Graduating
Seniors Recital & Recognition Ceremony
Sunday, April 26, 2026 5:30
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Shalisa Kline Ugaz, President and Chief Executive Officer
PROGRAM
Euphonium Concertino
Rolf Wilhelm (1927-2013) I. Allegro ma non troppo
Joey Kim, Euphonium Student of Nick Collins Jean Kim, Piano
Consolation No. 3 in D flat Major
Laura Quan, Piano Student of Irene Zuppardo
Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
Oboe Sonata in A Minor
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) I. Siciliana
Chelsea Song, Oboe Student of Erica Anderson
Lisa Zilberman, Piano
Arabeske, Op. 18
Kol Nidrei
To a Red Rose
Sammy Bush, Piano Student of Lisa Zilberman
Alana Gerbie, Cello Student of Cecilia Ham Lisa Zilberman, Piano
Mary Esther Ng, Piano Student of Dr. Louise Chan
Student Speech by Juliana Konopacki Student of Avi Friedlander
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Max Bruch (1838-1920)
Florence Price (1887-1953)
Variations on La Folia, Op.6, No.6
Malena Cerna, Recorder
Johann Christian Schickhardt (1682-1762)
Student of Patrick O’Malley
Christopher Arehart, Jeff Collins, Carl Foote, Jeanne Mueller, Recorder
Danny Wallenberg, Cello
Patrick O’Malley, Harpsichord
Praeludium and Allegro in the Style of Pugnani
Brayden Wu, Viola Student of Sang Mee Lee
Milana Pavchinskaya, Piano
Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962)
Cello Sonata No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 38 Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) I. Allegro non troppo
Juliana Konopacki, Cello
Student of Avi Friedlander
Lisa Zilberman, Piano
Consolation No. 3 in D flat Major
Willa Cates, Piano Student of Lisa Zilberman
Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
La Gitana
Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962)
Matthew Kim, Violin Student of Sang Mee Lee
Milana Pavchinskaya, Piano
“On the Street Where You Live” from My Fair Lady Frederick Lowe (1901-1988)
Thank You for the Music
Benny Andersson (b. 1945) and Björn Ulvaeus (b.1945)
Jean-Paul Bournas, Voice Student of Dorothy Jean Lloyd
Lisa Zilberman, Piano
Graduate Recognition Ceremony
Reception in Nichols Concert Hall Lobby
Thank you to our graduating seniors and teachers for your dedication and love of music!
Congratulations, Class of 2026!
Julia Aliferis
Student of Nina Wallenberg
Glenview, Illinois
Undecided
James Baum
Student of Dave Onderdonk and Bill Baxtresser
Wilmette, Illinois
Sarah Lawrence College Philosophy and Government
Jean-Paul Bournas
Student of Dorothy Jean Lloyd Deerfield, IL
Caroll University Political Science
Anaya Brainch
Student of Milana Pavchinskaya Wilmette, Illinois
Washington University Film and Creative Writing
Sammy Bush
Student of Lisa Zilberman
Evanston, Illinois
Oberlin College Film and Theater
Willa Cates
Student of Lisa Zilberman
Evanston, Illinois
University of Colorado at Boulder Aerospace Engineering and Mathematics
Michael Cerimele
Student of Avi Friedlander Glenview, Illinois
University of Notre Dame Biochemistry
Malena Cerna
Student of Patrick O’Malley Bordeaux, France
Université Bordeaux Montaigne Musicology
Micah Chan
Student of Dr. Christina Tio Skokie, Illinois
Indiana University Bloomington Computer Science
The Class of 2026
Avalon Felty
Student of Phyllis Adams Winnetka, Illinois Reed College
Alana Gerbie
Student of Cecilia Ham Evanston, Illinois Undecided
Jasmine Horton
Student of Dr. Sarah Plum Glencoe, Illinois Wheaton College and Conservatory of Music Music and Mathematics
Jaiden Hsu
Student of Barbara Ann Martin and Dr. Louise Chan
Northfield, Illinois
Harvard College English and Music
Emily Hu
Student of Dr. Christina Tio Kenilworth, Illinois
Carnegie Mellon University Computer Science
Joey Kim
Student of Nick Collins and Brad Conroy Libertyville, Illinois
Northwestern University Music Performance and Physics
Matthew Kim
Student of Sang Mee Lee Academy
Chicago, Illinois
Undecided Violin Performance
Juliana Konopacki
Student of Avi Friedlander
Arlington Heights, Illinois
Loyola University Chicago Neuroscience and Art History
Luke Montzka Academy Orchestra Chicago, Illinois
Swarthmore College History and Minor in Music
Mary Esther Ng
Student of Dr. Louise Chan
Evanston, Illinois
Northwestern University Neuroscience
Winifred Orth
Student of Shigetoshi Yamada Winnetka, Illinois
Santa Clara University Business
