Celebrating the Class of 2026: Community Music School Graduates
April 28th, 2026
As the school year draws to a close, we are proud to celebrate the Class of 2026. See where our graduates will be heading next year, and read their favorite memories from their time at MIC!
The Graduating Seniors Concert took place on  Sunday, April 26 at Nichols Concert Hall.  If you missed it, you can see the program and watch the recording here »Â
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Julia AliferisÂ
Student of Nina WallenbergÂ
Glenview, Illinois
Undecided
“I have loved studying cello and participating in group classes and workshops.  I had the opportunity to participate in master classes.”
James Baum
Student of Dave Onderdonk and Bill Baxtresser
Wilmette, Illinois
Sarah Lawrence College
Philosophy and Government
“Preparing my first trumpet solo for a music festival. Learning to play by ear for guitar.”
Jean-Paul BournasÂ
Student of Dorothy Jean Lloyd
Deerfield, IL
Caroll UniversityÂ
Political Science
“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.”
Anaya Brainch
Student of Milana Pavchinskaya
Wilmette, Illinois
Washington UniversityÂ
Film and Creative Writing
 Sammy BushÂ
Student of Lisa Zilberman Â
Evanston, IllinoisÂ
Oberlin CollegeÂ
Film and TheaterÂ
“My favorite memories are going to a music lesson on a bad day and getting to express myself and feel better through music.”
 Willa CatesÂ
Student of Lisa ZilbermanÂ
Evanston, IllinoisÂ
University of Colorado at BoulderÂ
Aerospace Engineering and MathematicsÂ
“My favorite experiences have been recitals. It was so rewarding to hear everyone play at the end of each semester.”
Michael Cerimele Â
Student of Avi FriedlanderÂ
Glenview, IllinoisÂ
University of Notre DameÂ
BiochemistryÂ
Malena CernaÂ
Student of Patrick O’MalleyÂ
Bordeaux, FranceÂ
UniversitĂ© Bordeaux MontaigneÂ
MusicologyÂ
“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.”
Micah ChanÂ
Student of Dr. Christina TioÂ
Skokie, IllinoisÂ
Indiana University Bloomington Â
Computer ScienceÂ
“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!”
Avalon FeltyÂ
Student of Phyllis AdamsÂ
Winnetka, IllinoisÂ
Reed CollegeÂ
“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!”
Alana GerbieÂ
Student of Cecilia Ham Â
Evanston, IllinoisÂ
UndecidedÂ
Jasmine Horton Â
Student of Dr. Sarah PlumÂ
Glencoe, IllinoisÂ
Wheaton College and Conservatory
of MusicÂ
Music and Mathematics Â
 “Merit scholarship opportunities and chamber music, the string quartet in particular. Developing a lasting relationship with my latest teacher, Sarah Plum.”
 Jaiden HsuÂ
Student of Barbara Ann Martin andÂ
Dr. Louise ChanÂ
Northfield, IllinoisÂ
Harvard CollegeÂ
English and MusicÂ
“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.”
 Emily HuÂ
Student of Dr. Christina TioÂ
Kenilworth, IllinoisÂ
Carnegie Mellon University Â
Computer ScienceÂ
“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.”
 Joey KimÂ
Student of Nick Collins and Brad ConroyÂ
Libertyville, IllinoisÂ
Northwestern University Â
Music Performance and PhysicsÂ
“I've been taking classical guitar from Brad Conroy since 2018, but recently began euphonium lessons withÂ
Nick Collins. I've grown so much as a musician because of both of their musical wisdom.”
 Juliana KonopackiÂ
Student of Avi FriedlanderÂ
Arlington Heights, IllinoisÂ
Loyola University ChicagoÂ
Neuroscience and Art History
“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.”
Luke MontzkaÂ
Academy OrchestraÂ
Chicago, IllinoisÂ
Swarthmore CollegeÂ
History and Minor in MusicÂ
“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”
 Mary Esther NgÂ
Student of Dr. Louise ChanÂ
Evanston, IllinoisÂ
Northwestern University Â
NeuroscienceÂ
“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.”Â
Winifred OrthÂ
Student of Shigetoshi YamadaÂ
Winnetka, IllinoisÂ
Santa Clara University Â
BusinessÂ
“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. Â
It was also great to make friends in the group classes.”
Laura Quan Â
Student of Irene ZuppardoÂ
Lake Forest, IllinoisÂ
Johns Hopkins UniversityÂ
Engineering Â
“I always enjoyed the recitals because I got to hear the different pieces other students had been learning.”Â
Belinda Rosas
Student of Bianca d'Avila do Prado
Evanston, Illinois
Oakton Community College
Chelsea Song
Student of Erica Anderson
Lake Bluff, Illinois
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Oboe Performance, Minor in Public HealthÂ
“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.”
 Marin Wahlstrom Â
Student of Milana PavchinskayaÂ
Northbrook, IllinoisÂ
Clemson UniversityÂ
Biochemistry and Minor in MusicÂ
Viviann Wang Â
Student of Dr. Christina TioÂ
Green Oaks, IllinoisÂ
University of Wisconsin MadisonÂ
Pre-PharmacyÂ
“My favorite memory from attending MIC was going to New York to play at Carnegie Hall with Dr. Tio's studio”
 Alexandra ZhuÂ
Student of Kate NirÂ
Northbrook, IllinoisÂ
Northwestern UniversityÂ
Biomaterial EngineeringÂ
“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.”
We celebrate the Class of 2026 for the hard work, dedication, and love of music! We're wishing them the best of luck on this exciting new chapter. Congratulations, Class of 2026!
View the Sunday, April 26 recital and read the program
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