Carillon Players
Jeff Davis, University Carillonist
Jeff Davis was appointed University Carillonist in July of 2000. He began carillon studies in 1984 with Berkeley's first University Carillonist Ronald Barnes. Prior to his tenure at Berkeley, Davis was University Carillonist at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee.
Davis passed the examination of The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America in 1988 and has since served that organization in a variety of offices, currently as a juror on both the Johan Franco composition committee, and the Examination committee. Davis was the President of the GCNA from 1996-2000, and was a Director from 1996 to 2001. Davis has also been the GCNA representative to the Committee of Delegates of the World Carillon Federation.
Davis gives recitals throughout the U.S. and Europe. He has been a guest artist in the Ann Arbor Festival, the Barcelona International Festival, and has twice represented the Guild in artist recitals at congresses of the World Carillon Federation. He was awarded the Berkeley Medal for distinguished service to the carillon in 1993.
A composer as well as carillonist, Davis studied composition with Don Gillis, Deems Taylor, and Howard Hanson. He attended the National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan, and was made a Distinguished Alumnus in 1974. His works, in a wide variety of media, have not been performed nearly enough.
Carillon compositions and arrangements by Jeff Davis are published by The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America, American Carillon Music Editions, and the Berkeley Carillon Institute.
Jeff Davis was appointed University Carillonist in July of 2000. He began carillon studies in 1984 with Berkeley's first University Carillonist Ronald Barnes. Prior to his tenure at Berkeley, Davis was University Carillonist at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee.
Davis passed the examination of The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America in 1988 and has since served that organization in a variety of offices, currently as a juror on both the Johan Franco composition committee, and the Examination committee. Davis was the President of the GCNA from 1996-2000, and was a Director from 1996 to 2001. Davis has also been the GCNA representative to the Committee of Delegates of the World Carillon Federation.
Davis gives recitals throughout the U.S. and Europe. He has been a guest artist in the Ann Arbor Festival, the Barcelona International Festival, and has twice represented the Guild in artist recitals at congresses of the World Carillon Federation. He was awarded the Berkeley Medal for distinguished service to the carillon in 1993.
A composer as well as carillonist, Davis studied composition with Don Gillis, Deems Taylor, and Howard Hanson. He attended the National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan, and was made a Distinguished Alumnus in 1974. His works, in a wide variety of media, have not been performed nearly enough.
Carillon compositions and arrangements by Jeff Davis are published by The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America, American Carillon Music Editions, and the Berkeley Carillon Institute.
John Agraz, Assistant Carillonist
John Agraz began his carillon study with Robert Grogan at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC in 1970, while serving in the US Army. On his return to California, he played the Sather Tower chime occasionally from 1972 to 1977, and in 1979 he joined the Berkeley carillon staff. He has played regularly since then, continuing his studies with the late Ronald Barnes of UC Berkeley in the 1980's. In 1993 he was a recipient of the Berkeley Medal for distinguished service to the carillon. Mr. Agraz is also in charge of the maintenance of the Berkeley carillon and practice instruments.
A carillonneur member of The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America since 1988, he has served on its Board of Directors and as a juror on its Examination Committee. Mr. Agraz is currently employed as a clinical laboratory scientist in the HLA & Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory at the Children's Hospital & Research Center in Oakland.
David Hunsberger, Assistant Carillonist
David Hunsberger has been one of the assistant carillonists at the University of California (Berkeley) since 1983, and during the 1999-2000 academic year was Acting University Carilloner. He studied carillon at The Riverside Church in New York City with James R. Lawson, and at the Rees Carillon in Springfield IL, with the late Raymond Keldermans. He holds the Berkeley Medal for distinguished service to the carillon.
His recital activity has included participation in carillon festivals in Leuvain (Belgium), Utrecht (The Netherlands), Dijon and Chambéry (France), Wellington (New Zealand), Lake Wales FL, Springfield IL, and Berkeley, as well as numerous tours in the United States, Canada, Holland, Belgium, France, and Australia.
Mr Hunsberger has been chair of the Legal committee of The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America since 1992, and its Treasurer since 1996, a post he also held between 1976 and 1978. He served as Recording Secretary from 1978 to 1996 and as Director from 1979 to 1994.
