About Us
Community Youth Orchestra of Southern California is a 501(c) not-for-profit public charity organization that presents innovative music education programs that serve students of all ages and ability levels, engages musicians in meaningful community service through mentorship, and fosters a positive collaborative environment for music-making that strives to unite people from many diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We are first and foremost a program that focuses on the musical journey of the student, and meet the incredible challenges of empowering their learning with innovation and flexibility in the twenty-first century. CYOSC is led by a diverse team of teachers, parents, and artistic visionaries.
Music Teachers
Academy Director
Eriko Tsuji
A native of Kyoto, Japan, Eriko earned her bachelor’s degree in violin performance from Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts, and came to the United States in 2010 to earn her master’s degree in violin performance from UCLA. She is currently a member of the Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC), and is a certified teacher through The Royal Conservatory of Music. As a competition violinist she earned Third Place in the Gail Newby Concerto Competition (2013) and was a finalist in the Chesapeake Chamber and Coleman Chamber Music Competitions, and participated in a music residency at Banff with Quartet LaMi. For over a decade, Eriko has been working with students of varying ages and levels of musical accomplishment, from early childhood through college level. She joined the music team of CYOSC at the beginning of 2021.
A native of Kyoto, Japan, Eriko earned her bachelor’s degree in violin performance from Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts, and came to the United States in 2010 to earn her master’s degree in violin performance from UCLA. She is currently a member of the Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC), and is a certified teacher through The Royal Conservatory of Music. As a competition violinist she earned Third Place in the Gail Newby Concerto Competition (2013) and was a finalist in the Chesapeake Chamber and Coleman Chamber Music Competitions, and participated in a music residency at Banff with Quartet LaMi. For over a decade, Eriko has been working with students of varying ages and levels of musical accomplishment, from early childhood through college level. She joined the music team of CYOSC at the beginning of 2021.
Community Service Program Coordinator
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Joyce Maxson
Joyce is a retired music teacher who taught for 35 years in public schools in California and Colorado. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Instrumental and Vocal Music from Chapman University studying piano, clarinet, voice, and viola. She has a Masters in Elementary Reading and Literacy, a Masters Certificate in Orff-Schulwerk from Memphis State University, she studied for one year at the Orff-Institute Mozarteum in Salzburg, and has a Level 1 Suzuki Violin Teaching certificate from the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Joyce has taught numerous orchestras, choirs and general music, as well as Suzuki violin for grades 1-5. She developed performing folk dance groups at public schools, including a Vietnamese Folk Dance group. She is currently working with the Pacific Symphony in Heartstrings Community Engagement, and is thrilled to be at CYOSC as the Community Service Program Coordinator. |
String Ensemble Director
Ash Miner
Ash moved to California from Michigan in 2010 and has taught with CYOSC for over a decade, first as a violin and viola coach, then as assistant director of the Sinfonietta (our Elementary String Orchestra). She holds two bachelor's degrees in music education and music performance, as well as a master's degree in violin performance from Eastern Michigan University (EMU). Ash has focused her music career on teaching, and maintains a successful private studio in which her students have won music competitions and have pursued music studies in college. She has also coached chamber ensembles, conducted youth ensembles both in Michigan and here in California, as well as taught undergraduate music classes at EMU. Her students refer to her as the nice, funny teacher, and her passion for music is what guides her approach with students of all ages and levels.
Ash moved to California from Michigan in 2010 and has taught with CYOSC for over a decade, first as a violin and viola coach, then as assistant director of the Sinfonietta (our Elementary String Orchestra). She holds two bachelor's degrees in music education and music performance, as well as a master's degree in violin performance from Eastern Michigan University (EMU). Ash has focused her music career on teaching, and maintains a successful private studio in which her students have won music competitions and have pursued music studies in college. She has also coached chamber ensembles, conducted youth ensembles both in Michigan and here in California, as well as taught undergraduate music classes at EMU. Her students refer to her as the nice, funny teacher, and her passion for music is what guides her approach with students of all ages and levels.
