Renan Proença, percussionist, began his studies in 2009 at the Tatuí Conservatory in Brazil and then, continuing his studies, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in music at the University of São Paulo and Master's degree at Stony Brook University. During this period he performed in several orchestras with several names in the Brazilian music scene such as Lenine, Zeca Baleiro and Gilberto Gil. He is currently studying for a Doctoral in Performance at Stony Brook University in New York.

Eric Higashide is a clarinetist based in Long Island, New York.  While in high school, Eric was selected as one of the winners for the 30th Annual Young Musicians Chamber Music Competition at Lincoln Center, and was the principal clarinet for COS’ 2012-2013 year.  Eric then went on to receive his Bachelor’s degree in Clarinet Performance under the tutelage of Ayako Oshima at SUNY Purchase College.  During his time at Purchase, Eric has served as the Principal Clarinet for the Purchase Symphony Orchestra, and the Purchase College Opera’s production of “The Marriage of Figaro”. 

Critics have praised her as "rich in emotion, technically masterful, with interpretations that are precise and tasteful — graceful without exaggeration, and skillfully infused with a sincere and distinctive personal character."

Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Dr. Gloria Shih is a versatile and accomplished pianist and collaborative artist. She has performed with members of the Emerson String Quartet, the Meridian Arts Ensemble, and the Metropolitan Opera, appearing at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, Merkin Concert Hall in New York, and Oji Hall in Tokyo.

Her performance career spans Asia, Europe, and North America, receiving critical acclaim. She has performed in Philadelphia, North Carolina, Westchester, California, Maine, Maryland, Oregon, Minnesota, Southampton (England), Japan, and South Korea. An active chamber musician, she founded the Gracieux Trio in 2003, whose debut and second albums were well received. The trio regularly gives concerts and master classes in Taiwan and Japan. In recent years, she has also premiered and performed numerous works by contemporary composers, continuously expanding the depth and breadth of her repertoire and musical expression.

Dr. Shih received comprehensive musical training in Taiwan, studying with renowned teachers including Mei Fu Chen, Li-Hui Chen, Se-Se Chang, laying a solid foundation in classical music. She graduated from Soochow University’s Department of Music before pursuing advanced studies abroad.

She earned her Master’s degree from Mannes College of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Stony Brook University. During her time at the university, she was awarded a full scholarship, won first prize in the concerto competition, and served as an undergraduate piano instructor, demonstrating outstanding achievement.

Her principal teachers in the US included Lilian Kallir, Gilbert Kalish, Christina Dahl, Seymour Lipkin, as well as members of the Orion and Emerson String Quartets.

Dr. Shih has taught at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and served as a collaborative pianist at Montclair State University, working closely with vocal and instrumental students, demonstrating her strong teaching and accompaniment skills.

She is annually invited to perform with various musical organizations in Minnesota, actively participating in solo, chamber music, and master class events.

In summer 2025, Dr. Shih was a soloist for Rchmaninoff’s piano concerto No. 2 during the Children’s Orchestra Society Aisa tour.  The peroformances were embraced with heartfelt applause and deep appreciation in both countries, leaving a lasting impression on audience and forging meaningful connections through music.

In 2026, she is invited to perform the "Yellow River" Piano Concerto with the Litha Symphony Orchestra, showcasing once again her powerful yet poetic musicalinterpretation.

Currently, Dr. Shih serves as a collaborative pianist for the voice and stringdepartments at Hofstra University and is the Director of the Majors Program at the Children’s Orchestra Society. She is also a pianist for the Formosa Society for Performing Arts, continuing to promote Taiwan-US cultural exchanges and enhance the international visibility of Taiwanese music.

Charles Stacy is a composer and producer from NYC. As a freelance composer for award-winning artist collective Found Objects, his pieces vary from short film scores to video games to full orchestral symphonies. Hailed by The Boston Globe as “A cross between film score composer extraordinaire John Williams and the late György Ligeti”, his work spans many styles and media. Charles began his musical studies with the violin at the age of 4 and began formal studies in composition at 11 with Michael Dadap. His first symphony, “The Milky Way”, was premiered in June 2012 by the Children’s Orchestra Society. 

