2026/27 Students
Alex Schroeder is an 12th grade student at Spectrum High School. He has been involved with music since elementary school, first joining choir and strings, then from middle school onwards joining every available ensemble. He loves music deeply, striving to take every opportunity to try out a new style of music, deepen his knowledge of music theory, or to learn a new instrument. Throughout his years of music, Alex has studied violin, viola, cello, double bass, bass guitar, guitar, trombone, flute and oboe. This is his second year as part of the Youth Mentorship Program, and he is looking forward to improving his tone and developing his skills as an oboe player.
Alex will be studying with Michelle Feng.
Alina Carrie is a 12th grade student at Spectrum Community School. She is 16 and has been attending the youth mentorship program for her fourth year now. When she isn't practicing clarinet, Alina enjoys crocheting and reading. Music has been a great passion of hers since she first started band and she hopes to continue her journey with music into university.
Her mentor is Samuel He of the Naden Band.
Amelia Davies is an 8th grade French Immersion student at Central Middle School who has played the tenor saxophone for two years, her favorite instrument by far. She also brings three years of vocal training, three years of violin, and four years of both electric and acoustic guitar, with a particular love for jazz. Outside of music, Amelia enjoys spending time outdoors, playing club soccer, reading, watching musicals, and participating in musical theater. She's excited to work with her mentor to grow as a saxophone player and take on new techniques.
Anica Walsh is entering grade 7 this year at Monterey Middle School. Anica has been playing Piano since grade one, age 6, and is currently studying at RCM level 7 with their instructor. They most enjoy Romantic, 20th, and 21st century Repertoire. Anica loves all music and last year was in Concert Band 6 in Percussion, Senior Strings with Viola, and sang in Choir as well as being the Choir’s accompanist on Piano. Over the summer, Anica has picked up the Clarinet, which they hope to play in Concert Band 7. Anica enjoys performing in Musical Theatre, Drama, and Dance. When not performing or playing music, Anica spends time listening to music, reading, making art, and playing with their two cats, Coco and Mango.
Brandon Hu is entering grade 9 this fall at Reynolds Secondary school. He has played the clarinet since grade 6 when he joined the band at Cedar Hill middle school, and is looking forward to participating in the music programs Reynolds offers. In the past three years Brandon has joined the Cedar Hill Concert band, Jazz band, Vocal jazz, and Orchestra. Brandon also plays the piano too, having played since he was 8. He enjoys spending his time outside, in the gym, or listening to music. Brandon’s looking forward to improving his skills, becoming a better player, and most importantly becoming a better musician with the YMP.
Jasper Bronee is a grade 10 student at Esquimalt High School. He started playing percussion at Rockheights Middle School and now plays in jazz band, concert band and R&B band. Jasper is the drummer of the math rock band *endorphins with fellow TCAC mentee Kingston Cook and recently recorded two singles. In his free time, Jasper loves listening to and practicing music, training as a competitive hip hop dancer, and has acted in several films, web series’ and commercials. Jasper plans to pursue an education in jazz or contemporary music after high school with dreams of a future career as a musician.
My name is Jula Odeste. I go to Oak Bay High School and am in my senior year of high school. Over the years, I have been involved in my school’s Concert Choirs, Chamber Choir, Vocal Jazz Groups (intermediate - auditioned), Musical Theatre, and singing in R&B. In my spare time, I play the guitar to the best of my abilities and I do my nails for me and my beautiful friends. I’ve been singing since I was around 6 years old, primarily performing in church. My mother and the church’s worship team were the people who constantly taught and supported me on the basics of singing. But as I grew up and moved to Canada, I desperately wanted another outlet of where I could perform and learn more on how to hone my talent. I hope that with this program, I’d be able to learn how to use my voice in a comfortable and more technical manner. This will be my first year in the program, and I am very excited to meet my mentor and the other students in the program!
My name is Kingston Cook, and I am entering Grade 10 at Esquimalt High School for the 2026–27 school year. Music has been a huge part of my life since I was very young. I started piano lessons at two years old before picking up guitar around the age of nine, and I have now been playing guitar for six years.Over the years, I have also learned bass, drums, and percussion through school bands and jazz ensembles, giving me experience playing in different musical settings and styles. Guitar has always been my main instrument, and it has become one of if not the biggest hobbies in my life.
Meet Matthew Holland. He is in grade 10 at Reynolds Secondary School in the French Immersion track, participating in several musical ensembles. Matthew has been playing piano since he was 4 years old. Matthew has played the violin since grade 5 and continued through his time at Cedar Hill Middle School where he also joined the choir. Matthew has also played trombone for two years. In his spare time, he likes to listen to music, read books, watch movies and go outside.
With this program, Matthew looks to gain confidence in performing in front of people and experience different ways in which he could potentially use his abilities to share music with others.
In the future Matthew would like to be involved with something where he can use his hands. Mathew likes the idea of being involved with sharing music with others in some fashion. He would also enjoy building something in the physical world.
Matthew will be mentored by Robert Holliston.
With this program, Matthew looks to gain confidence in performing in front of people and experience different ways in which he could potentially use his abilities to share music with others.
In the future Matthew would like to be involved with something where he can use his hands. Mathew likes the idea of being involved with sharing music with others in some fashion. He would also enjoy building something in the physical world.
Matthew will be mentored by Robert Holliston.
Penelope McMillan is a grade 10 student at Reynolds Secondary school. She enjoys listening to music, as well as playing it. In her spare time, she dances both ballet, and contemporary. She has been in her school's concert band, full orchestra, choir, and show choir, and joined Reynolds jazz band last year. She is starting her fifth year playing clarinet, and it’s something she’s come to enjoy very much.
She is looking forward to all this program has to offer, and working with her mentor, Melissa Goodchild.
My name is Roko. I am a grade 9 student at Reynolds Secondary School in their Soccer Excellence program. I have been playing the tenor saxophone for three years and took up the french horn one year ago. I decided to start playing the french horn because I wanted a challenge and the instrument inspired me.
I will continue with the tenor sax in Jazz Band but will have less opportunity to play horn in school. Participating in the Youth Mentor Program will allow me to keep playing the horn. I am looking forward to pursuing my passion for the horn and working with a new mentor. I am also excited to be a part of this community to meet new musicians and attend new concerts.
When I’m not playing music, I am out on the soccer field playing on a BCSPL team training 5 days a week.