Mr Hunsberger holds the BMus degree cum laude from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea OH, both the MMus and PhD degrees from Washington University in St Louis MO, the JD degree from the University of California (Berkeley), and the Associate certificate of the American Guild of Organists. He has taught music at Washington University and at Webster College in St Louis, and at the Thailand Theological Seminary in Chiang Mai. He has held the post of organist-choirmaster at First Congregational Church of Webster Groves, in St Louis MO, First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara CA, and St John's Presbyterian Church in Berkeley. He is now a contracts analyst at the University of California, and organist-choirmaster at Zion Lutheran Church in Piedmont CA.
David Hunsberger has been one of the assistant carillonists at the University of California (Berkeley) since 1983, and during the 1999-2000 academic year was Acting University Carilloner. He studied carillon at The Riverside Church in New York City with James R. Lawson, and at the Rees Carillon in Springfield IL, with the late Raymond Keldermans. He holds the Berkeley Medal for distinguished service to the carillon.
His recital activity has included participation in carillon festivals in Leuvain (Belgium), Utrecht (The Netherlands), Dijon and Chambéry (France), Wellington (New Zealand), Lake Wales FL, Springfield IL, and Berkeley, as well as numerous tours in the United States, Canada, Holland, Belgium, France, and Australia.
Mr Hunsberger has been chair of the Legal committee of The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America since 1992, and its Treasurer since 1996, a post he also held between 1976 and 1978. He served as Recording Secretary from 1978 to 1996 and as Director from 1979 to 1994.
Mr Hunsberger holds the BMus degree cum laude from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea OH, both the MMus and PhD degrees from Washington University in St Louis MO, the JD degree from the University of California (Berkeley), and the Associate certificate of the American Guild of Organists. He has taught music at Washington University and at Webster College in St Louis, and at the Thailand Theological Seminary in Chiang Mai. He has held the post of organist-choirmaster at First Congregational Church of Webster Groves, in St Louis MO, First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara CA, and St John's Presbyterian Church in Berkeley. He is now a contracts analyst at the University of California, and organist-choirmaster at Zion Lutheran Church in Piedmont CA.
Richard P. Strauss, Assistant Carillonist
Richard P. Strauss studied carillon with Ronald Barnes at the Washington (DC) National Cathedral. He was Cathedral Carillonneur at the Washington National Cathedral from 1976-84 and Carillonneur at the Albany (NY) City Hall from 1987-91. Strauss designed and built carillon keyboards for Central Christian Church, San Antonio TX, in 1983, and for University of California Berkeley, in 1984. The same design was built by others for Albany City Hall in 1986, the Bok Tower in 1987, St. Stephen's Church, Cohasset MA, in 1989, and Duke University Chapel in 1992. In 2000, for the Verdin Company in Cincinnati OH, Strauss designed the "Keyboard 2000" to rationalize European and American dimension standards. Keyboard 2000 was built by Verdin Company for Berea (KY) College in 2000, and for the Thomas Rees Carillon, Springfield IL, in 2001. In 2006 the basic dimensions of Keyboard 2000 were adopted by the World Carillon Federation for the WCF's "Keyboard 2006." Strauss continues working as a consultant, designer, and technician. He was awarded the Berkeley Medal in 1983.
Richard P. Strauss studied carillon with Ronald Barnes at the Washington (DC) National Cathedral. He was Cathedral Carillonneur at the Washington National Cathedral from 1976-84 and Carillonneur at the Albany (NY) City Hall from 1987-91. Strauss designed and built carillon keyboards for Central Christian Church, San Antonio TX, in 1983, and for University of California Berkeley, in 1984. The same design was built by others for Albany City Hall in 1986, the Bok Tower in 1987, St. Stephen's Church, Cohasset MA, in 1989, and Duke University Chapel in 1992. In 2000, for the Verdin Company in Cincinnati OH, Strauss designed the "Keyboard 2000" to rationalize European and American dimension standards. Keyboard 2000 was built by Verdin Company for Berea (KY) College in 2000, and for the Thomas Rees Carillon, Springfield IL, in 2001. In 2006 the basic dimensions of Keyboard 2000 were adopted by the World Carillon Federation for the WCF's "Keyboard 2006." Strauss continues working as a consultant, designer, and technician. He was awarded the Berkeley Medal in 1983.