Symphony Orchestra Director
Joseph Kaye
Joseph Kaye is Director of Orchestras at Santa Ana High School and a faculty member at Santa Ana College where he teaches violin and viola. An experienced conductor, violin performer, and music educator, he earned his B.S. in Music Education from Ball State University and his M. Ed. from Lesley University. In 2005 he started his teaching career with the award-winning string program for El Centro Elementary School District. In 2009 Joseph was awarded the Imperial Valley ACSA Teacher of the Year award while maintaining a healthy private violin studio Then in 2012 he then moved up to Orange County and helped revamp the orchestra program at Santa Ana High School. In both districts, Mr. Kaye has hosted and adjudicated numerous SCSBOA festivals, served on various leadership roles within ECESD, SAUSD, IVMEA, and SCSBOA. In both 2014 and 2015 Joseph was recognized by the OCMAA as an outstanding arts educator. In addition to his teaching endeavors, Joseph is an avid chamber music and orchestral musician as he is a current member of Symphony Irvine, Bellflower Symphony Orchestra, and La Mirada Symphony Orchestra.
Joseph Kaye is Director of Orchestras at Santa Ana High School and a faculty member at Santa Ana College where he teaches violin and viola. An experienced conductor, violin performer, and music educator, he earned his B.S. in Music Education from Ball State University and his M. Ed. from Lesley University. In 2005 he started his teaching career with the award-winning string program for El Centro Elementary School District. In 2009 Joseph was awarded the Imperial Valley ACSA Teacher of the Year award while maintaining a healthy private violin studio Then in 2012 he then moved up to Orange County and helped revamp the orchestra program at Santa Ana High School. In both districts, Mr. Kaye has hosted and adjudicated numerous SCSBOA festivals, served on various leadership roles within ECESD, SAUSD, IVMEA, and SCSBOA. In both 2014 and 2015 Joseph was recognized by the OCMAA as an outstanding arts educator. In addition to his teaching endeavors, Joseph is an avid chamber music and orchestral musician as he is a current member of Symphony Irvine, Bellflower Symphony Orchestra, and La Mirada Symphony Orchestra.
Winds Coach
April Chocholaty
April Chocholaty has been playing woodwinds for more than 40 years, and a private woodwinds teacher in the Southern California area for more than 25 years, teaching flute, oboe and saxophone. She has held faculty positions at Dehesa Charter School and the Orange County School of the Arts, and currently is an adjunct music teacher at St. Margaret's Episcopal School. She has coached wind sections for Orange High School, Canyon High School, Santiago Middle School, Portola Middle School, and Santa Margarita Catholic High School.Professionally, she has appeared with the Cypress Pops Orchestra and the Pacific Symphony Institute Orchestra, Southern California Philharmonic Orchestra (past principal oboe), and Praise Symphony Orchestra (past principal oboe), and is currently principal flute for Solisti. April and harpist Linda-Rose Hembrieker collaborate as the Chocholaty Rose Duo, in a concert series “The Musical StoryBook”. In musical theater she has played shows at Maverick, Costa Mesa Playhouse, No Square Theatre, as well as may others throughout the Orange County area. She appears on Dan Wells’ album, Soldier of the Cross, and piccolo for the music for Medieval Times (Milwaukee, WI). Her own album of American Folk Music, titled 101, can be found on Spotify.
April has been the director of the North Orange County High School Flute Choir, Corona Area Flute Ensemble, Alla Breve an adult flute choir, and the chamber ensembles at the West Coast Conservatory. She is currently conducting the little flute choir of Orange. April was also seen in fall 2010 as the guest conductor of the Orange County Flute Choir. She is a member of National Flute Association, Music Teacher’s Association of California, Los Angeles Flute Guild, and Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association. April holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Music and Sociology from Biola University (cum laude) and graduated magna cum laude with a Master’s Degree in flute performance from the Claremont Graduate University. Her past flute teachers include Cynthia Ellis and David Shostac, and she has studied oboe with Laura Stone, Joe Stone, and Dr. Larry Timm; and reed making with Jessica Pearlman.
April Chocholaty has been playing woodwinds for more than 40 years, and a private woodwinds teacher in the Southern California area for more than 25 years, teaching flute, oboe and saxophone. She has held faculty positions at Dehesa Charter School and the Orange County School of the Arts, and currently is an adjunct music teacher at St. Margaret's Episcopal School. She has coached wind sections for Orange High School, Canyon High School, Santiago Middle School, Portola Middle School, and Santa Margarita Catholic High School.Professionally, she has appeared with the Cypress Pops Orchestra and the Pacific Symphony Institute Orchestra, Southern California Philharmonic Orchestra (past principal oboe), and Praise Symphony Orchestra (past principal oboe), and is currently principal flute for Solisti. April and harpist Linda-Rose Hembrieker collaborate as the Chocholaty Rose Duo, in a concert series “The Musical StoryBook”. In musical theater she has played shows at Maverick, Costa Mesa Playhouse, No Square Theatre, as well as may others throughout the Orange County area. She appears on Dan Wells’ album, Soldier of the Cross, and piccolo for the music for Medieval Times (Milwaukee, WI). Her own album of American Folk Music, titled 101, can be found on Spotify.
