At the end of each school year, Elemental Music provides alumni scholarships to Santa Monica High School seniors. These awards aim to celebrate the dedication and musical achievements of Samohi seniors who have participated in Elemental Music and to encourage their continued involvement in music as they embark on their next steps after graduation.
Many current Samohi students participated in our programs as they first started their musical journeys in elementary or middle school, developing the ensemble skills that would become so vital to their high school music experience. Many students even continue in our programs all the way through high school.
Our Shirley Liu Outstanding String Alumni Award, which specifically recognizes Elemental Music alumni who embody the spirit of persistence, perseverance, and a positive attitude towards music, reflecting the values and support that Dr. Jo's mother provided throughout her daughter's musical journey, has been awarded to Nylah Bennett and Emily Martinez Santiago.
Our Elemental Music Outstanding Band Alumni Award, which celebrates students who demonstrated grit, persistence, and perseverance in maintaining music as a vital part of their lives, has been awarded to Sabine Sines and Marco Sung.
Jason Aiello, Director of SAMOHI Orchestras and Co-Director of Elemental Strings, writes this of Nylah:
Nylah has been a cellist in the Samohi Orchestra Program for the past four years and during that time she has not only been a musical leader, but an emotional leader of each orchestra. She has practiced diligently and her improvement has been dramatic, all while having a smile on her face and spreading optimism. Nylah was awarded "Outstanding Musician" of her orchestra last year and this year was elected by her peers as a representative to the Orchestra Student Board. We wish Nylah the best of luck as she pursues a Pre-med pathway at Howard University to follow her dream of becoming a doctor, while also playing cello on the side!
And of Emily, he writes:
Emily has participated in Elemental Music programs from fourth grade all the way through this year. In addition to being a talented violist, she has many interests and brings excitement and a contagious spirit to everything she does. As a way to give back, Emily has also served as a mentor to Prelude students and volunteered at numerous Elemental Music concerts. Especially during her senior year, I have seen a growth in both her musicianship and confidence in performing for others. While she had her pick of schools after auditions, Emily will be going on to pursue a degree Viola Performance at the University of California, Santa Barbara where she will be studying with Dr. Jo’s husband!
Kevin McKeown, Co-Director of SAMOHI Bands and Elemental Music Advisory Council member, writes this of Sabine:
Sabine graduated from Samohi after four years with the band program. During that time she was a member of the concert band on the flute, and marching band, and indoor drumline as a bass drum section leader. She will be attending UCLA in the fall.
And of Marco, he writes:
Marco has recently graduated from the Samohi band and orchestra program. He participated in the Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble the past two years and was a four-year member of the marching band where he was a section leader. Marco also participated in the Jazz Band and in the musical pit during his time at Samohi. He will be attending Carnegie Mellon University in the fall.
Congratulations to Nylah, Emily, Sabine, and Marco on all of their achievements in music and beyond. We are so proud to call you alumni, and wish you the best of luck as you begin the next chapter of your lives!