Welcome to a list of our current members as well as a bit about our conductor, Chris Kim.
| Current Member Spotlight | Class of 2023 Feature | Class of 2022 Feature | Class of 2020 Feature | Meet our Conductor | Full Orchestra Roster |
Current Member Spotlight
Learn about some of our current members!
Kaelen Hoseth
Instrument: Violin
Major: Biology
Graduating Year: 2026
How I started playing my instrument:
I tried out several instruments in the 5thgrade and decided the violin was for me!
Why I play music:
When playing alone, I love the creativitythatplaying violin gives me. I enjoyhearing the differentinterpretations of pieces and comparing it to my own. Playing within a group is a lot of fun because I feel like I have a role in making something beautiful.
Will Graham
Instrument: Bass
Graduating Year: 2025
How I started playing my instrument:
After quitting piano in fifth grade, I went to a local music store to choose a new instrument and instantly gravitated towards the largest, most unwieldy thing in the whole building! I saw it looming over everything and it just felt like destiny.
Why I play music:
Practicing music feels like gardening. It’s very meditative to come back each day and make a bit more progress on something. You find a lot of friends over time too just by hanging out around the practice rooms.
Florence Lo
Instrument:Cello
Major:Economics
Graduating Year:2026
How I started playing my instrument:
I started playing cello in 6th grade because I heard the well-known Prelude from Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 being used in a movie and I told my mom I wanted to learn it.
Why I play music:
I love putting in time and effort to polish pieces and perform them for an audience. The satisfaction ofperforming my best with the knowledge of the hard work I dedicated to getting to know the music inside out is incredible. I love playing music with others because of the joy it brings me to collaborate with other people and how fun it is to create something that could be beautiful and exciting.
Clay Carson
Instrument: Flute
Majors: Diplomacy and World Affairs, Urban and Environmental Policy
Graduating Year: 2027
How I started playing my instrument:
In elementary school we had the opportunity to start learning an instrument, so I chose the flute because it seemed fun to me. Like many beginners in flute, I definitely struggled at first, but as I improved over time it became one of my favorite activities.
Why I play music:
In addition to learning about different historical periods, styles of music, and their cultural significance, I really appreciate the personal aspect of music performance. Having the opportunity to meet people with the same interest in music and share it by performing was not something I originally anticipated, but now it is probably my favorite part of playing music.
Clara Thielke
Instrument: Cello
Major: Cognitive Science
Graduating Year: 2023
How I started playing my instrument:
"I started playing cello in 4th grade after my mom asked me if I wanted to play and I said "Sure!"'
Why I play music:
"I play music because I enjoy the process of working hard on pieces and collaborating with other musicians to create beautiful sounds and to share our music with an audience. Playing music is also a great stress relief, and it allows me to get into a "flow" state where I am not concerned about anything else."
Class of 2023Feature
We'd like to highlight a few of our amazing rising Juniors.
Yolanda Patzkowski (violin) has participated in Occidental Symphony since her first year in college. Besides her passion in violin performing, as a big fan of Hisaishi and Ghibli, she also enjoys playing piano. In a masterclass of Professor Aroussiak Baltaian, with a true care about global humanity and history, she played Komitas Grung, which is an Armenian folk song in memory of the Armenia massacre. It is also shown in her choice of majors: pre-med track and Diplomacy and World Affair. Her multiple years of volunteer in Cambodia speaks for her identity outside of the campus: a human right activist. In everyday life, Yoli’s warm smile and warm hugs always make my day. Thank you for being wonderful! - Lane Wang'23
Class of 2022Feature
Although this past year has been entirely virtual, we would like to recognize the rising seniors. We look forward to seeing everything that you will accomplish after swag!
