Oakwood Winter Music Showcase
Guitar Performance Class
Miles Calvert
Evan Gorski
Mike Yang
Vocal Ensemble Class
Saidee Avila
Klara Klotzbach
Laura Nita
Claudia Read
Rena Singh
Vanessa Hocevar Tabuchi
Caitlyn Wagner
Guitar Club
Georgia Alves
Miles Calvert
Hana Cohen
Rai Fleizach
Jake Foland
Lucas Possley
Claudia Read
Benjamin Tarne
Guitar club has been an outlet for those interested in music for years. It’s a place to hang out with others who have similar interests, somewhere to practice and grow as a guitarist. it’s learning songs for the concert, or chatting about a new favorite artist, there’s a place for everyone, all at the expense of your own sanity! Jokes aside, guitar club isn’t just a meeting of strangers, but a congregation of friends. - Ben Tarne`
Jazz Ensemble Class
Calvin Banks
Hana Cohen
Ronnie Ge
Jay He
Sai Nagendra
Matthew Neunzig
Benjamin Tarne
Centerstage Glee Club
Naya Alhasan
Saidee Avila
Maxwell Cale
Hana Cohen
Jake Foland
Luke Hansotte
Charlotte Holter
Kia Jones
Brennan Klotzbach
Klara Klotzbach
Jonathan Kranz
Rena Singh
Vanessa Hocevar Tabuchi
Joseph Taylor
Center Stage Glee Club was formed by a group of passionate students, this year marks our school’s first-ever Glee Club! Centerstage Glee Club aims to bring students together through the joy of music. It is not always easy to commit to a music class outside of school, but Centerstage Glee Club allows you to explore passions for music, pressure and cost free. A big thank-you to Mr. Sotelo and Mrs. Blanchard for their incredible support in making this club possible. - Saidee Avila
Hana Cohen
Kia Jones
Claudia Read
Benjamin Tarne
The Songwriting Club is where students can get together and create. Whether it's through group activities, or individual work, everyone is so supportive of the music in the making. Songwriting Club is a place where we collaborate, share feedback, and learn from each other's experiences. Thank you so much to Mr. Sotelo, and thank you for this opportunity to showcase results of hard work, practice, and creativity! - Hana Cohen
Middle School Rock Rap Pop Ensemble
Clemens Arnold
Matt Carlson
Aaron Fu
Landon Hansotte
Tyler Lao
Io Nikas
Carlos Perez
Ivan Shafer
Emma Taylor
Albert Zhang
Special Thanks
We extend our deepest gratitude to the families who have generously given their time, talent, and donations of food to support tonight’s concert. Thank you for inspiring your students to reach new heights in their musical journeys—your encouragement fuels their confidence, creativity, and love of music, and we are truly grateful for everything you do. A special thank-you to Rob Cohen for videographing this memorable evening.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the following individuals for their constant and continued support:
Michelle Helvey, Head of School
Dr. Cameron Helvey, Associate Head of School
Isaac Berniker, Upper School Head and Principal
Colleen Blanchard, Performing Arts Department Chair.
Their leadership and encouragement help make our music programs prossible.
Thank You to the Team Behind Tonight’s Performance
Rena Singh, cover art and design
Avi Martinez, group photography
Skye Taylor, Facilities & Technical Manager
George Gomez, Facilities
Ryan Willis
Melissa Goulart
Leisha Babayan
Tere Casey
Melissa Barrow
Kelli Frazer
Dana Bruning
Stephanie Salinas
Hotel California by The Eagles
Buddy Holly by Weezer
Find the Key by Hana Cohen
You and Me by Claudia Reed
Enough for You by Olivia Rodrigo
Follow You Down by Gin Blossoms
C – Jam Blues by Duke Ellington Soloists – Jay He/Bill Ireton
Killer Joe by Benny Golson Soloists – Ben Tarne/Bill Ireton
Song List
Rock Rap Pop Ensemble
Freddie Freeloader by Miles Davis Soloists – Matthew Neunzig/Ronnie Ge
Kashmir by Led Zeppelin
Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple
Fly Like an Eagle by Steve Miller
Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls
Mama I’m Coming Home by Ozzy Osbourne
Going to California by Led Zeppelin
Seasons of Love by Jonathan Larson
I Feel Pretty/Unpretty by Steven Sodheim/ Tione Watkins/Dallas Austin
Landslide by Stevie Nicks
Hamilton Women by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Don’t You Worry About A Thing by Stevie Wonder
Sing Sing Sing by Louis Prima
We Are The Champions by Freddie Mercury
Songwriting Club
Kia Jones, vocals & Hana Cohen, guitar
Ben Tarne
Jazz Ensemble Class
Guitar Performance Class
Guitar Club
Glee Club
Vocal Ensemble Class
GEORGIA ALVES (12)
Georgia, a senior, is performing in her final winter concert as part of the Guitar Club. In her free time, she’s been playing basketball and finishing her college applications—which she oddly enjoys! Georgia plans to study economics and law in college and hopes to have the time of her life. She’s excited for you to connect with the music and get groovy!
