Student spotlight!
Every Student is a Star at the J. Bell Studio. Lets meet a few…
J. BELL student spotlight
Brendan
Brendan is a senior at North Atlanta High School where he is the principle Clarinetist of the Wind Ensemble and Full Orchestra. He has also been the principle clarinetist for a number of other ensembles including the district 5 Honor Band, UGA Janfest, MYSO Philharmonia, the Encore music camp, and the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra. In addition, Brendan has been a member of the GMEA All-State band for 5 consecutive years. He has performed with the Atlanta Chamber Music Festival Symphony, was accepted to the Interlochen program, and was featured as a composer by the World Youth Symphony Orchestra as well as the Orlando Symphony Orchestra where his composition was premiered. Brendan is also a member of the NAHS track team and as an already accomplished young composer, he plans to continue his musical journey on the collegiate level with a concentration on Composition.
Cj
CJ is a Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology (RMSST) alumnus. He was the principal Alto saxophonist in the Rockdale County High School Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band for 3 years. While in high school, he performed in a plethora of other ensembles including the GMEA District IV Honor Band, UGA Jan Fest ensembles, the State High School Jazz Band Clinic ensemble, the Conyers-Covington Community Orchestra, and various summer band camp ensembles. Upon graduating, he was the recipient of the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award for his proficiency in Jazz. Among his musical accomplishments, he holds a 3rd degree Black Belt in American Karate-Kenpo and won a state title in volleyball. He is now a student at Vanderbilt University studying Engineering Science where he continues to be involved in the musical space by taking private lessons with various faculty members in the Blair School of Music. In addition, he posts covers of some of his favorite songs to his Instagram page, @od.sax.
Emily
Emily is a junior at Fayette County High School in Fayetteville Ga. She is a member of the FCHS Wind Ensemble, Marching Tiger Band, and has been a member to the District Honor band since the 8th grade. Emily began playing the clarinet when it was handed down to her from her older cousin. She recently received the honor of being selected as a Drum Major of the Marching Tiger Band. Emily plans to become an OB/GYN Sonographer and will always keep music as a part of her life.
Raymond
Raymond is a sophomore at Brookwood High School in Snellville Ga. He is an A+ student, a UTA 6.23 ranked tennis player (Freshman varsity team member), and has been a student government president. Raymond has performed with his district Honor Band for the past 4 years and has been selected to the GMEA All-State Band for 3 consecutive years, including 2 years as Principle saxophone. Raymond also plays the violin and was selected as the Concert Master of his GMEA All-State Orchestra. He has also been a member of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Atlanta Junior Chamber Orchestra.