Scholarships

Beach Cities Symphony announces two $500 Scholarships for two deserving middle school students

Do you have, or know of, a middle school instrumental music student who could use $500 to further his/her musical studies? Let them know about this wonderful opportunity – it’s free to apply!

To be eligible, an applicant must be attending a South Bay public, private, or home school (6^th, 7^th, or 8^th grade) at the time of application. Students of all ability levels will be considered.

The Alfred Chavez Memorial $500 scholarship is awarded to a string player and the Jo Wisniewski $500 Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a non-string orchestral instrumentalist. The scholarship may be used to pay for such music expenses as music lessons, the purchase, rental, or maintenance of an instrument; or attending a music camp. The winners will be introduced and given their awards at the Beach Cities Symphony’s opening concert in the Fall of 2026.

The 2026 Applications will open in February 2026. Check back here then for the 2026 Application and Instructions.

2025 Beach Cities Symphony Middle School Instrumentalist Scholarships Winners

This yearʼs winners of the $500 Al Chavez Memorial Scholarship (string players) and the $500 Jo Wisniewski Memorial Scholarship (other orchestral instruments) are Alana Nunez, cello and Luke Hsu, alto sax. Scholarships may be used for music lessons; the purchase, rental, or maintenance of an instrument or attending a music camp.

The Alfred Chavez Memorial $500 Scholarship Winner

Alana Nunez, cello

Cellist Alana Nunez, a Redondo Beach native, performs actively across Los Angeles as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician. In 2021, she earned State Honors in the MTAC Certificate of Merit examinations in both Cello and Piano demonstrating a high level of musical proficiency and interpretive depth at the age of 10. In 2022 Alana joined the Los Angeles Youth Philharmonic. Recently she gave featured concerto performances with the LAYP orchestra, where she was a highlighted soloist performing the first movement of Elgarʼs Cello Concerto. Alana is also the cellist of the A.C.E Trio, an ensemble formed, coached and produced by the Music Box School. In addition to her ensemble work, she performs regularly as both soloist and collaborator through the MTAC Torrance Branch Music Student Service League, appearing in community and outreach concerts as well as quarterly seasonal recitals.

The Jo Wisniewski $500 Memorial Scholarship Winner

Luke Hsu, alto sax

Luke is an 8th-grade student at Bert Lynn Middle School with a profound passion for music. He began playing Alto Saxophone in 6th grade at school and quickly distinguished himself as a standout performer. In 2024, Luke received the Outstanding Musicianship Award as a soloist at the Southern California Forum Festival and was selected to perform with the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) Honor Band for 2024–2025 season at the Hyatt Regency in Garden Grove.

In addition to his achievements on saxophone, Luke is an accomplished pianist. He is a two-time Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Gold Medalist for California and Hawaii (2023 and 2024) and was invited to perform at the RCMʼs Celebration of Excellence Recital at the University of Southern California. Most recently, Luke earned the Silver Medal at the 2025 Southern California Junior Bach Festival (SCJBF) Complete Works Audition in September 2025, continuing his record of excellence as a consistent medalist, with Silver and Bronze Medalist from 2022 through 2024. Luke also won second place at the Glissando International Youth Piano Competition in November 2024 and was consecutively invited to the MTAC State Convention from 2022 to 2025.

In addition to music, Luke enjoys swimming, reading and playing chess.

2024 Beach Cities Symphony Middle School Instrumentalist Scholarships Winners

The Alfred Chavez Memorial $500 Scholarship Winner

Emily Suh, violin

Emily Suh is a 14-year-old eighth grader currently living in South Bay who started her classical music journey at the age of 5. She has participated in several competitions and performances. She placed 1st prize at both the Glendale Piano Competition and at the Satori Summer Music Festival for piano and violin as well as the Audience Award and the Judges’ Distinction Award, received 2nd place in the Southwestern Youth Music Festival (SYMF), played in the Los Angeles Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (LAYP), and has been a part of the California All State Junior High Orchestra (CODA) where she performed at Sacramento, and is currently in the Colburn Youth Orchestra. She loves traveling, being active, and hanging out with her family and friends.

2023 Beach Cities Symphony Middle School Instrumentalist Scholarships Winners

The Alfred Chavez Memorial $500 Scholarship Winner

Noah Liao, violin

Noah Liao is currently an eighth grade student at Calle Mayor Middle School and has been learning violin since he was five years old with Mr. Elmer Su. He has been winning awards since he was seven years old and has made it to Ysaye international violin competition in Belgium this July to compete with the other five competitors from around the world. Noah enjoys playing violin as much as he plays tennis and volleyball. Noah would like to continue his music journey to college.