Executive members

 Co-President and Trustee

 Shiwoo Kim, a 12th-grade student at Montgomery High School, is the Co-Founder of Music of the Heart. He began his piano education at the age of five, inspired by his brother, and soon added the violin to his repertoire. Shiwoo has excelled in prestigious regional and international competitions, including Little Mozart, the 2023 International Association of Professional Music Teachers, and the 2023 Music Fest Competition. These achievements have led him to perform at renowned venues like Carnegie Hall, where he gained invaluable experience.

In a significant development, Shiwoo embraced the viola in the summer of 2023, further showcasing his versatility as a musician. Proficient in both the violin and viola, he contributes his unique talents to various ensembles in and out of school. 

He participated in the 2024 Carnegie Mellon University Summer Pre-College Program and recently won the 2024 Van Bach International Competition and the 2024 Prima Volta Competition. Currently, he is studying at Temple University's Pre-College Division with Marvin Moon, a world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra violist.

At Music of the Heart, Shiwoo is dedicated to giving back to the community through musical performances and is passionate about supporting music education in underprivileged regions worldwide.

Co-President

David Yi, a senior at Bridgewater-Raritan High School in New Jersey, discovered his passion for the cello in 5th grade and has since honed his craft under the guidance of Dr. Mira Kang. As a dedicated member of his school's orchestra, David has served as section leader for the past three years, consistently showcasing his musical prowess. His talents extend beyond the school setting, earning him recognition as a chamber musician at the Vivo International Music Competition. Engaged in his local music community, David has contributed to various musical groups including the Bernards Ensemble, Veritas Youth Orchestra, and Mockingbird Melody. Notably, he has held positions in esteemed orchestras such as the Central Jersey Regional Orchestra and the New Jersey All-State Orchestra, where he recently attained the role of principal cellist in the 2023-24 CJMEA Regional Orchestra. Inspired by his musician mother, David actively promotes musical culture by organizing lunch concerts for the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Despite his devotion to music, David also finds joy in playing hockey for his school's varsity team. Looking ahead, he is eager to continue sharing his passion for music, fostering community engagement, and leaving a lasting impact through volunteer initiatives in the years to come. 

Co-Vice President

 Alexia Fang is currently a senior at Montgomery High School. She has been playing the piano since she was 4, and the violin since she was 6. When she was 8, Alexia became a pre-college student at the Manhattan School of Music and continued studying there until 2017. In 2018, Alexia began to focus on piano, studying under Hanbo Liu and Helen Huang. She has won numerous competitions, including the 2020 Camerata Artists International Competition Solo, 2020 New York Young Virtuoso Competition, 2022 Young Pianist Competition of NJ Piano Concerto, the 2023 Capital Philharmonics Concerto Competition. As of 2024, Alexia has been the concertmaster of the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra for 3 years. She also is the concertmaster at Montgomery for her 5th year. Alexia hopes to continue with music for the rest of her life and to share her passion with the community she is surrounded with.  

Co-Vice President and Trustee Jacob Chang is a co-founder of Music of the Heart Inc. and is a 11th grader at Montgomery High School. Jacob’s love for music began at the age of six when he first learned to play the piano. However, it wasn’t long before he discovered his true passion in the rich resonance of the cello, prompting him to switch instruments at the age of nine. Jacob’s dedication to cello earned him numerous accolades, including the Grand Prix at Music Fest, which allowed him to perform at the world-famous Carnegie Hall. He also won two 1st Prizes and an Outstanding Musicality Special Award at the Van Bach International Music Competition and participated in the Crescendo International Competition and the Golden Key Music Festival to earn him additional awards. Jacob is currently the principal cellist in his high school orchestra and plays at his church ensemble group. Aside from the love of music, Jacob simultaneously finds comfort and challenge on the golf course. He is a member of his high school varsity team and has won local and regional golf tournaments. Driven by both a passion for music and love for his grandmother who suffers from dementia, Jacob loves to improve the quality of life for his grandmother and other senior citizens by performing music as therapy. 

Financial Director and Trustee

Justin Noh, a dedicated and talented 11th-grader at Montgomery High School, is the co-founder of Music of the Heart, a non-profit organization that serves the community through musical performances. His musical journey began at age 3 with the piano, and while he briefly tried the violin at age 10, it was the bassoon that captured his passion. Drawn to its rich and resonant tones, Justin found his true musical calling.

