well as performing there.
What’s next for you?
I am off to college to study chemistry but hopefully also still pursue music. I want music to continue being a part of my life, and I intend to follow that.
Jasmine Kao
How long have you been in LAYO?
Four years.
Why did you want to be a part of LAYO?
I wanted to be a part of LAYO because my best friend, Emily, was initially a part of the symphony ensemble. LAYO provided me an amazing opportunity to create music amongst talented musicians and create lifelong friendships that I will forever treasure.
What are some of your best memories?
My favorite memories were made during the New York and Vienna/Prague tours. All the friendships and memories I've made through simple things like sitting together near the back of the bus and playing charades together after dinner—these are ones I will never forget.
What’s next for you?
I will be going to college pursuing a pre-med track in osteopathic medicine. When I write this, I do not know where I will be committing to, but, hopefully, somewhere I will succeed.
James Ball
How long have you been in LAYO?
Since seventh grade.
Why did you want to be a part of LAYO?
I wanted to be a part of a community of musicians that play music at a high caliber. LAYO has given me the opportunity to appreciate and play music that I enjoy with people I enjoy playing it with. It’s given me a new perspective on what it means to be a trumpet player, as classical style is different from jazz or band music.
What are some of your best memories?
Going to Vienna and Prague and playing in fantastic concert halls, walking through history as we did, with great friends along the way. These were not only my favorite experiences in LAYO, but some of the best experiences of my life. The connection I made with the music and the new friends I bonded with was an unmatched experience.
What’s next for you?
I plan to go to college (not decided yet) and study engineering or physics. I’m interested in quantum computing, and I hope to make innovations and progress in that field. I also want to continue my music interests in college by joining an orchestra or band of some sort or perhaps minoring in music.
Lilith Humphrey
How long have you been in LAYO?
Since fall 2022.
Why did you want to be a part of LAYO?
When I transferred schools in 10th grade, my new school didn't have an orchestra. I discovered LAYO, auditioned, and was so happy to have found a new musical community.
What are some of your best memories?
Vienna and Prague, mainly! Late hotel room nights, the best bratwurst I've ever had, playing in Esterházy Palace, meeting so many friends. I cherish them all!
What's next for you?
In the fall I'll be off to college, likely on the East Coast. I don't know what I want to study, but I hope to publish my novel and keep playing percussion! Here's to 25 more years of LAYO!
Matheus Koo
How long have you been in LAYO?
Three years.
Why did you want to be a part of LAYO?
I joined LAYO to find a community of people who share my musical interests and passion for performance.
What are some of your best memories?
I’ll always remember our inspiring pre-concert talks, the thrill of entering new concert halls, and our unforgettable NYC trip, which culminated in a performance at Carnegie Hall.
What’s next for you?
This fall I'll be attending Cornell to study business. While music won't be my major, I plan to continue playing the clarinet in college through jazz combos and similar ensembles.
Isaiah-Leonard Dorado
How long have you been in LAYO?
Three semesters.
Why did you want to be a part of LAYO?
My friend Apollo recommended that I join, and I auditioned. Other people in my school’s orchestra were also members of LAYO.
What are some of your best memories?
Seeing other musicians and people dedicated to making music. I also really enjoyed learning from the coaches, and the rehearsals when the conductor teaches.
What’s next for you?
I want to keep music in my life somehow, but I’m not sure what path I’d like to take next. I would like to at least learn more about music in college.
Annalisa Hurd
How long have you been in LAYO?
Three years.
Why did you want to be a part of LAYO?
I wanted to be in an orchestra that played advanced repertoire and went on tours, but also had a supportive and nurturing environment. LAYO had all of that and more.
What are some of your best memories?
Playing in amazing venues and hanging out with friends on the Vienna/Prague tour, and finding incredible friends through LAYO that I wouldn't have met otherwise.
What’s next for you?
I'm still waiting on my decisions, but I'll be going to college next year, majoring in biochemistry, and playing in the college orchestra wherever I go.
Audrey Li
AUDREY LI
(SO VIOLIN 1)
How long have you been in LAYO?
Since fall 2023.
Why did you want to be a part of LAYO?
I wanted to join LAYO to gain more experience playing symphonic pieces, further develop my musical skills, and meet new people.
What are some of your best memories?
Some of my best memories come from the Vienna and Prague tour. Immersing myself in the culture, music, and environment was an incredible experience, especially sharing it with friends.
What’s next for you?
I plan to study English with a pre-law focus in college.
Samira Shokrian
How long have you been in LAYO?
Five years.
Why did you want to be a part of LAYO?
I wanted to be involved in a local orchestra and meet people with similar musical interests as my own.
What are some of your best memories?
