KAELYN GIMA is a third year undergraduate trombone performance major. In a personal statement, Kaelyn wrote that she discovered her love for the trombone twelve years ago. I asked how this connection had evolved.
"In elementary school there was a general need for brass players for performances. I thought maybe I’d take a chance with either the French horn or the trombone. My parents had told me to be sure of what I wanted and have a plan to get there, thus I decided on the trombone. Soon I was asked to substitute for other elementary schools in my area. They all teach the same repertoire so it was pretty easy (and I got a lot of practice). In middle school I had a great band teacher, Jay Posteraro. He encouraged me to perform with more mature musicians and in local middle and high school honors bands. Eventually, in my senior year of high school, I won the John Philip Sousa Award."
Kaelyn recently returned from a tour to Korea with the Cole Conservatory Symphony Orchestra (November 23-December 2, 2013). She has also toured in various places in Europe. She performs with the University Wind Symphony, the Cole Conservatory Brass Ensemble and is a new member of the True Brass Choir (http://www.truebrasschoir.org).
She has had the privilege of studying with trombonists such as Sean Reusch, Toby Oft, Kyle Covington, Steve Trapani, and currently studies with Mike Hoffman of the Pacific Symphony.
Kaelyn looks forward to continuing her education at CSULB and hopes to one day become a member of a major performing orchestra. She loves Mahler, particularly his third symphony and "would be thrilled" to one day perform with the Berlin Philharmonic. In her free time, she enjoys being with her family in San Diego, going on hikes and playing with her two Japanese Akitas.
Congratulations Kaelyn! |