Currently, Justin attends the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division on a significant scholarship. He recently earned third prize in the 2024 Prima Volta Music Competition and was awarded the 2024 International Music Leadership Rising Bassoonist of the Season, along with the Expressive Excellence Special Award.

In addition to excelling in his personal musical pursuits, Justin is devoted to expanding Music of the Heart and envisions the organization making a meaningful impact through its performances and community outreach. As a young leader, he is passionate about using music to foster connection and inspire others.

Outreach Director 

William Song is a senior at Montgomery High School. He developed an interest in playing the viola in the third grade, and his musical journey has been deeply fulfilling ever since. He is currently a member of the Montgomery High School Chamber Orchestra conducted by Mr. Kahalehoe. He has been a member of the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra for seven years and is now the assistant principal violist, studying under Dr. Cheng. He has achieved several accolades, including honors in 2023 and high honors in 2024 from the Spring Recital Audition hosted by the New Jersey Music Teachers Association. He has also qualified for the CJMEA Region Orchestra in 6th, 7th, and 11th grade. He has also finished 2nd and 3rd in the Prima Volta Music Competition in 2020 and 2023 respectively. He is also a dedicated member of the Bernards Ensemble since 2021. Outside of music, he enjoys competing in debate at his school, volunteering for the Red Cross, skiing, playing badminton, and going on bike rides. He hopes to make an impact on his community by utilizing his musical talent to spread positivity and give back to the community by making beautiful music.

Digital Media Director and Trustee

Jason Noh, a junior at Montgomery High School, is the co-founder of Music of the Heart, a community initiative dedicated to fostering a love for music. His musical journey began at age 10 with the clarinet, and his exceptional talent quickly gained recognition. Jason has earned numerous accolades, including high honors in the NJMTA Spring Audition and CJMEA Regional Wind Ensemble. Notable achievements in his career include winning the Grand Prix at the 2022 Music Fest competition, securing 2nd place at the 2023 International Association of Professional Music Teachers (IAPMT) Competition, and 1st prize at the 2024 Prima Volta Competition. He also received the prestigious 2024 International Music Leadership Merit Award and 1st place at the 2024 NY International Young Virtuoso Competition.

Currently, Jason is a scholarship student at the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division, where he studies under Ms. Renee Rosen. As co-founder of Music of the Heart, he is passionate about using his talents to inspire others and make a lasting positive impact on his community.

Social Media Manager

Kate Lee is a junior at Kent Place School. She began playing the violin in third grade and has been studying at the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division for several years. Additionally, she has been the recipient of numerous merit scholarships to prestigious summer music camps and festivals, where she has been able to extend her musical experience and knowledge. Kate has also participated in various distinguished international competitions which have provided her with multiple opportunities to perform at Carnegie Hall. Despite her extensive solo experience, Kate enjoys playing with others and is a part of an array of orchestras and chamber music groups such as Kent Place School Orchestra, the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Orchestras, Veritas, the Harambee Youth Orchestra, Bernards Ensemble, and Mockingbird Melody. When she isn’t playing the violin, Kate is also an artistic swimmer who competes on a national level. Whether it is in the pool or on stage, Kate has a passion for working with and helping others that she hopes to share with those around her.

Website Manager
Sungjun is a graduated senior at Princeton High School and has also graduated from the Manhattan School of Music Pre-college, and has been studying under Bela Horvath since 2020.

At the Manhattan School of Music, under his private instructor Bela Horvath, he has participated in Honor Recitals held at the Pre-college program and he is currently in the Philharmonic Orchestra.

So far he’s been playing the violin for 8 years.

He competed in the NJMTA Spring Competition, placed gold at the Young Maestro International Music Competition and had the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall. He also competed in the International Grande Music Competition at the Bloomindale School of Music and placed third in his age category.

He was also accepted to the Jacob School of Music Summer String Academy.

He was apart of the William Annin Middle School orchestra as well as the schools Philharmonic program. At Princeton High School he was in the PHS Orchestra and was Concertmaster.

He has soloed with his High School Orchestra and has played on tour with them throughout Europe.

At school he was the editor in chief for his schools yearbook which has won many Garden State Scholastic Press Awards. Besides yearbook he was also the co-founder of the Mental Health Awareness club, where he and his co leaders hope to bring greater awareness to issues surrounding mental health.

He has participated in Veritas, a youth orchestra group, Praise Youth Orchestra, and has participated in a few Mockingbird Benefit Concerts.

