Three outstanding local teen musicians have been named Outstanding Teen Musician of the Year by The Los Alamitos Youth Center. They were honored on March 20, 2012, in a ceremony while launching The Youth Center’s Annual Community Support Campaign.
The three high school seniors are Luke Collins, Doug Conwell and Kealani Jensen. Doug and Luke performed a solo at the ceremony.
All three musicians started their musical journeys in elementary school through the Youth Center’s After School Music Program. Each continued their musical careers through the Youth Center progressing through intermediate and advanced classes, The Youth Center Elementary Orchestra and the Musique Sur La Mer Youth Symphony Orchestra and Honors Chamber Orchestra.
All three of these talented young people have traveled the world extensively with both orchestras. Each has been accepted into prestigious universities who will be awarding them with scholarships based on their academic and musical accomplishments. Doug, Kealani and Luke have utilized their music to serve the community and the world.
Luke Collins, violist, son of Mitchell and Sylvia Collins of Los Alamitos, Los Alamitos High School senior, principal viola, Musique Sur La Mer Youth Symphony Orchestra and Honors Chamber Orchestra, Los Alamitos High School ASB President.
Luke has performed with MSLMYSO and HCO in Australia (Sydney Opera House), Austria (Mozarteum, Musikverin–Saal, Salzburg Cathedral) and the Czech Republic. He has also served as the youth music leader at his church. Luke is the private violin and viola student of Marcy Sudock.
Doug Conwell, violinist, son of Doug and Kristine Conwell of Los Alamitos, a senior, member of the Regional Championship Surfing Team, is a second degree black-belt and shares the concertmaster chair in the Musique Sur La Mer Youth Symphony Orchestra and Honors Chamber Orchestra. HE has performed with MSLMYSO and HCO in Australia (Sydney Opera House), New Zealand, Austria (Musikverien-Saal, Salzburg Cathedral and Mozarteum), Czech Republic and Costa Rica (Teatro Nacional.)
Doug also performed with the professional Musique Sur La Mer Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Marcy A. Sudock, in London (Royal College of Music) in the American Tribute Concert commemorating the royal wedding of HRH Prince William and Catherine Middleton, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Doug is the private violin student of Marcy Sudock.
Kealani Jensen, flutist, daughter of Jeffrey and Beverly Jensen of Seal Beach, is a senior at the Hope Christian Academy.
Kealani has served as the principal flutist with MSLMYSO and HCO and has performed with orchestras on tour in Australia (Sydney Opera House) and New Zealand (Christchurch Cathedral.) She was the 2011, winner of the MSLMYSO Concerto Competition and performed solo in the 2011 Gala Benefit Concert. Kealani is the private flute student of local flute teacher, Rene Grizzel.
The Youth Center is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization serving the youth of Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, Seal Beach, Cypress and surrounding communities.
The Youth Center is celebrating their 60th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the after school music program. More than 5,000 children, grades kindergarten through high school age, have enjoyed the after school music program.
For more information about the after school music program or the Youth Center, call (562) 493-4043 or visit theyouthcenter.org.
