Christopher Ives began his musical training on the piano at age four. At the age of five, he expressed the desire to play the violin, inspired by his brother’s study of the cello. Chris first started his violin studies under the instruction of Marilyn Page. As the youngest member of his school’s orchestra at Pacific Union School, joining at age eight, his interest continued to grow, inspired by older students of the orchestra. At age twelve he continued violin lessons with Rob Diggins and has had periodic lessons from other professional violinists including Cindy Moyer. Chris is a junior at Arcata High School and maintains a rigorous schedule of college prep courses and participates in several music groups. He is the co-concertmaster for the ARMACK Orchestra, and performs with the Humboldt Symphony, Academy String Quartet, Academy Fiddlers and sings in the Arcata High School Madrigal Choir. For the past six summers Chris has enrolled in the Sequoia Chamber Music Workshop and twice traveled to the Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp in Colorado. He has been selected to play with the California Honors Strings Orchestra for the last two years, and last December he was selected as assistant concertmaster. Over the years, Chris has focused on a variety of music styles including Irish fiddle, and jazz, although classical music is his focus. He has developed many long-term friendships with other young musicians in our community and they continue to be an inspiration for him. When Chris is not busy with music or academics he enjoys, surfing, fly fishing and swimming. Aside from music, he enjoys studying biology and plans to continue these studies in college. Hello, my name is Nicholas Navarro Pietromonaco. I have been playing the piano for 7 years now. It all started when I found my fathers box of cassette tapes. Some of the tapes were recordings of my father playing the guitar, a few Bach Preludes and Fugues. I was surprised my father could play so well. I loved it so much I'd fall a sleep listening to the tunes until finally I decided I also wanted to play an instrument. However, I wasn't interested in the guitar. My father in turn sought to encourage my desire to play an instrument. He soon showed me the movie "Amadeus" about the famous Wolfgang Mozart, the musical genius and pianist. That was when I realized the piano was the instrument. My parents proceeded in buying a used upright piano and my father taught me to read sheet music. Soon, I began collecting different pieces to play and developed quickly. My first year at Eureka High School brought me the opportunity to accompany the school choirs under the direction of Mr. Charles Young. After a few years of work with others through my ability, Mr. Young helped to finance with some of my first lessons with Miriam Medley. After her departure back to school, Mr. Young led me to meet with the recently deceased Deborah Clasquin for advisory on further lessons and school opportunities which we unfortunately did not continue. Then through my own search for a teacher, I met with Daniela Mineva, Professor of Music at Humboldt State University, who I have had lessons with for the past few months now. All have led to this great event for which I will perform. I have achieved honor student at Eureka High School and hope to attain scholarships for my musical journey through college. I want to learn all the different fields of music so that I may write, create, perform and conduct. And as a dream, I hope to one day write music for motion pictures like the great John Williams. This concert will be the first of many great opportunities to express my love for music and the piano. Steven Dewey is a Senior at Arcata High School and is thrilled to have this opportunity to play with the Eureka Symphony. He received his first musical education at Pacific Union School under the direction of Jim Hatchimonji, and credits at least half of his passion and inspiration to Hatchimonji’s teaching. Steven has participated in many different facets of music—including musical theatre with Humboldt Light Opera Company and the Humboldt Music Academy Jazz Ensemble. Steven has been playing clarinet for eight years, and is currently studying with HSU woodwind faculty Virginia Ryder. He plays in the Armack Orchestra and sings in the Arcata High Madrigal Choir, and credits Maestra Carol Jacobson with the other half of his musical passion and inspiration. Apart from formal study, Steven also plays guitar, piano, and bass, and writes, performs and records his own music. He is looking forward to attending Ithaca College next year to study Music and Sound Recording Technology.

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