A quick note on biographies...
Writing about yourself is hard! So, students in our high school program learn to write biographies through writing about each other. Each biography below is written by someone else in the group after an interview and multiple rounds of drafts, peer review, and revisions.
Bios and photos for GTF 23-24 coming soon...
In the meantime, you can still learn about the students who were in GTF last season!
Gilbert Town Fiddlers | 2022-2023
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Front Row (L to R)
Katie Dancho, cello Nestor Hernandez, violin Marlee Hales, violin Grace Mollenhauer, violin |
Middle Row (L to R)
Kiyana Ghersini, violin Gabriel Allen, violin Jameson Parker, violin Bella Navarro, violin Jenet Cole, violin |
Back Row (L to R)
Kayden Karis, violin Carlos Gamez, violin Hallie Brinton, violin Michael Rencher, violin Carsten Werner, viola Vignesh Ilangovan, cello |
Gilbert Town Fiddlers | 2022-2023 | Student Biographies
Alongside his prestigious playing ability, glistening smile, and middle name rarer than finding a four-leaf clover, GABRIEL ALLEN returns to the Gilbert Town Fiddlers with more excitement than ever! With this being his second year in GTF, Gabriel has gotten to refine and “tune” up his arrangement abilities and musical lyricism even further, making an incredible addition to the group. Throughout his childhood, Gabriel attended Ward Traditional Elementary where he excelled in his studies and began to procure the artistry of the violin in 5th grade. Gabriel knew this was no easy task, but regardless, took and honed this skill to a fine edge, with Amy Smith as his current orchestra teacher at McClintock High School and Taylor Morris as his private instructor. These countless hours did not go to waste, bestowing him with the opportunity of performing as a first violin at the AMEA Regional Honor Orchestra, and a second violin at the AMEA All-State Orchestra. Furthermore, Gabriel has been ranked #1 in his student body for his exceptional grade point average throughout his entire high school career. This has helped him earn 3rd place at the state DECA competition, a club which focuses on public speaking, the cultivation of business marketing skills, and entrepreneurship. Through his placement, Gabe was able to attend the International DECA competition last year in Atlanta. In his free time, Gabriel has always loved the fiddling style and sound, making this his 6th year exploring it! He enjoys listening to the works of Celtic cellist, Natalie Haas and Cape Breton fiddle player, Natalie MacMaster, along with groovy sensational hits from the 80’s. And if he’s not listening to music? Gabriel is practicing chess, gaming out on his computer, or even enjoying quality time with his family, preferably playing board games. Gabriel’s dedication to his craft also earned him a position on the orchestra council at his school, which aims to improve the orchestra in a variety of ways. After high school, Gabriel has decided to attend a university of music, where he plans to major in violin performance, solidifying the work he’s put in throughout all these years. Yet, despite his busy schedule and dedication to violin, you can count there’s always someone smiling at his priceless humor, politeness, or mannerisms of respect, all of which are incredible attributes that have helped him succeed here at GTF.
Written by: Nestor Hernandez
HALLIE BRINTON is a 16-year-old junior at Gilbert High School and is so excited for her 3rd year in the Gilbert Town Fiddlers! She has been playing the violin since 4th grade and teaches beginning violin lessons to 6 students. Outside of violin, Hallie is a seamstress and loves sewing gorgeous dresses, such as her homecoming dress for this year. This fiddler loves diving into a romance novel when she isn't working on writing a story herself. After high school, Hallie is planning to serve an LDS mission and then become a mental health counselor or psychologist. Hallie is an absolute “swiftie” and you can regularly find her jamming out to any Taylor Swift song. At home, Hallie has a pug named Hourus and 3 sisters whom she loves so much. We are so excited to have this fan-freaking-tastic fiddler in all her 6'1" fabulousness in the Gilbert Town Fiddlers this year!