JAKE FOLAND (12)
Jake, a senior at Oakwood, is excited to perform in his final winter concert. He has been performing with the guitar group for several years and is grateful for the opportunity to take the stage once again. In his free time, Jake enjoy`s participating in FTC Robotics and spending time with friends.
LUKE HANSOTTE (12)
Luke is a senior and has attended Oakwood for seven years. This is his first Winter Showcase, and he’ll be performing with the Glee Club. His favorite part of the club is the frequent sweet treats brought by the leaders—though he admits the songs are pretty fun too. Luke enjoys playing basketball, snowboarding, driving, theater, and hanging out with friends. He hopes you enjoy the show!
KLARA KLOTZBACH (12)
Klara is a senior at Oakwood and is thrilled to be singing in both the Vocal Ensemble and Glee Club. She’s usually found on stage performing in musicals and plans to major in musical theater in college. Klara also enjoys playing guitar, ukulele, and piano. She hopes you enjoy the showcase!
BENJAMIN TARNE (12)
Ben, is a senior who has attended Oakwood since sixth grade. Today, he’ll be performing with the Jazz Ensemble and representing as president of the Guitar Club. Ben has played guitar since childhood and has recently expanded into other instruments and singing. Outside of Oakwood, he enjoys the simple pleasures of walking and sleeping, though he plans to pursue engineering and business in college. Even when life gets busy, Ben always makes time for music—whether on his guitar or through his headphones.
MAXWELL EICHHOLTZ CALE (11)
Maxwell is a junior performing in his first Oakwood Winter Showcase. Though new to the Showcase, he’s no stranger to the stage, with over 30 productions under his belt. His Oakwood credits include The Play That Goes Wrong (Max Bennett) and Radium Girls (Dr. Knef), along with roles in local theater productions such as The Prom and Hadestown.
HANA COHEN (11)
Hana is a junior and president of the Songwriting Club. She’s performing with the Jazz Ensemble and performing an original song. Hana has played piano for several years and recently picked up the guitar and drums. She’s also an experienced dancer and performer, active in theater both at and beyond Oakwood. Hana thanks her family and friends for their love and support!
RAI FLEIZACH (11)
Rai is a junior who has attended Oakwood since first grade. He’ll be performing tonight with the Guitar Performance class. Although he isn’t enrolled this year, Mr. Sotelo invited him to join the group for their concerts. Rai previously performed with the class during his freshman and sophomore years, so his face may be a familiar one! In his free time, he enjoys playing games with friends, soccer, and spending time with family. He hopes you enjoy the show everyone has put together tonight!
KIA JONES (11)
Kia is a 16-year-old junior at Oakwood and is thrilled to be performing in this year’s Winter Concert! She discovered her love of singing through theater and is excited to share her talents as part of Glee and the Songwriting Club. When she isn’t singing, Kia enjoys acting, playing instruments, tennis, and drawing. Enjoy the show!
LAURA NITA (11)
Laura is an eleventh grader who joined Oakwood in sixth grade during the pandemic. She will be performing with Oakwood’s Vocal Ensemble. Having sung in choirs for nearly half her life, Laura joined the ensemble to explore new styles and focus on developing her individual voice within a smaller group. Outside of singing, she enjoys drawing, writing, coding, and discovering random trivia.
CLAUDIA READ (12)
Claudia is a junior who has attended Oakwood since sixth grade. She’s a member of the Guitar Club, vice president of the Songwriting Club, and sings with the Vocal Ensemble. Her interests include music, horseback riding, theater, and tidepooling. She loves spending time with her friends, family, and cats, and is grateful to everyone who supports her musical journey and inspires her songs. Enjoy the show!
