Jonah Kaufman is 18 years old and is a senior at the Latin School of Chicago. He feels piano playing has played a huge role in his life -- helping him to get in touch with his musical side. Jonah has studied piano with Miss Kim for twelve years and feels she has done so much for him during this time. She is an extraordinary piano teacher who knows him so well, has taught him the value of hard work as well as many other life lessons along the way and has always provided guidance for him when he needs it. Jonah is excited about how their journey together will continue.

Carla Di Silvestro is 17 years old and a senior at the Latin School of Chicago. Carla has studied piano with Miss Kim for 10 years and appreciates Miss Kim’s love, dedication, and inspiration. Miss Kim’s lessons have nurtured Carla’s love for music, while being introduced to new experiences, including performing at Sunrise Assisted Senior Living, North Park University Afternoon of Concerto, and at the Beethoven Museum and Wien Museum in Vienna, Austria. Carla has been motivated to spread this joy to others by joining the LPMC Foundation Student Board. Outside of piano, Carla enjoys field hockey, track, leading Model United Nations, writing and editing for her school newspaper, and organizing events for student government. 

Lena Elrashidy is 16 years old and a junior at New Trier High School. She has been playing piano with Miss Kim since she was four years old and always looks forward to their time together. Playing piano has helped in many facets of her life and has taught her discipline, perseverance, and the benefits of hard work. Lena is grateful to Miss Kim for helping her grow as a musician and as a person. In addition, Lena is on the New Trier Dance Team.

Bella Lyon is 16 years old and a junior at New Trier High School. She has been playing piano with Miss Kim for 11 years and has enjoyed her long standing relationship with Miss Kim and music. Piano has allowed Bella to grow creatively and enhances her discipline in all areas of life. It has also taught Bella many helpful skills, and she looks forward to growing and learning as an artist with Miss Kim over the next few years.

Soli Ellis has been playing piano for about 8 years, and it has sunken into his soul. Polar Ice gum, Salt & Vinegar chips and Caramel M&Ms have also sunken into his soul, or at least gotten close. Aviation, how things work, working smarter (or not working at all, when possible) and, increasingly, staying up late and sleeping in, have also been areas of interests (some more recent than others). He has been fortunate to have participated in the LPMC trip to Austria last summer. There are few teachers and humans like Miss Kim and our family has felt thankful that dear friends of ours introduced us to her.
Soli enters Lane Tech as a sophomore this fall. We were happy to hear there are pianos in the building.

Serene Alsikafi is 15 years old and a sophomore at the Latin School of Chicago. She has been playing piano with Miss Kim since she was four years old. Committing herself to music has shown her the power of self belief and focus in accomplishing difficult goals. Piano has helped her in all aspects of her life, and will continue to do so as she grows as a pianist.

Siena Moore is 18 years old and a senior at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. She has been playing piano with Ms. Kim since she was four years old. Piano has become a large part of Siena’s life, it has helped her express herself when she can't find the right words. She loves the idea that with each weekly lesson she is improving, piano is something that can always be worked on. She is excited to see where the piano takes her over the next few years.

Barron Lewis is 18 years old and is going into his senior year at the Francis W. Parker School. He has been learning piano with Miss Kim for 9 years and is extremely pleased to have Miss Kim on his journey through high school. Playing piano with Miss Kim has helped Barron in many very positive ways. One being work habit in piano and how it translates to school work habits as well as making Barron much more joyful throughout his everyday life. Barron is thrilled to be a student board member for the Lincoln Park Music Center Foundation so that other children can have the same opportunity to connect through music. He is very excited to continue with Miss Kim these next few years!

Karalim Cruikshank is a 16 year old junior at Westridge School in Pasadena, California. She has been learning piano with Miss Kim since she was 4 years old, and throughout the years, music has become an integral part of her life.  Karalim is excited to volunteer as a Student Board Member for the LPMC Foundation, as it offers a unique opportunity to share her passion and love for music with the community, like she has done in the past through performances including to seniors at Sunrise Assisted Living. She has been teaching music theory to elementary school students underserved areas of Los Angeles as a volunteer instructor and teaching young students taekwondo as a black belt volunteer instructor at K Taekwondo in Pasadena.  Karalim believes that music has the power to bring happiness, healing, and connection, and is looking forward to helping the LPMC Foundation grow its impact.

Skylim Cruikshank is 14 years old and a Freshman at Westridge School in Pasadena, California. She has been learning piano with Miss Kim since she was 4 years old and her relationship with Miss Kim and piano has become an essential part of her life. She is so grateful to Miss Kim for teaching her so many life lessons, teaching her a language that speaks for her heart and soul, and giving her so many opportunities to share her passion. She is extremely excited and honored to be given the chance to give back to Miss Kim and the Foundation and spread the gift of music to others. Outside of piano, Skylim loves singing as a soprano in the Los Angeles Children’s Choir and learning taekwondo as a 2nd degree black belt.

Gavin Bulman is fourteen years old. He goes to Saint Ignatius College Prep High School as a freshman. He has been playing the piano for eleven years. Playing the piano has really helped Gavin develop some qualities, like being patient, having discipline, and being confident. He likes to challenge himself by learning pieces, and hopes to see how much better he can get at playing piano and where his love of music will take him in the future.

Sophia Bulman is a freshman at Saint Ignatius College prep. She has been playing piano with miss Kim since she was four years old. Piano has helped her with many different aspects of life. A few include her memorization skills, concentration, and problem-solving skills while also giving her a challenge. Sophia looks forward to continuing her music journey with miss Kim and challenge herself in the time to come.