Meet The New Jersey Team
Rishma Rao
Vocal
President
Rishma Rao is a senior at East Brunswick High School. She has been singing since she was 7 and has performed in various competitions such as MAMTG, Laurita Idol, Freehold Idol, and at Columbia University. In addition to her passion for singing, she enjoys playing guitar, dancing, and swimming. She is very excited to be on the executive board this season!
Grace Shin
Vocal
Vice President
Grace Shin is a senior at East Brunswick High School. She is currently a part of the EBHS’ Bella Voce Honors Choir and has performed in over 25 musical productions and has assisted in teaching music in several of them! Aside from music, Grace is very involved throughout the community and school district being apart of the girls Varsity Tennis, Class Council, Drama Club, EB Arts Council, AAPI, and others! She is very excited to be in charge of MBM’s social media this year!
Austin Wu
Cello
Vice President
Austin Wu, a junior at East Brunswick High School, has been playing the cello for six years and currently studies with Dr. Hyojin Lee. He has performed with the Bravura Youth Orchestra, Northern Light Music Festival Orchestra, CJMEA, and NJMEA Intermediate Orchestra. As a soloist, Austin has earned top prizes in national and international competitions including winning Judge’s Prize at the Northern Lights Music Festival Concerto Competition and soloing the Saint Saens Cello Concerto No.1 with the Northern Light Music Festival Orchestra, winning first place at the 2023 Little Mozarts International Crescendo Competition, “Super Bronze” at the 2024 Golden Key Music Festival, and has won notable awards in the NJMTA SRA Festival (2022, 2024, & 2025). He also has won Grand Prix and Grand Prize awards at Music Fest Rising Talent Festival for Chamber Music for three consecutive years. His performances have included venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Nicholas Music Center at Rutgers, and more. Outside of cello, Austin enjoys cooking, playing volleyball, Biology, and Math
Alan Lei
Viola
Orchestral Music Director
Alan Lei is a junior at East Brunswick Highschool. He has been playing viola since 4th grade and currently studies at Manhattan School of Music pre college . He has participated in both NJMEA All-State and CJMEA Intermediate Regional Orchestra, being principal chair for Viola in NJMEA for two years in a row and principal chair once in CJMEA. Other than playing viola, Alan enjoys playing basketball, snowboarding, and hanging out with his friends.
Venya Mehra
Vocal
Vocal Music Director
Venya Mehra is a sophomore at Churchill Junior High School. She has been singing and performing on stage ever since she was 4 years old. She has participated in various talent shows and competitions. This includes the Big Joe Jersey Talent Show and singing the “Star Spangled Banner” at sporting events. Alongside her passion for singing, she has been playing the violin since she was in 4th grade and is teaching herself to play the acoustic guitar. Aside from performing, she likes to read, dance, do art and eat ramen. She is eager to contribute and perform with Mockingbird Melody!
Olivia Lee
Vocal
Secretary
Olivia Lee is a senior at East Brunswick High School and has been singing since she could remember. She is in Honors Bella Voce choir at the high school and has also learned the cello from an early age. She has been in numerous theatre productions since seventh grade and has been taking formal vocal lessons since eighth grade. Olivia has caught the attention of talent directors, earning her a spot in the next round of acting auditions for The Industry Network. Apart from performing, Olivia holds a black belt in martial arts and loves reading. She is extremely excited for the future events Mockingbird Melody will hold.
Helen An
Violin
Treasurer
Helen An is currently a junior at East Brunswick High School. She has played violin in the Honors Chamber Orchestra at the high school and the Advanced Orchestra at Churchill Junior High School. She has also participated in middle and high school region orchestra and plays the violin at Bravura Youth Orchestra. Outside of the violin, Helen enjoys playing with her cat and spending time with family.
Kaylee Choi
Violin
Website Manager
Kaylee Choi is currently a senior at East Brunswick High School. She’s been playing the violin for around 5 years now and is in the East Brunswick High School Chamber Orchestra. She has participated in the New Jersey Regional Orchestra, Monmouth Symphony Orchestra, and has played in many quartets. In her free time she enjoys reading, working out, or visiting restaurants. By being an active member of MockingBird Melody, her goal is to bring the joy of playing music to her community, hoping to inspire and connect with those around her.
Justin Wang
Viola
Social Media Director
Justin Wang is a junior in East Brunswick High School playing the viola, starting in his 4th grade year of elementary school. Since then, he has participated in the CJMEA Intermediate Regional Orchestra, the NJMEA Intermediate All-State Orchestra, and the Music Fest Rising Talents Festival. Apart from the viola, Justin likes to tend to his plants, eat fried chicken, and spending time with his friends and family.
Aneesh Mishra
Bass
Outreach Director
Aneesh Mishra is a current junior at East Brunswick High School. He has been playing the double bass for 3 years since 7th grade, after switching from cello. He is currently a part of the Bravura Youth Orchestra as well and has been a part of East Brunswick High School's orchestra program for the past 5 years. Outside of music, he especially enjoys late-night walks, cooking, playing video games, and is also involved in his school's cross-country and track program, having an interest in biology and chemistry
Remson Dominique
Bass Player
Remson Dominique is a current junior playing the double bass in the East Brunswick High School Chamber Orchestra. Despite playing the bass, he actually used to play the violin – starting in the 4th grade. Remson has made the Central Jersey Regional Orchestra every year since 8th grade and the New Jersey All State Orchestra every year since 9th grade. In addition to his musical talents, he saber fences and likes cheeseburgers. By being a member of MockingBird Melody, he aims to enlighten peoples' days with his playing and get more opportunities to perform.
