Upcoming Events/Concerts
- Thursday, September 24
- Monday, September 28
- Thursday, October 8
- Thursday, October 15
- Monday, October 19
- Saturday, October 24
- Monday, November 2
- Wednesday, November 18
Guest Artists & Supporters
Dr. Ariana Kim - violin
"Having had the chance to immerse myself in the Castillero Middle School Orchestra classroom for several days every year over the last decade has made a lasting impact in my life. To see the power of performing arts education - especially when led and delivered by such a dedicated citizen-artist as Scott Krijnen - renews my faith in humanity. The lessons Mr. Krijnen teaches go on to deliver high-level concerts, but even more importantly, enter students' lives in the form of passion, mindfulness, cooperation, diligence, and respect. CMS Orchestra students come to class each day from varied backgrounds and life experiences, but show up in a wholehearted way to embrace the craft of making music together, taking pride in their work as one. I look forward to my visit there with great enthusiasm every year."
- Dr. Ariana Kim
Dr. Christoph Wagner - cello
https://music.unm.edu/faculty/christoph-wagner/
"Castillero Middle School is a remarkable place where young musicians are encouraged to explore their full potential within a vibrant and supportive community. The orchestra program, led by the exceptional Scott Krijnen, stands out as a high-quality program that fosters not only musical excellence but also kindness, camaraderie, and personal growth. The positive, uplifting environment Scott has built inspires students to grow both artistically and personally, creating a true community of support. Visiting Castillero each year and working with such incredible talent is one of the happiest, most fulfilling experiences I look forward to. I can’t wait to return in October 2025!"
- Dr. Christoph Wagner
Elizabeth Oakes - violin
https://music.uiowa.edu/people/elizabeth-oakes
Eugene Sor - cello
Note: accepting students
(510) 332-0337
Whether conducting, coaching chamber music, or teaching cello in his private studio, Eugene Sor has had a distinguished career working with music students of all ages and abilities. From 1998-2026, he served on the faculty and administrative staff, including several years as Artistic Director, of Crowden Music Center (now Crowden School) in Berkeley. Eugene is also a Resident Conductor and the Director of Chamber Music Academy of the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra (PACO), with whom he has worked since 2001. Previously, he has been director of the Preparatory Division Chamber Orchestra at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and has also held teaching positions at Notre Dame de Namur University and Black Pine Circle School. As the founding cellist of Chamberlain String Quartet, Eugene held teaching assistantships and performed frequently at San Francisco State University and Cal State Easy Bay University. As a conductor, he has toured with The Crowden School and PACO throughout the US and abroad, including performances and educational exchanges in Washington DC, Chicago, Cleveland, Honolulu, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Eisenach, Leipzig, Dresden, Prague, and Vienna.
Eugene received his early musical training from cellists Milly Rosner and Barry Gold, and has been a familiar face to Bay Area music audiences and students for over 30 years. His background in ensemble playing has led to collaborations with esteemed artists such as the Alexander String Quartet, Baumer Quartet, Fry Street Quartet, Aizuri Quartet, Telegraph Quartet, Cavani String Quartet, cellist Bonnie Hampton, and pianist Jeff LaDeur. His wide range of performance experience has been integral in his background as a music teacher, providing him insights into how to maximize his students’ potential through challenging repertoire choices, detailed rehearsal technique, and strong interpersonal connections.
Robin Sharp - violin
https://music.stanford.edu/people/robin-sharp
Lisa Ponton - viola
https://santacruzsymphony.org/viola/#viola-5
Benjamin Simon - violin
https://www.pacomusic.org/about/faculty/benjamin-simon
Thomas Alexander - violin
https://www.pacomusic.org/about/faculty/thomas-alexander
| Zenas Hsu | Jessica Chang | Laura Gaynon |
Chamber Music by the Bay
https://chambermusicbythebay.com/
"Chamber Music by the Bay recently had the privilege of working with Mr. Krijnen and the Castillero Orchestras, and the experience was truly inspiring. The students’ curiosity, responsibility, and excellent preparation created a special environment for learning. It was a joy to witness the level of enthusiasm and collaboration in each class. We were beyond impressed and are grateful to have been part of such a vibrant and well-prepared community of young musicians and students! The orchestras at Castillero, led by Mr. Krijnen, are a true, one-of-a-kind treasure for all students fortunate to be part of the program."
