State of the Art

California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley received an A overall grade and was named the #7 Best High School for the Arts in California by Niche for 2021. Congratulations to the entire CSArts-SGV team!

To view the school’s full profile, please visit https://bit.ly/3v8lnSq

Arjun Lakshman (MT, ‘22) was selected to attend the California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA).

The following students performed in Centre Stage's production of "The Addams Family."

Mitchell Archibald (IA, ‘25) as an Ancestor
Sara FitzRandolph (IA, ‘25) as an Ancestor
Nicole Gallivan (MT, ‘23) as an Ancestor
Ava Holguin (MT, ‘22) as Alice Beineke
Hannah Khoury (MT, ‘22) as Wednesday Addams
Haley Nelson (PD, ‘24) as an Ancestor
Samantha Rily (IA, ‘24) as Morticia Addams
Clara Silver (BCD, ‘24) as an Ancestor
Kristina Tovar (IA, ‘25) as an Ancestor
Michael Tovar (PD, ‘23) as Fester Addams
Daniella Valentin (IA, ‘26) as an Ancestor

Christian Tyler Dorey (MT, ‘21) performed in The Music Center’s 33rd Annual Spotlight Grand Finale, a virtual presentation featuring the 14 Spotlight Finalists and hosted by Josh Groban. Out of a pool of more than 1,500 applicants, Christian advanced to become the Grand Prize Finalist in the Non-Classical Voice category.
To view the virtual performance, please visit https://bit.ly/3uFnRHM, and skip to approximately 1:00:52 to watch Christian’s featured piece!

The following students were the first to earn their Black Belts through the Taekwondo program at CSArts-SGV:

Danielle Alhuay (IM, '21)
Amarah Argenal (IA, '21)
Madison Barbosa (VA, '21)
Nicolas Bolton (ACT, '22)
Martha Caballero (IM)
Sal Campo (IM, '21)
Amory Gaylord (CW, '21)
David Gonzalez (IM, '20)
Elianne Habata (CW, '21)
Thalia Mason (IM, '21)
Enrique Morales (IM, '20)
Brandon Ortega (ACT, '21)
Dylan Porras (CW, '21)
Alec Reyes (IM, '21)
Naithen Rincon (VA, '20)
Gabe Ruppert (IM, '21)
Leslie Segovia (VA, '20)
Emerson Smith (IM, '21)
Melayna Smith (VA, '21)

Minji Cho (IA, ‘24) won second place in the Interpretation Mixed event for her humorous interpretation speech at the 2021 National Online Forensics High School Tournament.

Autumn Joyner (MT, ‘24) completed Certificate of Merit vocal test level nine through the Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC). She earned all “Excellents” in technique and repertoire and was awarded state honors. Autumn also achieved a near perfect score on the written theory portion and was recommended to perform at the convention later in the year.

Instrumental Music Conservatory Director Tyler McGeough and Instructor Harry Ostrander played trombone and trumpet respectively, on a 2020 Latin Grammy Award-nominated album, titled Tradiciones. This album, nominated for Best Latin Jazz Album of the Year, is by the Afro-Peruvian Jazz Orchestra, an ensemble that plays traditional Peruvian music arranged in a contemporary jazz style.
To listen, please visit https://spoti.fi/3waiZMj

Justus Alfaro (IM, ‘24) received an honorable mention at the Southern California Junior Bach Festival (SCJBF) through the Los Angeles County Branch.

CSArts-SGV’s School of Dance was approved to sponsor a Secondary Program (grades 9-12) in the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA), a program of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO). The CSArts-SGV School of Dance has established an NHSDA chapter to recognize the outstanding artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement of the exceptional dance students.

The following students both built and launched a weather balloon in the Mojave Desert as a part of the STEM Out club at CSArts-SGV. Check out their website to learn more https://bit.ly/3cuBvqF

Alyssa Ho (CW, '22)
Lucas Hopstein (PD, '22)
Keona Huang (IA, '22)
Natalie Hultgren (CCD, '22)
Sammie Liu (VA, '22)
Leilani Widjaja (VA, '22)
Melanie Wu (VA, '22)
Kayla Younger (PD, '22)

Olivia Lee (CW, ‘21) was chosen as a finalist in the New York Times Coming of Age in 2020 contest. This nationwide contest received more than 5,500 entries from teenagers documenting how the events of the past tumultuous year have affected them in words, images, audio, or video. Olivia’s work reflected on her experience with the Bobcat fires and how it inspired connection with her Southeast Asian heritage.

