Dylan Lee
Ensemble Group
Dylan Lee has grown up with NOCCC; he was a member of PG, JG, and IG, and currently sings with CG. Now in seventh grade, Dylan has studied piano with Ying-Chien Wang since the age of four. He was awarded 1st place in the Baroque Festival, Contemporary Festival, and Theme Festival competitions. Dylan was also the winner of the Southwestern Youth Music Festival and the Bach Festival competitions. Not only is he a solo pianist, but he is also a vocal accompanist who has performed in several vocal recitals. His instrumental support has helped singers win 1st place in their vocal competitions, and now plays piano accompaniment for EG. As a trumpet player, Dylan was selected as a soloist at Canyon View Elementary School. He is currently playing with Mr. Miller, the band conductor at Sierra Vista Middle School. In addition to being a musician, Dylan is also an accomplished swimmer and a Rubik's Cube enthusiast.
Nathan Chu
Concert Group
Nathan Chu is thirteen years old and starts Irvine High School in 2016-2017. He started taking Junior Music Course when he was almost five years old at Yamaha Music Center in Irvine. He completed the Junior Special Advanced Music Class at Irvine Yamaha at age ten and passed the Yamaha Grade 6 examination (Level Advanced). He’s currently studying piano playing and composition with Ms. Su-Shing Chiu. Other than school and piano, Nathan enjoys playing cello (since 4th grade), playing tennis, and cooking. He won State first place in MTAC State contest, National second place in MTNA National composition competition, second place in National JOC, PTA reflections, and ARTS Club competitions. Nathan also co-performed with his sister at the Yamaha National Junior Original Concert in Arizona. He also performed as guest performer in many Yamaha annual / holiday concerts. He completed Certificate of Merit for piano level 9.
Michelle Chuang
Intermediate Group
Michelle Elizabeth Chuang is a Junior at Northwood High School in Irvine. She began her piano studies with Yamaha at the age of four, graduated from Yamaha Special Advanced Course at the age of ten, and is presently continuing her studies under the guidance of Ms. Su-Shing Chiu. She has won places in competitions such as Musical Art Club of Orange County, Reflections, Baroque Festival, Yamaha National Junior Original Concert, Contemporary Music Festival, Bach Festival, Theme Festival, Sonatina Festival, and Cypress Piano Competition. In 2008, She won National 3rd place in the MTNA Composition Competition. Since 2013, She has been one of the piano accompanists for New Orange County Children's Choir (NOCCC). The examinations she has completed include: Yamaha Grade 6 (Level Advanced), Certificate of Merit Level Advanced, and Royal Conservatory Grade 9. Other than piano, she plays Cello and was selected to participate in the Middle School Irvine District Honor Orchestra in 2013. She loves puppetry and enjoys entertaining her class with Monty and Molly during breaks, and creating puppet videos for her Youtube channel (MMF).
Marina Chang
Junior Group
Marina Chang is 13 years old and in the 9th grade at University High School. She started YMC at Yamaha Music School when she was seven years old. She has won numerous awards at MTAC competitions. She was the winner of the Arts Club piano competition. She also won First Place in the CAPMT Orange County Piano Contemporary Competition and was chosen as state finalist. She played viola in the Irvine Unified School District Honor Orchestra. She was a member of All Southern California Honor Orchestra and NOCCC. Last year she performed for the City of IRVINE Veterans Day Ceremony, and this year she was chosen to be the YAMAHA special Guest Performer for their Annual Concert.
Emily Rao
Preparatory Group
Emily Rao is a 8th grader at Ladera Ranch Middle School. She has been taking piano lessons with Ms. Ying-Chien Wang since the second grade. She is a piano accompanist for vocal recitals. She has attended many festival competitions, including the Contemporary Festival, Baroque Festival, and SYMF, and won first place and many awards. She plays the keyboard in her church’s worship band. Emily also plays violin, and she was selected to play in the CUSD Honor Orchestra.
Andrew Zhang
Kinder Group
Andrew Zhang is currently a senior at Northwood High School in Irvine. He started learning piano at the age of 6 and moved to the United States for education in his freshman year. Upon arriving to the United States, he continued his piano lessons under the guidance of Ms. Ying-Chien Wang. Throughout the course of three years, Andrew demonstrated his piano talent in multiple competitions and achieved placement in the Contemporary Music Festival and Baroque Music Festival. One of Andrew's best accomplishment was placing first in the Baroque Music Festival. In addition, Andrew has successfully obtained advanced level in piano and won the branch honors and recital reward. Another accomplishment for Andrew was performing piano in the hall of the Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. Andrew takes opportunities to fine tune his piano skills by volunteering at the senior center and prioritizes piano in his life after education. Currently, Andrew’s goal is to become an accomplished accompanist in the NOCCC.
Mandy Zhao
Group