Meet Our Concerto Competition Musicians
Isaac Orvin is 16 years old and has been playing violin for 8 years . He is currently studying violin under Andrew Chu . Isaac . is home schooled and is in 10th grade . Other instruments that he plays include the banjo , mandolin , upright bass , and guitar .
Anna Nuttle , sixteen years old , is a self-professed polyglot and physiognomist who is wildly obsessed with opera and Dostoevsky novels . If you ask her what her future career aspirations are , well , you ’ ll get a different answer every time . When she is not playing her violin , you may find her reading or translating some archaic Greek or Roman text . Anna has recently taken up yoga and Pilates , and loves to go hiking , biking , and exploring with her crazy-awesome family . Anna currently studies violin with Elizabeth Lyon-Ballay .
Gwenaëlle Chevillard started her musical studies at the age of seven with the violin . She played in a youth strings orchestra in the Houston area and continued through sixth grade , when she started learning the flute . A couple of years later , Gwen joined the full orchestra with the same group on flute . Gwen continued studying both the violin and flute through her sophomore year of high school until she decided that the flute was best fit for her , then took up the piano last year in order to prepare for college . However , she continues to teach young students on the violin . After moving the Joplin area , Gwen joined the Ozark Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and has previously participated in the Concerto Competition . Through her ten years of musical experience , Gwen has participated in several solo and ensemble contests , recitals and performance groups .
Michael Tynes is currently in the 10 th grade at Haas Hall Academy in Bentonville , and studying cello with Mr . Stephen Gates . He has been playing the cello for 4 years and loves playing in the orchestra !
Kahley Mitchelll is a freshman at Bentonville High School and plays flute and piccolo in the Wind Ensemble at BHS and was a member of the first ever Arkansas State Championship marching band ( Bentonville Pride ). She has been playing the flute for 3.5 years and this is her second year playing with OPYO . Last summer , Kahley had the honor to receive the University of Arkansas Junior High Band Camp Robert M . Bright Award for Musical Excellence ( Woodwinds ) and will attend the U of A Senior High Band Camp with a full scholarship this summer . Kahley served as the first chair flute , first band , for the last two years at the Junior High All-Region clinic ( region 6 ) as well as being the first chair flute in the All-Region orchestra in 2016 . In her spare time , Kahley enjoys all things music , with a particular interest in opera and Broadway musicals . She hopes to continue to march with the Bentonville Pride , attend college in the future and major in music performance .
Jake Fennell It was in 6th grade Orchestra class with Mr . Eli Yale that Jake first picked up the violin . A year later , he joined the Ozarks Philharmonic Youth Orchestra ' s youngest group , Andante , with the hopes of someday playing with YSO , OPYO ' s full symphonic orchestra . Now in his 3rd year with OPYO , Jake has joined the ranks of the best musicians in Northwest Arkansas . He has participated in All Region Orchestra for the last 3 years and has landed high chairs including First Violin in the Fall of 2016 . He is in the process of expanding his love of the stringed instrument with the viola under the tutelage of Mrs . Krista Mays . He is currently a violinist with the Ozarks Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and violist with the Arkansas Philharmonic Youth Orchestra .
Derrick Rassinier is a senior in high school who is adamant about music . He plays the horn as his primary instrument , but also plays trumpet , guitar , piano , and sings , when possible . He also composes for a variety of ensembles and has arranged 8 pieces and has composed many originals ( he is now working on a cello concerto ). Derrick plans to pursue a career performing and composing music professionally .
Valerie Jackson is currently a sophomore with high honors at Bentonville High School . She is first chair bassoon in both BHS ' Wind Ensemble and in OPYO . She is a member of both All-Region and All-State bands . Valerie is a sophomore representative on Student Council and was nominated by her teachers to participate in the HOBY ( Hugh O ' Brian Youth Leadership ) training program . Valerie is also on the National Merit watch list .