GR City Strings

SENIOR SUNDAY! Congratulations to GRCMC Alumni, Isabella Redder on her graduation from Grand Rapids Christian High School! We wish you all the best next year at Hope College!

Isabella began violin lessons at age five with Jenna Anderson and quickly fell in love with the instrument. While she has dabbled in other instruments over the years — including viola, cello, piano, guitar, and voice — the violin has always remained her greatest passion. She attended Grand Rapids Chamber Music Camp for three summers, where a personal highlight was performing Dvořák’s “American” Quartet with her fellow campers.
A 2026 graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School, Isabella served as concertmaster of the orchestra and participated in Solo and Ensemble all four years, consistently earning top division ratings. Beyond music, she was a member of the National Honor Society, competed on the state forensics team for four years, tutored international students, and was an active member of her church youth group. Isabella also enjoys composing and arranging music, and she looks forward to continuing those studies in college.
This fall, Isabella will begin studies at Hope College, where she plans to major in music.

Caleb, we at GR City Strings are so proud of you and all your accomplishments. Please join us in congratulating GRCMC Alumni, Caleb Parlin!

Caleb Parlin began playing the violin at age nine through his school’s orchestra program, and
began studying with Kimia Ghaderi at age fourteen. He spent the past year playing in the first
violin section of the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony, and spent the year prior as the
Concertmaster of the St. Cecilia Philharmonic Orchestra. Throughout High School, Caleb
performed in several chamber pieces, many of which were through his 2 summers at Grand
Rapids Chamber Music Camp. Additionally, he received top ratings at MSBOA’s Solo and
Ensemble Festival, 2023-2026. In May of 2026, Caleb received both his High School’s
Outstanding Orchestra Senior Award and his High School’s Music Department Award. Caleb
was a part of his High School’s Symphony Orchestra for 3 years, and served as Concertmaster
for 2 years, where he was a two-time winner of the school’s Concerto Competition. He finished
his time at Caledonia High School with a performance of the first movement of Vivaldi Summer.
Caleb will be a Caledonia High School graduate in May of 2026, where he was a member of the
Environmental Club, an officer of the Key Club, first chair of the Drama Club’s Pit Orchestra, and
sang tenor in the Advanced Tenor Bass Ensemble. In his free time, Caleb enjoys puzzles,
watching movies, and going out with friends.
After graduation, Caleb will attend Western Michigan University where he will double major in
Mathematics and Violin Performance where he will study with Sophie Tang.

Bravo 🙌🏽 to all of the GRCMC students who performed in the St. Cecilia Orchestras on Saturday! All 3 groups sounded FANTASTIC 😁🤩💕🎼🎶

Congratulations to GRCMC Alumni, Benjamin Lee! 💚🎓

Benjamin began playing the cello in 2013 at age 5 with Pamela Kelly in Cleveland, OH, and since 2014 has been under the instruction of Jill Collier Warne in Grand Rapids, MI. Benjamin was a member of the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony for two years and was a camper at Grand Rapids Chamber Music Camp for two summers. In additon to his many studio recitals, Benjamin was also selected to perform in masterclasses for Crispin Campbell (Interlochen), Greg Beaver, of the Turtle Island String Quartet and Pablo Mahave-Veglia (GVSU).

Ben will be a Forest Hills Eastern High School graduate, where he was section co-leader of the marching band drumline, played doubles on the Varsity tennis team, was an active member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, sang tenor with the Eastern Singers, and most recently played the role of ‘Rooster’ in the musical “Annie.” In his free time, Ben enjoys videogaming, breakdancing, creating beats, and hanging out with friends. He will attend Michigan State University in the fall.

A huge congratulations to GRCMC Alumni, Karina Chung, a student of Alicia Gregorian Sawyers (2016-2023). Karina has committed to Harvard University in the Fall! We at GR City Strings are so proud♥️🎓♥️

Karina began playing the cello at age 5 with Phil Warren in Chapel Hill, NC and continued her studies in 2016 under Alicia Gregorian Sawyers in Grand Rapids, MI and then in 2023 with Hyunji Kwon in Brookline, MA. Karina was a member of the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony Classical Orchestra for two years and attended the Grand Rapids Chamber Music Camp for 3 summers. She is currently the principal cellist and Vice President of the Newton North High School Orchestra.

Karina will graduate from Newton North High School in June of 2026, where she was the captain and second singles of the Varsity tennis team and the co-president of the Modeling the Future Club ,which won 3rd place nationally. In her free time, Karina enjoys baking, watching sports, hanging out with friends, and running. She will attend Harvard University in the fall with a concentration in statistics.