Laura Quan Student of Irene Zuppardo
Lake Forest, Illinois
Johns Hopkins University Engineering
Belinda Rosas
Student of Bianca D’Avila Do Prado
Third Coast Suzuki Program
Evanston, Illinois
Oakton Community College
Chelsea Song
Student of Erica Anderson
Lake Bluff, Illinois
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Oboe Performance, Minor in Public Health
Marin Wahlstrom
Student of Milana Pavchinskaya Northbrook, Illinois
Clemson University
Biochemistry and Minor in Music
Viviann Wang
Student of Dr. Christina Tio Green Oaks, Illinois
University of Wisconsin Madison Pre-Pharmacy
Brayden Wu
Student of Sang Mee Lee Academy
Wilmette, Illinois
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Mechanical Engineering
Alexandra Zhu
Student of Kate Nir Northbrook, Illinois
Northwestern University
Biomaterial Engineering
Memories of My Time at MIC
“I have loved studying cello and participating in group classes and workshops. I had the opportunity to participate in master classes.”-Julia Aliferis
“Preparing my first trumpet solo for a music festival. Learning to play by ear for guitar.”-James Baum
“My favorite experience is honestly going in every week for a lesson for just 45 minutes. It gives me a break from the busy week and is like a rest.”-Jean-Paul Bournas
“My favorite memories are going to a music lesson on a bad day and getting to express myself and feel better through music.”-Samantha Bush
“My favorite experiences have been recitals. It was so rewarding to hear everyone play at the end of each semester.” -Willa Cates
“When I arrived in Chicago two years ago, it was my first time in the USA, and I felt so welcomed by the MIC and my teacher Patrick O'Malley. I really enjoyed the few performances that I got to do with my group and alone. Being able to be a student in the MIC really was an amazing experience and I am grateful for the donors and financial support that I received.”-Malena Cerna
“I've always loved hanging out with other musicians! My favorite memories at MIC are coming to cello group class every week and participating at CSI. I've made a lot of friends through these experiences and will continue to keep in touch with them after I graduate!”-Micah Chan
“I have absolutely loved working with Mrs Adams. She is an incredible teacher and very supportive of not only my harp skills but also me as a person. I cannot thank her enough!”-Avalon Felty
“Merit scholarship opportunities and chamber music, the string quartet in particular. Developing a lasting relationship with my latest teacher, Sarah Plum.”-Jasmine Horton
“I grew up at MIC. It’s like a second home to me. I started violin there when I was 2 years old, but was attending my big sister Savannah’s lessons long before. My voice teacher Ms. Barbara is like a second mother/grandmother to me and she has made me who I am today. Ms. Louise too has pushed me to challenge myself, but has also left me room so I don’t have to stress, and I am incredibly grateful to her. Getting to know the new people who work here has been a pleasure: Mr. Clem and Katie especially. I will never ever forget what everyone at MIC has done for me.”-Jaiden Hsu
“Some of my favorite memories that will stay with me throughout my life are Dr. Tio’s studio trip tours to London, Oxford, and New York City. I’ll never forget all the fun activities and memories I got to live through beyond just the Winnetka campus, all part of my experience here as an MIC student. I’d also like to thank my piano teachers Dr. Christina Tio and Dr. Winston Choi, and my violin teacher Mr. Shigetoshi Yamada for helping me become the musician and person I am today.”-Emily Hu
“I've been taking classical guitar from Brad Conroy since 2018, but recently began euphonium lessons with Nick Collins. I've grown so much as a musician because of both of their musical wisdom.”-Joey Kim
“Studying with my teacher Sang Mee Lee and the Academy.”-Matthew Kim
“One of my favorite experiences at MIC is going to the Mid-Winter Workshops every year. I always loved being a part of the cello orchestra, and I always found it so impressive how we were able to prepare multiple songs for our concert within just 2 or 3 days. I loved being able to bond with the other children my age as we ate snacks and pizza while on our breaks.” -Juliana Konopacki
