STUDENT BOARD

Allie Rui
​​​Chief Executive Officer
​Information Technology Director

Allie Rui is a student at Wayside Elementary School in Potomac, Maryland. She organizes the performances at communities and manages the organization’s website.

She started playing the piano at age 5. Since then, she has participated in many competitions and won several awards. These include 1st place in the MSMTA Spring Festival Solo Competition 2024, Best Chopin Performance at the International Music Competition 2024, and recognition at the AMMA Metropolitan Music Festival 2024. In addition to piano, she has been learning the violin for over 2 years and plays as the first violin in the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra's PS group. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis and coding.

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Albert Jiang
Chief Financial Officer
Resource Director

Albert Jiang is a student of Herbert Hoover Middle School in Potomac, Maryland, is currently serving as the CFO and Resource Director of the Music and Love organization. Albert undertakes crucial responsibilities in financial management and strategic planning, ensuring the organization's sustainable operation.
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In his musical journey, Albert has devoted over two years to mastering the viola, contributing his skills to the advanced string group in the Wayside Elementary School orchestra. Beyond his musical pursuits, Albert has enormous passion for ice hockey, his dedication and strong skillset has helped his team win the regional championship in the 2023-2024 Silver Stick tournament in the U11B category. 

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​Jacqueline Chung
Special Events Director

​Jacqueline Chung is a student of Westbrook ES in Bethesda, Maryland. She currently serves as the special event director for music and love to help raise funds and organize special performing events. 

Jacqueline loves music and interacting with people. She is currently in the MCYO future stars group to pursue her violin journey. Besides playing violin, she likes swimming and is a member of the nationally ranked NCAP swim team. She also does Saber fencing and competes in the regional leagues. In addition to music and sports, she is a member of Mensa Society and Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY).

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Aric Deng
Communication Director

Hey! My name is Aric Deng, and I’m a 8th grader at Hallie Wells Middle School in Clarksburg Maryland. As your communications director, I can write at a ninth-grade level, and I can also fluently play the Violin and the Piano. As a young child, I was always fascinated by music, and I have made dozens of theme songs for my younger peers (that was really fun no joke). I started playing the piano at age five and I started violin two years ago.

While I’m not on the piano bench or standing in front of a music stand, you might find me sitting in front of my two 3D Printers or my laser cutter. I also have a hobby of editing videos; I own a private website for socializing with my buddies. You can even find me on the slopes skiing in winter and in the fall, I’ll be running a trail for my cross-country team. Overall, I’m just a cheerful person and I love to hang out with my buddies.

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Rishita Dey
Sponsorship Director

I am a student at Cold Spring Elementary School in Potomac, Maryland. As the Sponsorship Director of the Music and Love organization, I shoulder the responsibilities for securing financial support and resources from businesses, organizations, or individual donors to help sustain and grow the organization's group activities.
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Music has held a special place in my heart from a very young age and I started playing violin. I wanted to expand my expertise beyond violin and started playing piano later on. Currently I am part of Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra. I believe that music has a healing power, it brings positivity and can brighten days for others. Performances at senior centers and community events fulfills my passion about serving my community. Apart from music, I am passionate about Indian classical dancing, reading books, and playing with my friends at school.

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Alex Jiang
Director of MD Chapter

Alex Jiang, a student at Cold Spring Elementary School in Potomac, Maryland, has emerged as a promising leader in both community initiatives and musical performance. As the program director of the Music and Love organization, she shoulders the substantial responsibilities of organizing the musical program for performances and coordinating the participating artists, dedicating herself to serving the community. 
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Classical music has held a special place in Alex’s heart, influencing her life deeply since she started learning the violin over two years ago. She currently serves the position of Assistant Concert Master (ACM) in the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra's Preparatory String. Beyond her musical talents, Alex is passionate for gymnastics and ballet, developing a diverse range of interests and talents.

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Angelina Lin​
Director of VA Chapter

Angelina Lin is an eighth grader at Basis Independent McLean, Virginia. She has been playing piano since she was five and has kept up with it over the years. She coordinates the Music and Love organization in Virginia, introducing her friends, and keeping in touch with musicians. 
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While she doesn’t compete at a high level in piano, she enjoys finding the sheet music of her favorite songs and plays it on the piano, often experimenting with different styles and expressions. Music brings Angelina joy, and she values the personal connection it creates, whether she’s playing for herself or sharing with others. Outside of piano, she is passionate about rock climbing and art, always challenging herself and improving her skills in both activities. Angelina is looking forward to bringing more happiness for others in this community. 