- Jessica Chang, founder
NOTE: Sectional Coaches are available for private lessons - please contact them directly
Sectional Coaches
Violin
Caila Bigelman
(669) 222-9642
Caila started violin in third grade, after 5 years of asking their parents, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music from UC Santa Cruz in 2025. They are a current student in National University's Single Subject Teaching Credential Program for music and has been a member of Cambrian Symphony since 2019. Caila offers private violin lessons for those in the San Jose Bay Area, and can teach both classical violin and Celtic fiddle.
Brianna Wagener
Brianna Wagener is a current San Jose State University student pursuing her BA in Psychology. She began learning violin in 6th grade at Castillero Middle School and continues to perform with the Cambrian Symphony as well as the SJSU Symphony Orchestra. Brianna teaches private violin lessons to students in the San Jose area and continues to find ways to share her musical skills and abilities with those around her.
Lauren Wagener
Lauren Wagener is a current San Jose State student pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies Teacher Prep, with plans to go into a Masters and Credential program for Elementary Education. Lauren started violin in 6th grade at Castillero Middle School in the Beginning Orchestra. She currently performs in the Cambrian Symphony and the SJSU Symphony Orchestra, as well as takes private lessons with Dr. Catalina Barraza, violin professor at San Jose State. Lauren also teaches private violin lessons and hopes to continue helping students grow in their knowledge and in their love for music.
Viola
Ben Shiverdaker
Ben Shiverdaker is a violinist and violist from San Jose, California, with nearly 15 years of experience studying and performing orchestral and chamber music. He has studied viola with Alexandra Leem and Ed Wharton. He currently performs with the Cambrian Symphony, where he also serves as a board member and viola section manager. Ben has performed with ensembles including Santa Clara University, San José State University, the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra, West Valley Light Opera, Woodside Musical Theatre, and other ensembles throughout the Bay Area. He also regularly performs with a local string quartet and has had the opportunity to perform on stage with The Piano Guys and Lindsey Stirling. His performance work is also expanding into film scores, and he performed on and received screen credit for the award-winning film score to The Death of Jim McGraw.
As a viola coach, Ben hopes to help students grow as well-rounded musicians by strengthening their technique, musicianship, musical awareness, and ensemble skills. He especially enjoys helping students learn how to listen and communicate through music while developing a lasting appreciation for orchestral and chamber music.
Outside of music, Ben works full-time in the semiconductor industry. He earned both his bachelor’s degree in Engineering and his master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Santa Clara University.
Cello
Dr. James Lin
Dr. Lin has orchestral experience with Milwaukee Symphony, Madison Symphony Orchestra, New Haven Symphony, Modesto Symphony, Fresno Symphony, Moscow Chamber Orchestra, I Musici de Montreal. Orchestral, solo and chamber performances have taken him throughout the North America and Europe. His performances have ranged widely from performing with members of the Emerson String Quartet to sharing stage with Jazz legend Arturo Sandoval to international concerts and recordings with The Yale Cellos. Dr. Lin has held fellowships at Banff, Orford, Musicorda, Spoleto, and Norfolk festivals. His major mentors were Uri Vardi, Janos Starker, Aldo Parisot and Colin Carr.
Bass
Rafael Zepeda
Rafael was born and raised in San Jose, CA and has studied Double Bass performance for over 10 years. He began his instruction locally here at Castillero Middle School. Rafael graduated from Chapman University in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in Double Bass performance and went on to also earn his masters degree in Double Bass Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 2020. He has a passion for teaching that he has inherited from many of his great teachers such as Scott Krijnen, Kate Francis, and Bruce Moyer. Rafael regularly performs with groups in the Bay Area such as the Cambrian Symphony, San Jose Dance Theatre, Palo Alto Players, and UC Davis Symphony Orchestra.
