Chloe Etterbeek (CMD, ‘30), Erica Gonzalez (MT, ‘29), and Willow Hunt (MT, ‘29) performed as part of the ARTCO All Stars in May 2026 at the El Portal Theatre, taking the stage following the professional production of “The Music That Makes Me Dance.”

Anna Mendolo (BCD, ‘29) was accepted to the Dance Academy pre-professional ballet training program at The Colburn School and was also selected to attend the summer intensive at Ballet West in Salt Lake City, Utah with a scholarship.

Carter Brown (ACT, ‘28) was selected to be a volunteer at Arcadia USC Hospital, where he helped with patients and learned about hospital operations.

The CSArts-SGV Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Jules Pegram, performed at the Bonita Center for the Arts in March 2026 as part of the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) Regional Festival. For the first time in school history, the ensemble received the highest possible honor with a Unanimous Superior Rating.

Ivania Lepe Espitia (ACT, ‘26) was selected as a member of the Mental Health Youth Council for Creative Visions’ #CreateConnectCare challenge. Creative Visions selected 16 passionate student leaders nationwide to join the Youth Council, recognizing their dedication to improving youth mental health.

Emma Beubis (ACT, ‘26) booked a national commercial and social media campaign for New York Life. View the commercial here.

Gabriella Schaffer (SFMA, ‘30) and Sylar Segovia (SFMA, ‘31) received second place in the Rocks and Minerals event at the Los Angeles Regional Science Olympiad tournament at Rio Hondo College in February 2026, where they competed against 47 other schools.

James So (VA, ‘29) was selected to perform as a bassist in the 2026 California All-State High School String Orchestra at the California All-State Music Education Conference, held in Sacramento.

Jaylin Tillman (VOC, ‘27), under his stagename MAKYII, released his first Gospel single, “If I Can Help Somebody,” on streaming platforms in April 2026.

Kennedy Opdahl-Valdez (SFMA, ‘30), lead singer/lyricist, and Joaquin Tangonan (SFMA, ‘30), drummer, and their band, The Sweet Unknown, placed second at Monrovia High School's 20th Annual Battle of the Bands. Their original song "Animal" was featured on KROQ's "Locals Only." The band also filmed its first music video for "The Show," which is now streaming on YouTube.

Adele Nelson-Dahl (MT, ‘28) became an official KIDS FIRST! Film and Television critic and attended the “Devil Wears Prada 2” press screening.

Max Rily (VA, ‘27) achieved the rank of Eagle Scout as part of Scouting America. After 10 years of scouting with Pack 66 and Troop 66, Max designed his Eagle Project as a way to give back to the Boys and Girls Club of the Foothills in Monrovia.

Evie Linchangco (MT, ‘28) and Kwayi Ndjamen (VOC, ‘28) earned honors at the National Association of Teachers of Singing Cal-Western Region Student Auditions at San Jose State University. Evie received first place in Musical Theater and third place in Classical Voice. Kwayi received first place in Commercial Music and third place in Musical Theater. Both competed in the national semifinalists in July 2026.

Layne Brisbois (PM, ‘28) and friend Ava James released a pop single, “Missed Out,” available for streaming on all platforms. Her band, LED, also released the single “Your Perfect,” which was selected as Today’s Top Tune and aired on KCRW in April 2026.

Mia Ji (IM, ‘27) won second place in the High School Division of the Los Angeles Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (LAYP) Piano Concerto Competition and performed at Walt Disney Concert Hall in July 2026 for their Music Festival LA Summer Concert Season.

Naya Del Castillo (MT, ‘28) was cast as Lucille in “Once Upon a Mattress Jr.” at the Pasadena Playhouse.

Michael Zampino (MT, ‘29) made his Equity Theatre debut in the original musical “The Music That Makes Me Dance.” Premiering in early May 2026 at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, Michael starred alongside Broadway stars, including OCSA alum Annaliese van der Pol (MT, ‘02).

CSArts-SGV Assistant Principal of Student & Special Services Sean Kerr and Education Specialist Alisha Miranda were guests on the school wellness podcast “Resilient Roots,” where they highlighted CSArts-SGV’s special education programming and school wellness. Listen to the episode here.

