CMC Student Success Stories
Here’s how CMC has impacted our students.
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Duncan, violin
Duncan began his studies at CMC at the age of 13. During his high school years he attended LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. Duncan was a three-time recipient of the Chang/Chavkin Musicians Scholarship at CMC, and participated in the 2019 summer tour to Florence, Italy where he performed chamber music and orchestra. He has continued his studies as a violin performance major under the tutelage of Chad Hoopes at Southern Methodist University.
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Kimberly, violin
Kimberly came to CMC as a violin student at the age of 14. She was a four-time recipient of the Jessie Montgomery Scholarship at CMC. In April 2024, she was chosen by audition to play under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel in the New York Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Kimberly received a full scholarship to Penn State University where she began her violin studies in the Fall of 2024.
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Isabel, violin
Isabel joined CMC at the age of 8 in 2013 and is still part of the CMC community today. She participated in the International Exchange with Swiss youth orchestra, il mosaico and hosted the Swiss students when they came to New York City. She also participated in the Florence, Italy tour with the FOG Festival in 2019. Isabel has returned as a summer counselor for CMC in 2022 and 2023. She studied biology at Vassar College where in February 2024, she won the concerto competition at Vassar College, with a performance of Beethoven Violin Concerto.
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Isaac, cello
A founding member of CMC, Isaac joined CMC in 2012 and continues to be an active member of the community whenever possible. Isaac attended the Eastman School of Music where he studied with David Ying. At Eastman, he won the concerto competition and performed Elgar’s Cello Concerto with the Eastman Philharmonic. He has enrolled for his Masters of Music at New England Conservatory as a student of acclaimed cellist Paul Katz. An ardent composer, Isaac won an award with the Make Music organization which led to a recording of his work with Baritone Christopher Herbert. In Spring 2024, he won a composition competition from the New England Conservatory’s Intercultural Institute for Limping Dance, a work inspired by Turkish music. In summer 2024, Isaac traveled to Germany to participate in the Schleswig Holstein Festival Orchestra, where he was featured in Carnival of the Animals with pianist Lang Lang.
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Jesse, cello
Cellist Jesse began his CMC adventure in 2013. He participated in the Switzerland Exchange with Swiss youth orchestra, il mosaico, as well as the FOG Festival in Florence, Italy. Jesse was credited for making the suggestions to do an international trip as well as adding overnight retreats to the organization! Jesse graduated in 2024 from Syracuse University.
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Francisco, flute
In the summer of 2017, Francisco joined CMC and immediately participated in the exchange with Swiss orchestra, il mosaico. As a recipient of the Chang/Chavkin Musicians Scholarship, Francisco then studied with Lisa Arkis and was awarded a large scholarship to Bard College Conservatory studying with Tara Helen O’Connor. Francisco credits CMC for his amazing success in the world of music.
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Julian, piano
In Spring of 2014, Julian joined CMC. Shortly after he was accepted to Laguardia High School of Music and Art and the Performing Arts. He participated in the CMC Switzerland exchange as well as the FOG Festival in Italy. He served as a CMC summer counselor in 2023. Julian attended Ithaca College’s Whalen School of Music as a piano perfromance major and has enrolled for a Masters of Music degree in Collaborative Piano at New England Conservatory of Music, as student of Vivian Weilerstein.
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