The Members
Andrew Kirjner / Violin
Andrew Kirjner is a sophomore studying computer science at Stanford University. From New York City, Andrew has been playing the violin for 16 years and is a recent graduate of the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College Division and a former member of the Elizabeth Faidley Violin Studio. He has performed in some of New York’s most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, both as a soloist and as concertmaster of the MSM Pre-College Philharmonic Orchestra, Alice Tully Hall, The UN General Assembly Hall, Merkin Hall, and Borden Hall. Additionally, he has won first prize at numerous international violin competitions such as the Shining Stars Concerto Competition, the Bronx Young Artists Competition, the Alexander and Buono International String Competition, the Forte Competition, and the American Protege Competition. Ensembles that have accompanied him as a soloist include the New York Concerti Sinfonietta, and the Bronx Arts Ensemble, with whom he has performed Lalo Symphonie Espagnole and the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. When he isn’t playing or coding, Andrew enjoys reading, sports, and his friends.
Andrew Kirjner is a sophomore studying computer science at Stanford University. From New York City, Andrew has been playing the violin for 16 years and is a recent graduate of the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College Division and a former member of the Elizabeth Faidley Violin Studio. He has performed in some of New York’s most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, both as a soloist and as concertmaster of the MSM Pre-College Philharmonic Orchestra, Alice Tully Hall, The UN General Assembly Hall, Merkin Hall, and Borden Hall. Additionally, he has won first prize at numerous international violin competitions such as the Shining Stars Concerto Competition, the Bronx Young Artists Competition, the Alexander and Buono International String Competition, the Forte Competition, and the American Protege Competition. Ensembles that have accompanied him as a soloist include the New York Concerti Sinfonietta, and the Bronx Arts Ensemble, with whom he has performed Lalo Symphonie Espagnole and the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. When he isn’t playing or coding, Andrew enjoys reading, sports, and his friends.
Praveen Pallegar / Violin
Praveen Pallegar, 17, is a violinist and pianist from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is in the Stanford class of 2020 and is studying Symbolic Systems with a concentration in neuroscience. Praveen has studied piano for thirteen years and violin for eight and loves both competing and performing. Although he is passionate about both instruments, Praveen's primary instrument is piano and he has qualified into the top 50 worldwide in the 2014 International e-Piano Junior Competition. In addition, Praveen won first place in the 2014 MacPhail Concerto and Aria Competition and was invited to play Shostakovich’s 2nd piano concerto as a soloist with the Minneapolis Civic Orchestra. As a violinist in the rich and diverse musical scene of Minneapolis, Praveen has played gigs ranging from baroque operas to world premieres of local composers. He has played in various orchestras around the state as the principal 2nd violinist of the Minnesota All-State Orchestra and as the associate concertmaster of the Minnesota Youth Symphony’s symphony orchestra where he got to work side by side with the Minnesota Orchestra and conductor Osmo Vänskä. In addition, he toured Spain in 2014 as the pianist of the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies’ symphony orchestra which opened the 2014 International Festival of Music and Dance in Granada. As a freshman at Stanford, Praveen was the assistant concertmaster and later the principal 2nd violinist of the Stanford Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he loves participating in chamber music and has participated in various chamber groups both in and out of Stanford. He looks forward to furthering his passion for music while at Stanford.
Praveen Pallegar, 17, is a violinist and pianist from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is in the Stanford class of 2020 and is studying Symbolic Systems with a concentration in neuroscience. Praveen has studied piano for thirteen years and violin for eight and loves both competing and performing. Although he is passionate about both instruments, Praveen's primary instrument is piano and he has qualified into the top 50 worldwide in the 2014 International e-Piano Junior Competition. In addition, Praveen won first place in the 2014 MacPhail Concerto and Aria Competition and was invited to play Shostakovich’s 2nd piano concerto as a soloist with the Minneapolis Civic Orchestra. As a violinist in the rich and diverse musical scene of Minneapolis, Praveen has played gigs ranging from baroque operas to world premieres of local composers. He has played in various orchestras around the state as the principal 2nd violinist of the Minnesota All-State Orchestra and as the associate concertmaster of the Minnesota Youth Symphony’s symphony orchestra where he got to work side by side with the Minnesota Orchestra and conductor Osmo Vänskä. In addition, he toured Spain in 2014 as the pianist of the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies’ symphony orchestra which opened the 2014 International Festival of Music and Dance in Granada. As a freshman at Stanford, Praveen was the assistant concertmaster and later the principal 2nd violinist of the Stanford Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he loves participating in chamber music and has participated in various chamber groups both in and out of Stanford. He looks forward to furthering his passion for music while at Stanford.