Some of my best memories are hanging out with my friends before concerts and during dress rehearsals.
What’s next for you?
I am very excited to play cello in my college's orchestra. While I may not be on track to be a professional musician, I hope to continue playing into adulthood.
LAYO ALUMNI E-BOOK
We are currently creating our 25th anniversary LAYO Alumni E-Book with pictures and information on our alums. Please click here for the latest version (updated 5/25/25):
If you are an alum and want to be included, please email us at layolist@gmail.com. We will continue to update the e-book as we receive alumni updates.
NOTE that there is also a private version of the e-book that includes contact information – for alums only – so you can keep in touch with each other! To receive that password-protected link, please email us at layolist@gmail.com
Our 25th anniversary has been an opportunity to come full circle and reconnect with orchestra graduates who now literally live around the world and pursue careers in fields as diverse as physics, literature, education, law, business, arts administration, and biology. More students than I ever imagined are now highly regarded professional musicians. They perform and teach all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe. They play in professional symphony orchestras, early music ensembles, and chamber ensembles. They teach in public schools, private schools, and universities. Many compose and conduct.
Below is a sampling of just some of the alums who are featured in the LAYO Alumni E-Book.
Enjoy!
LAYLA ADELI – Violin – 2017-2023
What have you been doing since LAYO?
I am currently a sophomore at Caltech studying bioengineering.
What are some of your best memories from your time in LAYO?
Being a member of LAYO was an extremely fulfilling experience that helped me grow as a person and a musician. I not only learned new skills, such as how to play and communicate with other musicians in my section, but music helped me release the stress of the day. I developed new friendships beyond my high school friends and became more confident as a person. I formed a trio, and we performed at local community events. During COVID, we were able to bring some joy to isolated elderly neighbors. I will cherish the many experiences I gained as a member of LAYO.
BENJI FOX-ROSEN – Double Bass – 2001-2002
What have you been doing since LAYO?
I studied jazz performance and liberal arts at the New School, graduating in 2007, and then worked as a freelance musician in New York following graduation, immersing myself in klezmer and Yiddish music. In 2012, I had a Fulbright grant in Moldova researching the overlapping styles of Yiddish and Moldovan vocal music. Following this, I relocated to Vienna (with some time in Romania with my wife’s research) and in 2017 became conductor of the historic Vienna Stadttempel Choir, simultaneously completing a master’s in musicology at the University of Vienna, where I wrote my thesis about the choir, in the field of ethnomusicology. I recently stopped working at the Stadttempel to work as a researcher at the Music and Minorities Research Center, at the University of Performing Art in Vienna. Throughout all this, I have also worked as a freelance musician, arranger, composer, teacher, and so forth.
What are some of your best memories from your time in LAYO?
LAYO was my first and really my only experience playing orchestral music, a sound world that I love and that continues to inspire me.
DORIAN BANDY – Violin – 1997-2000
What have you been doing since LAYO?
I did my performance degrees at the Royal Academy of Music in Lond, my undergrad work at Cornell, and my Ph.D. at the University of Glasglow. Now I’m an associate professor of musicology and baroque violin at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music.
What are some of your best memories from your time in LAYO?
My years in LAYO provided many formative musical experiences. Thanks to LAYO, I grew up with an unusually thorough understanding of the repertoire from the inside. We covered a good 300+ years of music – it was with LAYO that I first played orchestral works of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven, and I’ll always be grateful for this introduction. Even more, my peers and I benefited hugely from the wonderful teaching LAYO exposed us to, both in full rehearsals and in sectionals.
DANIEL SIMANTOB – Violin – 2007-2017
What have you been doing since LAYO?
I attended the University of Chicago, graduating in 2021 with a dual degree in history and economics. Since graduation, I’ve been living in Los Angeles and working remotely as a strategist at John McNeil Studio, a creative agency based in the Bay Area. Music is still a huge part of my life and central to my identity. I am constantly attending shows across the city and digging online for new (and old) music of all sorts.
What are some of your best memories from your time in LAYO?
Being a part of LAYO for close to my entire young life set the groundwork for this ongoing passion and gave me firsthand exposure to a canon of some of the greatest music ever created. While I may not have even realized it at the time, creating unique and thoughtful interpretations of serious music at such a young age trained my aesthetic sensibility and inducted me into what I feel as a secret club of classical musicians—and lovers of classical music—who can instantly bond over the greatness of Brahms, Sibelius, and so much more. Moreover, the consistency and rigor of weekly rehearsals shaped my work ethic and taught me the importance of hard work (and sacrifice) in exchange for creating something really great. Looking back at videos and recordings of our concerts, I’m impressed by what a group of very young people were able to achieve together.