Aside from violin he likes to watch movies, and listen to music.

Trustee

While only an 8th grader at Montgomery Upper Middle School, Hannah Chang became one of the co-founders of Music of the Heart.  Hannah has loved to sing almost as soon as she began to speak.  Her love for beautiful melody drew her to the piano at the age of 6.  Since then, her dedication to music has garnered her recognition in achieving the highest honor at the NJMTA Spring Festival and receiving distinction in the grade level 5 piano exam through the Trinity College of London.  She further hones her musical skill as a member of the school orchestra, where she plays the viola and is a member of the select orchestra.  Previously, Hannah also sang in the Princeton Girl Choir, and she continues to pursue voice coaching at the Westminster Conservator of Rider University. Beyond music, Hannah indulges in her passion for golf, where she has showcased her skills on the green by clinching victories in local, regional, and NJPGA state tournaments. Driven by her desire to give back to the community that has provided her so much, Hannah is committed to spreading the joy of music and bringing a sparkle to the eyes of the denizens of NJ and beyond.

Matthew is a junior at Montgomery High School and has been playing the violin since he was four. He currently studies with violinist Pala Garcia in Juilliard’s Music Advancement Program. Early in his musical journey, Matthew performed extensively in local venues, including in Princeton and at the Westminster Conservatory of Music, where he formed Trio Concitato in 2016. For seven years, the piano trio performed countless times in community events and was also invited by the American Fine Arts Festival to perform at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, where Matthew made his Carnegie Hall debut. He has also won and been the recipient of many accolades and awards, and has been invited to perform in masterclasses for violinists such as Nicola Benedetti and Charles Yang of Grammy award-winning trio Time For Three. Matthew was appointed as concertmaster of the Boston University Tanglewood Institute’s Young Artists Orchestra, which he attended in the summer of 2024, where he studied with violinist Miguel Pérez-Espejo Cárdenas. Additionally, Matthew has performed in countless distinguished venues, including Richardson Auditorium at Princeton University, St. Thomas Church in New York City, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Peter Jay Sharp Theater and Alice Tully Hall at The Juilliard School, and Seiji Ozawa Hall and Koussevitzky Music Shed at Tanglewood. Matthew is currently the concertmaster of the Juilliard MAP String Ensemble and Orchestra, where he also studies chamber music. Matthew’s favorite composers are Dvořák and Mahler, and he loves to eat different foods and watch soccer.

Soobin Kim, a sophomore at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, has been playing the violin for about 6 years. Prior to this, Soobin excelled in piano, showcasing her talents with a memorable recital at Carnegie Hall as part of the Crescendo International Little Mozarts competition in 2018. Soobin's musical prowess extends beyond solo performances; she has contributed her skills to esteemed orchestras such as Veritas Youth Orchestra, Bravura Youth Orchestra, and the New Jersey Youth Symphony. Notably, she has been a consistent member of CJMEA Intermediate Orchestra and All-State Orchestra. In recognition of her exceptional talent, Soobin was awarded High Honors by the NJ Music Teachers Association in 2022 and clinched First Prize at the Van Bach International Music Competition. As a dedicated website manager, Soobin is eager to continue sharing her passion for music and fostering connections through her involvement with Music of the Heart.

Calyne is a sophomore at Bridgewater High School. She has performed with several prestigious ensembles, including the CJMEA Region Orchestra and the NJ All-State Orchestra. Over the past three years, Calyne has been a dedicated member of the New Jersey Youth Symphony and was awarded the Grand Prize at the Music Fest Competition in 2024. She is also a participant of her school's symphony orchestra, where she continues to grow her skills and enjoy playing with others. 

Gloria So One Kwon, a 13-year-old violinist from Somerset, New Jersey, began her musical journey at the age of 8 on Jeju Island, South Korea. Currently enrolled in the Juilliard School Pre-College Division under the mentorship of Dr. Ann Setzer and Mr. Khullip Jeung, Gloria has achieved significant recognition in competitions such as the American Virtuoso International Music Competition (2023), the London International Competition (2023), and the New York International Young Musician Competition (2021).

Her performances have been featured at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall, The Merkin Hall, and Jeju Arts Center, leaving a notable mark. In 2021, she curated a solo recital at the Jeju Culture and Arts Center, demonstrating her exceptional skill and dedication. In addition, in November 2024, Gloria was honored to be a guest artist at the New Asia Chamber Music Society gala.

