State of the Art

Lacy Kong (BCD, ‘27) was chosen as a Sierra Madre Rose Float Association (SMRFA) Princess. Lacy will represent SMRFA and speak to various city and civic organizations. She will also have the honor of riding on the Sierra Madre Rose Float in the Tournament of Roses Parade to represent the Sierra Madre community.

Abrianna Lalicata (MT, ‘29) performed in her fourth production of Red Char Production’s “The Nutcracker” at the Alex Theatre in December 2025. As a member of the Corps de Ballet Flowers, Abrianna danced in the “Waltz of the Flowers.”

Liam Ahn (THTR, ‘32) and Oona Cassell (THTR, ‘31) joined the Pacific Opera Project’s inaugural Youth Chorus in their September 2025 production of “Pagliacci.” The immersive opera, set outdoors amongst the Victorian homes of Heritage Square Museum, featured jugglers, acrobats, magicians, clowns, and a 1920s Buick.

August Bjorklund (CMD, ‘30) won First in Category, was awarded Elite Top First, placed seventh overall, and received an invitation to the New York City All Star Dance from the KAR Regional Dance Competition in November 2025 for her solo titled "Be My Baby.” Her solo was choreographed by Felix “Michael” Galvan for Stage One Dance Studio.

Adam McDaniel, Elective Teacher, had excerpts from his documentary on artist Richard Amsel featured at the Muzeo Museum as part of an exhibit on movie posters. Mr. McDaniel also gave a Q&A at the Frida Cinema about movie poster art. Although the documentary is still in production, it has already received a Telly Award, a Communicator Award and a Davey Award and features interviews with Brooke Shields and Cheryl Henson, both of whom discuss Amsel’s life and work.

Emma Beubis (ACT, ‘29) won Best Ensemble Cast at the seventh annual Independent Short Awards, alongside renowned actors Tate Donovan and Michael Paré, for her performance in the short film “Steady.” Emma has also booked commercials for NY Life and an upcoming sci-fi project.

Natalie Park (VOC, ‘26) was a cast member in Emmy Award-winning film composer Nathan Wang’s musical “The Golden Wish.” Natalie performed alongside her cast members in November 2025 at the AGBU Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Performance Art Center in Pasadena.

California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley (CSArts-SGV) was selected as a 2025 National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) Exceptional Charter School in Special Education. This distinction is the highest level of recognition granted to charter schools that meet rigorous professional criteria and have demonstrated exceptional dedication, commitment and achievement in the field of special education. CSArts-SGV was given this honor for a fifth year.

Damien Capper (PM, ‘27) was a member of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) US National Team and competed this past summer in Brandenburg, Germany at the 17th IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships. He brought home two silver and three bronze medals and, with the US National Youth Team as a whole, won the Youth Cup for the first time, beating out Canada, Australia, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, and Hungary. Damien has been racing with his team, Los Angeles County Dragon Boat Club, for the past four years and practices at the Sante Fe Dam.

California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley (CSArts-SGV) was ranked by Niche as the #1 Charter High School in California and the #5 Best High School for the Arts in the nation. To view all of CSArts-SGV’s incredible rankings, please visit: www.niche.com/k12/california-school-of-the-arts-san-gabriel-valley-duarte-ca/rankings

Amanda Tepe, Acting Conservatory Instructor, appeared on "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Wizmas" (Season 2, Episode 7) of “The Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” on Disney+.

Stella Bullock (ACT, ‘26) appeared in a NoiseWithin Theatre Company’s production of “A Christmas Carol" in late-November to December 2025 as an ensemble cast member and one of the Cratchit children.

Madison Knight (THTR, ‘31) won the World Grand Champion Title at the World Martial Arts Games. Madison went all the way to Norway and took home the Grand Champion Title in the combined boys and girls 17-and-under weapons division with her katana demonstration. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4iTo1G1

Zora Kuzma (VOC, ‘27) has been selected as a member of the American Choral Director's Western Regional Honor Choir. She will attend the Western Conference Convention in March 2026 to join a choir of high school students from five states to sing under the direction of Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand.

Chloe Etterbeek (THTR, ‘30) and Willow Hunt (MT, ‘29) performed in All Roads Theatre Company’s “Broadway Showstoppers,” sharing the stage with professionals and celebrities. “Broadway Showstoppers” is a benefit concert and annual gala that features Broadway stars performing songs with an 18-piece orchestra and supports the theatre company.

Liam Kyle (ACT, ‘27) performed his first place-winning storytelling piece "Shrek" at Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall for the Magnum Opus Showcase in November 2025. Three days after the performance, Liam won second place in Informative Speaking at the Toro Country Classic Speech and Debate tournament in Mesa, Arizona. The win earned him his second bid which qualified him to compete in Minnesota at the speech national championship, the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions, in May 2026. This championship brings together the best speech competitors in the country competing for championship honors.