Written by: Jenet Cole
HANNAH BURESH is a sophomore at Desert Mountain High School and has lived in Fountain Hills her whole life. Having played violin for seven years, she has been studying privately and exploring fiddling for the past two years with her private teacher, Taylor Morris. Additionally, she plays ukulele in her spare time. She loves Country music, especially Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen, who are her favorite artists. And, when listening to music, she loves to country line dance and swing dance, especially with her friends and stepdad! Her favorite vacation was going to Utah with all 15 of her family members. After high school, Hannah plans to go into college with an ROTC program or go into science. Her favorite class is orchestra and she loves her math class as well. She is a high academic achiever and received a 5.0 GPA last year. This year she is excited to go to Europe and to make music with GTF for her second year with the group!
Written by: Hannah White
Rolling into her second year in the Gilbert Town Fiddlers, welcome the amazing, talented, compassionate, and semi-boy-crazy JENET SCOTT COLE! Avid violinist since age four, Jenet plays in Casteel High School’s top orchestra, as well as sings in the top choir. She’s played piano through the Arizona Study Program for four years and her private teacher is none other than GTF Co-Director, Taylor Morris. A very important part of Jenet’s life are her four sisters and one brother. You can often find Jenet doodling people and designing outfits, and really anything creating anything artistic. She hopes to use these skills to one day design murals for roads and freeways. You can open up her playlist to find artists like Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Blink 182, Green Day, and any kind of music she loves! One of Jenet’s favorite things to do is her volunteer job as a SNAP youth counselor for people with special needs. She loves everyone in her SNAP group, and loves meeting people in general. She also loves to read, especially fantasy books by Brandon Sanderson. And, for our last two fun facts, she loves cows– especially the fluffy ones– and wants to be a mother someday. A wonderful addition to the group, we’re lucky to have Jenet in GTF!
Written by: Hallie Brinton
KATIE DANCHO, age 16, is in her junior year at Hamilton High School. In addition to being an amazing cellist, she dazzles judges with her piano skills. Now in her second year at GTF, she’s played 5 years of cello, 9 years of piano which passed Level 11 of the Arizona Study program. With all those accomplishments and Stringplay under her belt, Katie strives with confidence that she would like to continue learning and making friends in GTF. Whether it’s digital or painting, Katie loves art, especially exploring new styles of music. Her favorite artist of Bossa Nova music is Joao Gilberto and if you look at her shoes, they’re always painted and paired with earrings from her vast collection, and she has fun dying her hair. This year, her orchestra is going to Disneyland and completing a tour which she hopes to be the highlight of her year.
Written by: Grace Mollenhauer
With his mascot at Highland High School being the hawk, CARLOS GAMEZ sure does soar with musical ability! Having 6 years of classical music experience, 1 year of fiddling, and 5 years of playing piano, it’s no wonder that Carlos wants to be an orchestral musician when he grows up. Impressive accomplishments such as participating in the Tetra Chamber Music Institute and playing in the prestigious All State First Violin section have never dulled his bubbly personality and humble nature. If you ever happen to catch a conversation with Carlos and bring up his Mexican culture, be ready for it to be never ending! From tidbits about food to language pronunciation, it’s easy to tell how proud he is to be Mexican. Even though it’s very clear that Carlos holds importance to his heritage, it’s even more clear that with his previous accomplishments and never ending drive to improve that he will reach new heights that no musician has ever reached before. With his motto “Always Think Bigger” and his hard working nature, he will surely reach the moon. GTF is more than excited to welcome him as a member and help Carlos on his journey as he reaches for those big, shiny and incredible stars!
