The People Who Make it Happen
Mockingbird Melody (MBM) is composed of high school volunteers who are always ready and passionate about spreading the beauty of music to their community.
NaYoung Yang
Founder
Violinist NaYoung Yang studied violin performance at the Juilliard Pre-College with Dr. Ann Setzer from 2009 to 2014, and with Dr. Eugenia Choi. During the Pre-College, she also studied piano as a secondary instrument with Ms. Adelaide Roberts. During college, she studied violin with Prof. Soovin Kim of the New England Conservatory of Music. She debuted as a soloist at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center as a winner of the 2010 New York International Music Competition, and won ~20 national and international music competitions since her first win in 2008. NaYoung played 10 times as a soloist with various orchestras in NY, NJ, and PA, gave four solo recitals and frequently played as a soloist and chamber in various venues. During college, she played as a concertmistress at a few concerts of the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra (HRO) and was a concertmaster of Harvard College Opera. She served as President of the HRO in 2017 and is currently a Board Member of the HRO Foundation. She is a former soloist and concertmaster of the London Doctors Orchestra and Choir during the 2019 season.
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After receiving her BA from Harvard University in 2018, she earned her Master of Public Health from Imperial College London in 2019. She is currently a medical student at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School as a Global Health Scholar.
President
Alex Kuchuk is a junior violinist attending East Brunswick Public High School. He has been in Mockingbird Melody since his freshman year and has been delighted to participate in each bimonthly concert since then. Alex has been playing the violin for 7 years and has participated in the Central Jersey region's orchestra since the 8th grade. He also joined the Bravura Youth Orchestra this year, and this summer he and his fellow orchestra members will be attending and playing in concert halls in Vienna, Salzburg, and Prague. As well as having a passion for music and the violin, Alex enjoys playing volleyball, hanging out with friends, and doing random history and geography quizzes.
Meet The Team
Arav Choudhary
Double Bass
Vice President
Arav Choudhary is a junior attending EBHS. He has been playing the Double Bass since 4th grade, making it his eighth year being a part of orchestra. He has consistently been a part of the regional and All State orchestras and studies under Christopher Finnegan. He enjoys trips to Wawa, Star Wars, and walking his dog.
Jessica Hong
Cello
Orchestral Music Director
Jessica Hong is a junior attending East Brunswick High School. She has played the cello for nine years and has won awards from various music competitions, such as MTNA Student Competition, NJMTA Young Musicians Competition, NYYPP Competition, and Bravura Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition. Besides music, Jessica enjoys taking care of her pet turtles, drawing, biking, and spending time with her friends and family.
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.
Rishma Rao
Vocal
Vocal Music Director
Rishma Rao is a sophmore at East Brunswick High School. She has been singing since she was 7 and has performed in several competitions such as MAMTG, Laurita Idol, Freehold Idol, and at Columbia University. In addition to her passion for singing, she enjoys reading, playing piano, dancing, and swimming. She is very excited to be on the executive board this season!
Matthew Ho
Cello
Director of Outreach
Matthew Ho is a junior 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.
Sab Prakash
Violin
Social Media Manager
Sab has played violin for five years, working with his first private teacher, William Law, since the end of his fourth year. He participated in the CJMEA Intermediate Regional Orchestra, CJMEA High School Regional Orchestra, and will soon participate in the NJMEA High School All-State Orchestra. He hopes to go to a conservatory and major in violin performance and become a professional violinist after. Other than playing the violin, Sab loves to sing both pop and Indian classical music, learn new languages, and chat with his friends.
Isabella Francisco
Double Bass
Website Manager
Isabella Francisco is a senior in high school. She has been playing the double bass for 7 years and plans to continue throughout high school. So far, she has participated in the highschool CJMEA and NJMEA Orchestra and Bands, the Bravura Youth Orchestra, and the NJSYO. Other than playing, she likes to make visual art and bake. She's excited to see what she can do with the MBM website the next school year!
Daniella Kim
Flute
Daniella Kim is a junior 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 junior 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!
Olivia Lee
Vocal
Olivia Lee is a sophomore at East Brunswick High School and has been singing since she could remember. She is currently part of the EBHS honors Bella Voce choir. She also has been playing the cello since fourth grade and has been in numerous theatre productions since seventh 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 to be involved in Mockingbird Melody.