Phoebe Yao / Viola
Phoebe Yao, 19, is a young musician, graphic designer, and prospective Stanford class of 2020 computer science major. Born in Zhenjiang, China, Phoebe immigrated to the United States with her parents when she was six and grew up in Saint Louis, Missouri.
A product of STL's vibrant music community, Phoebe has over 8 years of extensive classical music training and experience. Phoebe has traveled and lead viola sections in orchestras throughout the nation as principle violist of the Saint Louis Youth Symphony Orchestra, principle violist of the Missouri All-State Orchestra as well as principal violist of the Interlochen World Youth Symphony Orchestra where she played alongside renowned artists including Joshua Bell, Ani Kavafian, and Alessio Bax. In addition, Phoebe has over 6 years of chamber music experience through the Webster Community Music School Preparatory Program where she is a Chamber Music Society of St. Louis Sponsored Young Artist. Currently a violist in the Stanford Symphony Orchestra and a Stanford Chamber Musician, Phoebe is excited to continue her music journey through college and beyond.
Phoebe Yao, 19, is a young musician, graphic designer, and prospective Stanford class of 2020 computer science major. Born in Zhenjiang, China, Phoebe immigrated to the United States with her parents when she was six and grew up in Saint Louis, Missouri.
A product of STL's vibrant music community, Phoebe has over 8 years of extensive classical music training and experience. Phoebe has traveled and lead viola sections in orchestras throughout the nation as principle violist of the Saint Louis Youth Symphony Orchestra, principle violist of the Missouri All-State Orchestra as well as principal violist of the Interlochen World Youth Symphony Orchestra where she played alongside renowned artists including Joshua Bell, Ani Kavafian, and Alessio Bax. In addition, Phoebe has over 6 years of chamber music experience through the Webster Community Music School Preparatory Program where she is a Chamber Music Society of St. Louis Sponsored Young Artist. Currently a violist in the Stanford Symphony Orchestra and a Stanford Chamber Musician, Phoebe is excited to continue her music journey through college and beyond.
Ellen Roper / Cello
Ellen Roper, 19, is a local cellist and pianist who grew up in Los Altos, California. Part of the class of 2020, she is currently undeclared, but she is currently considering Stanford's Symbolic Systems or Computer Science majors. Ellen has been studying cello for eight years and piano for fourteen, and in her spare time she teaches music to beginning piano and cello students. She has a long history with chamber music, participating in numerous chamber ensembles while a part of Connecticut's Chamber Music Central Symposium and in various self-formed groups throughout high school and at Stanford. She was principal cellist for the advanced Los Altos High School Chamber Orchestra and for the New England Music Camp Symphony Orchestra, and she participated in the Peninsula Young Artists program and the California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. In high school, she received the Director's Musicianship Award, a recognition selected by the music faculty and given to the top student in the Music Department. Ellen is currently playing in the Stanford Symphony Orchestra and participates in two chamber groups as part of the Stanford Chamber Music program, and she is eager to continue to grow as a musician throughout her time at Stanford.
Ellen Roper, 19, is a local cellist and pianist who grew up in Los Altos, California. Part of the class of 2020, she is currently undeclared, but she is currently considering Stanford's Symbolic Systems or Computer Science majors. Ellen has been studying cello for eight years and piano for fourteen, and in her spare time she teaches music to beginning piano and cello students. She has a long history with chamber music, participating in numerous chamber ensembles while a part of Connecticut's Chamber Music Central Symposium and in various self-formed groups throughout high school and at Stanford. She was principal cellist for the advanced Los Altos High School Chamber Orchestra and for the New England Music Camp Symphony Orchestra, and she participated in the Peninsula Young Artists program and the California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. In high school, she received the Director's Musicianship Award, a recognition selected by the music faculty and given to the top student in the Music Department. Ellen is currently playing in the Stanford Symphony Orchestra and participates in two chamber groups as part of the Stanford Chamber Music program, and she is eager to continue to grow as a musician throughout her time at Stanford.
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