Written by: Vignesh Ilangovan
A freshman at Mesquite High School, KIYANA GHERSINI is excited to be in her first year with the Gilbert Town Fiddlers! As the youngest member of GTF, thirteen years old, Kiyana began her musical journey at the age of eight when she started playing violin in her elementary school orchestra. She went on to receive the Music Commitment Award in eighth grade. Kiyana is currently one of the only freshmen members of Mesquite's Symphonic Orchestra, their highest ensemble. Aside from her musical prowess, it’s easy to love Kiyana’s bright and witty personality! Kiyana describes herself as “dramatic” and fittingly participates in her school’s drama club. In her free time, she is a reigning champion of escape rooms, having never lost! Kiyana is also a Lindsey Stirling fan, admiring her artistic style and musical legacy at Mesquite High School. Without fail, Kiyana brings sheer joy to every rehearsal, GTF is so grateful to welcome her!
Written by: Bella Navarro
Senior, MARLEE HALES, is entering into her fourth and final year with the Gilbert Town Fiddlers. Here are a couple of things to know about Marlee: she is a born-and-raised Arizonan, the middle child of 5, a lover of country and 80's rock, and an aficionado of cookies and cream ice cream to keep cool in the summer. Marlee is also an athlete, competing in swim competitions and even marathons with her family. Her favorite memory with her family is visiting Paris and Notre Dame. However the final concert last year with GTF was a close second (This was her first in person final Concert!). In addition to being an athlete and family person Marlee is also very gifted musically. From the moment she heard the fiddle riff in ‘Wagon Wheel’ she knew she wanted to fiddle. Starting her musical journey in 4th grade with a mean hot cross buns on the recorder, Marlee has expanded her musical horizons exponentially. Now she is in her eighth year as a violinist, having studied with violinist Cathy Worcester for four years. Last year, during her second year in the Regional Orchestra, she even had the honor of being first chair second violin. The future is bright for Marlee Hales as she hopes to attend BYU and study in the biological sciences. Excited to make the most out of her final GTF season, Marlee is such an inspirational example of what it is to be a member of the Gilbert Town Fiddlers!
Written by: Hannah Buresh
NESTOR HERNANDEZ is a senior at Gilbert High School, who is now in GTF for his 4th and final year. While he plays violin in both school and GTF, he can also play piano and mandolin. Nestor is a seasoned veteran when it comes to the fiddle. He has been exploring fiddle styles, techniques, artists, and participating in fiddle-related activities for the past 6 years. Not only is he experienced in the realm of fiddle, but also is a fantastic classical violinist who has participated in the East Valley Youth Symphony and the AMEA Regional Orchestra. Nestor is heavily involved in his high school community, participating in swim, tennis, and his school’s orchestra council. To top off his outstanding participation, Nestor is a Golden Scholar, meaning he has maintained a 4.5 GPA since 7th grade. Nestor especially enjoys building his wardrobe, in which he always shows up to rehearsal in a chic and layered outfit. Outside of fashion, Nestor enjoys cooking delectable meals any chance he can get. While Nestor is doing any of these hobbies, he likes to add another layer, music. While Nestor does enjoy the classic 80’s and 2000’s era, he also spends a lot of time furthering his own skills by listening to well reputable fiddle artists such as Casey Driessen. After Nestor finishes his final year in high school, he hopes to further pursue his interests in politics by having a career as an immigration lawyer to help immigrants maintain a permanent home within the US. As Nestor continues his final year in GTF, he most certainly will leave a blueprint behind as to what it means to be a musician.
Written by: Gabriel Allen
A returning member to Gilbert Town Fiddlers, VIGNESH ILANGOVAN is a lively 15-year-old sophomore at Basis Ahwatukee. Currently, he has four years of cello under his belt and has been a part of the Suzuki Music Foundation Group. He greatly enjoys listening to classical music as well as playing it, but also enjoys playing other styles such as fiddle and improvisation. For Vignesh, music has given him a different perspective on many aspects of his life, part of which includes making connections with others and adapting to situations which call for him to be flexible. On top of that, he is very keen on observing his thoughts and having a greater understanding of himself.