SAIDEE AVILA (10)
Saidee, a sophomore at Oakwood, is thrilled to be performing in her first Winter Music Showcase as part of the Vocal Ensemble. Although this is her first year in Oakwood’s music program, Saidee has been performing for years and is excited to share her passion for music on campus. Outside of school, she loves baking, vocal coaching children, and spending time with friends. Saidee hopes to continue pursuing music in the future and is grateful for the opportunities Oakwood provides to help her grow as a performer.
BRENNAN KLOTZBACH (10)
Brennan is a sophomore at Oakwood performing vocals with the Glee Club. As vice president, she’s learned a lot—from teaching vocal parts under pressure to figuring out when to sneak in a snack. In addition to Glee, Brennan enjoys performing in musicals and plays, most recently appearing in Oakwood’s The Play That Goes Wrong. She hopes to continue pursuing her passion for music and theater and thanks her family for their support!!
JONATHAN KRANZ (10)
Jonathan is a 16-year-old sophomore enjoying his second year at Oakwood. He will be singing in this performance but also loves acting and dancing on stage. He recently appeared in The Play That Goes Wrong, playing “Jonathan,” and is currently enrolled in the Advanced Theater elective. Offstage, Jonathan enjoys hiking, biking, and spending time outdoors—especially with his younger brother. He hopes you enjoy the show!
LUCAS POSSLEY (10)
Lucas, a sophomore, is thrilled to be part of the Guitar Club, where he shares his passion for music with like-minded peers. Though no single moment sparked his interest, Lucas picked up the guitar simply because it called to him—and he’s been playing for six years. Beyond the strings, he enjoys playing basketball and finds inspiration in his favorite class, photography. Lucas looks forward to continuing his musical journey and hopes you enjoy the show!
JOSEPH TAYLOR (10)
Joseph is a 10th grader who is excited to sing with the Glee Club. He’s enjoyed being part of the group, as it allows him to explore and expand his passion for music. Joseph first discovered his love for theater after watching a musical in sixth grade. When he’s not on stage, you can find him playing video games or basketball with friends. He looks forward to strengthening his voice and confidence at Oakwood and hopes you enjoy the show!
CAITLYN WAGNER (10)
Caitlyn is a sophomore and is very excited to perform with the Vocal Ensemble in the Winter Music Showcase. She enjoys singing with her friends in and out of class. Music has always been a big part of Caitlyn’s life and she is excited to share her passion for it with all of you. Outside of music, Caitlyn enjoys hobbies such as crochet and drawing, as well as sports like tennis, skiing, and aerial silks. She is very happy you came and hopes you all enjoy the show.
NAYA ALHASAN (9)
Naya is a freshman and has been a student at Oakwood since elementary school. She will be performing with the Glee Club and is thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of the Winter Showcase and sing onstage. Naya loves listening to music and draws inspiration from her favorite songs and the artists she admires. Outside of all things music-related, she also loves theater and art. She’s grateful for the chance to perform for you all and hopes you enjoy the concert.
CALVIN BANKS (9)
Calvin is a freshman who has attended Oakwood his whole life and is excited to perform for the first time as part of the Jazz Ensemble. His instrument of choice is the bass guitar and his favorite part of jazz is practicing songs with friends and learning new things about music. He looks forward to continuing to develop his skills on the bass guitar as he progresses through high school. In his spare time, Calvin enjoys playing basketball and going to the gym
MILES CALVERT (9)
Miles is a freshman at Oakwood High School and is very excited to perform as part of the Guitar Performance group this year. He has been playing guitar for at least two years and performed in last year’s Winter Showcase as part of the Rock Rap Pop Ensemble.
RONNIE GE (9)
Ronnie is a freshman at Oakwood and will be performing with the Jazz Ensemble in the Winter Music Showcase. He has enjoyed collaborating with his classmates to play great songs together, and music has always been a fun hobby for him. Outside of music, Ronnie enjoys cooking and playing sports. He looks forward to continuing to grow as both a musician and a student at Oakwood.
EVAN GORSKI (9)
Evan, a freshman at Oakwood, is excited to perform onstage for the first time in the Winter Music Showcase as part of the Guitar Performance class. He has always had a passion for music and loves working with his classmates to perform songs on guitar. Outside of school, Evan also plays soccer for Oakwood. He is very excited to continue making music for the Oakwood community in the coming years.
