2016-2017 Music Ambassadors

Part of the SAIPC mission is to encourage the development of pianists in Greater San Antonio and Texas. In 2017, SAIPC continues its third year of our popular Music Ambassadors program for our community’s enjoyment.

Ambassadors represent SAIPC to showcase the positive experiences music can bring to people of all ages. Ambassadors must be 19 years of age or younger. Candidates come to us recommended by their piano teachers, and are selected by a panel of judges for a term lasting from September 2016 through August 2017. These outstanding young pianists will expose a wide and diverse audience to great music: Chloe Castillo, Erin Guetzloe, Breanna Humphrey, Andrew Li, Mark Rogers, Elisabeth Wang.

Chloe Castillo

Chloe Castillo, age 11, has studied piano for 6+ years. As a student of Marsha Perkins, Chloe won 1st place (2015) and Division Finalist (2016) in the Young Artist Piano Competition at Texas State University. An active member of the Junior Tuesday Musical Club since 2nd grade, Chloe has won the Bach Circle award and Judges’ Choice for three consecutive years. Chloe received 1st place in the Petroff Piano Competition in 2014 and 2016, and 2nd place in 2015. She has scored Superior Plus every year since Kindergarten in the SAMTA Achievement Auditions, and has been selected four times for the Judges Choice Recitals in that event. In 2014 through 2016 she placed 2nd in the De Bose National Piano Competition; Outstanding Performer at McLennan State Piano Competition; and achieved Top-Talent Circle Ratings in the National Piano Guild. Chloe has received gold medals every year since the 1st grade on the Whitlock State Theory Exam. Chloe has been a Music Ambassador for SAIPC for our 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 seasons. When not playing piano, Chloe can be found reading, swimming, dancing, and playing with her dog and her friends.

Breanna Humphrey

Breanna Humphrey has been recognized as a talented young musician who has excelled as both a pianist and a cellist. She has received many awards in the United States and Japan. Breanna made her piano solo debut with the San Angelo Symphony when she was just 8 years old. Currently, Breanna is a freshman at Ronald Reagan High School, where she maintains a straight A average. When not practicing, studying or playing the cello in the Youth Orchestra of San Antonio (YOSA), Breanna swims for the Reagan swim team, rides horses, and reads.

Mark Rogers

Mark Rogers, age 17, has studied piano for four years, first with Dr. Courtney Crappell and for 2 years with A.J. Collins-Thompson. He placed 1st at the Janice K. Hodges; 1st with Special Honors at the Fryderyk Chopin Society of Corpus Christi; 2nd at the Texas State piano competition; 2nd place at the SMU Young Artists Piano Competition. Mark has received superior ratings every year at the SAMTA achievement auditions as well as performed in the judges choice recitals. He performs in the pit of several musicals; is active with YOSA; accompanies about 40-50 musicians each year in UIL solo and ensemble contests; and teaches piano and trumpet lessons. He has performed in masterclasses with Bruce Berr at TMTA and with Boris Slutsky for SAIPC. Mark performed at Carnegie Hall in 2016 as part of Chopin Society of Texas competition. In addition to the piano, Mark is an all-region trumpet player at Warren High School; Head Drum Major for the Warren Marching Band; and a member of the Children’s Chorus of San Antonio for 8 years, performing with the San Antonio Symphony and on tours to New York and Washington DC. He will study during the summer of 2017 at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. His hobby is finding time to practice.