Wesley Arai, Associate Carillonist
Wesley Arai began studying carillon with Jeff Davis in 2004. He received B.A. degrees in Mathematics and Statistics with a minor in Music from the University of California, Berkeley. Originally from Los Angeles, Wesley retruned to his hometown to pursue graduate studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, earning a M.A. degree in Mathematics. During his time in Southern California, he played the carillon regularly at UC Santa Barbara.
Wesley passed the advancement examination of The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America in 2008. In addition to the carillon, he has studied piano, trombone, and voice, and has perfomed in a number of different concert bands, marching bands, jazz bands, orchestras, and choral groups. He enjoys arranging music, and occasionally performs some of his own arrangements on the carillon. Wesley currently works as an actuary for an insurance company in the Bay Area.
Wesley Arai began studying carillon with Jeff Davis in 2004. He received B.A. degrees in Mathematics and Statistics with a minor in Music from the University of California, Berkeley. Originally from Los Angeles, Wesley retruned to his hometown to pursue graduate studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, earning a M.A. degree in Mathematics. During his time in Southern California, he played the carillon regularly at UC Santa Barbara.
Wesley passed the advancement examination of The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America in 2008. In addition to the carillon, he has studied piano, trombone, and voice, and has perfomed in a number of different concert bands, marching bands, jazz bands, orchestras, and choral groups. He enjoys arranging music, and occasionally performs some of his own arrangements on the carillon. Wesley currently works as an actuary for an insurance company in the Bay Area.
Tiffany Ng, Associate Carillonist
Tiffany Ng earned a B.A. degree in English and Music at Yale University, where she served as co-chair of the Yale University Guild of Carillonneurs, managing belfry renovations and preparations for the 2006 congress of The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America. With the guidance of Jeff Davis, she passed the GCNA advancement examination and won a fellowship from the Belgian American Educational Foundation. In Belgium, she studied with Geert D'hollander at the Royal Carillon School 'Jef Denyn' and graduated magna cum laude in 2006. She has concertized around North America and Europe, opening the post-congress festival of the World Carillon Federation in 2008.
Ms Ng earned a M.A. in Organ Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music in 2008, where she studied with William Porter while serving as carillon instructor and teaching assistant in the Eastman Computer Music Center. An energetic proponent of new music, she has commissioned and premiered eight acoustic and electroacoustic works for carillon and for organ, and revived carillon pieces by Kaikhosru Sorabji and Robert Morris.
Ms Ng is currently pursuing a doctorate in musicology at UC Berkeley with an emphasis on campanology. She has organized campanological exhibits at the Yale University Collection of Musical Instruments, and the Municipal Museum of Mechelen, Belgium. On Sundays, she may be heard as a substitute organist in various Bay Area churches.
Tiffany Ng earned a B.A. degree in English and Music at Yale University, where she served as co-chair of the Yale University Guild of Carillonneurs, managing belfry renovations and preparations for the 2006 congress of The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America. With the guidance of Jeff Davis, she passed the GCNA advancement examination and won a fellowship from the Belgian American Educational Foundation. In Belgium, she studied with Geert D'hollander at the Royal Carillon School 'Jef Denyn' and graduated magna cum laude in 2006. She has concertized around North America and Europe, opening the post-congress festival of the World Carillon Federation in 2008.
Ms Ng earned a M.A. in Organ Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music in 2008, where she studied with William Porter while serving as carillon instructor and teaching assistant in the Eastman Computer Music Center. An energetic proponent of new music, she has commissioned and premiered eight acoustic and electroacoustic works for carillon and for organ, and revived carillon pieces by Kaikhosru Sorabji and Robert Morris.
Ms Ng is currently pursuing a doctorate in musicology at UC Berkeley with an emphasis on campanology. She has organized campanological exhibits at the Yale University Collection of Musical Instruments, and the Municipal Museum of Mechelen, Belgium. On Sundays, she may be heard as a substitute organist in various Bay Area churches.
Margaret Pan, Associate Carillonist
Margaret Pan began studying carillon in 2007 with Robin Austin at Princeton University and passed the advancement exam of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America in 2008 at Berkeley. During the 2008-09 academic year she played at Trinity United Church of Christ in Holland, Pennsylvania as well as at Princeton.