JAY HE (9)
Jay is a freshman at Oakwood who previously performed with the Ukes and Tunes class in middle school. He is performing on piano for the Jazz Ensemble. Jay is intrigued by classical pieces and the many ways each one can be interpreted. Music is a way for him to express himself and pour emotion into his playing, discovering new interpretations with every repetition. Outside of piano, Jay loves badminton, baking, and competitive mathematics.
VANESSA HOCEVAR TABUCHI (9)
Vanessa has been at Oakwood since 6th grade. She has participated in middle school musical classes including Ukes and Tunes and Percussion Ensemble, and she has also sung with the Oakwood Harmonics. She has enjoyed being part of Vocal Ensemble and Glee Club for the first time and is excited for this Winter Showcase and many more to come. Outside of school, Vanessa likes to hang out with friends, make art, and spend time with her cats. She hopes you enjoy the performance!
CHARLOTTE HOLTER (9)
Charlotte is a freshman who loves to sing and perform! When she’s not onstage or at school, she enjoys weaving, photographing, and volunteering at local animal rescues. She is excited to be in Glee Club this year and hopes to be in more productions throughout her high school career. Charlotte has been involved in music at Oakwood since middle school, and although this is her first Winter Showcase, she’s confident you’ll enjoy the show.
SAI NAGENDRA (9)
Sai Nagendra is excited to perform in the Winter Music Showcase as part of the Jazz Ensemble. He plays the violin and has enjoyed relearning the basics of jazz music. Sai loves listening to and playing jazz with his friends, and he uses the violin as a way to escape reality and enter a whole new dimension. Outside of music, he likes playing basketball, football, and video games. Sai looks forward to continuing to grow as a violinist and learning new instruments during his time at Oakwood.
MATTHEW NEUNZIG (9)
Matthew has been at Oakwood for 11 years. He discovered his passion for drumming at six years old and took Mr. Sotelo’s percussion class in middle school, where he played buckets, drums, mallets, and more. He is now part of Mr. Sotelo’s jazz class, focusing on drums and mallets. Matthew loves learning new songs and performing them with his friends. Outside of jazz, he plays basketball for Oakwood on the Junior Varsity team.
RENA SINGH (9)
Rena is so happy to be performing as part of Vocal Ensemble and Glee Club in the Winter Music Showcase. She has been playing piano for nearly eleven years and loves expressing herself through both music and singing. Being part of the Vocal Ensemble has brought her joy and helped her connect with friends who share her love for music. Outside of performing, she enjoys painting, creating art, and doing SFX makeup. Rena is especially grateful to her friends for always supporting her. She hopes you enjoy the performance!
MIKE YANG (9)
Mike is glad to be part of the Guitar Class and is excited to perform in the Winter Music Showcase. Listening to music has always been a great way for him to relax and lift his mood. Outside of music, he enjoys playing soccer, snowboarding, and other sports. Mike is really looking forward to this event and is happy to be performing with his classmates.
Technical Crew
Clara Shem-Tov, Lighting Board Operator
Theatrical Production 1 Class
Gio Armino, Stage Crew
Brady Kurimoto, Stage Crew
Seva Mauro, Stage Crew
Ava Smith,Stage Crew
Ethan Vo, Stage Crew
CLEMENS ARNOLD (8) is really excited to be performing in this show! This is his first time in the Winter Music Showcase. He loves playing basketball and going mountain biking. Clemens was inspired by one of his best friends to try out music, and he’s glad he did. He would like to thank Mr. Sotelo, his friends, and his parents for supporting him throughout this cool journey. Clemens hopes you enjoy the showcase!l
MATT CARLSON (8) will be performing bass guitar as part of the Rock Rap Pop Ensemble. He has enjoyed learning new songs and is excited to play them at the concert. Matt is thankful to Mr. Sotelo for helping him learn his music. He has been interested in music since he taught himself to play saxophone in 5th grade, and he’s looking forward to taking more music classes in high school.
LANDON HANSOTTE (8) is in his third year at Oakwood and loves music, sports, connecting with others, and taking pictures. He is excited to be part of the Rock Rap Pop class of 2025. He plays guitar, drums, ukulele, and also sings. Landon hopes you enjoy the performance—and that you notice his epic solo in “Separate Ways”!
