The "Back to BACH" Project
Students for the Arts!
Eliza Henne
Member Since Winter 2017; R.D. since Fall 2019
Eliza Henne is a sophomore at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Maryland. She started playing the violin at age six, and she is currently under the instruction of Mrs. Zina Gendel. She has been a member of the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras (MCYO) for the past six years and a member of the New Life Foundation Youth Orchestras for four years. She participated in the American String Teachers’ Association Certificate Program for four years. She was named a finalist in the National Chamber Ensemble Young Artist Award Competition in 2016. She earned a music scholarship at Good Counsel and is part of the GC String Ensemble, in addition to participating in the school’s pit orchestra. Besides music, Eliza also enjoys visual arts and science; she holds an art scholarship and is part of the National Art Honor Society. She plans to join the GC Arts Masterworks program, which provides masterclasses in the areas of music, art, and theater.
Nicolette Cho
Member Since Fall 2017
Nicolette Cho is a graduate of the Juilliard Pre-College Program. At Juilliard, she studied cello under Clara Kim. She has also been instructed under Melissa Kraut, Evelyn Elsing, Glenn Garlick, and Miron Yampolsky. Nicolette has won various competitions, such as the 12th New York Music Competition, Washington Performing Arts Society’s 38th annual Feder String Competition, Judged Recital sponsored by Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association (NVMTA), and the Ensemble division sponsored by International Youth Hymn Concourse by NPSS. She was awarded the Young Artist Award for extraordinary music from the City of Gaithersburg & Kentlands Community Foundation. Also, she has been invited to perform at concert venues, such as Alden Theater, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and Terrace Theater at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Nicolette is a recent graduate from Princeton University. At Princeton, she continued her cello studies while pursuing the pre-med track. She was a member of Princeton University Orchestra and La Vie en Cello. Also, she was part of Princeton Music Outreach where she performed in local nursing homes to serve the community of Princeton. Currently, Nicolette continues her passion for music outreach with New Life Youth Orchestra (NLYO). NLYO is an orchestra that travels to underserved communities overseas. She has traveled to underprivileged villages, hospitals, and orphanages in places such as Mexico, Thailand, Korea, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Cuba. Through travelling, she has been able to experience the power of music. She plans to continue using music to spread happiness to the community.
Jack Yoon
Member Since Winter 2017
Jack Yoon is currently a junior at Winston Churchill High School. He has been playing clarinet since the fourth grade. He currently studies under Ms. Emily Coile. Jack was principal clarinetist for the Potomac Valley Youth Orchestra’s Wind Ensemble, and has participated in both Maryland Junior All-State and Montgomery County All-County programs. Additionally, he has been part of New Life Foundation (NLF), since 2012. Through NLF, Jack has participated in musical mission trips to the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Thailand. He finds participating in the New Life Youth orchestra most fulfilling, as it blends music with service to needy children and people groups. In addition to music, Jack is on his Varsity Soccer team at school and plays competitive club soccer year-round. His passion for soccer extends to refereeing and coaching youth soccer during his free time. He enjoys serving his community through his passions.
Gracie Yoon
Member Since Winter 2017
Gracie Yoon is an 8th grader at Herbert Hoover Middle School. She has studied violin under Sarah Lee since the age of 7. She has served as associate concert mistress of the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra’s Chamber Strings during 2013-2015, and concert mistress of Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra’s Young Artist Group in 2015-2017 She participated in All-State and All-County (CM) programs in 2017. Additionally, since 2011, she has enjoyed participating in the New Life Youth Orchestra, where she is able use music as a means to serve those who are less fortunate. She was the youngest member of the New Life Orchestra, and has spent her formative years serving others through music. Most recently, she was fortunately to travel to Cuba to perform with NLF during the summer of 2017.
Additionally, Gracie has also placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the MSMTA Solo Strings competition during all four years of attendance. Aside from studying music, Gracie enjoys playing competitive club soccer, serving as an SGA leader in her middle school, and baking with friends and family through BC4F, a non-profit charity that donates birthday cakes to homeless children.
William Tae
Member Since Winter 2017
William Tae, age 15, is a sophomore at Chantilly High school in Chantilly, Virginia. Picking up the French Horn at 11 years old, he was immediately drawn to the mellow sound and intricate design. Studying under Dr. Avery Pettigrew, William has pursued his musical interests by playing for the Northern Youth Virginia Winds, the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Symphonic Band for Chantilly High School. William has been recognized for his music talents by winning top music awards at his schools and being selected for the Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors’ Association (All District) as a freshman and sophomore. In 2018, he will serve as principal French Hornist for the All District Symphonic Band. He will also represent Chantilly High School at the National Band Concert Festival competition in Indianapolis in April 2018. In addition, since 2011, William has been a member of the New Life Foundation and the New Life Youth Orchestra, where he volunteers his time through music for underprivileged children, both locally and abroad. William has been participating in music mission trips and has performed in countries such as Cuba and South Korea. Outside of music, William is active in social entrepreneurship and fencing.
Clara Henne
Member Since Winter 2017
Clara Henne is currently in the 9th Grade at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Maryland. She has been taking flute lessons from Dr. Michelle Cho for 4 years. Currently, she is in the New Life Foundation Youth Orchestra, and has been participating in their various groups since 2013. She also participated in Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras as a part of Young Artists for one season, as well as placing in competitions such as the Catholic University 2016 Young Musician Competition, the 2017 GCC Best Mozart Performance, and the 2017 YMIC International Competition. She was a performer at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Georgia in 2015 as a part of a contribution concert. She participates in her school’s Symphonic Band, as well as the Marching Falcons and the Pep Band. Along with flute, she also enjoys musical theatre and hopes to participate in pit orchestra as a part of her school’s musical productions. Clara is set to join the "Back to BACH" Project in the winter of 2017.
Ethan Oh
Member Since Summer 2018