Meet the Writers!
Meet our 2022 and 2023 POW writers who come from all kinds of musical backgrounds!
Gauri Adarsh she/her
Hi! My name is Gauri, and I have loved music for my whole life, as I’m sure many of you do. I’m from Nashville, TN, and my absolute favorite thing is to write. I really want to be a journalist, and hopefully, I could work in the public health sector! I have a stuffed animal named Timothee the Snail, and I love the movie Easy A! Also I love to listen to old jazz and hip-hop!
Preston Atkins he/him
My name is Preston and I’m a bassoonist and pianist originally from Iowa. I graduated from Idyllwild Arts Academy and have just started my undergraduate studies at the Curtis Institute of Music. I was also a member of the USA National Youth Orchestra’s 2022 program and European tour. I’m so excited to be part of the POW project, I love to write and being able to connect writing with music is something that I’m so excited about!
James Bilbo he/they
Hello! My name is James and I was born and raised in Nashville, TN. I've been singing since before I can remember, and have been playing guitar and producing music since I was 12 years old. Some of my favorite artists are Pond, The Murlocs, The Beatles, Muse, Pink Floyd, and Klaatu, but my #1 favorite band of all time is King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard. I like to play/produce rock, folk, and electronic music.
Samuel Igbo he/him
My name is Samuel and I am a 15 year old violinist from Boerne, Texas. I began playing violin at 12 years, but have 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. My favorite artist is Itzhak Perlman, and I love computer science, running track, and reading outside.
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.
Madeleine Jones she/her
Hello, my name is Madeleine, and I’m from around the Nashville, Tennessee area. I am a senior in high school looking to go to the University of Tennessee or the University of North Carolina next fall. Ever since I was a Wise Man in my 4th grade church pageant, choir has been a huge part of my life. I sing Alto (although I prefer to sing Soprano II), but my favorite music genre to listen to is definitely punk rock.
Bryan Kim he/him
Hello my name is Bryan and I am a rising sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania. I have been playing the violin for a very long time—over a decade—and my favorite violinist is myself. I sincerely love performing for others!
Gabby Maresco any pronouns
Hello! I’m Gabby Maresco, a New York based singer, actor, writer, and digital content creator who uses any pronouns (he/they/she)! I am currently pursuing my Bachelor of Music in Music Education, with a minor in Musical Theatre, and a Vocal Performance Certificate from the Crane School of Music! I study Classical, Musical Theatre, and Contemporary/Pop performance, and am very open to learning and performing a wide variety of music genres. My favorite artists are The Beatles, Mitski, and Melanie Martinez, whilst my favorite composers are Dave Malloy, Stephen Sondheim, and Duncan Sheik! Plays, Operas, Films, Musicals, Choirs, Music Festivals— you name it, I love telling stories! I’ve performed at Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and The 92nd Street Y, to name a few venues! Some of my most favorite past credits include Johanna in Sweeney Todd, Chris Gorman in Rumors, and Gertrude in Seussical. I also dabble in guitar, ukelele, keyboard, dance, composition, visual art, cosplay, and fashion! I’m excited to help provide new perspectives and ideas about the vast realm of music, and to help young musicians expand their horizons!
Brooke Ohrt she/her
Hi! My name is Brooke Ohrt, and I am from Franklin, TN. I will be studying kinesiology at the University of Tennessee Knoxville starting this fall. I am so excited to see what my freshman year of college has in store for me! I have grown up loving music and being surrounded by music. I began my music career by learning piano, which I have played since I was 6. Then I grew into choir which I continue to be apart of, followed by playing clarinet for 7 years.
Natalie Smith she/her
Hi, my name is Natalie Smith and I’m a sophomore music business major at Belmont University. I love music and will listen to pretty much any genre. I really enjoy live music so going to concerts is one of my favorite hobbies!
Chloe Sokolowski she/her
Hi, I'm Chloe Sokolowski and I am the Blog editor of Tunes for Kidz! I am a 17 year old flutist from Nashville, Tennessee. I have played flute for 6 years, but I also play piccolo and piano. I also love performing on-stage in musical theater productions. I am a section leader in my school's marching band as well. My favorites to play on flute are Mozart and Claude Bolling's jazz flute pieces, while Debussy is my favorite to play on piano.
Brennen Taggart he/they
Hi! My name is Brennen Taggart and I'm from Lexington, Kentucky. I went to Lafayette high school for the School of the Performing Arts program and am currently studying double bass performance with Sidney King at the University of Louisville! I have had the opportunity to travel the world on tour with the National Youth Orchestra of America, playing Mahler's 5th symphony. I am also a pianist and a guitarist, and whenever I'm not performing or practicing, you can find me in a book of manuscript paper, slaving away at a new piece. I listen to a lot of classical music, but I also love Indie folk, bluegrass, and some ambient music.
Ray Zhang he/him
Hi! My name is Ray, and I'm from San Antonio, TX. I play the viola, and I will be a senior at Brandeis High School this school year. Some of my musical highlights include touring Europe with NYO-USA, performing in a Texas All-State Orchestra, and traveling to New York City with my school orchestra. Outside of playing viola, I also enjoy staying in shape, cooking, and reading.