Margaret holds physics and astrophysics degrees from MIT and Caltech and is an astronomy postdoc at UC Berkeley working on planetary dynamics and relativistic shocks.
Margaret Pan began studying carillon in 2007 with Robin Austin at Princeton University and passed the advancement exam of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America in 2008 at Berkeley. During the 2008-09 academic year she played at Trinity United Church of Christ in Holland, Pennsylvania as well as at Princeton.
Margaret holds physics and astrophysics degrees from MIT and Caltech and is an astronomy postdoc at UC Berkeley working on planetary dynamics and relativistic shocks.
Justin Ryan, Associate Carillonist
Justin Ryan has played the carillon since 2000, first learning in Berkeley while earning a B.A. in Music. He has since performed regularly in Denver, Amsterdam, New York City, and Spokane, most often heard playing original carillon works. Justin has performed throughout Europe and North America, including for the International Carillon Festival at the Bok Tower in Florida, the Houses of Parliament in Ottawa, and for three Congresses of the Guild of Carillonneurs. As the recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship, he studied the instrument at the Netherlands Carillon School in 2003-04. Justin is currently completing a master's degree in musicology from the University of Denver; his thesis is on the acoustics, mechanics, and psychology of the carillon, chronicled at carillontech.org. Justin was inducted as a Carillonneur member of the Guild in 2003, having studied with Arie Abbenes, Todd Fair, and Jeff Davis. He also plays the trombone, tuba, guitar, and accordion, among others, and has taught music and photography at the elementary through university levels.
Justin Ryan has played the carillon since 2000, first learning in Berkeley while earning a B.A. in Music. He has since performed regularly in Denver, Amsterdam, New York City, and Spokane, most often heard playing original carillon works. Justin has performed throughout Europe and North America, including for the International Carillon Festival at the Bok Tower in Florida, the Houses of Parliament in Ottawa, and for three Congresses of the Guild of Carillonneurs. As the recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship, he studied the instrument at the Netherlands Carillon School in 2003-04. Justin is currently completing a master's degree in musicology from the University of Denver; his thesis is on the acoustics, mechanics, and psychology of the carillon, chronicled at carillontech.org. Justin was inducted as a Carillonneur member of the Guild in 2003, having studied with Arie Abbenes, Todd Fair, and Jeff Davis. He also plays the trombone, tuba, guitar, and accordion, among others, and has taught music and photography at the elementary through university levels.
Larry Cai, Carillon Student
Larry Cai is a second year student double majoring in Molecular Toxicology & Molecular Environmental Biology with a minor in Music. His parents have forced him to play the piano for 15 years, though he voluntarily chose to play the trombone for 6 years, euphonium for 3 and likes to fiddle with guitars and drums. He grew up in Vancouver and Hong Kong, but was born in Shenzhen, China. If he's not in class or practicing the carillon, you can find him in VLSB doing research on why stress is bad for your brain.
Larry Cai is a second year student double majoring in Molecular Toxicology & Molecular Environmental Biology with a minor in Music. His parents have forced him to play the piano for 15 years, though he voluntarily chose to play the trombone for 6 years, euphonium for 3 and likes to fiddle with guitars and drums. He grew up in Vancouver and Hong Kong, but was born in Shenzhen, China. If he's not in class or practicing the carillon, you can find him in VLSB doing research on why stress is bad for your brain.
Stephanie Chang, Carillon Student
Stephanie Chang is a third-year student studying sociology and foreign languages. She finds herself constantly falling in love with oneinstrument after another (her last affair was with the cello), but she's sure the carillon has a firm hold on her for the coming years. If finances and reality were not an issue, she would spend a considerable amount of time traveling. She enjoys pomegranate season, playing taiko, Philip Glass, and Rachel Maddow's articulate sarcasm.
Stephanie Chang is a third-year student studying sociology and foreign languages. She finds herself constantly falling in love with oneinstrument after another (her last affair was with the cello), but she's sure the carillon has a firm hold on her for the coming years. If finances and reality were not an issue, she would spend a considerable amount of time traveling. She enjoys pomegranate season, playing taiko, Philip Glass, and Rachel Maddow's articulate sarcasm.
