News Posts List

CMC congratulates the high school seniors completing their school-age training at the Center.  These amazing young individuals were honored at the John & Betty Gray Honors and Awards concert at CMC in June.

Julian Andrews has been studying at CMC since kindergarten – staring music skills classes at the Center with Shera Sinell and violin with Christine Wilson Goodner in the year 2000.  Now, after 10 years of violin lesson with Andrew Ehrlich (mostly at CMC), plus CMC orchestra, theory classes and chamber music, Julian is graduating from Cleveland High School to Bowdoin College (Maine) where he hopes to pursue his interests in developmental psychology, political science, and environmental science.  When not on the violin, Julian also expresses himself through dance (ballet, Jazz, modern, & Hip Hop) at the Center for Movement Arts.

Cameron Fish, having received violin instruction in middle school, began at CMC in 2006 with orchestra directed by Margaret Murer and piano classes instructed by Zita Jefferson.  During his high school years at Cleveland High School he has been enjoying the CMC Old Time String Band, led by Andy Emert.  Other activities outside of the Center included guitar lessons and Oregon Boats.  Cameron is looking forward to starting at the University of Oregon Honors College after this summer.

Adriana Lilla studied violin with Michael Judge at CMC from 2000, before switching to viola in 2011 with Jen Arnold.  A busy schedule at Cleveland High School as an International Baccalaureate student, including extra work in photography and lots and lots of soccer tournaments, caps her high school career.  She goes on to California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, majoring in Architectural Engineering.

Sean Musaeus started at CMC in 2004, taking several years of group piano lessons from George Cheshire at the Center before moving on to private lessons with him.  This year Sean joined the Chamber Music program and played a group coached by Colin Oldham and Samantha Kushnick.  Filmmaking and photography, plus sports, math & science, & storytelling top his list of likes.  Sean moves from a homeschooled environment to attend Warner Pacific College this fall.

Ruby O’Connor is not only graduating form Cleveland High School as a National Merit Scholarship winner, she is also completing her 12th year of studying music at CMC. Ruby took music skills classes with Shera Sinell and others, and played in the Center's string orchestra for several years under Margaret Murer. In addition, she studied violin with Andrew Ehrlich (2011-2013), Michael Judge (2006-11), Martha Shackford (2005-06), & Leo Whitlow (2001 – 2005).  She’s been a member of the Cleveland High choir, active in dance, and enjoys camping & hiking when given the chance.  Ruby will attend the University of Oregon Honors College this fall.

Kelly Oja started at CMC in 2012 with bass instruction from Fletcher Nemeth.  She is graduating from Union High School in Vancouver, with an Associates degree from Clark Community College – both with honors.  She played in district Honor Orchestra from 10th grade to 12th grade; participated in solo ensemble in 9th and 11th grade; and this season was a bass player for the Portland Youth Philharmonic. Kelly has played the electric guitar and bass for jazz band and for the school musical, and also studied piano since she was 5.  Equally at home in the water, she enjoys swimming and surfing.  Kelly  will be entering Brigham Young University - Provo as a Junior, joining their school of music for double bass performance major and music education with strings emphasis.

Kenton Wirfsmith is graduating from the Arts and Communications Magnet Academy (ACMA), from which he received a music scholarship, going on to Portland State University to major in Physical Studies.  A cello student of John Hubbard at CMC from 2010, Kenton also learned from Levi Manselle & MaryAnn Campbell.  He’s taking piano for 10 years, and been in CMC’s chamber music program directed by Andrew Ehlrich and coached by David Kerr.  His extra-musical pursuits of basketball, ultimate Frisbee and cycling kept him occupied while he become class president and member of the National Arts Honor Society.