Celine Ong Graduate Recital
April 24, 2026 7PM HMUS101
Collinsworth School of Performing Arts
Celine Ong, conductor Program
Four Novelletten for String Orchestra, Op. 52
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
I. Allegro moderato (1875-1912)
II. Larghetto
III. Andante con moto
IV. Allegro molto
Intermission
Appalachian Spring: Suite for 13 Instruments Aaron Copland (Ballet for Martha) (1900-1990)
This recital is presented under the direction of Dr. Gene Moon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M.M. in Instrumental Conducting degree.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Celine Ong is a versatile conductor, violinist, and pianist whose artistry is defined by collaborative leadership and expressive depth. She is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting at California Baptist University under the mentorship of Dr. Gene Moon. She earned her Bachelor of Music (Honours) in Violin Performance with a concentration in Piano Pedagogy in 2024. Celine began her conducting studies at the age of fifteen with Professor Lim Soon Lay of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, an experience that sparked her lifelong dedication to the podium. She is currently mentored by composer and conductor Jorge Alejandro Salazar as she continues to refine her artistic vision and professional trajectory. As an accomplished instrumentalist, Celine’s musical background is in both violin and piano. She has studied violin with internationally acclaimed artists Nancy Zhou and Giora Schmidt, and completed her undergraduate violin studies under Dr. Jinhee Kim. She currently studies violin with Dr. I-Ting Huang. As a pianist, she trained with artist Dr. Andrés Jaramillo, whose mentorship shaped her distinctive interpretive voice in piano. Celine has appeared as both soloist and collaborative artist in numerous recitals, including performances at the Avia Music Center in Indonesia. She has served as concertmaster of the Hong Kong International Institute of Music Symphony Orchestra and the CBU Symphony Orchestra. In 2024, she was featured as an actress violinist on productions by Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) in Hong Kong. Celine’s artistic development has been enriched through masterclasses with distinguished musicians including Jonathan Shames, Wilson Ng, Sam Fischer, Pilar Leyva, and Charles Yang. As an active participant in major festivals, Celine conducted two new music ensembles at the Brevard Music Festival in 2025, premiering works by emerging composers. While at Brevard, she worked with Teddy Abrams, Keith Lockhart, JoAnn Falletta, Mei-Ann Chen, and Chloé van Soeterstède, and performed alongside Yuja Wang and Santiago Cañón-Valencia. At California Baptist University, she has conducted the Symphony Orchestra in rehearsal and performance, led musical theatre productions, directed the Summer Strings Camp, and recently conducted the CBU Symphony Orchestra at the 2026 Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association Conference at the Riverside Convention Center. In 2024, she founded Laure Sinfonietta, an ensemble dedicated to innovation and artistic connection.
ENSEMBLE
Jeremy Ward is a full-time music educator and professional violinist in the Inland Empire. He teaches elementary music in RUSD and manages a private studio. He is an adjunct professor at California Baptist University, where he directs their Collegium Musicum. He frequently collaborates with ensembles like Sea Coast Symphony, Corona Symphony, Riverside Lyric Opera, Temecula Valley Symphony, The Four Seasons Orchestra, Performance Riverside, Inland Master Chorale, and Riverside City College. He was a founding member of The Contiguo Quartet, with which he won the 2020 Buttram Competition. He also served as a principal in the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra and won the 2018 NGPAC Concerto Competition. In 2023, he spent his summer as a young artist at The Trentino Music Festival in Italy under Maestro David Jackson from the Metropolitan Opera. Jeremy received his B.M. in Music Education from California Baptist University, earning the prestigious Pressor Scholar award for his outstanding work as an undergraduate student.
Hannah Jones-Ohmar is a violinist and educator. A graduate of California Baptist University, she maintains an active performing life while teaching middle school strings and running a thriving private studio. She embraces opportunities to collaborate with other musicians and strives to communicate unified ideas, creating meaningful, engaging experiences that inspire both her students and every audience she performs for.
Sebastian Salazar Perez is a violinist from León, Guanajuato, former concertmaster of the Baja California Sur State Orchestra (5 years). He has performed with New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players and recorded at 20th Century Fox, collaborating with Simone Porter, Rohan De Silva, Ray Chen, and Frank Peter Zimmermann. Active in Christian music with Keith and Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell, and Matt Papa; trained at The Master’s University and Colburn School. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Orchestra Conducting at California Baptist University.
Sebastian Salazar Perez, violin
Rebecca Moon, violin
Rebecca Moon is a violinist at California Baptist University, pursuing a degree in Music Education. Rebecca is deeply invested in performance ensembles at CBU, as she participates in a wide variety of musical groups that showcases genres such as opera, theatre, classical, and baroque. Rebecca seeks to inspire community and creativity through her passion for the arts.
