Salute to Youth Soloists

Evelyn Meiwes (17) is a student of William Hagen. This is her third time soloing for the Utah Symphony’s Annual Salute to Youth concert, playing before in 2019 with Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole and again in 2022 with Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 2. Most recently in 2024, she attended and performed at the Aspen Music Festival as a New Horizons Fellow under the tutelage of Robert Lipsett. Evelyn has won multiple first prizes at local and state competitions, including her symphony debut at age 8, playing Bach’s Double Concerto. She has also participated in multiple masterclasses including Simon James, Laurie Smukler, Danielle Belen, Benjamin Beilman, and Inmo Yang. During previous summers, Evelyn has regularly attended other music festivals including the Saint Paul Chamber Music Institute, Center Stage Strings, Sounding Point Academy, and the Fry Street Chamber Music Festival. Otherwise, Evelyn enjoys spending time with family and her rabbit Chomp.

Aristotle Stokes (13) is a full scholarship student at the Gifted Music School Conservatory where he studies under David Yavornitzky.  He is also the recipient of the inaugural Grant Bagley Double Bass Scholarship, which is awarded towards the tuition of his private lessons.  Aristotle began studying double bass with Hillary Fuller when he was six years old.  He has previously been a featured artist with the Timpanogos Symphony, the American Fork Symphony, and Lyceum Youth Orchestras (where he is currently a member of the Lyceum Concert Orchestra).  Aristotle attends eighth grade at Churchill Junior High where he plays in the orchestra, jazz band, and occasionally concert band.  When he isn’t studying music, Aristotle is an avid freeride skier and enjoys the company of family and friends.

Leah Kim Keyes (16) was the 2023 Grand Prize winner of the Southwest Symphony Young Artist Competition. She has also soloed with the Utah Philharmonia, Lyceum Symphony and will solo with the Orchestra of Southern Utah in 2025 as a winner of the Halversen Young Artist Award. Leah is a five-time first place winner at the Utah Flute Sonata competition, four-time winner of the State MTNA solo division and three-time winner of the State UMTA Concerto competition. As a student of Nancy Toone and junior at Woods Cross High she plays principal flute in the Wind Ensemble, Davis Youth Philharmonic and Lyceum Symphony in Salt Lake City. Leah has performed with Nathan Pacheco, Laura Osnes, Steven Sharp Nielsen as well as Jenny Oaks Baker in the international video of “The Redeemer – an Easter Celebration” in 2022. Leah is the daughter of Mike and Julie Keyes and enjoys journaling, mountain biking, weightlifting and taking care of her leopard gecko.

Arianna Shamy (17) is an internationally recognized violist and composer. She has medaled in over a dozen international competitions, including a 1^st place win for the Music International Grand Prix, a 2^nd place win for the Young Maestro International competition, and wins with the American Protégé, UMTA, UFMC, and MTNA, to name a few. Ari first picked up the viola when she was 12 years old and was lucky to secure Asheley Watabe as a teacher. Since then, composing has been her life. She has soloed her compositions at the Lincoln Center in NYC, along with the Luxembourg Gardens in France, and throughout Spain. Her second full orchestral piece will debut with YACP this fall. This year, she soloed at Carnegie Hall in NYC and was selected as the “Director’s Choice” to solo with the Utah Philharmonic Orchestra. Ari loves performing and is delighted to share the stage with her friend Jenna!

Jenna’s (16) musical journey began seven years ago with Asheley Watabe who instilled in her a love of music. Currently she enjoys her experience as a student at the Gifted Music School where she studies under David Price. Some violin highlights include Lyceum Symphony concertmaster, Lyceum Philharmonic soloist at the Tabernacle on Temple Square, and Utah Philharmonic concerto soloist. Jenna has also medaled in MTNA and is a 1st place winner for UMTA. When she is not playing the violin, Jenna enjoys participating in triathlons with her grandma, surviving hikes such as Grand Teton with her dad, and competing in high school model UN. Jenna plans to continue her musical career beyond high school with the goal to inspire others through the truth and beauty found in music. Jenna looks forward to performing with her good friend Ari tonight and is excited to share Bruch’s message of hope.

Natalie Sun (8) is currently attending school in Salt Lake City. Natalie started piano at age 4 and her mother was her first teacher, and she currently studies with BYU professor Jihea-Hong Park. Natalie has been a First Prize winner at numerous piano competitions, including 2023 and 2024 Salt Lake piano competition age 8-12, Ogden Piano Festival concerto and solo competition. Natalie has performed with Chamber Orchestra in in 2023,and American Fork Symphony, Utah Philharmonic Orchestra in 2024. Natalie’s favorite composer is Mozart. She learned Mozart’s life is very unusual, but his works are very optimistic, beautiful and exploring the goodness and conscience deep in people’s heart. Natalie wants to be a optimistic person and pianist to bring joyful music and moving listeners with heart. The most important thing that music inspires Natalie is the courage to persist and not to be afraid of difficulties. Natalie loves animals, and she wants to be a veterinarian and a concert pianist in the future.

Levon Taylor (11) is a multi-instrumentalist who studies piano with Dr. Vera Oussetskaia-Watanabe, as well as violin, and organ. He began his formal musical training on the piano and violin at age 8 and 9 respectively. He was honored to have the opportunity to compete on stage in Abravanel hall as a finalist in Salute to Youth on both piano and violin. As a recipient of the prestigious Dorothy Starling Scholarship, Levon attends the Gifted Music School Conservatory in Salt Lake City. He studies violin with Mr. Eugene Watanabe, and formerly, with Mrs. Debbie Moench. Levon enjoys performing at local venues and playing in ensembles including most recently in a string quartet under the direction of the Fry Street Quartet. Levon’s musical goals include performing with the Berlin Philharmonic and conducting a major orchestra. In addition to his love for music, Levon enjoys bird watching, art, and travel.