Olivia Martinez first started violin at a young age of 7.  She trained learning violin and viola with a classical background with various teachers such as Ms. Young Sook Han and Lori Berkowitz. At the age of 16 she was awarded to be the first COS Discovery Winner at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center. Olivia then went on to complete her Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst studying with Michelle LaCourse. Continuing her classical musical education she completed her Masters in Music Performance at Mannes College of Music, in New York under the tutelage of Karen Ritcher. After graduating she played with various classical orchestras and chamber groups within the New York area. Olivia currently teaches at The Brearley School and COS.

 Throughout her time performing classically she has also branched out to other venues, performing with groups such as the Youngbloods Jazz Ensemble. Olivia also has performed with SiSe, a Latin/Rock band, and recorded on their first album. She has also worked on numerous albums with a Hip-hop group BR & Timebomb. Currently, along with being an active Grammy member Olivia Martinez tours and records with Sweet Little Bloodhound a Brooklyn, NY based Country/Rock band that performs throughout the states.

Taiwanese-American violinist/conductor Kevin Shue has been hailed by Anthony Tommasini of the New York Times as "…a promising violinist with a rich, full sound, true musical sensitivity, and considerable technique." Mr. Shue has performed as a soloist in sold-out concerts at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Mr. Shue has also worked closely with members of the New York Philharmonic, Cleveland, Philadelphia Orchestras, and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.  Mr. Shue has won numerous violin competitions both abroad and at home. Some of his performance highlights include private performances for the Presidents of Taiwan and the Philippines, as well as a world tour for the renowned Mandarin Pop Singer, JJ Lin. A devoted music educator and youth orchestra conductor, Mr. Shue currently serves on the faculty of John Bowne High School & the Children’s Orchestra Society. Mr. Shue is also a member of the American String Teacher Association, National Association for Music Education, and New York State School Music Association. Mr. Shue received his Bachelor of Music degree from SUNY Stony Brook and Master of Music degree from the Mannes College of Music. His principal teachers have included Hiroko Yajima, Pamela Frank, Ani Kavafian, Sheila Reinhold, members of Emerson String Quartet. as well as conducting studies with Timothy Long and Susan Deaver. Mr. Shue performs on a French violin by Joseph Gaffino circa. 1744.  Mr. Shue frequently serves as a guest clinician and competition adjudicator around the tri-state area.

Dr. Yoon Sang Timothy Cho serves on the conducting faculty at the Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College. He is also the Artistic Director of the Amadeo Philharmonic Society, which he founded in 2014, and the Music Director and Conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra since 2016, succeeding maestro David Gilbert. At just 25, Dr. Cho made his Carnegie Hall conducting debut with a sold-out performance of the opera Seonbi: The Noble and Wise Man, which was hailed as a “tremendous success” (Newdaily) and praised for its “artistry of the highest standard” and “masterful conducting technique” (Asia Today).

Dr. Cho has guest conducted for numerous esteemed ensembles, including the New York Classical Symphony Orchestra and K-Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. He has frequently collaborated with the Union City Philharmonic Orchestra, particularly for their annual New York Winter Festival at Carnegie Hall. His additional achievements include being selected as a conducting fellow with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and serving as assistant conductor for the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra.

A committed music educator, Dr. Cho is also on the faculty of the Children’s Orchestra Society and actively mentors young musicians through his work with youth ensembles such as Amadeo Philharmonic Young Orchestra, and California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Dr. Cho has also worked closely with the NYC Honors Festival Symphony Orchestra, MSM Summer Orchestra in the past.