Daniel Powers (THTR, ‘31) played Marcellus in Theatre 360’s production of “Music Man” in December 2025.

Noah Choi (IM, ‘27) was recognized as a 2026 YoungArts Winner in the Classical Music Category by the National YoungArts Foundation for his artistic achievements on the violoncello. YoungArts Award Winners receive a monetary award of $250.

James So (VA, ‘29) received first prize in the Student Division of the 2025 APEC Exhibition for Korea Art, an international competition held in conjunction with the 2025 APEC Summit in Korea. James’s work was showcased at both the National Assembly in Seoul and the APEC host city of Gyeongju as part of the summit’s official cultural program.

Ella Shi (IA, ‘28) and Ellie Tonthat (IM, ‘29) performed as violinists at the Miradas: Crossing Glances concert presented by La Cañada Flintridge Sister Cities and the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestras in November 2025. Both violinists played under the direction of renowned Spanish composer and conductor Óscar Navarro. Taking place at the Lanterman Auditorium in La Cañada Flintridge, Ella and Ellie are in the Symphony Ensemble of the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Ayla Murphy (VA, ‘29) starred in the short film “Walter” and attended its premier in November 2025 at the Big Apple Film Festival in New York. “Walter” is a film about imagination, resilience, and the strange, beautiful ways families find their way through change.

Ella Beyer (MT, ‘21) released her single “Rock, Paper, Scissors” on streaming platforms in November 2025. Ella wrote the song early 2024 when reflecting on playing the game of rock-paper-scissors with her Dad and how he’d always pull the “gun” so she would lose every time, drawing similarities to how life and love can often feel the same way.

Caddie Murphy (FMA, ‘32) was cast as Lavender in Whittier Community Theatre’s production of "Matilda the Musical,” which ran through September 2025.

Joaquin Tangonan (FMA, ‘30) earned national recognition as a Top 40 finalist in Zildjian’s 2025 U.S. Young Drummer of the Year competition.

Will Lagos, Musical Theatre Conservatory Instructor, spent two weeks in Germany and Spain working as a featured clinician at voice and singing conferences, giving master classes, one-on-one lessons, and lectures in vocal pedagogy, performance technique, musical literature critical studies, and choral conducting.

Mara Irmakesen (ACT, ‘28) won the Pateadores Cup Tournament in her division alongside her girls’ club soccer team. Mara played striker and winger to help her club bring home the trophy.

Beckett Kramber (THTR, ‘31) performed duets on the silks and aerial hoop in the Yoga Dance Co. Summer Showcase. She also took part in their aerial performance of “The Nutcracker” in December 2025.

Sarah Ullerich (ACT, ‘26) appeared in a commercial with Jennifer Lopez for her fall clothing line at Coppel, a major department store based in Mexico. Sarah was also accepted into and attended NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts summer program from May to July 2025. Watch Sarah in the Coppel commercial here: https://bit.ly/4rPDVW9

Syler Segovia (FMA, ‘31) was selected as one of the winners of the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District’s 2025-2026 “Being Water Wise Is…” Student Art Contest. Syler won third place in the 6-8th Grade Category. Students from K-12 are invited annually to submit artwork that delivers a powerful water conservation or water-wise message. Sylar also received a Special Mention Award for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Water Museum International Youth Contest, was one of the winners of the Royal Oaks STEAM Academy 2025 Bookmark Contest, and was recognized by the Historical Society of West Covina for excellence in the pursuit of art.

Austin Wong (IA, ‘29) won second place in the Piano Solo Category for the International Association of Professional Music Teachers (IAPMT) Grand Spring Competition in May 2025. Representing the 2011 Age Group, Austin chose a Chopin-Liszt piece to showcase his skill and artistry in the competition.

Natalie Park (VOC, ‘26) performed the National Anthem at the 19th U.S. Karate Championships 2025 at the Aratani Theatre (Japanese-American Cultural & Community Center) in Downtown Los Angeles.

Oona Cassell (THTR, ‘31) won First Place and a Special Judge’s Choreography Award for her tap routine “Wednesday and Enid” at Energy NDC’s Regional Competition in Downey. She will be headed to San Diego in June 2025, alongside her dance partner Lilly, for the National Competition.

Evie Linchangco (MT, '28) advanced as a Semifinalist in the Musical Theater category at the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) National Students Auditions. Selected as one of 15 students in the category nationwide, she will go on to complete at Temple University in June.