April has been the director of the North Orange County High School Flute Choir, Corona Area Flute Ensemble, Alla Breve an adult flute choir, and the chamber ensembles at the West Coast Conservatory. She is currently conducting the little flute choir of Orange. April was also seen in fall 2010 as the guest conductor of the Orange County Flute Choir. She is a member of National Flute Association, Music Teacher’s Association of California, Los Angeles Flute Guild, and Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association. April holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Music and Sociology from Biola University (cum laude) and graduated magna cum laude with a Master’s Degree in flute performance from the Claremont Graduate University. Her past flute teachers include Cynthia Ellis and David Shostac, and she has studied oboe with Laura Stone, Joe Stone, and Dr. Larry Timm; and reed making with Jessica Pearlman.
Cello Coach
Shawn Berry
Shawn earned his Bachelors in Music Performance from California State University Long Beach in 2020. Since moving to Orange County in 2020, he teaches private cello lessons, music theory in both private and classroom settings and occasionally performs throughout the county. He also coaches the string sections of the String Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and the Chamber Orchestra at San Clemente High School. His has received private instruction from Heriberto Ramos, Dr. Leif Woodward, and Joon Sung Jun; and performed in masterclasses with Hans Jorgen Jensen, Dennis Karmazyn, and Kimberly Fisher to name a few.
Shawn has been a member of orchestras and festivals including: American Youth Symphony, Colorado College Summer Music Festival, 2015 NAfME All-National Honor Orchestra, and Music House International (part of the Philadelphia International Music Festival). He was the principal cellist in the 2015 California All-State Honor Orchestra, Orange County Youth Symphony, and in the festival orchestra of the Cremona International Music Academy. He has also performed Variations on a Rococo Theme with the Orange County Youth Symphony and the first movement of Vivaldi's Violin and Cello Concerto with Marc Roveti and the festival orchestra of Music House International.
Shawn is also an alumni from the Orange County School of the Arts and of Community Youth Orchestra of Southern California. During his time with CYOSC, he coached the cello sections in Sinfonia and the Symphony Orchestra and he took a conducting internship with Mr. Gene Wie where he conducted the Symphony Orchestra in a performance of the Overture of the Marriage of Figaro.
Shawn earned his Bachelors in Music Performance from California State University Long Beach in 2020. Since moving to Orange County in 2020, he teaches private cello lessons, music theory in both private and classroom settings and occasionally performs throughout the county. He also coaches the string sections of the String Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and the Chamber Orchestra at San Clemente High School. His has received private instruction from Heriberto Ramos, Dr. Leif Woodward, and Joon Sung Jun; and performed in masterclasses with Hans Jorgen Jensen, Dennis Karmazyn, and Kimberly Fisher to name a few.
Shawn has been a member of orchestras and festivals including: American Youth Symphony, Colorado College Summer Music Festival, 2015 NAfME All-National Honor Orchestra, and Music House International (part of the Philadelphia International Music Festival). He was the principal cellist in the 2015 California All-State Honor Orchestra, Orange County Youth Symphony, and in the festival orchestra of the Cremona International Music Academy. He has also performed Variations on a Rococo Theme with the Orange County Youth Symphony and the first movement of Vivaldi's Violin and Cello Concerto with Marc Roveti and the festival orchestra of Music House International.
Shawn is also an alumni from the Orange County School of the Arts and of Community Youth Orchestra of Southern California. During his time with CYOSC, he coached the cello sections in Sinfonia and the Symphony Orchestra and he took a conducting internship with Mr. Gene Wie where he conducted the Symphony Orchestra in a performance of the Overture of the Marriage of Figaro.
