Dr. Elizabeth Reed Smith, conductor

Erica Shen, piano soloist

Winner, 2009 Young People's Concert Competition sponsored by the Women's Club of Huntington

Acknowledgments: Women's Club of Huntington, Paul Dempsey, Dr. Jeffrey Pappas, Dr. Vicki Stroeher

About the Soloist

Erica Shen is a senior at George Washington High School, in Charleston, WV. Her passion for music was fostered by the Kinder Music Program provided by Mrs. Joann Cordell and the choir program led by the late Malinda Crothers at Christ Church. Erica started her piano study at age five with Mrs. Olive Meyer. She continued her study with Mrs. Vicki Cavendish; currently, she is under the instruction of Dr. Leslie Petteys.

Since the age of four, Erica has regularly attended performances of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and various arts organizations. She enjoys an eclectic array of musical styles: classical, jazz, Broadway, opera, rock, swing, and many more. "Music," she says, "is a language that the entire world can understand."

Erica has been featured by the programs of the Kanawha Forum, Thanks! Plain and Simple, Good Night and the WV Governor's Tree Lighting Ceremony. Throughout her study, she also has had the honor to attend masterclasses conducted by renowned artists such as Antonio Pompa-Baldi. Not only a skilled musician in her own right, . she also accompanies her violinist sister, Elise Shen, in competitions and performances. Together or separately, they provide music for churches, charity organizations, nursing homes, and government functions. They also held a solo concert at University of Charleston in the spring of2006.

Erica is a straight-A student, a National AP Scholar, finalist for the National Merit Scholarship and a Presidential Scholar candidate. She intends to pursue an engineering degree, advance to graduate study, and establish a career in scientific research. Currently, she holds a Meritorious Award for the JV 2417 AW ANA program and a blue belt in karate.

Orchestra Personnel

Abby Holmes, concertmaster, Korey Jividen, Tim Feverston, Lindsay DiFatta, Melody Cook, Emiko Hori, George Beter, Samuel Bauserman, violin I

Janet Bromley, principal, Mehmet Anaer, Lauren Keller, Megan Hunt, Basil Dixon, Kelcey Perkins, violin II

Dilek Engin, principal, Lauren McDaniel, Susan Cook, Jame C. McCumbee, viola

Caitlin Zirkle, principal, James Kiger, Jaime Dzierzak, Dean Pauley, cello

Rebecca Harrison, bass

Lance Arthur, principal, Brittany White, flute

Brittany White piccolo

Cassandra Thompson-Chapman, principal, Emily Cline, oboe

Robert Heath II, principal, Emilea Burgh, clarinet

Kay Lawson, principal, Lauren Kemp, bassoon

Nick Amis, principal, William Holderby Il, Kristen Liegey, Kristen Bobuk, horn

Joshua Ferguson, principal, Mary Heath, Briana Blankenship, trumpet

Katie Ferber, principal, Alexander Conn, trombone

Jason Rose, bass tombone

John Arthur, tuba

Michael Cochran, Joe Crowe, Reece Watkins, percussion