Gloria is an active participant in ensemble work and currently serves as the assistant concertmaster of the Juilliard Pre-College Symphony. She also studies chamber music at Juilliard under the guidance of mentors such as Jia Kim, Sean Lee, Max Tan, and Constance Moore.

This summer, Gloria was awarded full scholarships to the Encore Chamber Music Institute and the 4Strings Music Festival, the latter with the support of the New Asia Chamber Music Society, reflecting her outstanding talent and commitment. Additionally, she curated outreach community concerts at Old Folks' Homes and Children’s Daycares, sharing her music with diverse audiences.

Now in her third year at Juilliard, she continues to pursue her dream of playing the violin, with a heartfelt dedication to glorifying God through her music. In addition to her musical pursuits, Gloria enjoys reading.

Alexia Fang is currently a senior at Montgomery High School. She has been playing the piano since she was 4, and the violin since she was 6. When she was 8, Alexia became a pre-college student at the Manhattan School of Music and continued studying there until 2017. In 2018, Alexia began to focus on piano, studying under Hanbo Liu and Helen Huang. She has won numerous competitions, including the 2020 Camerata Artists International Competition Solo, 2020 New York Young Virtuoso Competition, 2022 Young Pianist Competition of NJ Piano Concerto, the 2023 Capital Philharmonics Concerto Competition. As of 2024, Alexia has been the concertmaster of the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra for 3 years. She also is the concertmaster at Montgomery for her 5th year. Alexia hopes to continue with music for the rest of her life and to share her passion with the community she is surrounded with.   

Sungjun is a graduated senior at Princeton High School and has also graduated from the Manhattan School of Music Pre-college, and has been studying under Bela Horvath since 2020.

At the Manhattan School of Music, under his private instructor Bela Horvath, he has participated in Honor Recitals held at the Pre-college program and he is currently in the Philharmonic Orchestra.

So far he’s been playing the violin for 8 years.

He competed in the NJMTA Spring Competition, placed gold at the Young Maestro International Music Competition and had the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall. He also competed in the International Grande Music Competition at the Bloomindale School of Music and placed third in his age category.

He was also accepted to the Jacob School of Music Summer String Academy.

He was apart of the William Annin Middle School orchestra as well as the schools Philharmonic program. At Princeton High School he was in the PHS Orchestra and was Concertmaster.

He has soloed with his High School Orchestra and has played on tour with them throughout Europe.

At school he was the editor in chief for his schools yearbook which has won many Garden State Scholastic Press Awards. Besides yearbook he was also the co-founder of the Mental Health Awareness club, where he and his co leaders hope to bring greater awareness to issues surrounding mental health.

He has participated in Veritas, a youth orchestra group, Praise Youth Orchestra, and has participated in a few Mockingbird Benefit Concerts.

Aside from violin he likes to watch movies, and listen to music.

Kate Lee is a junior at Kent Place School. She began playing the violin in third grade and has been studying at the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division for several years. Additionally, she has been the recipient of numerous merit scholarships to prestigious summer music camps and festivals, where she has been able to extend her musical experience and knowledge. Kate has also participated in various distinguished international competitions which have provided her with multiple opportunities to perform at Carnegie Hall. Despite her extensive solo experience, Kate enjoys playing with others and is a part of an array of orchestras and chamber music groups such as Kent Place School Orchestra, the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Orchestras, Veritas, the Harambee Youth Orchestra, Bernards Ensemble, and Mockingbird Melody. When she isn’t playing the violin, Kate is also an artistic swimmer who competes on a national level. Whether it is in the pool or on stage, Kate has a passion for working with and helping others that she hopes to share with those around her. 

Robin Kim is a talented young student who is currently in 7th grade at Bridgewater Raritan Middle School. With a passion for mathematics, Robin has achieved notable success in various math competitions. In 2023, he earned 4th place at the National Math Competition sponsored by the North South Association in San Francisco, CA. This year, Robin has been invited to compete once again at the 2024 National Math Competition in Milwaukee, WI.

In addition to his academic achievements, Robin has pursued music with equal enthusiasm. He has been learning piano for 7 years and began studying violin in the summer of 2022 under the guidance of Younghee C. Noh.

Outside of academics and music, Robin stays active in sports. He plays travel ice hockey with the Mercer Chiefs Bantam AA team and practices taekwondo, currently holding the rank of 2nd Poom.

Robin's dedication to both his studies and extracurricular activities demonstrates his commitment to excellence and his well-rounded interests.