Violin Coach
Clemente Salgado
Clemente has been a teacher for the Orange County Area. He provides a myriad of different forms of education to the community such as art enrichment, early childhood education, tutoring, music education and technology. He holds an Associates Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Santa Ana College and a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Cal State Fullerton. He has been with CYOSC since 2012 in various capacities. Clemente has also worked with a local non profit as a music instructor arranging performance, music ensembles, and private instruction for over 10 years.
Clemente has been a teacher for the Orange County Area. He provides a myriad of different forms of education to the community such as art enrichment, early childhood education, tutoring, music education and technology. He holds an Associates Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Santa Ana College and a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Cal State Fullerton. He has been with CYOSC since 2012 in various capacities. Clemente has also worked with a local non profit as a music instructor arranging performance, music ensembles, and private instruction for over 10 years.
Bass Coach
Diana Meza
Diana Meza is a double bassist based in Orange County, California. A native of
Santa Ana, she received her Bachelor’s in Music Performance from the University of
California, Irvine in 2021 under the tutelage of Dr. Matt Hare. She has also performed in masterclasses with Orin O’Brien and Jeff Bradetich.
Since earning her bachelor’s, she now teaches privately in the Irvine area and has
performed across Orange County with groups such as Symphony Irvine and Huntington Beach Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, she serves as a double bass coach for the Irvine Unified School District and directly serves Beacon Park, Plaza Vista, and Vista Verde middle schools.
Diana joined CYOSC for their 2021-22 season in the role of orchestra manager,
greeting students and parents and they came into rehearsals (she may have greeted you at a recent rehearsal!). In the 2024-25 season, she transitioned over to the role of double bass coach, now assisting students during their rehearsals. You may find her out and about, catching a movie at the nearest movie theater, in her spare time.
Diana Meza is a double bassist based in Orange County, California. A native of
Santa Ana, she received her Bachelor’s in Music Performance from the University of
California, Irvine in 2021 under the tutelage of Dr. Matt Hare. She has also performed in masterclasses with Orin O’Brien and Jeff Bradetich.
Since earning her bachelor’s, she now teaches privately in the Irvine area and has
performed across Orange County with groups such as Symphony Irvine and Huntington Beach Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, she serves as a double bass coach for the Irvine Unified School District and directly serves Beacon Park, Plaza Vista, and Vista Verde middle schools.
Diana joined CYOSC for their 2021-22 season in the role of orchestra manager,
greeting students and parents and they came into rehearsals (she may have greeted you at a recent rehearsal!). In the 2024-25 season, she transitioned over to the role of double bass coach, now assisting students during their rehearsals. You may find her out and about, catching a movie at the nearest movie theater, in her spare time.
Organization Staff
Executive Director
Christine Jelbert
Christine earned a Bachelor of Music from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, and served in professional positions at McKinsey & Co. and the University of Cambridge (UK). While living in Singapore, she started Music 'n Movement, teaching music to very young children. She came across CYOSC when searching for an orchestral home for her children, and is delighted to be part of the team. She joined as Executive Director in 2020, and also works as a piano accompanist for the Academy program.
Christine earned a Bachelor of Music from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, and served in professional positions at McKinsey & Co. and the University of Cambridge (UK). While living in Singapore, she started Music 'n Movement, teaching music to very young children. She came across CYOSC when searching for an orchestral home for her children, and is delighted to be part of the team. She joined as Executive Director in 2020, and also works as a piano accompanist for the Academy program.
Office Assistant and Social Media Associate
Blythe Schulte
Blythe began her professional life as a baby model / actress at the ripe old age of six months old. Since then, She's toured 4 countries as a musician in 13+ genres and languages, and developed an expertise for business strategy. Her boutique, all-in-one agency, Bunnyopolis, serves a wide range of clients from tech innovation to entertainment/music to education and more. Blythe has worked with IPs Dragonball Z, Game of Thrones, Rick and Morty, to name a couple, and placed her original toy concept with Mattel Toys as a finalist on ABC's "The Toy Box". Blythe's first album, "Synesthetic", debuted at #7 upon release on Amazon's Broadway & Vocalists Charts. She is a Cum Laude Graduate of the Berklee College of Music and participated in a collaborative with Harvard and MIT. CYOSC means a lot to Blythe as the community gave her the opportunity to conduct an orchestra for the first time at the age of 7! It was life changing.