Ella Joel (IA, ‘23) spent two weeks in Belize attending a student environmental conservation service program and earned her scuba certification.

Social Science instructor Erick Taggart and alum Gabriel Garciasalas (CW, '19) completed a comic book story for Gladstone's School for World Conquerors. To check out their story, "Martian Jones," please click here.

The following students were recognized as semifinalists in The Music Center’s 33rd Annual Spotlight Program. Spotlight is a nationally acclaimed arts training and scholarship program for teens that awards more than $100,000 in cash scholarships annually. Semifinalists have the opportunity to attend a special master class in their discipline with highly regarded artists who share their expertise on performance technique, training, and professional life. Each semifinalist will audition virtually once more, and the top two finalist performers in each category will be selected for a total of 14 Grand Prize Finalists.

Christian Dorey (MT, ‘21): Non-Classical Voice
Jessie Franks (ACT, ‘21): Acting
Lillie Owers (MT, ‘21): Non-Classical Voice
Cielo Valenzuela-Lara (IA, ‘23): Acting

Olivia Lee’s (CW, '21) poem, “Nymphs,” placed first in the senior poetry category in the National Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) Norm Strung Youth Writing Competition. OWAA is an organization of writers, editors, broadcasters, photographers, filmmakers, and other communicators who are dedicated to sharing the outdoor experience. Olivia was awarded a $500 cash prize, sponsored by Ducks Unlimited, and her poem was selected to be printed in the December 2020/January 2021 issue of Outdoors Unlimited.

Jayden Anderson (IA, ‘22) performed a freestyle hip-hop routine for All Saints Church Pasadena’s Inaugural Pentecost Poetry Slam in commemoration of George Floyd and in celebration of Black lives. To view Jayden’s performance, which begins at the 7:07 timestamp, please visit: https://bit.ly/3AQ2dE6

Alyssa S. Ho (CW, '22) was one of 27 young scholars from 14 countries selected for the 2020 World Science Scholars (WSS) program, an initiative of the World Science Festival. WSS brings scholars together with world-renowned experts in an interdisciplinary and multi-layered online program that encourages the scholars to explore new scientific areas in which their skills can be applied.

Olivia Lee’s (CW, '21) poem, “Sharkskin Heart,” was accepted into the 2020 issue of Apprentice Writer. This annual publication by Writers Institute of Susquehanna University features writing and art by high school students throughout the United States.

Olivia Lee (CW, ‘21) received a Silver National Award for her poem, sharkskin heart, from the annual Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

Olivia Lee’s (CW, '21) poems, “a woman is inert until she burns,” “beneath the floorboards,” “cabin 119,” “for want of oil,” and “scar-gel symphony,” were published in Issue 7 of Heritage Review. In addition, Rising Phoenix Review featured two of her poems, “april mugsauce” and “beneath the floorboards.” Her illustration, “Girl Dreaming,” was also chosen as cover art for Issue 19 of Blue Marble Review.

The following students participated onstage and backstage in Centre Stage's workshop performance of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The COVID-compliant performance was split over two casts in a socially distanced, open black box theatre setting.

Tessa Barkley (IA, '23) - Rona Lisa Peretti
Nicole Gallivan (MT, '23) - Donna Panch
Ava Holguin (MT, '22) - Olive Ostrovsky
Hannah Khoury (MT, '22) - Olive Ostrovsky
Samantha Rily (IA, '24) - Marcey Park
Michael Tovar (PD, '23) - Lighting Board Operator

Una Panić (IA, ‘23) started Panic Thrift, her own retail business, where she reworks and sells gently used clothes. She donates a portion of her earnings from the business to charities such as Save the Children and The Malala Fund.