Trevor Mairs (Violin) recognizes music as an indispensable means of self-expression, and thus approaches his artistry with passion when playing with the swag Orchestra. Although he has only been a part of Orchestra since the Spring 2020 semester, he has both shared many memorable experiences with the Orchestra and left a positive influence for future members. Some of Trevor’s fondest memories include participating in the Orchestra’s Concert for Young People during Spring 2020. At this concert, he especially enjoyed playing Danzón No. 2 by Arturo Márquez. Amongst performances, Trevor continues to relish in some of the more local experiences within Orchestra, such as being able to sit down during in-person rehearsals, develop lasting friendships with the other violinists, and have the opportunity to be inspired by fellow musicians. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Trevor is enhancing his musicality by learning a Bach violin partita (No.2) on mandolin. Along with this, he has been able to experiment with developing his sound through different recording methods. Along with his musical ventures, Trevor is a biochemistry major. He is interested in education and educational reform, and hopes to teach language arts at the high school beginning fall of 2021. Within his clases, he aims to empower students by centering inclusivity and critical thinking. Trevor, thank you very much for all that you have done for both the Orchestra and the swag Community, and we look forward to seeing what accomplishments you make in the future! -Chester Cahill ‘24
Hyun Gill (Viola) is no stranger to the music department here at swag. As a Music (viola performance track) and Biochemistry major with plans to enter the biomedical sciences, Hyun’s ambition is quite remarkable as seen in her engagement with different areas of the music department. Since her first year, she has participated in the Symphony Orchestra where she was able to expand upon her previous musical experience from her time in her high school string orchestra. Hyun recalls her favorite experience with the Symphony Orchestra to be the performance of a concerto with the whole orchestra her sophomore year. She also enjoyed playing Danzón No. 2 by Arturo Márquez. In addition to her participation in the Symphony Orchestra, Hyun participates in Chamber Music and takes private lessons. Although her primary instrument is the viola, Hyun plays the piano, has started to learn guitar, and hopes to learn how to play the tenor saxophone. Hyun’s engagement with music is so evergrowing, not even a pandemic can stop her. She has maintained her relationship with music during these unprecedented times by filming a few videos of herself playing and by playing with her friend who plays the cello as they live on campus. Hyun, thank you for your great involvement in the orchestra and for being so welcoming! - Leslie García ‘24
Sherwin Zhang (Clarinet) has been an influential member of the Orchestra since becoming involved in his first year at swag. Some of Sherwin’s favorite orchestra experiences have included playing in the Caltech-Occidental Wind Orchestra, performing Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique at a combined Halloween concert with the Pasadena City College Orchestra, and performing the Mozart Clarinet Concerto as soloist and winner of the Occidental Concerto Competition. Alongside his involvement in the Orchestra, Sherwin has been a student worker in the music department since his first year, at first as a music librarian and now as a tech assistant. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he has played a vital role in seeking out new ways for the Orchestra and Chamber Music groups to perform and record music remotely. Sherwin is double majoring in music composition and computer science, with plans to work as a software engineer developing music notation software. In his free time, he enjoys practicing mixing and recording techniques, coding, playing games with friends, skiing, and cooking. Sherwin, thank you for everything you have done to make the Orchestra such a great community! - Timothy Shortell ‘24
Sven Slattum (Bassoon) is a veteran of swag Music. He has premiered new works in swag Chamber Music, plays in theCaltech-Occidental Wind Orchestra, and of course, performs with the Occidental Symphony Orchestra. One of his fondest moments as an orchestra member is in the Spring of 2020, where his friends tried to hand him a pineapple on stage. However, his favorite aspect of the Orchestra is its close-knit community, where he credits making his first friends at swag. After rehearsals, he and other orchestra members would go to the Tiger Cooler to wind down, eat, and socialize. Although his main instrument is the bassoon, Sven has played the baritone, tuba, and drum line in marching band, and also trumpet and trombone in jazz band. He likes the bassoon the most, since it has such a wide range, complex fingerings, and its ability to blend well within the orchestral texture. Sven is a Computer Science major interested in Game Design, as well as a Math minor. In his free time, he likes to play video games (Overwatch, Super Smash Bros) and practice his bassoon.- Sherwin Zhang '22
Class of 2020 Feature
Because of the multitude of recital and music event cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to recognize thesenior class of 2020here. We thank you for everything you have done for the orchestra and at swag!