Blythe began her professional life as a baby model / actress at the ripe old age of six months old. Since then, She's toured 4 countries as a musician in 13+ genres and languages, and developed an expertise for business strategy. Her boutique, all-in-one agency, Bunnyopolis, serves a wide range of clients from tech innovation to entertainment/music to education and more. Blythe has worked with IPs Dragonball Z, Game of Thrones, Rick and Morty, to name a couple, and placed her original toy concept with Mattel Toys as a finalist on ABC's "The Toy Box". Blythe's first album, "Synesthetic", debuted at #7 upon release on Amazon's Broadway & Vocalists Charts. She is a Cum Laude Graduate of the Berklee College of Music and participated in a collaborative with Harvard and MIT. CYOSC means a lot to Blythe as the community gave her the opportunity to conduct an orchestra for the first time at the age of 7! It was life changing.
Board of Directors - President
Jenny Visick
Jenny is a private instructor and professional performer of violin and viola who has been a member of the non-profit for well over a decade in various capacities as a coach, ensemble conductor, board member, and Academy Director. An experienced coordinator of educational music programs, she also served for many years as vice president of CYOSC's Board of Directors. She has significant experience as a Registered Suzuki Teacher and administrator for the Pasadena Suzuki Music Program, and teaches violin, viola, and Suzuki Early Childhood Education classes. She is a graduate of the University of California at Irvine, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Viola Performance.
Jenny is a private instructor and professional performer of violin and viola who has been a member of the non-profit for well over a decade in various capacities as a coach, ensemble conductor, board member, and Academy Director. An experienced coordinator of educational music programs, she also served for many years as vice president of CYOSC's Board of Directors. She has significant experience as a Registered Suzuki Teacher and administrator for the Pasadena Suzuki Music Program, and teaches violin, viola, and Suzuki Early Childhood Education classes. She is a graduate of the University of California at Irvine, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Viola Performance.
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Katya Chan
Board of Directors - Treasurer John York Board of Directors - Secretary April Chocholaty Board of Directors - Member-at-large Divya Narayanan Board of Directors - Member-at-large |
Eleni Pappas
Board of Directors - Member-at-large Jessica Rezaie Board of Directors - Member-at-large Sophia Torjesen Board of Directors - Member-at-large Gene Wie Emeritus Artistic Advisor to the Board of Directors |
Founder and Past Leadership
Robert Lau founded CYOSC in 1990, creating an independent non-profit youth orchestra from its roots in the Irvine Chinese School. A longtime conductor and teacher in the Orange County area, Mr. Lau was a visionary devoted to the musical and personal development of young people as well as the preservation of Chinese cultural music, and the orchestra performed many settings of repertoire from his homeland that he arranged and orchestrated. During his tenure, CYOSC hosted numerous professional artist residencies and ensembles and participated in several international concert tours, including a visit to China. He served as the orchestra's President and Music Director from 1990-2005.
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Gene Wie served as the second Music Director from 2005-2020 and expanded the program substantially to offer multiple string and full orchestras. Mr. Wie’s tireless efforts to engage students of all ages and ability levels led him to cultivate an extensive network of artistic partners, including the Master Chorale of Saddleback Valley, Irvine Barclay Theatre, Irvine Chinese School, Orange County Children’s Theater, and The Arts at St. Margaret’s. Under his leadership, CYOSC grew to serve over one hundred and sixty students from throughout the region each season, and established additional programs for training student conductors, a summer chamber music retreat, and a paid professional ensemble for teachers.
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Chika Wie served as Executive Director of CYOSC from 2012-2020 and developed many of the administrative frameworks for the successful operation of the non-profit organization. Chika was the creator of the Academy Program, a trend-setting violin ensemble course for young violinists of all ability levels which expanded CYOSC's offerings down to the Preschool level, and the Community Service Program, where she mentored dozens of high school students in string pedagogy and leadership. Many of her former students emerged from CYOSC's programs to serve in leadership roles in the non-profit sector, and a number are currently full-time music educators.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful for the support of the following organizations, donors, and volunteers over our past thirty-plus years:
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Orchestra Endowment
Open Mind Foundation Supporters Morey's Music Studio H Bar In 'n Out Doug Fischer Memorial Scholarship Fund Donate |
Artistic and Community Partners
Tustin Unified School District Santa Ana Unified School District Creative Motion Entertainment The City of Irvine Irvine Chinese School South Coast Chinese Cultural Center |