Kennedy Opdahl-Valdez (MT, '30), lead singer/lyricist, and Joaquin Tangonan (IA, '30), drummer, and the rest of their rock band, The Sweet Unknown, claimed First Place at Monrovia High School’s 19th Annual Battle of the Bands. Competing against eight other bands, The Sweet Unknown stood out as the youngest performers of the night. Their set included two original songs and closed with a rendition of Turnstile’s “Blackout.”

Carolina Butler (PM, ‘28) released her May 2025 single “the flowers” under her stage name, Carolina Chase. Carolina’s song is a retrospective and dream-sequence-esque tune, in which the flowers in the lyrics symbolize the listener’s choice of either memories, lessons, growth, or all of them in a bouquet. The song can be streamed on all major platforms.

The CSArts-SGV Thespians attended the 2025 CA State Thespian Festival (CSTF) at Pomona College. Juliet Hubbard (MT, ‘27) and Ella Loest (MT, ‘27) auditioned and were cast in the opening number of the festival: a theatre dance number choreographed by CSArts-SGV instructor, Orlando Alexander. Vivienne Pableo (MT, ‘28), Delaney Polito (MT, ‘26), and Lauren Zavala (IA, ‘25) competed in the MT Solo Thespy competition and all three students were called back for the second round. Lauren got a Superior score, ranking as one of the top performers in the festival. Vivienne was also cast in the Playworks competition, a program designed for playwrights to workshop their plays and present a stage reading at the end of the festival. Isabella Loera (IA, ‘25) and Olivia Mangahis (MT, ‘25) volunteered as Room Chair for multiple competitions, supporting the Judges and Thespians by ushering them into the room and timing their pieces. Below is a full list of students and staff who attended CSTF:

Juliet Hubbard (MT, ‘27), Isabella Loera (IA, ‘25), Ella Loest (MT, ‘27), Olivia Mangahis (MT, ‘25), Flint Mavros (MT, ‘27), Adele Nelson-Dahl (MT, ‘28), Vivienne Pableo (MT, ‘28), Delaney Polito (MT, ‘26), Ray Rico-Perez (MT, ‘25), Major Salgado (IA, ‘28), Fiona Svastics (MT, ‘27), Lauren Zavala (IA, ‘25), Conservatory Instructor and Thespian Director Veronica Maccari

Rocky Moran (PM, ‘28) was invited to join California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) for Music Production. Every summer, CSSSA welcomes 70 to 80 music students from all over California to develop their performance skills at the highest level and engage in challenging developmental programs in the company of peers who share their exceptional abilities and love for the arts.

Below are the honorees for the 2025 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, which celebrates creative teens regionally and nationally with awards, exhibitions, publications, and scholarships.

ART
Diane Park (VA, ‘27) - Two Honorable Mentions, Digital Art; Honorable Mention, Drawing & Illustration; Honorable Mention, Painting
Catalina Tsao (IM, ‘27) - Honorable Mention, Painting
Webber Wu (VA, ‘25) - Silver Key, Drawing & Illustration

WRITING
Sophia Howard (CW, ‘26) - Silver Key, Novel Writing
Delight Kim (CW, ‘28) - Silver Key, Short Story; Two Honorable Mentions, Flash Fiction
Karina Yue (CW, ‘27) - Gold Key, Poetry; Silver Key, Poetry; Honorable Mention, Poetry

Madeleine Cham (VA, ‘28), Sophia Cham (IA, ‘29), and Maya Katsuri (IA, ‘28) toured with the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus (LACC) to the British Isles in June and July. They performed in Ireland, England, and Wales for the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. In addition, Maya performed “Carmina Burana” with the Los Angeles Master Chorale as a member of LACC in March, and Sophia performed “Dream Requiem” by Rufus Wainwright with the Master Chorale in May.

Flint Mavros (MT, ‘27) played Ms. Norbury in the Musical Theater Academy of Orange County’s production of “Mean Girls.”

Carli Yee (CMD, ‘31) earned First Place in the Hip-Hop Solo category, Fourth Place in the Preteen Solo category, and a Platinum Award at the Celebrity Dance Competition Regionals in Anaheim.

Integrated Arts Accompanist and Musical Director Noel Katz played a sold-out run at the Pico Playhouse in LA with his original musical comedy revue “Out of Our Heads.” The cast is made up of neurodiverse young adults whose improvisations inspire the songs and sketches.

Conservatory Instructor Elyse Mirto starred in the West Coast premiere of the play “Just Like Us” at The Latino Theater Company in Downtown LA. “Just Like Us” follows four Latina teenage girls whose close-knit friendship is tested by the realities of immigration status – and the opportunities or barriers it creates. Ms. Mirto plays the role of Helen Thorpe, the author of the book the play is based on.