TYLER LAO (8) has attended Oakwood since 6th grade. His main instrument is guitar, but he also plays ukulele, drums, bass, and piano. Tyler has really enjoyed his experience in the Rock, Rap, and Pop class and loves working with his classmates. He started as a guest guitarist in 6th grade and returned as an official member in 7th grade. Outside of school, Tyler is also part of a music program called School of Rock.
From left: Matt Carlson, Tyler Lao, Io Nikas, Emma Taylor, Aaron Fu,Ivan Shafer, Landon Hansotte, Albert Zhang, Clemens Arnold, Carlos Perez
IO NIKAS (8) is performing in the Rock/Rap/ Pop beginner elective. He has really enjoyed learning to play the guitar this trimester and is grateful for everything Mr. Sotelo has taught him. Outside of music, Io plays competitive soccer for the OV Toros soccer club.
CARLOS PEREZ (8) is performing with the Middle School Rock/Rap/Pop class. He’s no stranger to the stage—this is his third year in the ensemble. He enjoys playing guitar, bass, and piano. He loves this class for its amazing teacher, Mr. Sotelo, and for the chance to make music with his friends. Carlos would like to dedicate his performance to his parents.
EMMA TAYLOR (8) will be performing vocals for Rock/Rap/Pop. She has been singing in Oakwood performances since 5th grade and takes weekly vocal lessons with her music teacher, Susie Jimenez. One of her inspirations is Laufey, a jazz-infused pop artist whose concert in San Francisco she recently attended. Outside of music, Emma enjoys art, baking, playing video games, and hanging out with friends. She hopes you enjoy the performance.
ALBERT ZHANG (8) has attended Oakwood since 4th grade and is ready and excited to perform with the Middle School Rock/Rap/Pop elective. He loves the thrill of performing for an audience and enjoys practicing and rehearsing songs with his friends. Piano has always been his strongest instrument, and Rock/Rap/Pop gives him a fun, productive way to express his talents and passion for music. Outside of piano and performing, Albert enjoys golfing and swimming.playing video games, and hanging out with friends. She hopes you enjoy the performance.
AARON FU (7) has been at Oakwood since 6th grade. He enjoys playing drums and loves the atmosphere of the Rock/ Rap/Pop Ensemble, especially getting to play with his classmates. Aaron began his musical journey on piano at age five, where he built most of his musical foundation, and started learning drums at ten. Outside of music, he enjoys baseball and skiing. His favorite classes are Writing and Algebra I.
IVAN SHAFER (7) loves playing music, especially the bass. He enjoys being in Rock/Rap/Pop because it helps him learn more about music. Ivan doesn’t have a favorite sport—he just likes playing soccer, basketball, and baseball. After he graduates, he hopes to pursue his musical talent and is even thinking about becoming a musician. Ivan also really likes dogs, which is why he has two of them.
“People don’t
come to hear the perfect performance. They come to hear the energy.”
- Stewart Copeland
SAM SOTELO - Upper School Music Teacher & Musical Director
Morgan Hill native Sam Sotelo has been playing drums for over the past forty years and is well-versed in all styles of music. He studied percussion/drum set with Ralph Hardimon, Dan Sabanovich, Anthony Cirone, Taka Numazawa, Wally Schnalle, Ralph Humphrey, Joe Porcaro, Joey Heredia; African drumming with Kobla Ladzekpo and JoeCaploe; Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and Latin percussion with Luca Brandoli, Changuito and the great Tito Puente. He spent most of his career in the Los Angeles music community doing sidelining work in film and has worked recording sessions with various artists such as the Yellowjackets. In addition, he has also worked in Post Audio Production for Film/ Television and the Web. Aside from teaching at Oakwood, he keeps busy playing in various groups around the Bay Area. Groups he’s played with are Michelle Pollace’s Latin Jazz Trio, Monica Marquis’s group, Bill Ireton, and Micaela Stites’ Soft Lights group.
BILL C. IRETON - Guest Musician, Guitar
Out of the SF Bay Area, Bill C. Ireton, has performed various styles of music ranging from gritty rock and funk to sultry smooth and jazz in a variety of bands and ensembles touring the US and Europe. He has played with and rubbed elbows with the likes of Walter Trout and Buddy Guy in the blues arena to Steve Erquiaga and Mike Stern in the Jazz arena.
LEE RAY - Sound Engineer
Lee is a lifelong music and audio engineer. He does live sound and recording, studio recording, mixing, editing and mastering as well as his own work as a composer.