Violist Lilian Bostrom is building a musical career in the United States and internationally. Winning the 2024 CBU Concerto/Aria Competition, Bostrom was also a finalist in the Jacqueline Avent Concerto Competition at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival. Recently, she has attended the Aspen Music Festival, Trentino Music Festival, and the Schlossakademie working with renowned teacher Carol Rodland. She teaches elementary music in Hesperia, and is a freelance musician, with a BM in Viola Performance and Music
Jadon Yang here at CBU and majoring in Exercise Science. He has been playing viola since he was eight but listen to music since forever. However, main love is soccer and have been playing ever since he could remember.
Current Sophomore attending California Baptist University, Vincent Strivings has been playing cello for 10 years. Vincent has performed in dozens of distinct ensembles throughout the span of his career, such as the Fried Music Chamber Orchestra, CSArts SGV's prestigious Starlight String Quartet, even having the opportunity to play alongside members of the Redlands Philharmonic. Vincent currently studies under world renowned cellist Aristides Rivas and serves as a principal player in a broad range of ensembles across the CBU school of
Josiah Yang is a junior at California Baptist University double majoring in Biology and Music, with aspirations of pursuing a career in dentistry. Alongside his rigorous academic path, Josiah plays cello in the University Choir and Orchestra and the Symphony Orchestra. Josiah met Celine through their shared time in orchestra, and she quickly became more than just a fellow musician, she has been a big-sister figure in his life, offering guidance, encouragement, and care along the way. Josiah is honored to be included in Celine's graduate recital program and could not be more proud to celebrate this milestone with someone who has
, double bass
Elijah Emralino is an award-winning Southern California Upright bassist specializing in Jazz and Classical Music. Elijah is dedicated to his craft as a musician and is happy to be a part of this Recital for Celine.
Lauren Hoffman, a flutist based in Pasadena, earned her BM in Flute Performance from The Master’s University and MM in Flute Performance from Azusa Pacific University under the direction of Gary Woodward. She has a private flute and piano studio, is a member of the Grace Community Church Orchestra, works as the Lead Music Librarian for APU and as a Music Librarian for The Walt Disney Studios. She is currently pursuing her Artist Certificate at APU.
Humberto Bravo, clarinet
Humberto Bravo is a Los Angeles-based clarinetist and Music Educator across Southern California. His experience includes performances with professional orchestras at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Segerstrom Hall and Meng Concert Hall to name a few. An aspiring music educator, Humberto has a large clarinet studio and teaches across 5 different school, ranging from Elementary to College level. Other achievements include finalists for many concerto competitions, and staff with awardwinning bands.
Travis Munoz is a bassoonist and conductor active in the Inland Empire and Los Angeles. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern Oregon University and a master’s from California Baptist University. Travis is the assistant band director at Ganesha High School and coaches woodwinds for several high schools and youth orchestras across Southern California.
Kevin Bird is a rising pianist from Southern California, passionate about artistic excellence and committed to sharing his music with others. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance with a concentration in Piano Pedagogy at California Baptist University. There, Kevin studies under the renowned pianist Dr. Andres Jaramillo, developing his career as a performing artist. As a collaborative pianist, Kevin is wellexperienced. He has collaborated with several vocalists and instrumentalists in California. The well-experienced collaborative pianist, Dr. Jennifer Cruz, mentors Kevin to a higher level of excellence in collaboration. Kevin also serves as the rehearsal pianist for California Baptist University’s opera productions, under the guidance of renowned vocal coaches and pianists Fred Carama and Catherine Miller.
Tyler Bothof, percussion
Tyler is a sophomore Music Education major at California Baptist University. His primary instrument is percussion, and he has been playing for five years. In addition to playing in the orchestra and wind ensemble at CBU, he has also played auxiliary percussion in the pit orchestra for school musicals. Tyler is looking forward to sharing his love for music as a teacher.
Gavin Walsh is a sophomore Chemical Engineering student deeply involved in music at CBU and beyond. His primary instrument is the double (upright) bass, and he also plays electric bass, bajo quinto, and mandolin. He performs with ensembles including CBU’s Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and Collegium, focusing on versatility and collaboration across a wide range of musical styles.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am grateful for all the wonderful players that have put their time and effort into this recital, making tonight so meaningful. This recital is a milestone as a conductor, putting together an ensemble of musicians that I respect and bond with is such a huge blessing. Thank you all, truly. I would like to acknowledge my dear professor and mentor, Dr. Gene Moon, for the past several years of knowledge and wisdom shared with me through genuineness, honesty, and care. Being his student has proven to be a true privilege. He has shown me the discipline needed in my music that has shaped me to be a better conductor. I would also like to acknowledge my parents and family who have supported me unconditionally. Without their support, pursuing my dream within the United States of America wouldn’t be possible. I would like to thank the many professors and colleagues at CBU who have been so kind to share their experiences and knowledge with me, inspiring me to be a better human being and musician.
Thank you to everyone that has attended this recital, I appreciate dearly. All glory to God.
Gavin Walsh, double bass