Michael Kwan (Concertmaster)has been one of the most familiar faces in the swag Symphony Orchestra, serving as first violin concertmaster for several 2019-20 concerts. The favorite piece he's played at swag was, like for many others, the thrillingDanzón No. 2byArturo Márquez. Michael isn't much of a Green Bean person, but his favorite Cooler snack after a Tuesday evening rehearsal is a cold can of Yerba Mate tea. The third floor of the Academic Commons, or library, is his favorite place to study on campus, with its independent study desks and general quiet that help people buckle down on their work. An extremely talented virtuoso violinist, Michael is always working on ways to unify the violin section through shared techniques or bowings, especially during complicated pieces. Michael also provides constant, reliable guidance when leading the section. Thank you for all you do, and we can't wait for what's next for you!! -AngelinaLee '22
Lauren Chin (flute, piccolo)approaches music with intent and it is obvious that she has also applied this same resolution to her participation in the Orchestra. Lauren can typically be found coming into rehearsal with her flute, a giant science textbook, and a lab notebook in hand. Even with a heavy course load that has followed her throughout her swag career, Lauren has shown a steadfast dedication to playing music (both in the Orchestra and in chamber groups) as well as in being a kind and welcoming friend of the Orchestra. Her favorite piece to date has been the Phantom of the Opera Medleyand her typical post-rehearsal Cooler snack is a Philly cheesesteak on rice with veggies – talk about delicious! When she’s not contributing to swag’s music scene she can be found ordering a green dynamite from the Green Bean or studying, similarly to Michael, on the third floor of the Academic Commons. Lauren, you, and your gentle smiles from across the Thorne stage will be dearly missed. Still, we are so excited to see where your resiliency and passion that we have all come to know so well will take you!- Maya Angulo ‘21
Dominique Wright (Flute)is always ready to offer new members of the Orchestra a smile and warm welcome to the swag Orchestra family. A music major with a focus on flute performance, Dominique enjoys playing exciting pieces that plays to her versatility as a musician. Some of her favorite pieces that the Orchestra has played includeNight on Bald MountainandVideo Games Live. When not practicing or at rehearsal, Dominique can be found sipping on a blue velvet from the Green Bean (that’s an early grey tea with lavender) while studying on the Hameetman Science Center Patio overlooking the rest of campus and parts of the rest of the Eagle Rock area. Dominique, thank you for being a pillar of stability and love within our Orchestra family. You have delighted us all with not only your playing, but also your kind and bubbly spirit – offering advice, a shoulder to lean on, and many fun post-rehearsal Cooler snack and chats. You will be dearly missed, but we are so excited to see where you go! -Maya Angulo ‘21
Jiaqian Wu (Piano), looks back fondly on her years in the Occidental Orchestra. She especially enjoyed playing Danzón No. 2 byArturo Márquez this past February for our Young Person's Concert. Her favorite Green Bean drink is one that you can't go wrong with: the cold brew. After a long evening rehearsal Jiaqian enjoys heading to the Tiger Cooler for a chilled yogurt parfait. Right before a big test or project is due, you can find Jiaqian studying frantically in a cubical in the library. We've enjoyed getting to know you these past few years at swag Jiaqian and we look forward to seeing where you go next! Good luck in all you do. -Joaquín Madrid Larrañaga '23
Kevin Conroy (Second Violin), having been involved in Orchestra even before attending swag, has been a highly involved and engaged member. As a violinist and the current manager, Kevin has “had the pleasure of seeing [the orchestra] grow year by year” noting, “it was pretty explosive”. From the moment he sat in on a rehearsal when the orchestra was barely forming, to performing in concerts all four years at swag, Kevin has had a wide range of experiences. He thinks back positively on the collaborations the orchestra has done with the Glee club or a Phantom of the Opera Night he coordinated with other orchestra members where they shared food and could bond over the music they were playing during rehearsals. Of course, it hasn’t been entirely easy. Being a History and East Asian studies double major, Kevin has overcome the problems of balancing time while still enjoying music. When it comes to time management and you have a lot on your plate, he offers, “When you need time to practice you just pick up your instrument for 20 minutes and be strategic with the time you use to practice”. He is excited to see the orchestra grow further and positively suggests to “make the orchestra your second home” where everyone can stay interconnected and develop strong relationships through the years. - YoliPatzkowski '23
