Celebrating the Class of 2025: Community Music School Graduates

As the school year comes to a close, we’re proud to honor our high school seniors with a special recital celebrating their achievements both in and out of the practice room. We proudly recognize the Class of 2025—students who have balanced rehearsals, recitals, and rigorous academics, all while making music an important part of their lives.

Hear  the MIC Class of 2025 Perform!
Graduating Seniors Concert  •  Sunday, April 27 at 5:30 PM
Nichols Concert Hall • 1490 Chicago Ave, Evanston
View the concert program or watch the livestream»

Valentina Abbott
Student of Sang Mee Lee
Wilmette, IL
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Global Health and English

Talia Bahar
Student of Karin Addis 
Evanston, IL
Emory University
Undecided

Veronica Bart
Student of Claire Aebersold Neiweem
Wilmette, IL
Undecided
Astro Physics

“The Neiweem's have always been so inspirational and knowledgeable. It has been a pleasure taking piano lessons from them and getting to know them. Participating in the Chicago Duo Piano Festival with them and my sister has been a wonderful treat. I will miss them.” - Veronica Bart

Ethan Chen 
Student of Sang Mee Lee
New Berlin, WI
Undecided

Isabelle Collister
Student of Sarah Plum
Lake Forest, IL
Undecided
Biomedical Engineering

Neha Dhawan 
Student of Marie Alatalo
Chicago, IL
Northwestern University
Political Science

Ella Feeney
Student of Karin Addis
Evanston, IL
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Architecture

Jeremy Fung
Student of Julie Bickel
Darien, IL
Northwestern University 
Economics

“My favorite memories are from the tours with Virtuoso Strings. I loved touring Italy especially and getting to talk to some of the locals. My favorite memory, though, is playing the Warsaw Concerto in England.” - Jeremy Fung

Gretchen Grossert
Student of Julie Bickel
Batavia, IL
Boston Conservatory
Cello Performance

Jacob Han
Student of Katherine Lee
Wilmette, IL
Undecided

“I really enjoyed participating in the Chicago Duo Piano Festival, because I had an opportunity to collaborate with other pianists. It’s also a great experience working with different faculty members and receiving feedback.” - Jacob Han

Theodore Kaczmarek
Student of Louise Chan
Wilmette, IL
University of Pennsylvania
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

“Working with Ms. Chan for over 10 years, l've had many great experiences at MIC. My experience with MIC has been great due to Ms. Chan's amazing ability to teach, and I am incredibly thankful for her.”- Teddy Kaczmarek

Max Klie
Student of Eric Sutz
Wilmette, IL
Wesleyan University
International Relations

Penelope LaFleur
Student of Vannia Phillips
Evanston, IL
University of British Columbia
Biology

“Playing with the Preludio Orchestra on Saturdays when I was 12 was always the highlight of my week. ” - Penelope LaFleur

Danielle Lam
Student of Soo Young Lee
Libertyville, IL
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Psychology

Jaxon Lau
Student of Kate Nir
Kenilworth, IL
Harvard University
Undecided

Harrisan Lee 
Student of Marie Alatalo
Coloma, MI
Undecided

Nisha Lee
Student of Katherine Lee
Glencoe, IL
Washington University 
Public Health

Lukas Leonardson
Student of Elaine Felder
Wilmette, IL 
Indiana University Bloomington
Accounting

Uma Morris
Student of Elaine Felder
Chicago, IL
Northwestern University
Journalism

“I love playing in Ms. Felder's performance classes. My favorite moments are when she is singing next to me while I play to help me play with more emotion and fluidity. Another highlight was performing in master classes with Reena Esmail and Jerome Lowenthal.” - Uma Morris

Varun Murali
Student of Chris Hasselbring
Wilmette, IL 
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Material Science Engineering

Caitlyn Nguyen
Student of Julie Bickel
Batavia, IL
University of Illinois Chicago
Biology

“My most memorable experience at MIC has been performing internationally with Virtuoso Strings, performing in Italy, England, and now New York. I am incredibly grateful to play alongside talented musicians and make new friends who love classical music.” - Caitlyn Nguyen

Eric Nickerson 
Student of Tanya Carey
Homewood, IL
University of Northern Iowa
Music Performance

“My highlight with MIC was the feeling of being supported. I had access to practice rooms and a very friendly and helpful staff. I wouldn't have studied anywhere else.”- Eric Nickerson 

Kai Offenbacher
Student of Mary Drews
Winnetka, IL
Purdue University
Engineering

Santino Pardo Robles
Student of Daniel Baer
Chicago, IL
Undecided 

Kashyap Prasad
Student of Matthew Hagle and Shigetoshi Yamada
Lake Bluff, IL
Undecided

Calvin Quinto
Student of Irene Zuppardo
Lincolnshire, IL
University of Indiana
Business

“Studying with Mrs. Irene Zuppardo stands out as a memorable experience. Mrs. Zuppardo has always been supportive of me as a student and any and all music choices. She has helped shape my appreciation of all music genres. Another highlight has been recitals. Mrs. Zuppardo has always had regular recitals that highlighted so many talented piano students. It often motivated me to keep practicing and work harder.”   -Calvin Quinto

Isabelle Richter
Student of Milana Pavchinskaya
Winnetka, IL 
University of St. Andrews
Undecided

David Roche
Student of Sang Mee Lee
Chicago, IL
Undecided 

“I really enjoyed working with my teacher, Sang Mee Lee. It was amazing studying from her. I grew so much as a person and musician and am very grateful for our time working together.”- David Roche

Arianna Smith
Student of John Glew
Chicago, IL
University of Illinois Chicago
Biology

Patrick Tu
Student of Karin Addis
Evanston, IL 
Undecided
Data Science

“I always look forward to my weekly lesson with Karin. In addition to being a great violin teacher she has an incredible amount of knowledge about the world of music and has fostered a love of music for me. I am grateful that I have gotten to study with her for the past twelve years and will miss our weekly lessons” -Patrick Tu

Jacob Valentino
Student of Julie Bickel 
Wheaton, IL
Purdue University
Professional Flight Technology

Jeffrey Wang
Student of Soo Young Lee
Princeton, IL
University of Chicago 
Mathematics and Physics

“Some of my best memories have been the activities such as piano intensive camp and chamber music camps. I enjoyed the community I was a part of.” - Jeffrey Wang

Leo Zupko
Student of Sang Mee Lee
Chicago, IL
Undecided
Violin Performance
 

As our seniors turn the page to an exciting new chapter, we celebrate all the music, memories, and milestones that have brought them here. We can’t wait to see what comes next. Congratulations to the Class of 2025!