Suzanne Prescott

Montana native Suzanne Prescott has performed in orchestras, wind ensembles, and choirs on three continents. As a graduate of the prestigious Cleveland Institute of Music and The Ohio State University, she performed as a freelance bassist with orchestras in Texas, Ohio, the Pacific Northwest and Washington, DC, before coming to South Florida in 2004. A former student of Larry Angel, then principal bass of the Cleveland Orchestra, she is also an accomplished oboist, vocalist, and conductor.

Throughout the country, she has built extensive private studios in double bass, and served as the primary strings teacher in the Idaho Falls School District.

Veselin Bozhilov

 A native of Bulgaria and graduate of Sofia Music Conservatory, Veselin Bozhilov is a winner of seven national and two international trumpet competitions. In 1997, at age of 20, he joined Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra and Sofia Philharmonic Brass Quintet. Between 1998 and 2003, he was invited to play as a guest artist with Bulgarian Festival Orchestra, New Symphony Orchestra, Plovdiv Philharmonic, Skopje Philharmonic, and Sarajevo Philharmonic. In 2003, Bozhilov moved to the United States. In 2007, he completed his master’s degree at Lynn University.

Bozhilov has played with Colorado Brass, Las Vegas Philharmonic, Palm Beach Opera, Palm Beach Symphony, Boca Raton Philharmonic, Florida Grand Opera, Miami Symphony, Symphony of the Americas, and Miami Pops. He often performs with Empire Brass, Canadian Brass, Boston Brass, Dallas Brass, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Philadelphia Philharmonic, New York City Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Atlanta Symphony, San Francisco Opera.

He has taught at Colorado State University, Lynn University, and Dreyfoos School of the arts.  His students have been accepted at such prestigious Summer Festivals at Interlochen, Grand Valley, Tanglewood, Florida State University, and have gone to study at Julliard, Manhattan School of Music, New York University, Boston University, New England Conservatory of Music, Northwestern University, Eastman School of Music, University of Maryland, University of Southern California, Duke University, Vanderbilt University, Cornell University, University of Miami, Florida State University, University of Florida and many more.

Kelsey Lin

Kelsey Lin began her love of music at age six after receiving her first violin. She attended both BAK Middle School of the Arts and A.W. Dreyfoos High School of the Arts. She studied with Carole Simmons, a former member of the Florida Philharmonic with Rebecca Lautar, violin professor at Florida Atlantic University. Kelsey continued her musical education at the Conservatory of Music at Lynn University where she studied with Carol Cole. Kelsey graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s of arts degree in violin performance.

After college, Kelsey decided to pursue a career in teaching. Her first year as a full-time teacher in Palm Beach County she was selected as one of six finalists for the “Beginning Teacher of the Year Award” as presented by the Palm Beach County School District. She also began teaching with the Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County. For many years, she ran the El Sistema program at U.B.Kinsey/Palmview Elementary School of the Arts. Her elementary aged Beethoven Orchestra competed in the Music USA Festival in Orlando, FL, and was awarded first prize against middle school students. Because of her dedication to music education throughout Palm Beach County, she was voted in and served for two years as the Florida Orchestra Association’s District Chairperson for District 14 which includes Palm Beach, Martin, and Glades County.  Currently, Kelsey is teaching with Palm Beach Atlantic University Preparatory Department as a violin and viola instructor. She also works with Palm Beach County students with her main schools being Jupiter Middle School of Technology and Oxbridge Academy. Kelsey continues to spread the joy of music through teaching and performing.

Linda Cartagena

Hello, my name is Linda Cartagena, and I will be one of the string coaches for this season. I’ve always been involved with strings since I started in middle school and have been playing cello for 15 years, I continue to perform on the cello around the state of Florida in various ensembles and different events. My primary career is as an orchestra teacher, and I hold a Florida teaching certificate in music. I teach at two schools in Palm Beach County, Plumosa School of the Arts & John I Leonard High School. This is my 3rd year with Palm Beach County, having taught Privately for nine years prior, with 11 years of teaching. I am a graduate of Florida Atlantic University and the University of Central Florida. I have two degrees: a Bachelor of Music Education in instrumental music and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership.

Flavio Rápalo

Flavio Rápalo is a highly accomplished percussionist with a passion for music that has taken him on an incredible journey. He began his musical education at the National Conservatory of Music Francisco R. Diaz Zelaya in Honduras, earning a High School Degree in Music Performance. He then pursued his dreams in the United States, obtaining a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance at the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University, where he received the prestigious Woodruff Award Scholarship. Flavio is currently working towards his Master of Music in Music Performance at Florida Atlantic University, where he also serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant.

Flavio served as Principal percussionist for the Honduras Philharmonic Orchestra. Principal percussionist for the Symphonic Band of the Honduran ARMY. Principal percussionist for the Columbus Ballet Pit Orchestra. One of his most notable achievements was as the timpanist for the International Trombone Festival in 2021, where he had the privilege of performing alongside the renowned New York Philharmonic Brass Section. Flavio’s dedication to percussion and commitment to excellence have propelled his career and continue to inspire others. His journey from Honduras to the United States is a testament to the transformative power of music across borders and cultures.

Ian Wilkinson