Meet the Writers
We currently have 15 writers from all over the U.S. who come from all walks of life. We are so excited for these incredible individuals to share there music expertise on Tunes For Kidz!
Rayan Jawa(he/him)
"My name is Rayan Jawa, I’m from Holmdel, NJ, and I play the viola. My favorite composers are Borodin and Schumann and my favorite genres are classical and r&b."
Joshua Morris(he/him)
"Jazz trumpet player and a big jazz enthusiast. I play trumpet in many jazz and classical settings including the All State and All County ensembles. I am a fan of finding obscure recordings by artists and learning from their style."
Bryan Kim(he/him)
"Hello! My name is Bryan Kim and I am a violinist from Blacksburg, Virginia. I've been playing my instrument for over a decade, and I sincerely love performing for others!"
Natalie Colegrove (she/her)
"Natalie Colegrove, 18, is a euphonium and bass trombone young artist. Natalie released her euphonium tuba ensemble album “Midnight Euphonium'' in August 2020, where all the profits will be donated to the Valley Medical Center. Since then she’s released two lo-fi singles, “Blessed” and “Last Cup of Coffee” on all streaming platforms. From Cupertino, California, she began her euphonium studies at age 11 and has studied with Kent Mikasa, Eric Weingartner, Tony Clements, Jason Donnelly, and currently Dr. Aaron Tindall. She has performed as principal euphonium in many ensembles, including the Honor Band of America, the NAfME All-National Concert Band, the California All-State Honor Band, and is the bass trombonist of the California Youth Symphony Senior Orchestra. In the summer of 2020, she won first place in both the student solo division and the mock band competition of the International Euphonium Tuba Festival. The same year, Natalie was named a semi-finalist of the Falcone Solo Competition. Natalie also was a semifinalist in the virtual Stars and Shipes competition and she won first place in the B natural competition hosted by the US Navy Band’s own Bobby Behrand. Additionally, Natalie was named a YoungArts Foundation winner of Classical Music. Most recently, she won first place in the New Zealand International Brass Festival 2021 Young Artist Solo Competition. She has also soloed with the CYS Senior Orchestra, the CYS Wind Symphony* and the Cupertino High School Wind Ensemble. She is currently a freshman at the University of Miami studying Music Performance with a minor in Production. In addition to practicing music and producing lo-fi beats, Natalie enjoys managing her euphonium-based Instagram and apparel business, @euphieslife and @misseuphonium."
Jack Ramu(he/him)
"I am a trumpet player from north Georgia who loves to play music, listen to music, and write. I believe that everyone should try playing an instrument at least once because it is an enriching experience that helps release creative energy."
Ian Dorich(he/him)
"I am a pianist / tuba player from Boston Massachusetts. I love classical and jazz music."
Samuel Igbo(he/him)
"Samuel Igbo is a 15 year old violinist from Boerne, Texas. He began playing the instrument at 12 years, but has made tremendous accomplishments, such as being selected for the National Youth Orchestra 2 for the 2021 season, placing 2nd in the ENKOR International Competition, and participating in masterclasses with David Halen, concertmaster of the St. Louis Symphony, and Yoonshin Song, concertmaster of the Houston Symphony, among others. His favorite artist is Itzhak Perlman, and he loves computer science, running track, and reading outside."
Sarah Grace Kimberly(she/her)
"Sarah Grace is a southern gal hailing from Houston, Texas. She is a freshman at the University of Houston studying business in the Honors College. She is a 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholar of the Arts, a Semifinalist on Season 15 of NBC's The Voice, and an Official Hammond Artist. Although she is most known for her voice, Sarah Grace also plays piano and organ, and she studied classical trumpet at the prestigious High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. Sarah Grace's band, Sarah Grace and The Soul, went on a national tour during the summer of 2019. She is a huge advocate for expanding the accessibility of music education; she was the first youth mentor for United by Music North America, a group that works with adults with special needs to form ensembles and deliver top-notch performances. Sarah Grace is honored to be writing for Tunes for Kidz."
Seth Hahn(he/him)
"Hi, my name is Seth Hahn, and I'm from Broken Arrow, OK. I will be studying Trombone Performance with Professor Jeremy Wilson at Vanderbilt University this fall, and I could not be more excited for everything my freshman year of college has to offer! Some of my favorite musicians are Trombonist Christian Lindberg, Maestro Alan Gilbert, and Dr. Arturo Sandoval. I am primarily a classical trombonist, but I also enjoy jazz as well as classic rock music."
