James Lewis

James Lewis was born March 14th of 1988 into a musical household. Learning guitar, piano and drums at an early age from his parents, James did not start playing the violin until he was 12 years old. He has since been studying with Bonnie Bell who teaches in Loma Linda. Throughout high school James has played with the Redlands Youth Symphony, Youth Ensemble Strings, under the direction of Karen Palmer, and several different string quartets.
He has also performed and placed in multiple local competitions. At 18, playing the violin is an extremely significant part of his life, teaching music in his home and playing regularly at church. Lewis plans on pursuing a career in music performance and will be studying at the conservatory of music at Biola University in La Mirada in the near future.

Stephanie Mera

Stephanie Mera is a senior at Redlands High School. She is on the speech and debate team and is the caption of the cross country team and track team as well. Stephanie is a member of the Daisy Chain at Redlands High, representing her top 60 rank in the graduating class. She studies piano with Erika Ramos and has been playing for seven years. After graduating, Stephanie will attend the University of Redlands to study music and business.

Diana Muñoz

The piano is the social instrument par excellence . . . drawing-room furniture, a sign of bourgeois prosperity, the most massive of the devices by which the young are tortured in the name of education and the grown-up in the name of entertainment.

- Jacque Barzun

Nothing could be more true when it comes to the education of a fine art like piano performance. I would know because when I started at the tender age of five, I hated to practice. And as family situation called for it, I stopped for a while since moving to a different state required me to do so. Once my family got situated, I started to take piano again. Now during the beginning of my career at Hemet High School, I began to focus on practicing more than ever before. My former piano teacher taught me styles in church music as well as Big Band music. I really enjoyed this, but dreamed of playing more competitive and challenging repertoire. This is when I started to take lessons from my present teacher.

At first, I was very unsure of my abilities as a pianist. I had no background in ear-training or theory as the other students had. But my ambition to become better outweighed my doubts as to where my abilities were at the time. With many hours of practice and dedication, I rose to the level of an advanced student and started to play difficult pieces of music by Chopin, Debussy, and Bach to name a few. With my present teacher, Michi Swanson, I've learned so many new musical ways of interpreting the music to a level that I did not think possible. The many hours of practice required have instilled a discipline that I greatly appreciate and cherish. Her husband, Steve Swanson, has helped expand my knowledge of theory and ear-training. Their patience and time have helped me appreciate the art of music and I am grateful for their guidance.

Without the help and support from my family, I would not be the musician I am now. My parents, Abraham and Yoland Muñoz, have raised me in a noteworthy manner and I feel that I am prepared to face the world with everything that they have taught me from morals, to being consistent in the activities that I do. I love them so much and thank them for putting up with my teenage years (which I know are the hardest) and supporting my decisions and praising my accomplishments. Also I thank my brothers, Jacob and Abraham, who have diligently gone to all my recitals and performances with my parents to hear me even though they had already heard the piece a thousand and one times at home.

My background in the band department for the past seven years as a flutist has really helped to build a solid foundation in my understanding of how music correlates and sounds. This has helped my piano education and appreciation for other instruments. The many band concerts and endless band festivals have made my jitters about performing become an afterthought. My goals this fall are to attend the University of Redlands and further my studies in piano and the social sciences. I hope to learn many things and to influence others to appreciate music and look at the world in a new and different way.

Jina Silva

I will be graduating from Hemet High School with highest honors and plan to continue my education in music at the University of Redlands in the fall of 2006, with a major in Piano Performance. I have been studying classical piano for about 6 years, as well as clarinet and French horn in my high school marching, symphonic, and jazz bands. I have participated in various piano ensembles and the Certificate of Merit evaluations in which I have received the highest ratings each time. I have also attended Idyllwild School of the Arts jazz summer program for two sessions. These experiences have broadened my perspective of the musical world, given me the chance to meet wonderful friends and mentors, and have helped me gain confidence and a sense of dedication to my ability. I am also the vice-president of Key Club and Conservation Club at Hemet High School and plan to continue my community involvement in Redlands.

The encouragement from my piano teacher Mrs. Swanson, my band director Mr. Tower, and choir director Mrs. Pumphrey has guided me into the world of music and inspired me to pursue a career as a professional music performer and teacher. I am very grateful for the opportunity that has been given to me by MTAC.