Congratulations to the seven finalists who will progressing to the final live round at Colburn on December 17, 2021.
Arian Cázares, (he, his) 17, is a Los Angeles based violist, who is currently enrolled at the L.A County High School for the Arts where he plays in the Symphony Orchestra and String Ensemble. Beginning at the age of 9, Arian has pursued his musical studies at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music (PCM) where he studies viola under Andrew Picken. His training includes programs such as Sphinx Performance Academy at Curtis and Julliard where he studied with Paul Laraia and Dana Kelley and the Interharmony Music Festival in Italy under Patricia McCarty and Basil Vendryes, with whom he continues his studies and Idyllwild with Larry Livingston. He has been selected to play in masterclasses with Guy Braunstein, Hsin-Yun Huang and Roberto Diaz. Arian has been a member of the Chamber Music Program at Pasadena Conservatory of Music since 2016 where he has performed with several ensembles and competed in state-wide competitions such as VOCE in 2017 and 2018 and the Pasadena Conservatory of Music Chamber Music Competition. Arian was also a member of the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra in 2018-20.
Ian Kim
Hi! I’m Ian, and I’ve been studying at Colburn for three years, where I take lessons from Gina Coletti and play in a chamber ensemble. Besides viola, I’m interested singing, filmmaking, photography, animation.
Davin Mar is a grade 11 student at St. George’s School in Vancouver, British Columbia. He began playing the viola at the age of 4. Davin studied for many years with Manti Poon, and in 2019, joined the studio of Professor Marina Thibeault. He is a member of the Sequoia Quartet at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music. In 2018, Davin won the Junior Division of the American Viola Society Solo Competition in Los Angeles. Davin also plays in the Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra, where he was featured as a soloist in 2020. In the summer of 2021, Davin participated in the Morningside Music Bridge Program as well as the Kessler Academy with the Microcosmos String Quartet. In November of 2021, he performed a solo recital with the Vancouver Women’s Musical Society. Aside from viola, Davin enjoys playing the trumpet and piano, keeping aquarium fish, and fishing. Davin would like to thank his inspiring teachers, and his family for all their support.
Aviv Pilipski, age 15, is currently a freshman at Harvard-Westlake School, and studies at the Community School of Performing Arts at Colburn. Aviv serves as principal violist of the Harvard-Westlake Middle School Symphony and is also a section leader in the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra. Aviv is passionate about chamber music as well, and participates in Colburn’s Chamber Music Institute.
Logan Purser‘s love of music was sparked at 2 1/2 years old when he listened to the bagpipes perform at a sheepdog competition, after which, he declared he wanted to learn to play “every instrument in the world.” Later he discovered the viola and realized he had found the BEST instrument in the world and has loved playing ever since. Logan studies viola with Emily Barrett Brown and is a member of the Gifted Music School’s scholarship conservatory program in Salt Lake City, Utah. His recent accomplishments include being chosen as a finalist in the Utah Symphony’s 2021 Salute to Youth competition, placing first in the 2021 ASTA chamber competition, and landing an essay on Mars aboard the Perseverance rover. He has played in masterclasses for Alan de Veritch, Brant Bayless, Julie Edwards, Bradley Ottesen, and Midori Goto. His passion for viola is equaled only by his passion for fine automobiles.
Samuel Tatsuki
– Started violin at 3 and switched to viola at 7 and studies with mother until 12. Has been studying with Eddy Malave ever since.
– Placed 1st in Satori String Competition 2015, 17, 18
– Placed 3rd in Bach Festival 2016
– Hugo Reid Orchestra, Mcubed Youth Orchestra, Chamber at Colburn, Chamber at CSArts
– Attends California School of the Arts SGV
– Attended ViolaFest in 2018
Alvin Wang is 13 years old from San Diego. He started piano at age 5, violin at age 7 and viola at age l2. Besides music, he likes playing tennis, swimming, and designing cars. Alvin has excelled in the MTAC VOCE, Concerto Competition, Chamber Ensemble, and VOCE State Final. Currently, he is a level 9 MTAC violinist. At the age of 10, he received “The Most Promising Talent” award at the Castelnuovo di Garfagnana International Music Festival in Tuscany, Italy. He has won several international competitions such as in Ensemble Division, Junior String Solo Division at the Prima Volta Music Competition and also received the Silver Award from The New Talent British International Youth Music Competition. He has won the H.B. Goodlin Virtual Festival of Junior String Division Winner Scholarship in the years 2020. He joined San Diego Youth Symphony in the year 2020, and currently, he is a Co-Principal in Viola. He was selected to perform at the Angels’ Angels Event for San Diego Youth Symphony. Alvin has won Honorable Mention in the Piano Baroque Festival in 2020 and he passed the MTAC Piano CM level 7 with Branch Honors. In 2018 & 2019, he raised nearly $15,000 for UC San Diego Autism Center of Excellence (ACE) through the Believe Benefit Concert which he organized. He also participated at the Bishop’s Benefit Concert for Rady Children’s Hospital in 2019. He performed at UCSD – Autism Center of Excellence Faculty Retreats and UCSD – Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology (RAI) Faculty Retreat, and The Kids’ Turn San Diego (a non-profit organization that helps children in foster care).