Meet the Musicians
Eli Zheng
Violinist
Eli, 17, has been playing violin for twelve years, and he used to play piano. Eli is motivated by his musical family members, with his grandfather and brother playing the violin. He was a member of the Blue Lake Camerata and Festival Orchestra, Holland Symphony Youth Orchestra and is the Principle Violinist of the West Ottawa Chamber Orchestra. He’s also a member of the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony, and recently started another quartet with the West Ottawa High School Orchestra. He was the winner of the 2024 Norbert Mueller Classical Music Competition as well as the 2025 Skip Gates Concerto Competition
When asked what his favorite part about playing music is, Eli’s passion resides in the “storytelling you can do. You can raise so many things out of your strength. It’s about making people feel something without words.”
Eli wants to continue his craft in the future; he plans to go to college and continue to play and perform violin.
Jeonghun (Ryan) Park
Violinist
Korean-American violinist Ryan, 17, began his musical journey at the age of nine with piano before discovering his passion for the violin at eleven. While he no longer studies piano formally, it remains the foundation of his deep love and appreciation for music. He also draws inspiration from his extended family in Korea, whose support continues to motivate his musical growth.
Ryan is currently a member of the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and previously performed with the Holland Symphony Youth Orchestra for four years. He has also been selected to participate in prestigious programs such as the MSBOA Honors Chamber Orchestra and the Premier Orchestral Institute Master Camerata. In addition, he has performed with the Blue Lake Camerata and Festival Orchestra, as well as Knollcrest Music Camp Honors Chamber ensembles at Calvin University.
Ryan believes that “music is the most beautiful form of communication; it expresses emotions beyond words and reveals colors beyond what the eyes can see.” Through performance, he strives to bring that sense of expression and connection to every audience.
Outside of music, Ryan spends his time dominating his friends in pickleball and basketball, as well as gardening. Some of his favorite audiences to serenade are his plants.
After graduating high school, Ryan plans to pursue a degree in violin performance, with the long-term goal of earning a doctorate in the field.
Josephine (Jo) Fredlund
Violist
Jo, 16, began playing viola six years ago, and she also plays around with the ukulele and the piano. She is encouraged by her parents, who are classically trained singers. She is a member of the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and the MSBOA All-State Orchestra. She has competed in the Skip Gates Concerto Competition.
Jo’s favorite part about playing viola is “making music and meeting people especially. [Making music] is not something a lot of people can do, so it’s good to have that skill.”
In the future, Jo wants to go to college to become an optometrist, as well as open her own studio for viola.
Bear Brewer
Cellist
Bear, 16, has been playing cello for eight years. He also plays guitar and sings. Bear is a member of the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and the Shoreline Community Orchestra. He has performed with the MSBOA All-State Orchestra and the Blue Lake Camerata and Festival Orchestra.
For Bear, making music is all about “the sense of community and building something with other people. There’s nothing like making beautiful art with people.”
In the future, Bear plans on going to college studying music education in cello performance so that he can teach cello to high school kids.