Charles Seo, performing Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No. 1 in E Flat Major.

Charles Seo is an 8th grade honor roll student and is a National Junior Honor Society Member at Memorial Middle School in the Spring Branch ISD. He began playing cello when he first came to the United States which was less than 5 years ago. He has been a member of the Houston Youth Symphony(HYS) for 5 years and is the principal cellist in the HYS, despite the fact that he is one of the youngest members. He was also the principal cellist in the Region 23 Orchestra in the 6th, 7th and 8th grade. He has received “Outstanding” rankings at concerto competitions. He also received honorable mention as a 6th grader in the 2008 Houston Civic Symphony Competition as well as in the HYS Competition.

In 2009, he won the Civic Symphony competition and the HYS solo competition. He went to the Madeline Island Music Camp and he was invited to perform for the Garden of Music Concert in Minnesota. Also, he was invited for the West Houston Assistance Ministries(WHAM) concert as a special guest performer with the Civic Orchestra. This year, he won the Fort Bend Symphony Competition. Charles was taught by Donna Rogers. He is now working with Dr. Brinton Smith. He enjoys playing the saxophone and Taekwondo.

Erik Lawrence is a 17-year-old home schooled student. He has been with the Michael P. Hammond Preparatory Program at the Shepherd School of Music since the age of ten. His former teacher was Dr. Sohyoung Park and his teacher for the past two years has been Dr. Robert Roux, who heads the Piano Department at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. He has participated in the Chamber Music program and both Honor’s Recitals with the Preparatory Program there.

Erik was a finalist in the 2007 Texas Music Teacher’s Association State Competition, a finalist in the 2007 and 2008 World Piano Pedagogy Conference Competitions, and a winner in the 2005, 2007 and 2009 Houston Young Artist Competitions. He attended the 2009 Indiana University Piano Academy, receiving the maximum Merit Scholarship as well as the only Incentive award. He played the Brahm’s Piano Concerto No. 1 as the finale performer in the Honor’s Recital. Erik has also been privileged to participate in numerous Masterclasses with well-known pianists, including Jon Kimura Parker, Jean-Phillipe Collard, Gustavo Romero, Jonathan Biss, and Andre Watts. In addition to his passion for Classical music, Erik enjoys reading the Classics, including C.S.Lewis and Herman Melville. He loves traveling, body surfing, and Thai food.

Erik Wheeler, cello

Erik Wheeler, 15, is a student at the High School for Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Texas. Erik began his cello studies with Diane Bonds and continued with Steve Laven, Lynn Harrell and Brinton Smith. He currently studies with Desmond Hoebig. Erik performed numerous solos as a member of the Johnston Middle School Advanced Orchestra, under the direction of Kathryn Brown.

Erik has been a member of the Greater Houston Youth Orchestra for six years, and was the winner of the GHYO Concerto Competition for the String Ensemble and the Orchestra, appearing as soloist both times. He also performed as soloist with the Houston Civic Symphony and the Clear Lake Symphony as winner of their respective Junior Division Young Artist’s competitions. Last year, Erik was selected as the first-chair cellist of the Texas All-State Symphony Orchestra. He won the GHYO Concerto Competition this past December and will perform with GHYO in May, and performed as soloist with the HSPVA Orchestra in December. Both of Erik’s parents are professional musicians.