At the end of each school year, Elemental Music provides alumni scholarships to Santa Monica High School Seniors who have demonstrated perseverance and persistence to keep music as a vital part of their lives.
MANY CURRENT SAMOHI STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN OUR PROGRAMS WHEN THEY WERE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, DEVELOPING THE ENSEMBLE SKILLS THAT WOULD BECOME SO VITAL TO THEIR HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC EXPERIENCE.
WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE FOUR OUTSTANDING ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS FOR 2023:
Strings
ALEXANDRA VELÁZQUEZ AND FRANCISCO MARTÍNEZ DEVIS
Band
FRANNY REYNOLDS AND LUCA TREVELLIN
Jason Aiello, Director of SAMOHI Orchestras and Co-Director of Elemental Strings, writes this of Alexandra:
Alexandra Velázquez is a violinist in the Samohi Philharmonic Orchestra and has been a part of the Elemental Music family throughout elementary, middle and high school. In addition to playing violin, Alex is a leader within the orchestra and this year served as the Philharmonic String Representative to the Orchestra Student Board. Alex has always been a student who looks to build community and friendships throughout the orchestra. We wish her well as she goes on to study at Santa Monica College and then Loyola Marymount with a focus on immigration law.
And of Francisco, he writes:
Francisco Martínez Devis is a cellist in both the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras at Samohi, whose improvement from when he started as a fifth grader in Elemental Strings has been dramatic. Over the past two years, Francisco has developed a passion for chamber music through Elemental’s Chamber Music Institute and this year traveled with the Samohi Chamber Orchestra to Ireland and Northern Ireland, performing in Derry, Belfast, and Dublin. Next year Francisco will continue his musical pursuits studying cello performance at Chapman University.
Kevin McKeown, Co-Director of SAMOHI Bands and Elemental Music Advisory Council member, writes this of Franny:
Franny Reynolds is a trombonist in the Samohi Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, and Symphony Orchestra. As a member of the marching band, she served as the section leader of the trombone section. Always someone who gave her full effort, Franny gained the respect of her peers as someone who always cared about the ensemble over personal accolades. She will continue her studies next year at the University of Washington.
And of Luca, he writes:
Luca Trevellin is a bassoonist in the Samohi Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra, as well as a talented tenor saxophonist! Luca took on a major role as the lead bassoon in both ensembles these past couple years and let his full sound speak for himself. From performances in Carnegie Hall to performances in Ireland and North Ireland, his recognizable style was well received with audiences and his peers. Luca is planning on attending Colorado School of Mines next year.
Congratulations to Alexandra, Francisco, Franny, and Luca 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!