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Samuel Lu​
Director of Volunteer Engagement

Sam is a 9th grader at Montgomery Blair HS. He plays the piano and every year goes to many events. He got the Junior Distinguished Music Achievement Award of Maryland State in 2024. Most of the time, he watches memes and funny content and plays video games.
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He enjoys performing in senior living houses and hospitals, but he usually likes to play pieces he has not played before, and thus he doesn't like playing the same piece twice in the same place. He can also help with problems regarding music theory and composing.

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Benjamin Peng
Director of ComposeLab

My name is Benjamin Peng. I am a nineth grader at Winston Churchill High School in Maryland. I have been playing piano since the age of 7, and I  enjoy experimenting and making fun music using online composing apps. In my leisure time I like to play sports, do math, and code. 

Music is an art of sound, formed by the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony and color. Music can express different ideas and emotions, ranging from happiness, sadness, mystery and even anger. This is why I love making, playing and listening to music. As the Director of ComposeLab, I would like to create a channel for young musicians to enjoy making digital music and share the music they created with our community. 

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Chloe Robertson
Tutoring Director

Chloe Robertson is a 8th grader at Julius West MS. She started playing violin at 5 yrs old. Currently, she plays 4 instruments: violin, piano, bassoon and guitar. She mostly competes with her violin and last year she won both 1st placed for solo and chamber strings.

​Aside from competing, she also plays for MCYO (violin & bassoon) and DCYOP. In addition, she’s also part of the MCYO Chamber Music. She got accepted to NSO Youth Fellowship, Washington Musical Pathways Initiative and she was part of the Junior All-State Orchestra. Violin for NSO and Bassoon for WMPI.

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Selena Ritschel
Social Media Director

Selena Ritschel is a student at Winston Churchill high school. She has played piano for over ten years, and learns mostly classical pieces. She has participated in the Washington College Music Festival multiple times and won first place in 2023. Selena has also passed all 8 grades of the ABRSM performance exams, as well as grade five of ABRSM music theory. In her free time, Selena enjoys making simple 2D animations and hanging out with friends.   ​

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Christopher Wang
Marketing Director

Christopher Wang is a student of Winston Churchill High School. He has been playing violin for over 10 years. He had played in the MCYO Symphony as an Assistant Principal and first violin in the MCYO Chamber Ensemble. He has also been accepted to the Maryland All-State Junior Orchestra twice. Chris has had much success playing the violin. He won first prize in the International String Competition (Hong Kong), both solo and duet, and honorable mention in the 2023 YMIC Metropolitan Live Music Festival. 
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He has a great passion for community service. He said it's an honor to be a part of Music&Love, and serving others brings him happiness.

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Lexi Yang
Administrative Director

Lexi Yang is a dedicated and passionate oboist currently attending Thomas W. Pyle Middle School as an eighth grader. With more than six years of experience playing oboe, she has developed a deep love for music. 

As a member of the MCYO Symphony Orchestra, she has had opportunities to play in various venues and collaborate with talented musicians. Also, Lexi is recently accepted into the Montgomery County Honors Band of 2025. She also won first prize in the wind chamber music division at the Paris Music Competition(PMC) in the Chinese region in 2023. Lexi looks forward to exploring new music opportunities and sharing her passion for oboe with more people.

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Eric Zhang
Outreach Director

I’m a sixth grader at Robert Frost Middle School in Rockville, Maryland. In addition to my performances at local assisted living facilities, I serve as the Outreach Director of our organization. My services enable a broad spectrum of community outreach activities and services.

​Music has always held a special place in my heart. My music journey started at the age of 5 on the piano and 6 with the cello. I have been an integral part of the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra (MCYO) and am currently a part of the Chamber Strings. Beyond my classic music pursuits, I am passionate about tennis and swimming in my spare time.

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Grace Zhou
Development Director

​Grace Zhou is a student at Snowden Farm Elementary School located at Clarksburg, Maryland. Grace is currently serving as the Development Director of the Music and Love organization. She is in charge of the fundraising ideas and events for the organization.
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Grace started her journey of learning piano when she was 5 years old. She participated in the Young Musicians Inspiring Change (YMIC) Metropolitan Music Festival in 2021 and obtained the second place in the K-1 group. She also participated in the Maryland State Music Teachers Association (MSMTA) Piano Solo Festival and obtained the first place in 2022 and second place in 2023. Grace loves singing and drawing. She believes that she can communicate with not only words but also arts.

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