Harper Kim, an aspiring 8-year-old musician, is a 3rd grader at Village Elementary School in Montgomery. She started her music career at the age of 6 years old with the piano. After enjoying her experience with piano, she began to learn the violin at the age of 7 years old under the guidance of Younghee Cho. As being the first vocal member of Music of the Heart, Harper strives to expand her knowledge and her passion for not only piano and violin, but for singing as well. Ever since her older sister had participated in choirs and singing contests, Harper had always been inspired to sing ever since the age of 2. After 5 years of hard work, Harper had the honor of achieving the grand prize for solo performance at her local Korean school’s singing contest, Praise Korean Cultural Community Center, in April of 2023. The following year, she won the gold prize for group performance in April of 2024. 

As Harper serves as by far the youngest MOTH member, she hopes to learn more from the other older members and strives to happily make music as well. 

David Yi, a senior at Bridgewater-Raritan High School in New Jersey, discovered his passion for the cello in 5th grade and has since honed his craft under the guidance of Dr. Mira Kang. As a dedicated member of his school's orchestra, David has served as section leader for the past three years, consistently showcasing his musical prowess. His talents extend beyond the school setting, earning him recognition as a chamber musician at the Vivo International Music Competition. Engaged in his local music community, David has contributed to various musical groups including the Bernards Ensemble, Veritas Youth Orchestra, and Mockingbird Melody. Notably, he has held positions in esteemed orchestras such as the Central Jersey Regional Orchestra and the New Jersey All-State Orchestra, where he recently attained the role of principal cellist in the 2023-24 CJMEA Regional Orchestra. Inspired by his musician mother, David actively promotes musical culture by organizing lunch concerts for the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Despite his devotion to music, David also finds joy in playing hockey for his school's varsity team. Looking ahead, he is eager to continue sharing his passion for music, fostering community engagement, and leaving a lasting impact through volunteer initiatives in the years to come.  

Jacob Chang is a co-founder of Music of the Heart Inc. and is a 11th grader at Montgomery High School. Jacob’s love for music began at the age of six when he first learned to play the piano. However, it wasn’t long before he discovered his true passion in the rich resonance of the cello, prompting him to switch instruments at the age of nine. Jacob’s dedication to cello earned him numerous accolades, including the Grand Prix at Music Fest, which allowed him to perform at the world-famous Carnegie Hall. He also won two 1st Prizes and an Outstanding Musicality Special Award at the Van Bach International Music Competition and participated in the Crescendo International Competition and the Golden Key Music Festival to earn him additional awards. Jacob is currently the principal cellist in his high school orchestra and plays at his church ensemble group. Aside from the love of music, Jacob simultaneously finds comfort and challenge on the golf course. He is a member of his high school varsity team and has won local and regional golf tournaments. Driven by both a passion for music and love for his grandmother who suffers from dementia, Jacob loves to improve the quality of life for his grandmother and other senior citizens by performing music as therapy. 

Seventeen-year-old cellist Alexander Peter Fiszer began his musical journey with the cello at the age of 6. His passion for the instrument was evident from a young age, often featuring it during school "show and tell" sessions. By 9, Alexander was showcasing his talent at various venues, including churches, holiday parties, local libraries, and elder care facilities. As soon as he could, he quickly joined the music ministry orchestra at St. Charles Borromeo Church under the direction of Tim Keyes. There he learned how to play in ensembles, sight-read, and moreover, he learned how beautiful it is to share his music with others.

In 2019, he received a partial scholarship to the Mike Block String Camp in Florida. For five years, he has played locally with the Tim Keyes Consort and is also an active member of the Stretto Youth Chamber Orchestra, Hopewell Valley Pops Orchestra, and the Boston Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. A highlight of his young career was in February 2019, when he performed a solo at Weil Hall in Carnegie Hall as part of the Crescendo International Competition.

Alexander has been privileged to train under accomplished cellists like Evangeline Benedetti, David Szepessy, Uri Vardi, Susan Moses Bloom, and his current teacher, Mark Curchill. During the pandemic, his commitment to music remained unwavering. He engaged in Amit Peled’s Online Academy, the Your Body in Your Strad Virtual Conference for two consecutive years, two Sphinx Performance Academy sessions, Encore Summer Camp, and virtual conducting classes with Benjamin Zander. He also remained active with the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra's online rehearsals. Recently, he has been accepted into the New England Conservatory of Music Preparatory Program where he takes lessons, classes and performs regularly.