Olivia Lee’s (CW, '21) poem, “Sharkskin Heart,” which was published in Blue Marble Review, was nominated for the Pushcart Prize. The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses series is the most honored literary project in America and has been published every year since 1976.

Ella Beyer (MT, ‘21) released her original song, "Hellbent High School," through Winding Way Records. The song is available on all music platforms worldwide.

Arjun Lakshman (MT, '22) started "The Juicer Podcast," where he interviews current and former CSArts-SGV students from every conservatory about school, their craft, and their lives. The podcast is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Christian Chae (IM, '21) earned the Eagle Scout Award. For his Eagle project, he led over 40 scouts in refurbishing fences in Longden Field of Arcadia, to benefit Arcadia National Little League. Christian was also accepted into the Ed & Mari Edelman Chamber Music Institute Honors Chamber Group at Colburn Community School of Performing Arts.

Warren Maness (MT, '22) was selected to be a part of Center Theatre Group’s Teen Theatregoers program. The program provides access to a diverse selection of virtual performances, free and first-time access to Center Theatre Group’s special digital stage events, narrative theater game apps, play readings with artists, and exclusive plays from theater archives. Teen participants will define what it means to be a virtual audience member, attend informative discussions with other teens and theater professionals, and expand their knowledge of the theater industry.

Gibson Alfieri (CCD, ‘25) was awarded full scholarships to attend both the Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) Summer Intensive for ballet.

Jeanie Lai (BCD, ‘22) participated in the Showstoppers Dance Competition and received second place in both Ballet and Pointe solo categories and third place overall in the Senior division (ages 15-19). Jeanie’s pictures were also featured on Showstopper’s Instagram and in the program for the competition.

Meadow Johnston (VA, '24) was selected for a paid internship at ENTLER Studio in Los Angeles assisting artists with photography and creating custom ceramic lamps, mirrors, and sconces for residential and commercial clients.

Tex Hammond (VA, ‘24) was the youngest person in history to show his work at The LA Art Show and was selected by Mayor Eric Garcetti as one of the top 10 artists to watch. He was also a featured artist in Sunset Magazine.

California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley has been ranked by Niche as the #4 Best High School for the Arts in California and the #10 Best High School for the Arts in America for 2022! Go to https://bit.ly/3FkPn3x to view all rankings for CSArts-SGV. We would like to express our gratitude to all the students, teachers, and staff who continue to make CSArts-SGV an exceptional institution.

Samantha Choy (CCD, ‘25) was awarded a full scholarship to the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive for the second year in a row.

Alvin Wang (VA, ‘24) participated and received three first prize awards and one second place award in the Open Category of the Pelican International Music Competition.

Alvin Wang (VA, '24) entered Creative Communication's student poetry contest and had a poem selected to be published in their summer 2020 anthology, A Celebration of Poets. (VA, '24) entered Creative Communication's student poetry contest and had a poem selected to be published in their summer 2020 anthology, A Celebration of Poets.

Autumn Joyner (MT, ‘24) completed a level nine Certificate of Merit vocal test under the Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC). She earned all Excellents in technique and repertoire and was awarded state honors. Autumn also achieved a near perfect score on the written theory portion and was recommended to perform at the annual MTAC State Convention Recitals later this year.

Melia Leilani Widjaja (VA, '22) painted different landmarks from around the world to adorn the walls of the Living Way Daycare Center with the goal of beautifying the center, inspiring the kids' creativity, and building awareness of diversity. Originally planned as a mural, Melia modified the project to canvas paintings due to the current circumstances.

Alvin Wang's (VA, '24) artwork was selected to be published in the national anthology Celebrating Art.

Ali Bendaoud (VA, ‘22) participated in his first off-campus art show competition and won second and third place. He also sold two prints of his second place digital piece, titled "Skull Time."

Camille Echeverri (VA, '22) designed the cover art and internal illustrations for a new homeschool curriculum, "Earth Party! An Early Introduction to the Linnaean System of Classification of Living Things Unit Study," for students in grades 1-6.

Danielle Alhuay (IM, ‘21) was selected as a 2021 Dragon Kim Fellow and earned a $5,000 community service grant from the Dragon Kim Foundation. She was chosen from over 240 applicants across California and Nevada and went through a rigorous interview process to earn this fellowship.