Brendan Cohn-Sheehy, Carillon Student
Brendan Cohn-Sheehy is a third-year Psychology major from sunny Santa Monica, CA. He has played piano for seventeen years and clarinet for ten, picking up African drums, harmonicas, and a voice along the way. When not immersed in academics, he enjoys improvising, composing and recording music, as well as writing poetry. He plans on becoming a cognitive neuroscientist and developing effective forms of music therapy.
Brendan Cohn-Sheehy is a third-year Psychology major from sunny Santa Monica, CA. He has played piano for seventeen years and clarinet for ten, picking up African drums, harmonicas, and a voice along the way. When not immersed in academics, he enjoys improvising, composing and recording music, as well as writing poetry. He plans on becoming a cognitive neuroscientist and developing effective forms of music therapy.
Hovsep Hajibekyan, Carillon Student
Hovsep Hajibekyan, a senior finishing his last semester for a Poli Sci and Music double degree, discovered the wonders of carillon far too late in his college career. Originally from Armenia, he ended up in Berkeley by way of Los Angeles. At a young age he was tricked by his parents into studying the piano, for which he is grateful to them. When not juggling music or politics, Hovsep enjoys improving his Russian skills and/or playing the occasional hacky sack or ping pong.
Hovsep Hajibekyan, a senior finishing his last semester for a Poli Sci and Music double degree, discovered the wonders of carillon far too late in his college career. Originally from Armenia, he ended up in Berkeley by way of Los Angeles. At a young age he was tricked by his parents into studying the piano, for which he is grateful to them. When not juggling music or politics, Hovsep enjoys improving his Russian skills and/or playing the occasional hacky sack or ping pong.
Michael Kushell, Carillon Student
Michael Kushell is a fourth year student studying Music and Japanese. Aside from the carillon, he also enjoys playing the banjo and accordion. Michael's interests include ethnomusicological research, playing in UC Berkeley gamelan ensembles, Leonard Cohen, and anything from Japan. He also enjoys a good game of Clue. Among other things, Michael plans on becoming a Professor of Music.
Michael Kushell is a fourth year student studying Music and Japanese. Aside from the carillon, he also enjoys playing the banjo and accordion. Michael's interests include ethnomusicological research, playing in UC Berkeley gamelan ensembles, Leonard Cohen, and anything from Japan. He also enjoys a good game of Clue. Among other things, Michael plans on becoming a Professor of Music.
Jessie Lee, Carillon Student
Jessie Lee is a 2nd year graduate student in the School of Optometry. She began carillon lessons during her undergraduate years at UC Berkeley. After receiving a B.A. in Music and a B.A. in Molecular and Cell Biology, Jessie worked as a researcher in electron microscopy at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. She has studied piano and cello and has performed in numerous solo, chamber, orchestral and choral concerts in the Bay Area. Today she continues playing piano and also performs vision science research at school.
Jessie Lee is a 2nd year graduate student in the School of Optometry. She began carillon lessons during her undergraduate years at UC Berkeley. After receiving a B.A. in Music and a B.A. in Molecular and Cell Biology, Jessie worked as a researcher in electron microscopy at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. She has studied piano and cello and has performed in numerous solo, chamber, orchestral and choral concerts in the Bay Area. Today she continues playing piano and also performs vision science research at school.
Melody Liao, Carillon Student
Melody Liao is a senior majoring in Public Health and minoring in Public Policy. A native Bay Area resident from nearby Albany, she hopes to travel both near and far in hopes of bridging the gap between academia and the real world. Her interest in the carillon stems from a fascination with the idea of ringing massively large bells. Melody's favorite pastimes include writing short fiction, making beautiful music, debating with her father, and learning how to become more photogenic.
Melody Liao is a senior majoring in Public Health and minoring in Public Policy. A native Bay Area resident from nearby Albany, she hopes to travel both near and far in hopes of bridging the gap between academia and the real world. Her interest in the carillon stems from a fascination with the idea of ringing massively large bells. Melody's favorite pastimes include writing short fiction, making beautiful music, debating with her father, and learning how to become more photogenic.
Sara Malik, Carillon Student
Sara Malik is a fourth year student majoring in economics and geography. She previously studied piano for ten years and had a brief stint with the violin. Her other interests include music history, museums, all types of concerts, and the logic game SET. This is her fifth semester studying the carillon.