His recent performances include tours in Greece and South Africa, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic with the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, a Swiss tour with the Stretto Youth Chamber Ensemble, and the Sphinx Performance Academy at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Moreover, he made a mark at Nebrija University's Forum Musikae in Madrid, securing second place in their competition (2023). He also placed second place in the Radda International Competition for the bass and cello division for his age (2023). Alex also won first place in the Classical Concerto Division for the Charleston International Music Competition. In the fall, Alexander performed a solo concert in South Carolina in order to help raise funds for a new performing arts center. This winter, he participated in the Philadelphia International Festival’s “Music in the Manor” solo intensive program in Miami where he participated in a masterclass and performed in a final recital. Recently. Alex won first place in the International Academy of Music Competition for solo musicians as well as for chamber music in Castelnuova Garfagnana, Italy as well as receiving an honorable mention at the Cremona

 International Music Academy and Festival in Italy. He also won platinum level for his age group for the World Music and Young Artist category for the Universal Stars Music Competition (Season 3-2024),and the Gold Prize for the Baroque and Classical category. In addition to the summer music festivals, Alex also participated in a week-long intensive on the Feldenkrais application on cello performance as well as a weekend focusing on the Baroque cellist, Dall’ Abacco.

When he is not playing his cello, Alexander enjoys chi gong, learning about the Feldenkrais Method, as well as designing and building with Legos. For Alexander, music is a cherished gift, and he is grateful for his parents, grandparents, his family, and all of his teachers present and past who share his musical journey.

Ben Lee is a 10th grader at Rutgers Preparatory School and has played the cello since 3rd grade. He studied Cello with esteemed teachers such as David Geber and currently studies with Emirhan Tunca in the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division. Ben has attended a number of music festivals with merit scholarships and was recently invited to perform at Carnegie Hall. Throughout his musical journey, he has accumulated a number of prestigious awards, such as winning second place in both the Young Maestro International Competition, and the Concourse Competition hosted by the IAPMT. Ben participated in chamber music groups such as Bernards Ensemble and Mockingbird Melody and has been a part of many outstanding orchestras, including the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Orchestras, Veritas, and the Harambee Youth Orchestra. He wishes to spread the joy of music so that others can experience what he has through music. 

Claire Kim, a 9th-grader at Montgomery High School, serves as one of the cellists in Music of the Heart. She first started to get in touch with music when she was only 6 years old, with the piano. Not too long after, she discovered the cello at 9 years old and began taking both piano and cello private lessons. After long years of dedication and hard work, Claire participated in the CJMEA Intermediate Orchestra when she was in the 7th grade, as well as the NJMEA Intermediate All-State Orchestra. This year, she had achieved in serving as the principal cellist for the string orchestra division for the CJMEA Intermediate Orchestra. In addition to this year, she has also made it into the NJMEA Intermediate All-State Orchestra as seventh chair as well. In UMS, she is currently serving as the section leader in both the 8th-grade and Select orchestras. As Claire continues to serve as a member of Music of the Heart, she hopes she can continue to enjoy making music and grow as a musician.  

 Daniel Jiwon Yoo, a 7th grader at Montgomery Upper Middle School, has been a cellist since age 5. He is a highly accomplished cellist with a remarkable competition record and extensive orchestral experience. He has earned numerous first-place competitions including the Special Judge Award, Grand Winner at the National League of Performing Arts in 2023, the Vivo International Music Competition in 2023, the Franz Schubert International Music Competition in 2022, the Young Soloist International Music Competition in 2022, the Cash Prize Winner in the Prima Volta Music Competition in 2021, KRB New York International Music Competition in 2021, and Crescendo International Music Competition in 2021. Daniel has also excelled in orchestral settings, playing with ensembles such as the Young Chamber Orchestra at Temple Music Prep, which was the highest division when he was at age 10, the Veritas Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Prysm in PYO Music Institute. Daniel has been the youngest member in all orchestras and has been invited to masterclasses with esteemed cellists like Peter Stumpf at Temple University. His performance records are equally impressive, with appearances at Weill Hall and Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, and Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center. He attended Heifetz International Music Institute in the summer program of last year with a Merit Scholarship. When he is not with his cello, he enjoys reading various books, riding a bike and playing with his younger sister.