Emily Lee (MT, ‘22) was chosen as a Distinguished Young Woman of East Los Angeles, received a $500 scholarship, and advanced to their state program. Distinguished Young Women is a national scholarship program that inspires high school girls to develop their full, individual potential through a fun, transformative experience that culminates in a celebratory showcase of their accomplishments.

Ahan Kadam (CW, ‘22) won Best Youth Filmmaker at Indie Shorts LA. His short film, “Sunsets,” won Best LGBTQIA+ Film and was a semifinalist for Best Student Film at the Paris Play International Film Festival.

Alvin Wang (VA, ‘24) was selected as one of the finalists in the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) “Live-Study” Space Contest.

Cassandra Tittle (ACT, ‘24) was cast in season two of "Diary of a Future President," available on Disney+.

The National Association of Special Education Teachers named CSArts-SGV an Exceptional Charter School in Special Education.

Ella Beyer (MT, '21) and Leilani Rodriguez (MT, '22) were awarded a 2020 Dragon Kim Fellowship from the Dragon Kim Foundation for their project, “Fostering the Arts," that provides free musical theatre classes to foster youth. They were one of three Dragon Kim Foundation Fellowship projects selected to compete in the virtual Dragon Challenge, where they presented and pitched their ideas to secure an additional $5,000 to continue their project.

Daniel Crooks (IM, '21) completed his Eagle Scout board of review. For his Eagle project, Daniel coordinated the donation of six custom-made benches for the Instrumental Music building. His project involved planning, fundraising, and leading a team of professional craftsmen and scouts in constructing and installing the benches he designed.

Cielo Valenzuela-Lara (IA, '22) was selected to join the Get Lit Players, an award-winning youth poetry troupe coached by the nonprofit organization Get Lit - Words Ignite.

Jimmy Deng (IM, ‘22) was awarded a $1,000 Grand Prize in the Rotary Pageant of the Arts competition. He also won first place in the Glendale Piano Competition Senior Division and was awarded a $750 scholarship. Lastly, Jimmy achieved panel finals honors through the Music Teachers Association of California.

Alvin Wang (VA, '24) was accepted to the Curtis Young Artists Summer Program and was selected for the final recital. His recording was also broadcast on their Facebook page.

California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley was one of only 33 schools in the state to receive the California Exemplary Arts Education Award from the California Department of Education for 2021. The California Exemplary Arts Education Award celebrates schools that have made a successful effort to engage students in the arts through exposure to a variety of disciplines.

Michaela Delaney Guthrie (CMD, '21) was cast and performed in "Hallways: Stories from Juvie," a new multi-media project streaming on YouTube made possible by a grant from the Department of Cultural Affairs through the Group Repertory Theatre.

Aria Tomar (ACT, '21) was invited to present the opening speech on generational sustainability and how Gen Z is changing the consumerism dynamic at the Global Pulse Confederation's (GPC) virtual Pulses 2.0 event, the largest global event in the pulse industry. GPC is a nonprofit with United Nations observer status that represents the global legumes and beans industry of more than one million farmers from over 50 countries.

Sam Carter (IM, '22) completed two semester-long courses at the Berklee College of Music due to the cancellation of their scheduled summer program.

Artwork by Brenna Corcoran (VA, ‘21), Rocia Han (VA, ‘26), and Alvin Wang (VA, ‘24) was featured in an article by the Orange County Register, which focuses on how students have expressed themselves artistically during the pandemic.
To view the article, please visit https://bit.ly/3wPAtO0

Julia Gonzalez (MT, ‘21) was named a finalist for the National Security Language Initiative for Youth program, which is a fully funded study abroad scholarship awarded by the U.S. Department of State.

Arden Hughes (IA, '25) founded and launched her own skin care product line called Arden's Organics.

Alison Hwang (CMD, '19) received first place in her division, ninth place overall, a platinum medal, and a judge’s choice award for her duet at Revolution Talent Competition. She also received second overall and an elite gold medal at Starbound National Talent Competition.