Integrated Arts Conservatory Instructor and Film/TV Media Coordinator, Zack Stoff, worked on the 2025 Wes Anderson film “The Phoenician Scheme,” as a Research Assistant for award-winning actor Benicio Del Toro.

Chloe Lee (IM, ‘27) received First Prize at the 2025 Sonata/Sonatina Festival by the Music Teacher Association of California, LA County Branch. Taking place in Alhambra, contestants in each category were required to perform one movement of a Classical period sonata or sonatina and a contrasting work from the Baroque, Romantic, or 20th/21st Century periods.

Brennan Chang Ho (CW, ‘25) was named a 2025 Coca-Cola Scholar, an Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship Semifinalist, a National Honor Society Scholarship recipient, and a 2025 Disney Dreamers Academy graduate.

Teacher and Lecturer Mark Schneider completed the 2024-2025 Entertainment Community Fund and Sony Pictures Entertainment Teaching Artist Program. This training helps artists develop their teaching practice through inclusive, trauma-informed methods and hands-on classroom experience.

Claudia Steen (CW, ‘25) wrote a book titled “My Condition,” a collection of 49 poems that they wrote throughout their high school career. As of March, Claudia has been in the process of submitting the book for publication with the support of their conservatory friends and teachers.

Kaylee Yu (VA, ‘25) won the 2025 Pacific Coast Sectional Open Juvenile Champion title alongside her synchronized ice skating team. The team received a Certificate of Commendation from the Mayor of Pasadena, recognizing their extraordinary achievements throughout the skating season. Kaylee was also awarded a Platinum Level Achievement Certificate from the US Figure Skating Graduating Senior Program.

August Bhattacharya (ACT, ‘29) made his Sundance debut in the 2025 film “DIDN’T DIE,” in the role of Young Hari. Directed by Meera Menon, “DIDN’T DIE” focuses on a podcast host desperately clinging to an ever-shrinking audience in a zombie apocalypse.

Evie Linchangco (MT, ‘28) was awarded Second Place for Musical Theater and was named a Semifinalist for Classical Voice at the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Cal-Western Regional Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. She also received an Honorable Mention for Classical Voice at the NATS-LA Student Evaluation Program.

Ryland Pittman (IA, ‘27) was accepted into Child Mind Institute’s Youth Mental Health Academy (YMHA) internship program. The internship is a 14-month community-based program for students from structurally marginalized communities in California. YMHA provides hands-on learning in mental health science, practice, and communications through project-based learning, mentorship, paid internships, and integrated support.

Keah Romero (CMD, ‘28) won First Place for a tap duo routine at the Art of Movement Dance Convention in Burbank. Performing with her teammate to Mary J. Blige’s song, “Just Fine,” Keah was recognized at the end of the convention with a tap scholarship.

Lily Kyllo (PD, ‘27) competed in the Gold Coast Horse Show at Hansen Dam Horse Park in Los Angeles and took home a First Place ribbon and two Third Place ribbons. Gold Coast Horse Shows usually take place over three days and offer a wide variety of classes for all levels of hunter/jumper and western riders.

Noah Choi (IM, ‘27) competed alongside his string group, Doxa Quartet, and won First Place and Grand Prize at the 12th Annual Coltman Chamber Competition in Austin, Texas. Winners of the competition receive a cash prize and multiple performance opportunities. Noah and the Doxa Quartet also won a Silver Medal at the 52nd Fischoff Chamber Competition, held in South Bend, Indiana.

Evyn Clayton (CW, ‘26) won Best Documentary at LA County National History Day. The movie focused on Nellie Bly’s investigative journalism and undercover reporting at a mental health asylum. Evyn advanced to the State Finals, held in May 2025.

California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley (CSArts-SGV) was named a Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) for its high-quality standards in school counseling. CSArts-SGV’s accomplishment was acknowledged publicly at the RAMP Recognition Dinner during the ASCA Annual Conference in Long Beach.

Zaire Franklin (IM, ‘25) was named a Semifinalist for Contemporary Instrumental in The Music Center’s 2025 Spotlight program. Spotlight is a nationally recognized competition, scholarship, and artistic development program for Southern California high school students.

Sylar Segovia (VA, ‘29) took the Advanced School and College Ability Test (SCAT) as a participant in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth’s 2025-2026 Talent Search. Sylar was awarded a certificate with High Honors, which celebrates students from around the world who have earned high scores on verbal, mathematical, or spatial ability tests. She also received an Honorable Mention for her painting, “The wondrous windmill,” in the Kidwind National Wind Energy Art Challenge.

Sofie Liu (IA, ‘29) played the role of JoJo in a production of Disney’s “Newsies: The Musical,” which was performed at the historic San Gabriel Mission Playhouse.