Outside of music, Vignesh loves to spend time with his close family which consists of his mom, dad, and older brother. He also loves eating Indian food and the delicious dishes made in his household, like his mother’s savory samosas. Other hobbies of his include chess and competing in chess tournaments, including once placing third in a contest out of 250 contestants! In the future, Vignesh aspires to become an architect while continuing to play cello on the side. Another interesting fact about Vignesh is his motto, “Inspire, Create, Connect”, which is similar to our goal here at Gilbert Town Fiddlers! Overall, Vignesh is a wonderful presence to have around and an amazing friend to us all!
Outside of music, Vignesh loves to spend time with his close family which consists of his mom, dad, and older brother. He also loves eating Indian food and the delicious dishes made in his household, like his mother’s savory samosas. Other hobbies of his include chess and competing in chess tournaments, including once placing third in a contest out of 250 contestants! In the future, Vignesh aspires to become an architect while continuing to play cello on the side. Another interesting fact about Vignesh is his motto, “Inspire, Create, Connect”, which is similar to our goal here at Gilbert Town Fiddlers! Overall, Vignesh is a wonderful presence to have around and an amazing friend to us all!
Written by: Carlos Gamez
KAYDEN KARIS, a sociable, honest, silly, and young junior at Highland High School, is a devout musician who has played violin/fiddle for 7 years. Not only has Kayden spent his childhood with music, but he also intends to spend the rest of his life with music, as his dream job is becoming a pop music producer. Although Kayden has a firm for music, Kayden also has other hobbies he enjoys. He enjoys spending his days playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends, modifying older game consoles with the new firmware which allows him to access customized content in video games, or just "getting a bite to eat at "McDs". Overall, Kayden is a brilliant, ambitious, and young musician with a whole life to live, which is hopefully filled with music.
Written by: Carsten Werner
The Gilbert Town Fiddlers are thrilled to have the wonderful violinist, GRACE MOLLENHAUER, back for her third year! Grace is a kindhearted 16-year-old junior at Highland High School who always has a warm smile on her face, and she has been learning violin for ten years from her teacher, Heidi Wright. She first discovered fiddling in middle school where she saw GTF during school tours and fell in love with the energy and style of music. Grace also enjoys classical music, studying classical violin as well as listening to it when she goes to sleep. She is a member of her school’s top choir and orchestra and has performed in plays every year since fifth grade. Most recently, she was a part of the school’s production of Anastasia.
In addition to her love for music, Grace also has a passion for reading and writing fantasy books. She attended a writing camp for two years, and often has her head in the clouds, thinking up stories about the world around her. As a golden scholar and member of NHS, Grace is a hardworking student. She plans to study forensic science in college and join the FBI.
In addition to her love for music, Grace also has a passion for reading and writing fantasy books. She attended a writing camp for two years, and often has her head in the clouds, thinking up stories about the world around her. As a golden scholar and member of NHS, Grace is a hardworking student. She plans to study forensic science in college and join the FBI.
Written by: Katie Dancho
Gilbert Town Fiddlers are so excited to have BELLA NAVARRO back for her 4th year of GTF! A senior at Dobson High school, Bella is currently 17-years-old. Bella plays the violin and really enjoys creating music. She has been playing for 15 years! She also has been taking lessons with Taylor Morris since 4th grade. Bella has received awards for playing the violin, such as a Superior Rating in the Solo & Ensemble Festival. She is in her school's drama club, advanced choir, and chamber orchestra. In addition to playing her instrument, she is interested in persuing a career in history or economics. She also has a strong interest to be a make-up artist at Glossier and be in a Broadway show. Some musicians she likes to listen to are fiddler Jeremy Kittel, folk quartet The Fretless, and the classic rock band Pink Floyd. Bella has a passion for fiddling and she loves being in Gilbert Town Fiddlers!