 Alto Saxophonist & Pianist, attends Montgomery High School. He has been playing piano since 5th grade and saxophone since 4th grade. Eric’s highest honors were; Principal Chair (saxophone) in the NJ Central Middle School Region Honor Wind Ensemble, Symphonic band NJ Central High School Region Honor Symphonic band ensemble, and he was in the All-State Symphonic Band. He has won many gold and grand prizes from various competitions such as AAFAA and National League of Performing Arts and was invited to play in Carnegie Hall and Merkin Hall. In addition, Eric has received all Distinction ratings for both piano and saxophone ABRSM exams from grade 2 through 7. Eric is a member of the Jazz Band and the Wind Ensemble Band at Montgomery High School. 

 Jason Noh, a junior at Montgomery High School, is the co-founder of Music of the Heart, a community initiative dedicated to fostering a love for music. His musical journey began at age 10 with the clarinet, and his exceptional talent quickly gained recognition. Jason has earned numerous accolades, including high honors in the NJMTA Spring Audition and CJMEA Regional Wind Ensemble. Notable achievements in his career include winning the Grand Prix at the 2022 Music Fest competition, securing 2nd place at the 2023 International Association of Professional Music Teachers (IAPMT) Competition, and 1st prize at the 2024 Prima Volta Competition. He also received the prestigious 2024 International Music Leadership Merit Award and 1st place at the 2024 NY International Young Virtuoso Competition.

Currently, Jason is a scholarship student at the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division, where he studies under Ms. Renee Rosen. As co-founder of Music of the Heart, he is passionate about using his talents to inspire others and make a lasting positive impact on his community.

 Justin Noh, a dedicated and talented 11th-grader at Montgomery High School, is the co-founder of Music of the Heart, a non-profit organization that serves the community through musical performances. His musical journey began at age 3 with the piano, and while he briefly tried the violin at age 10, it was the bassoon that captured his passion. Drawn to its rich and resonant tones, Justin found his true musical calling.

Currently, Justin attends the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division on a significant scholarship. He recently earned third prize in the 2024 Prima Volta Music Competition and was awarded the 2024 International Music Leadership Rising Bassoonist of the Season, along with the Expressive Excellence Special Award.

In addition to excelling in his personal musical pursuits, Justin is devoted to expanding Music of the Heart and envisions the organization making a meaningful impact through its performances and community outreach. As a young leader, he is passionate about using music to foster connection and inspire others.

Micah Kim is currently a junior at The Lawrenceville School and has been playing the clarinet since the 4th grade. He quickly became a vital member of the school band throughout middle school, and his commitment to music continues to this day as he remains an active member of Lawrenceville’s Orchestra. In addition to his school ensemble, he earned a spot as the third chair clarinetist in the CJMEA Regional Orchestra in 2022. Having also played piano since the age of 5, with numerous recitals under his belt, Micah's passion for music extends beyond the clarinet. With his dedication and skill, Micah looks forward to further opportunities to connect with people through his music and contribute to the vibrant music community at The Lawrenceville School and beyond.  

Katie Seo is a South Brunswick High School freshman who has been playing clarinet since fourth grade. She became passionate and dedicated to playing the clarinet in middle school and was an important figure in her band. Katie had former musical experience with playing the piano starting in 2nd grade and in the beginning of 2023, she began to accompany the school choir with her piano skills. Her formal experiences playing the piano became beneficial to playing the clarinet. She became the first chair of the highest band in middle school, the Wind Symphony, in 8th grade. This year she was also the second chair of a high-ranking band in CJMEA, the Wind Ensemble, conducted by the composer, William Owens. In 2023, she started volunteering at a senior center to present her love of playing with others. Throughout her musical journey, Katie hopes she can enjoy performing for others and enhance her playing. 

Sophia Kim is a 7th grader at Kumpf Middle School in Clark, NJ, and an enthusiastic member of Music of the Heart. As a passionate instrumentalist, she has been actively involved in music from a young age.

Sophia has been studying piano since third grade under the guidance of So Hee Lee and began playing flute in fourth grade. She now studies flute under Christine Kang. She has performed in various school concerts and local events and has been a key member of her school band and jazz band. As a versatile musician, Sophia serves as the student piano accompanist for her school choir and is the principal flutist, also playing piccolo, for her school band.

Sophia's interest in music continues to expand as she has started learning to play violin in sixth grade under Younghee Cho. Her dedication and enthusiasm for music shine through her diverse musical activities and her continuous pursuit of new challenges and instruments.