James McAffrey(he/him)
"My name is James McAffrey and I am an 18 year old trumpet player from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma! I have been playing trumpet 9 years, starting when I was 9. I started playing in the Oklahoma Home School Band, then did multiple honor bands and eventually got into the Oklahoma Youth Wind Ensemble and Philharmonic. After auditioning for a few more years, I got into the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra where I have been 2nd one year, and principal two more years. I have also competed at the National Trumpet Competition twice and placed third in the high school division in the spring of 2021. Last year I also participated online in the National Youth Orchestra 2 program. My favorite classical piece is Mahler 2 and one of my favorite hobbies is rock climbing. I both coach and compete as a rock climber!"
Gabby Maresco(any pronouns)
"Hello! I’m Gabby (any pronouns work for me!), and I am a classically trained vocalist from Long Island, New York! I will be majoring in music education with a concentration in voice at Crane School of Music in the fall, and intend on also pursuing a minor in musical theatre performance. Aside from singing, I also dabble in piano, ukulele, and guitar. I’m a lover of many genres— Musical Theatre, Opera, Alternative pop/rock, Classic Rock, Surrealist Pop, Indie, Rap, Electronic, whatever is blasting on the radio, and pretty much anything I can bop to! My favorite composers would have to be Stephen Sondheim and Dave Malloy, and some of my favorite artists are Melanie Martinez, Marina and The Diamonds, Paramore, Taylor Swift, Willow Smith, Mitski, Lovejoy and the Beatles! In addition to music, I also adore theatre, dance, visual art, writing, cosplay, and fashion. Some of my favorite roles on the stage include Johanna in Sweeney Todd and Chris Gorman in Rumors. I’m extremely excited to contribute to Tunes for Kids, and to connect with musicians of all levels and interests!"
Sasha Hitachi(she/her)
"Hello! I'm Sasha Hitachi, a flutist from Chattanooga, Tennessee. I recently graduated high school, and am headed to Cambridge/Boston where I'll be enrolled in the Harvard and New England Conservatory dual degree program. I find myself most inspired by friends and food, and some of my favorite artists include Emmanuel Pahud, Yubeen Kim, and BlackPink. "
Hayden Ventrella(she/her)
"Hello! I am Hayden, I'm from Central California but just recently moved to Nashville, Tennessee. I am an incoming Freshman at Northeastern University majoring in Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics. Music has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. The guitar is my main instrument, I have been playing since I was little, but I have a deep appreciation for all instruments and music. I love listening to all different types of music/artists but I mainly listen to rock and alternative (the strokes are my favorite band!). I am so excited to be a part of the Tunes for Kidz blog team and can't wait to start writing!"
Gauri Adarsh (she/her)
"Hi! My name is Gauri Adarsh, and I'm so excited to be working with Tunes for Kidz. I'm a rising junior at Ravenwood High School in Tennessee, and I've always loved to write - from short fictional stories about lunchrooms in imaginary schools to long research papers about the justice system, any kind of writing is interesting writing to me. I played piano for six years and clarinet for three - however, I wouldn't say I was necessarily good at the latter instrument. My time in music classes has fostered a love for music and has shown me its bonding effect on various communities, along with the comfort it offers to many. What makes music so beautiful to me is its flexibility - it can communicate a message about solitude or mental health or love so consuming it engulfs you, it can serve as a background for movement and expression, it can be made by the fanciest or the most dilapidated instrument. This is why I don't think I have a favorite genre, per se, but more of an appreciation for anything; however, if I had to choose, I would say jazz due to my love for Louis Armstrong. Music in any form has continued to be important in my life, which is why I am such a big proponent of Tunes for Kids - it brings music to those who need it the most."
Joey Karz (he/him)
"I am a freshman at the University of Michigan, where I will be studying classical composition. I have been playing piano for my entire life, and after attending Interlochen Arts Camp as a freshman in high school, I became a fellow in the LA Philharmonic Nancy and Barry Sanders Composer Fellowship Program. Going into my junior year, I studied composition at Boston University Tanglewood Institute. I recently participated in an inspiring virtual week with YoungArts as a 2021 winner in classical music, and my piano trio, Parrhesia, was performed by the NU Deco Ensemble during the YoungArts virtual concert. I am excited to study music in college, and as a future professional composer, am determined to develop a unique sound that captivates a wide variety of audiences."