“MIC highlights include 1) Being the only bass in Abbey Hansen's Suzuki Book 1 cello group class 2) Playing Bartók's Divertimento for String Orchestra in Nichols Hall with the Academy Orchestra 3) Wearing my astronaut costume (when I was four years old) to lessons with Eric Snoza”-Luke Montzka
“Piano at MIC has been a constant for most of my life, and I have truly enjoyed getting to learn more about the world of music through my experiences there. Louise Chan has been a wonderful teacher, kind and very patient, and I'm glad I've gotten to work with her over the years. My favorite memory, by far, is of getting to play a piano concerto with my grandma accompanying.” -Mary Esther Ng
“I remember how excited I was to play Bach double. I worked extra hard for weeks to be able to play it in the concert. It was also great to make friends in the group classes.”-Winnifred Orth
“I always enjoyed the recitals because I got to hear the different pieces other students had been learning.”-Laura Quan
“MIC has been a great place for me to connect with my teachers, learn to grow in music as a musician but also as a person. I’ve been able to connect with other fellow musicians alike.”-Chelsea Song
“My favorite part about learning piano at MIC is working with my teacher, Milana Pavchinskaya. She is both constructive and encouraging and always provides thoughtful feedback while motivating me to improve. Through her guidance, I have learned to appreciate the entire process of learning and growing as a musician. She has truly helped me develop a deeper love for music.”-Marin Wahlstrom
“My favorite memory from attending MIC was going to New York to play at Carnegie Hall with Dr. Tio's studio” -Viviann Wang
“I fondly remember the variety of classes and programs I was involved in: Musikgarten, Musicianship, piano/viola lessons, Preludio Orchestra, Varsity Violas, chamber, Academy, etc. MIC has become a second home for me, and it has enriched all aspects of my life through the joy of sharing music.”-Brayden Wu
“Some of my favorite memories are of Nicholas Concert Hall. The atmosphere and energy there are breathtaking, and I am very grateful that I've had the opportunity to share my music and perform there.”-Alexandra Zhu
Photos from the Class of 2026
Board of Trustees
Trustees
Timothy Patenode, Chair
Alexandra C. Nichols, Chair Emerita
Hans Germann, Treasurer
Barbara Sereda, Secretary
Carlos R. Cardenas, Vice Chair
Shiraz Kotte, Vice Chair
Lee Anne Stoddart, Vice Chair
Saurab Bhargava
Paul Brourman
Daniel Hahn
Courtney Holohan
Yana Nedvetsky
Renée Parquette
Jim Stone
Honorary Board
Robert Chen
Roberto Diaz
Peter Dushkin
John and Fran Edwardson
James Ginsburg
Wu Han
Jennifer Koh
Nina Kraus
Cathy and Bill Osborn
Marcus Roberts
Deborah F. Rutter
Scott and Nancy Santi
Rick and Cate Waddell
Ross Updegraff
Zalman Usiskin
Audra Wilson
Florian Zettelmeyer
Life Trustees
John J. Berwanger
Mitzi Freidheim
Kay Mabie
Brooks Morgan
Rachel Barton Pine
Priscilla F. Richman
William N. Topaz
Scott Verschoor
E x - officio trustees
Christopher Rintz
Shalisa Kline Ugaz
The Music Institute of Chicago leads people toward a lifelong engagement with music through unparalleled teaching, exceptional performances, and valuable service initiatives that educate, inspire, and build strong, healthy communities.
Since its founding in 1931, the Music Institute’s commitment to innovation, access, and excellence has served as an important community resource and helps to ensure music is available to everyone. Each year, the Music Institute provides personalized music instruction to more than 1,500 students, regardless of age, level of experience, or financial means, across eight Community Music School locations in Chicago, Downers Grove, Evanston, Lake Forest, and Winnetka, as well as online.
In addition, the Music Institute brings music education, arts curriculum integration, professional development, and music performance and engagement opportunities to thousands in the Chicago area; offers scholarship opportunities to students in its Community Music School and its Academy, a nationally recognized training center for highly gifted pre-college pianists and string players; and welcomes thousands of visitors annually for performances, master classes, and special events at Nichols Concert Hall.
For more information, please visit musicinst.org.
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.