Written by: Kiyana Ghersini
We are excited to welcome back JAMESON PARKER! A sophomore at the Herberger Young Scholars Academy, this will be his second year playing violin with the Gilbert Town Fiddlers. Although he is only 14-years-old, he has played violin nearly his whole life, with close to 11 years of experience! Jameson played violin with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony for 3 years, where he first encountered fiddling. He previously studied under Shari Paris, but now takes lessons with our very own Taylor Morris. Jameson’s music taste is “hard to explain,” but his favorite artists include Starset (alternative rock) and Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers (indie fusion). In addition to playing a little guitar, harmonica, and ukulele, Jameson has also played piano for 8 years.
Outside of music, Jameson loves reading - especially fantasy books by Brandon Sanderson. He also loves exploring mathematics and just recently ventured into category theory (Abstract Nonsense on the official Wiki page). He has already completed four calculus classes and even wrote a textbook with a collegiate professor! Jameson shows an impressive aptitude for all things numbers, in fact, he has competed several times in the yearly American Mathematics Competition. In the future, Jameson plans to explore career possibilities in business and logic.
Outside of music, Jameson loves reading - especially fantasy books by Brandon Sanderson. He also loves exploring mathematics and just recently ventured into category theory (Abstract Nonsense on the official Wiki page). He has already completed four calculus classes and even wrote a textbook with a collegiate professor! Jameson shows an impressive aptitude for all things numbers, in fact, he has competed several times in the yearly American Mathematics Competition. In the future, Jameson plans to explore career possibilities in business and logic.
Written by: Michael Rencher
GTF is extremely excited to have the returning violinist MICHAEL RENCHER back again! Michael is a 17-year-old senior at Red Mountain High who has played violin for 10 years. In addition to this, he has been fiddling for seven years, and has been improvising amazing solos for five years with our amazing co-director Taylor Morris. In addition to violin, Michael has been playing piano for 14 years, and also plays guitar and bass, as well as playing a mean kazoo. Michael also proved his musical talents when achieving the all-state choir! To this day, he still loves the pentatonic scale and constantly improvises off of it. Michael loves a variety of music, including the rock of Avenged Sevenfold, the poppier sound of Surfaces, and the classics of Elvis and the 50s.
Outside of music, Michael loves robotics and can build almost anything and would like to be a mechanical engineer eventually. His dream is to create a science-fiction exoskeleton. Michael’s other hobbies include racketball, reading, cooking, and running at sunrise. Michael also has the prestigious Eagle Scout award, which he achieved at 13 in three years instead of the normal six! Overall, GTF is extraordinarily enthusiastic to have Michael back again for one final year!
Outside of music, Michael loves robotics and can build almost anything and would like to be a mechanical engineer eventually. His dream is to create a science-fiction exoskeleton. Michael’s other hobbies include racketball, reading, cooking, and running at sunrise. Michael also has the prestigious Eagle Scout award, which he achieved at 13 in three years instead of the normal six! Overall, GTF is extraordinarily enthusiastic to have Michael back again for one final year!
Written by: Jameson Parker
Getting ready for his debut year in the Gilbert Town Fiddlers, welcome CARSTEN WERNER! He is a 16-year-old sophomore at ASU Prep Digital. Taught by Dr. Jeff Norman, Carsten has been mastering the viola for a total of thirteen years! Carsten has also been a member of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony for six years. In fact, MYS is where he was introduced to fiddle music, and for the past three years, Carsten has been learning the world of fiddle! Other than viola, Carsten also has a talent for ping-pong! After all, he did place fifth in the 2020 junior ping-pong MSC Cruise Tournament. Carsten describes ping pong as an exhilarating adrenaline rush! In his free time, he enjoys to go to Snowbowl and ski, and he likes to relax by cooking curry. After a long day, he likes to get boba and jam-out to some energetic pop songs from Macklemore, AJR, Fake Type or some bright punk rock from the band seventeen. After high school, Carsten is set to use his sly personality to go into real estate or become a financial advisor. Overall, we are eager to have Carsten as a part of the Gilbert Town Fiddlers!
Written by: Kayden Karis