Salute to Youth Soloists

Octavia Gordon (17) is currently a junior at Olympus High School and studies violin with Dr. Eugene Watanabe. She has soloed with the Utah Philharmonic Orchestra and American Fork Symphony at their Salute to Youth Concerto evening. As a student at the Gifted Music School, Octavia has performed with the orchestra and studies chamber music. As a member of Rocky Mountain Strings, Vivace, and Young Artist Chamber Players, she has performed in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, China, Singapore, and Thailand. Octavia delights in connecting with others through the magical gift of music. Her past teachers on the violin were Debbie Moench and Jenny Oaks Baker, and she currently receives coaching from Shenae Anderson Akagi and William Hagen. Octavia is an active member of the Olympus High School Drill Team and balances her joyous love of violin, dance, academics, Church, God, and family, which includes her 7 siblings, 3 nieces and 8 nephews. In her spare time, she enjoys piano, reading, baking, and social activities.

Grant Brady (18) is a senior at the Waterford School in Sandy, Utah. He studies violin with Eugene Watanabe at the Gifted Music School and is coached by David Price. He began lessons at age five with Debbie Moench and later Chandelle Fairbanks. Grant has won prizes in the MTNA Southwest Region, Utah Opus, and Utah Symphony Youth Guild competitions. Additionally, he was named “Most Exceptional Performer” in the Charleston International 18th Century Music Competition. He is concertmaster of the Waterford Orchestras under Kathy Morris and recently soloed with them on tour through central Europe. As a member of the award-winning Waterford Quintet, Grant has performed at Carnegie Hall and London’s Royal Albert Hall. He also regularly volunteers as a musician at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, using music to bring comfort to patients and caregivers. Grant thanks his teachers, family, and friends for their support and is excited to share the stage with his friend Octavia.

Gabriel Taylor (10) studies classical guitar with Sophie Stanley at the Gifted Music School in Salt Lake City. He has received masterclasses from Jason Vieaux, Grisha Goryachev, Laura Mazon, and others. He also studies violin with Eugene Watanabe and Deborah Moench, and pursues piano, composition, and viola. A passionate composer, Gabriel has written original works for solo guitar, chamber ensemble, and orchestra. Outside of music, he is an avid bird-watcher, traveler, and visual artist.

Scott Pickett (13) is an accomplished young cellist who began lessons at age four. Studying under Hailey Gibb and Dr. Lauren Posey, he has honed his craft with dedication. Scott’s achievements include winning the Silver Award at the 2024 Global Young Musicians Competition and Second Place at the 2025 UMTA Concerto Competition. He has performed in masterclasses with renowned technicians such as Matt Johnson, Pegsoon Whang, Tate Zawadiuk, Andrei Ionita, and Avi Friendlander. In 2025, Scott was invited to perform at the Intermountain Suzuki String Institute Honors recital with the Faculty Orchestra under Domenick Fiore and at the ISSI Music Gala alongside William Hagen and Dr. Lauren Posey. Outside of music, Scott is a gifted student at Carden Memorial School, excelling on the Math Team. Scott enjoys flying remote control airplanes with his grandfather and aspires to become a Blue Angel pilot. A kind brother and cherished friend, his warmth and charisma make him a bright light in the lives of those around him.

Adrian McGill (17) is a student of Zachary Hammond. Adrian began playing oboe at the suggestion of his beloved middle school band teacher, and has since been a devoted student. Adrian has found inspiration in all things oboe and orchestra. Most recently, Adrian attended and performed his second summer at Interlochen Arts Camp with the World Youth Symphony Orchestra and was honored with the Maddy Summer Artist award based on his outstanding achievements in performance and citizenship during the 2025 summer season. He has studied with Linda Strommen, Dwight Parry, Jaren Atherholt, and Dr. Kathleen Carter Bell while at Interlochen. He has also had masterclasses or private lessons with Eugene Isotov, Elaine Douvas, Nathan Hughs, Dr. Nancy Ambrose King, Richard Killmer, Sara Lewis and Daniel Gurevich. Adrian has played for multiple youth orchestras including Lyceum Philharmonic, Lyceum Symphony, and Utah Youth Symphony. Adrian had the honor of participating in Utah Symphony’s Side by Side concert in 2025, and has played with Utah All State Band and Orchestras since 2021. Adrian is currently a senior at Corner Canyon High School. Adrian loves to ski Utah’s mountains in the winter. His dream is to attend a music conservatory and play for a major orchestra.

Shelby Gan (15) began her piano studies at age 3 and is currently a student of Dr. Stephen Beus. This marks her third audition for Salute to Youth, and she is thrilled at the prospect of performing with the Utah Symphony. Shelby’s musical journey has been shaped by several influential teachers, including Diane Lindsey and Luke Hancock, who have guided her to notable achievements. She secured first place in the 2022 PianoFest competition, earned second place in the 2023 American Protégé International Concerto Competition, and placed first in 2025 Salt Lake Piano Competition. A student at West High in Salt Lake City, Shelby also enjoys skiing and aspires to be an elite épée fencer.

Wyatt Christensen (16) is a student at the Gifted Music School where he studies under Drs. Koji Attwood and Vera Oussetskaia-Watanabe. He is also the recipient of the Hsu Piano Scholarship, which is awarded towards the tuition of his private lessons. Wyatt began studying piano with Merla Little when he was seven years old. He is a Junior at Hillcrest High School, where he is involved with the jazz band, theater program, ballroom dance, medical pathway curriculum, and is a 3-year starter on the varsity lacrosse team. MaxPreps ranks Wyatt as one of the top goalies in the state. Wyatt would like to pursue lacrosse and a piano performance major with a pre-med emphasis in college. His favorite video game is God of War; his favorite book series is The Ranger’s Apprentice. He would prefer Hogwarts over the Shire or Jedi Academy. Wyatt gives his family 5/5 stars.