Sara Malik is a fourth year student majoring in economics and geography. She previously studied piano for ten years and had a brief stint with the violin. Her other interests include music history, museums, all types of concerts, and the logic game SET. This is her fifth semester studying the carillon.
Julius Reyes, Carillon Student
Julius Reyes is a third-year Chemistry student in the College of Chemistry. Originally from Hammond, LA, Julius is embarrassed to admit that after having spent the last two years in the Bay Area, he is no longer able to withstand temperatures over 75 degrees. He studied piano for about ten years before coming to Berkeley and is excited to be studying carillon after taking the DeCal last spring. Outside of problem sets and research, Julius enjoys playing golf, riding his bike, and catching up on sleep.
Julius Reyes is a third-year Chemistry student in the College of Chemistry. Originally from Hammond, LA, Julius is embarrassed to admit that after having spent the last two years in the Bay Area, he is no longer able to withstand temperatures over 75 degrees. He studied piano for about ten years before coming to Berkeley and is excited to be studying carillon after taking the DeCal last spring. Outside of problem sets and research, Julius enjoys playing golf, riding his bike, and catching up on sleep.
Brian Tang, Carillon Student
Brian Tang has been playing the carillon ever since his freshman year. When he is not in Sather Tower, he can be found mining the music of arcane (but musically accessible) composers and eating potato puffs. During his free time he majors in CogSci and minors in IEOR. Although his experience making pesto sauce was bittersweet, he can offer you the best creamy marinara that ever saturated your fat. If you get on his good side, he might even tell you where to buy the best lamingtons this side of the bay.
Brian Tang has been playing the carillon ever since his freshman year. When he is not in Sather Tower, he can be found mining the music of arcane (but musically accessible) composers and eating potato puffs. During his free time he majors in CogSci and minors in IEOR. Although his experience making pesto sauce was bittersweet, he can offer you the best creamy marinara that ever saturated your fat. If you get on his good side, he might even tell you where to buy the best lamingtons this side of the bay.
Stanley Tang, Carillon Student
Stanley Tang is a second year graduate student at the UC Berkeley School of Optometry. As an undergraduate, he received his BA in Molecular-Cell Biology from UC Berkeley in Spring 2008. His musical experience consists of eight years playing B-flat clarinet as well as 6 months experience with piano. In addition to his optometry and carillon studies, Stanley is also a chemistry tutor at the Student Learning Center.
Stanley Tang is a second year graduate student at the UC Berkeley School of Optometry. As an undergraduate, he received his BA in Molecular-Cell Biology from UC Berkeley in Spring 2008. His musical experience consists of eight years playing B-flat clarinet as well as 6 months experience with piano. In addition to his optometry and carillon studies, Stanley is also a chemistry tutor at the Student Learning Center.
Jeffrey Tsao, Carillon Student
Jeffrey Tsao has a stormy relationship with music and is currently working hard on getting to know her better. The overdone metaphor could come from his studies of Cognitive Science and Neurobiology as a grudgingly generic MCB-premed major and music minor, but his real passions lie with (sick of it yet?) music. Analysis and acoustics are guiding principles that have led him to study piano, flute, electric bass, the creation of wind chimes, and now the carillon. Jeff is a piñata of esoteric interests ranging from ballroom dance to DDR and chain mail to Paramore, meaning that he tends to resort to said hobbies when life hits him too hard. He will probably become a neurosurgeon-musicologist that wished he was a 14th-century artisan-monk instead.
Jeffrey Tsao has a stormy relationship with music and is currently working hard on getting to know her better. The overdone metaphor could come from his studies of Cognitive Science and Neurobiology as a grudgingly generic MCB-premed major and music minor, but his real passions lie with (sick of it yet?) music. Analysis and acoustics are guiding principles that have led him to study piano, flute, electric bass, the creation of wind chimes, and now the carillon. Jeff is a piñata of esoteric interests ranging from ballroom dance to DDR and chain mail to Paramore, meaning that he tends to resort to said hobbies when life hits him too hard. He will probably become a neurosurgeon-musicologist that wished he was a 14th-century artisan-monk instead.
