As most of our students head “back to school,” we wish our 2025 high school graduates success and happiness as they head off to college and future careers. Even if these students do not pursue music as a career, we hope that music will continue to be an important part of their lives. Many of this year’s seniors have been taking lessons at CMS since middle school, or longer, and it has been a joy to see them flourish as musicians and as young people. We wish these proud graduates all the best and hope that they will always cherish their excellent music education at CMS.
Shriya Chitta (left) and Felicity Lui (right) pose with their senior recognition photo collages after their final CMS performances at the Gala Recital on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
Shriya Chitta, violin student of Linda Kistler, graduated from Southern Lehigh High School. She studied violin at CMS for 11 years. Her favorite things about CMS are the community and the faculty. At SLHS, she was a member of the French Club, National Honor Society, and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. She was selected to both the District X and the Region V Orchestra in 2025. Shriya plans to major in chemical engineering or biochemistry at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Felicity Lui, flute student of Elaine Martin, graduated from Parkland High School. She has been playing the flute for seven years. Her favorite things about CMS are the amazing staff and the aesthetic quality of its building. At PHS, she participated in orchestra, PMEA ensembles, and various clubs and honors societies. She was also selected to give a speech to the Parkland School Board about the importance of music in public schools as part of Music in Our Schools month. Felicity plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh to major in biology and pursue a pre-med track to prepare for a career in medicine.
Liam Ray (left) and Matthew Brandle (right) pose with their senior recognition photo collages after their final CMS performances at the Summer Recital on Sunday, June 1, 2025.
Liam Ray, trombone student of Matthew Blanchard, graduated from Parkland High School. During his six years at CMS, he studied trombone with Nicholas Conti and Matthew Blanchard, and studied piano with Dr. David Saturen. At PHS, he participated in PMEA All-State Band, Region V Band, District 10 Band, District 10 Orchestra, District 10 Choir, District 10 Jazz, Symphonic Band, Marching Band (Section Leader), Jazz Band, Chorale, Concert Choir, Advanced Honors Orchestra, and Pit Orchestra. He is an Eagle Scout and received the Presidential Call to Service Award Young Adult Bronze Medal. He is a HOBY ambassador and academic all star and attended Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth. He is a member of the National Honor Society, National Social Studies Honor Society, Math National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society (officer), Latin Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society. His favorite aspect of music is performing. He also received the Louis Armstrong Award at PHS. Liam plans to major in trombone performance and follow a pre-med course of study at the University of Florida.
Watch Liam’s senior orchestra concerto performance with the PHS orchestra here.
Watch Liam’s CMS final performance of Symphonique by A. G. Morceau at the 2025 Summer Recital here.
Matthew Brandle, voice and piano student of Kathy Anthony, graduated from Moravian Academy. Matthew began lessons a few months before the Covid pandemic shutdown in 2020 and continued online lessons with Kathy Anthony for the last five years. He quickly translated the skills he learned in his lessons into outstanding performances in every winter musical at Moravian Academy. His most notable roles were Uncle Fester in The Addams Family and Gangster # 2 in The Drowsy Chaperone. Matthew says he loves how music “can match my mood regardless of whether I’m sad, happy, or supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!” He plans to pursue a degree in statistics in college. His advice for younger students: “Practice and get to know your teacher – – they are kind of cool!”
Watch Matthew’s CMS final performance of Ballade by F. Burgmüller at the 2025 Summer Recital here.
Watch Matthew’s CMS finale performance of Purpose from Avenue Q at the 2025 Summer Recital here.
We also congratulate 2025 high school graduates Yandel Dominguez, Chase Rossanese, Maria Gonzalez, and Aiden Borkenhagen.