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.