Born in San Jose, CA, Dr. Cho began his musical journey studying violin under Byung-Woo Kim. He later earned his bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance from the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with Isaac Malkin and performed with ensembles including the Queensboro Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble 212, and Ensemble du Monde. He was also invited by renowned harpsichordist Kenneth Cooper to perform with the Berkshire Bach Society.

Dr. Cho’s versatility extends beyond classical music. In 2012, he toured with indie bands Young the Giant and Grouplove, performing at major venues such as the House of Blues, Terminal 5, Electric Factory, and 9:30 Club. That same year, he contributed to Declaration, an EP by Lawrence Trailer produced by Grammy-winning engineer Dave Clauss. His artistic contributions were further recognized in the award-winning 2018 documentary New York Scherzo by Shaan Couture.

Dr. Cho holds both Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Orchestral Conducting from the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied under George Manahan and was mentored by renowned conductors, including David Gilbert, Kurt Masur and Leonard Slatkin.

Michael Dadap was born in the Philippines to a family of musicians. His early music interests were as a jazz and folk guitarist before becoming interested in classical guitar. He studied philosophy at theUniversity of the Philippines; and, in 1971 he moved to New York City to study music theory and classical guitar at Mannes College of Music, and composition and conducting at Juilliard. In reviewing COS Young Symphonic Ensemble (YSE) at New York’s Town Hall on May 3, 1993, music and dance critic Bert Wechsler dubbed Michael Dadap a “fine, sensitive musician  who is obviously also a mighty orchestra builder…a teacher. What drives Mr. Dadap’s work is his faith in the children’s capacity to learn and his energy, patience, and special talent in communicating his love for music to the children.”

Mr. Dadap has recorded six CD albums for the classical guitar. His “Intimate Guitar Classics” for solo guitar was the featured album in February 1990 on The New York Times classical radio station, WQXR. Mr. Dadap performs as the Dadap-Ma Duo, in the United States, Asia and Europe. He also travels annually to the Philippines to concertize, teach, and give workshops on Philippine Folk Instruments orchestra called the Rondalla.

Mr. Dadap became the first recipient of the “2000 Artist of the Year Award” sponsored by the Flushing Council on the Arts in Queens. In December 2006, he received the “Philippine Presidential Award” in the Philippines’ Malacanang Palace in recognition of his remarkable achievements as a virtuoso musician, composer, music teacher, proponent of Philippine traditional music, and for promoting Philippine culture and causes through his work. Since his successful Carnegie Recital Hall debut in 1974, Mr. Dadap continues to concertize in the United States, Europe, and the Far East.

He resides in Queens, New York, with his wife, COS Executive Director, Dr. Yeou-Cheng Ma. Their two children, Daniel and Laura are also accomplished musicians.

Dr. Yeou-Cheng Ma collaborated with the Lark Quartet, cellist Hai Ye Ni and Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Stephanie Chase, and has performed in chamber music concerts with faculty and friends of the Children's Orchestra at the Alice Tully and Merkin Hall, the United Nations, the 92nd Street Y, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan, Wave Hill, and toured Europe, Asia and the United State with the Dadap Ma Duo. A graduate of Radcliffe & Harvard Medical School, she works with children with developmental disorders in the Bronx at the Kennedy Center of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and teaches violin, viola and chamber music with the Children's Orchestra Society, and lectures internationally on music and healing.

Born in Paris to Chinese parents, Yeou-Cheng Ma gave her first public performance at age seven, and played piano with her brother Yo-Yo Ma for over a decade. She was winner of the French National Competition "Royaume de la Musique" and played Mendelssohn Concerto with the Denver Symphony Orchestra at the age of 10. Her major violin teachers were her father, Dr. H. T. Ma, Firmin Touche, Koji Toyoda and Arthur Grumiaux.  Her work as Executive Director of the Children's Orchestra Society has been recognized by St. Joseph's College in West Hartford, with a doctorate in humanities honoris causa, the New York Public Advocate Award for leadership and advocacy for Asian American Youth, and the Francis Riker Davis Award from the Brearley School for outstanding community service.