Christopher Wang, Carillon Student
Chris Wang is a second year Civil Engineering major originally from SoCal. In his free time, he loves to try out all kinds of instruments for fun and usually ends up learning how to play them. After coming to Berkeley, he just couldn’t help but want to attempt to play with the giant bells on top of the tower. Other things he likes to do is stay up all night playing games and taking long naps.
Chris Wang is a second year Civil Engineering major originally from SoCal. In his free time, he loves to try out all kinds of instruments for fun and usually ends up learning how to play them. After coming to Berkeley, he just couldn’t help but want to attempt to play with the giant bells on top of the tower. Other things he likes to do is stay up all night playing games and taking long naps.
Andrew Wetzel, Carillon Student
Upon discovering that the universe is a really interesting place, he decided to find out as much as he could about it, first as a physics major at Harvey Mudd College (down in sunny, smoggy Los Angeles) and currently as a graduate student in astrophysics. He finds music equally interesting (though for very different reasons) and seems to have a proclivity for pounding on large instruments, be they timpani, marimbas, pianos, or his recent discovery of massive bells in a large tower. However, he can occasionally be found more gently playing his violin, resisting strong desires to constantly play col legno.
Upon discovering that the universe is a really interesting place, he decided to find out as much as he could about it, first as a physics major at Harvey Mudd College (down in sunny, smoggy Los Angeles) and currently as a graduate student in astrophysics. He finds music equally interesting (though for very different reasons) and seems to have a proclivity for pounding on large instruments, be they timpani, marimbas, pianos, or his recent discovery of massive bells in a large tower. However, he can occasionally be found more gently playing his violin, resisting strong desires to constantly play col legno.
Sara Winsemius, Carillon Student
Sara Winsemius is a first year environmental science major, music minor from Santa Cruz. She has played the piano for almost 9 years, especially loving nerdy music theory conversations and playing chamber music, and more recently has sung in choir. In free time she makes plans to save the world, and loves pulling invasive plant species and inspecting native trees, plants, and bugs. She also enjoys drinking boba, cuddling with her sister's cat, and is always on the lookout for good food.
Sara Winsemius is a first year environmental science major, music minor from Santa Cruz. She has played the piano for almost 9 years, especially loving nerdy music theory conversations and playing chamber music, and more recently has sung in choir. In free time she makes plans to save the world, and loves pulling invasive plant species and inspecting native trees, plants, and bugs. She also enjoys drinking boba, cuddling with her sister's cat, and is always on the lookout for good food.
Lily Xia, Carillon Student
Lily Xia is a third year Integrative Biology major. She was born in Shanghai but grew up in a little suburb in southern California. According to her parents, she told them that she wanted to learn how to play the piano in first grade. She thinks her parents made this story up, but is very, very thankful for acquiring the skill that came out of it. Lily apparently is drawn to random instruments like the harp, and currently, the carillon. Aside from learning how to chime bells into song, when she has free time she enjoys trying new things. Bases to cover this year: ceramics, hot air ballooning, traveling to New York, and continuing to explore Berkeley's magnificent eateries.
Lily Xia is a third year Integrative Biology major. She was born in Shanghai but grew up in a little suburb in southern California. According to her parents, she told them that she wanted to learn how to play the piano in first grade. She thinks her parents made this story up, but is very, very thankful for acquiring the skill that came out of it. Lily apparently is drawn to random instruments like the harp, and currently, the carillon. Aside from learning how to chime bells into song, when she has free time she enjoys trying new things. Bases to cover this year: ceramics, hot air ballooning, traveling to New York, and continuing to explore Berkeley's magnificent eateries.
Lu Zhu, Carillon Student
In his senior year,
Lu studies architecture,
which kills his free time.
From the central coast,
his hometown is Santa Cruz,
just over the hill.
When not in Wurster,
he enjoys picking mushrooms,
and drinking green tea.
He plays piano,
carillon again this term,
and loves classical.
A hobby of his,
if you haven't noticed yet,
is writing haikus.
In his senior year,
Lu studies architecture,
which kills his free time.
From the central coast,
his hometown is Santa Cruz,
just over the hill.
When not in Wurster,
he enjoys picking mushrooms,
and drinking green tea.
He plays piano,
carillon again this term,
and loves classical.
A hobby of his,
if you haven't noticed yet,
is writing haikus.