Students

Students make up a large percentage of Stockbridge Sinfonia’s musicians.

We had 19 student members in 2026! Learn how you can support our students by donating to the Stockbridge Sinfonia Scholarship Fund.

Lisa Chen playing the violin.

2026 Student Members

Thomas Bain

Jack Bradway

Santiago Bedard-Torres

Lisa Chen

Serena Chen

Shane Chen

Isabella Cortes

Nathan Cracolici

Alaisia DiSola-Staples

PJ Fiegel

Rose Garrison

Harleigh Gross

Miguel Henao-Calle

Daniel Lin

Lily Najimy

Soren Peacock

Hugo Pizarro-Gundelfinger

Emma Proskin

Betty Zheng

Student Scholarship Fund Recipients 2026

The Sinfonia strongly values the participation of students who can grow musically through their participation in the orchestra. The Sinfonia has a general scholarship awards as well as five specifically named awards in honor / memory of certain individuals: Bernice Black (concertmistress for many years); Dick Perera (former principal cellist); Ed Bowe (principal oboist for many years); and Simeon Loring (who started as a clarinet player and served as Music Director from 2003-2017).

Awards are made annually to full-time students of middle and high school or college through an application process. A committee, appointed by the board chair, determines awards based on attendance at rehearsals, musical improvement over the course of the summer, value of the individual’s contribution during our concerts and operational support.

In 2026, almost $7,000 was awarded.

2026 General Awards

Santiago Bedard-Torres Serena Chen Emma Proskin Betty Zheng Miguel Angel Henao-Calle Rose Garrison Daniel Lin Lisa Chen Harleigh Gross

Given to students who demonstrate commitment to the hard work towards becoming the best musician they can be.

Bernice Black Award

Isabella Cortes

Given each year to a student who plays the violin or viola and who demonstrates leadership and mentoring skills.

Simeon Loring Award

Lennox Tournas-Hardt

Given to the student who has shown advancement in playing ability and has been helpful in the overall mission of the orchestra in terms of both volunteer and musical efforts.

Ed Bowe Memorial Award

Hugo Pizarro-Gundelfinger

Given primarily to a woodwind player or someone who exudes a commanding leadership presence through their music and inspires orchestra members to work together to create a beautiful sound.

Dick Perera Awards

Lily Najimy Peter Fiegel Jack Bradway Alasia DiSola-Staples Nathan Cracolici Shane Chen

Given to students who exemplify hard work, kindness towards all, willingness to support the orchestra and dedication towards mastering music.

Sinfonia Students
What does being in the Stockbridge Sinfonia mean to you?

  • "Sinfonia is a place where I can improve my music skills by practicing every week with a group, meeting new people + making connections, and making wonderful music to share with our community.”

    Eva Myers

  • "[Stockbridge Sinfonia means] a sense of community and responsibility. Stockbridge Sinfonia gave me the opportunity to play viola in a professional capacity. Although I consistently play viola outside the orchestra, I love sharing and introducing the viola live in Stockbridge Sinfonia because we definitely need it here LOL."

    Gerdlie Jean Louis

  • “For me, Stockbridge Sinfonia means more than just a “program”. For me, it symbolizes not only an opportunity in which I can grow and improve as both a person and a musician, but as my family as well. The people here in our Sinfonia are always amazingly kind, hardworking, and ready to improve and help others do so. For me, our community here at the Stockbridge Sinfonia is something I am very proud of.”

    Lisa Chen

  • "Stockbridge Sinfonia is an incredible opportunity to work together with my friends (or make new friends) with the goal of developing these beautiful pieces for the community to enjoy."

    Andrew Tullock

  • “Sinfonia provides me with music I can play to soothe my desire to perform. It’s a very tightly-knitted community that I feel honored to be a part of.”

    Daniel Lin

  • “It’s a place where I can learn about what a community means and where I can get an opportunity to play music with new people.”

    Betty Zheng

  • “A chance to be part of a professional environment that allows every member to improve and most importantly have fun.”

    Nathan Cracolici

  • "The Stockbridge Sinfonia is a place where I can have fun and play classical music with many extremely talented musicians."

    Jack Bradway

  • “Being in the Sinfonia grants me the opportunity to make amazing local connections with fellow musicians, refine my own musical skills, and contribute towards meaningful music-making as I establish myself as an enthusiastic and optimistic young professional in the field.”

    Joe Cracolici

  • “Playing music with friends.”

    Serena Chen

  • “The Stockbridge Sinfonia is an incredible ensemble. There are numerous reasons why being in the Stockbridge Sinfonia is important to me. In years past, I’ve played in many groups and enjoyed every single one of them. However, now that I’ve been playing trumpet for seven years now, most of the time the music won’t challenge me at all. That’s not to say I’m so incredible, but as I’ve gotten better at my instrument the music I’ve been playing has remained the same difficulty. This means that my musical growth has slowed down. After playing in the Sinfonia last year, I noticed a significant improvement in my playing. So to summarize, playing in the Stockbridge Sinfonia, for me, is an opportunity to push myself to become a better musician.”

    Peter J. Fiegel

  • “Being in Stockbridge Sinfonia means that I am compelled to push myself for excellence. In the first year of playing in Stockbridge Sinfonia, I was only playing the cello for a year. I could barely play my part, and this was discouraging for me. However, with the tremendous support from the members of this community, I was determined to learn my part. I never felt like I was being a burden to others, Stockbridge Sinfonia is a place where I was allowed a safe space to develop my skills as a musician. I feel as though I have made a great improvement with the help of Stockbridge Sinfonia. I have also made a couple of friends, and I even was able to get my friend to join. Stockbridge Sinfonia means being part of a community that helps to strive for success without any judgment.”

    Zoe-Ruth Brizan

  • “Not only is being in the Sinfonia for making wonderful music, but I think it is also about family. We learn from each other and grow as musicians. I always feel welcome in the Sinfonia.”

    Camilla Manrique