Mehr Mahajan
Vocalist
Mehr Mahajan is a vocalist in MockingBird Melody. She was in New Jersey’s Middle School Region choir for two years. Her experiences extend far back, having taken the full year choir elective for 2 years and the Honors Choir Elective for the most recent 2. Aside from being an active choir member, Mehr was also in New Jersey Churchill Junior High School's 2026 musical theatre production of Legally Blond Jr. as a Delta Nu, and is a professional actress. Besides loving to sing, she loves dogs and debating. Her mission in MockingBird Melody is to spread joy to and inspire others to grow their confidence –while also growing and working on her vocal skills also.
Abigail Fauci
Vocal
Abigail Fauci, a senior at EBHS, has been involved in music her entire life. She has been playing the piano for over a decade and has sung both recreationally and in choirs. For the past two years, she has been a member of NJMEA All-State Choir, participating in the Mixed Choir sophomore year and the Treble Choir her junior year. In her freshman year, she also participated in CJMEA Treble Regions. She has been enrolled in Honors Concert Choir for the past 2 years, and loves being a part of school music events, being a committed member of Tri-M. She likes all genres of music, especially jazz, rock, and classical. Outside of music, she runs cross country and distance track for the school. Having a keen interest in engineering and design, she likes to build and draw things in her free time.
Presidents: Arav Choudhary, Alex Kuchuk
2024-2025 TEAM
Matthew Ho
Cello
Matthew Ho is a senior at East Brunswick High School. He started playing the cello in 4th grade with his school orchestra and currently studies at the Juilliard Pre-College. He has been awarded top prizes in many competitions, such as the VIVO International Music Competition and the NLPA International Young Artists Competition. Matthew has performed at Carnegie Hall and is the winner of the MTNA state competition in the junior strings division. In his free time, Matthew enjoys playing video games, biking, and cooking.
Daniella Kim
Flute
Daniella Kim is a senior at East Brunswick High School and has played the flute for seven years. Daniella has played in the Honors Wind Ensemble and Varsity Marching Band. Outside of music, she likes to read and draw.
Audrey Cheng
Violin
Audrey Cheng is currently a senior at East Brunswick High School. She’s been playing violin for 7 years. In her free time she enjoys listening to music, playing guitar, photography, traveling, and baking!
Erin Choi
Violin
Erin Choi is a senior at East Brunswick High School and has played violin since 4th grade. She plays in the Chamber Orchestra and has played piano for 7 years. She enjoys time playing golf, drawing, and watching movies.
Kayla Yong
Piano
Kayla Yong is a senior at East Brunswick High School. She has been playing piano since the age of six and plans to continue playing. She has won many awards in NJMTA as well as MEA. She has performed at Carnegie Hall eight times. This past summer she also performed in Ehrbar Hall as well as Mozarthaus located in Vienna, Austria. Not only does she play the piano, she has also been playing the violin for eight years and has participated in CJMEA. In her free time, Kayla enjoys reading and playing tennis.
Jason Liu
Cello
Orchestral Music Director
Jason Liu is a dedicated cellist attending East Brunswick High School. He has performed with the NJASO and CJMEA Orchestras, as well as the award-winning Bravura Philharmonic and daughter Youth Orchestra. Jason has earned the NJMTA Recital High Honors Award multiple times and has had the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall. Committed to contributing to the community, Jason is actively involved with MBM. In addition to his musical pursuits, Jason enjoys listening to music, playing games, and working out.
Marni Kramer
Vocal
Website Manager
Marni Kramer is a senior at East Brunswick High School. She has sung at the regional and all-state level, participating in CJMEA and NJAJE ensembles. Marni has performed in several venues, including the NJPAC, as an ensemble member and as a soloist. She has training in choral music, vocal jazz, and opera. She’s a vocalist for several bands who play around the community, and in addition to vocals she plays the piano and violin. She enjoys listening to music and being with friends, and is honored to be MBM’s website manager!
Stephen Shen
Violin
Stephen Shen is a freshman at Churchill Junior High School, playing violin since third grade. Stephen has participated in NJMEA and CJMEA middle school orchestras for 3 years, and NJMEA and CJMEA high school orchestras for one year. In 2023-2024, he placed 3rd in both the NJMEA and CJMEA orchestra. In 2024-2025, he placed 15th in the CJMEA high school orchestra, and also qualified for the NJMEA high school orchestra. Stephen also participates in many orchestras, including the Bravura Youth Orchestra and Bravura Philharmonic. Outside of violin, Stephen likes to run, read and cook
Jessica Hong
Cello
Orchestral Music Director
Jessica Hong is a senior attending East Brunswick High School. As a devoted cellist in the 11th year of study, she has been selected for the All State and Region orchestras every year since the sixth grade. In 2025, she joined NAfME All Eastern Orchestra as one of the fourteen cellists chosen from 13 eastern states. Jessica has also been a member of Bravura Youth Orchestra for 6 years, being a featured soloist as the concerto competition winner and serving as principal cellist. For solo and chamber performances, she has won awards from various music competitions, such as VIVO International Music Competition, Camerata Artists International Competition, NLPA International Young Artists Competition, and MTNA state competition among others. Over the past 4 years with Mockingbird Melody, Jessica has deeply enjoyed using her musical skills to serve the community and bring joy to audiences.