Noel Katz, Integrated Arts Conservatory Instructor, wrote music and lyrics for two new, original musicals. “Catch Me When I Fall” ran from May to June 2026 in Portland, Oregon and “Unmasked” played in June 2026 at the Wallis-Annenberg Performing Arts Center in Beverly Hills, California.

Sophia Cham (VOC, ‘29) performed “La Boheme” with the LA Opera at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in November 2025.

Ryan Dietz, Musical Theatre Instructor, appeared as Stan Yokel in episode eight of “Stumble.” Mr. Dietz also appeared as Jonas Fogg, in the Ensemble, and understudied Pirelli in “Sweeney Todd” at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts with McCoy Rigby Entertainment.

Ryland Pittman (IA, ‘27) had his photography displayed at the California Botanic Gardens. His photo, "The Perfect Spot," featured a place of quiet contemplation surrounded by native oaks.

California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley’s 2026 All-School Musical, Something Rotten!, received several nominations from the JRay Awards, as did many individual students. 


Winners include:

• Supporting Actor in a Male Role: Ryan Backstrom (MT, ‘26)
• Above and Beyond: Meilee Condron (ACT, ‘26)
• Best Student Orchestra: Graham Jackson
• Kyle G. Duncan Memorial Scholarship: Meilee Condron (ACT, ‘26)

Nominations include:

• Best Prop Design: Dominic Poole (PD, ‘26)
• Best Graphic Design: Zoe Austin (VA, ‘28)
• Best Vocal Direction: Graham Jackson
• Outstanding Vocalist: Ryan Backstrom (MT, ‘26)
• Outstanding Ensemble Member: Grayson Kay (MT, ‘28)
• Featured Actor in a Male Role: Frankie Fontana (MT, ‘26)
• Supporting Actor in a Male Role: Meilee Condron (ACT, ‘26)
• Lead Actor in a Male Role: Holden Saling (MT, ‘26)
• Best Ensemble
• Best Musical Production

The following CSArts-SGV students were honorees in the Writing category for the 2026 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, which celebrates creative teens regionally and nationally with awards, exhibitions, publications, and scholarships. 

National Silver Medalists

Izaac Winderbaum (CW, ‘28) - “Broken Heaven”

Regional Gold Key

Karina Yue (CW, ‘27) - “i carry a piece of you with me”

Regional Silver Key

Sophia Thomassen (CW, ‘29) - “star”

Karina Yue (CW, ‘27) - “What Were You Wearing?”

Regional Honorable Mention

Ava Barrios (CW, ‘28) - “The Many Confessions of Madelyn - Chapter One”

Arianne Chao (IA, ‘28) - “Spiel of Fortune”

Sarah Duran (CW, ‘28) - “Chamomile”

Delight Kim (CW, 28) - “Ode to Insects”

Natalie Rodriguez Merino (CW, ‘28) - Plum Dress”

Stella Lopez-Wang (SFMA, ‘30) played the role of Zaneeta in Theatre 360's production of “The Music Man.”

Sylar Segovia (SFMA, ‘31) had her artwork chosen as one of only 39 out of more than 2,000 entries for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California's "Being Water Wise Is…” Student Art Contest. Sylar was also honored by the City of Covina for her academic and artistic achievements and won first place for both the West Covina LA County Library Bookmark Contest and the Red Ribbon Week 6th-8th Grade Category Art Contest.

Pamela Lewis, Visual Arts Conservatory Instructor, had a drawing titled “Deep Nest” included in the Brand 54 National Juried Exhibition of Works on Paper at the Brand Library and Art Center in Glendale. “Deep Nest” was available to view from June to August 2026.

Josefina Heredia (PM, ‘28) was one of only 10 students accepted to participate in a summer songwriters camp. Videographers recorded a documentary called the “Amplify Arts Project x Push-Up Bra LA June Pre-Professional Writers Camp,” which showcased Josefina recording music after collaborating with other musicians, songwriters, and producers.

Abrianna Lalicata (MT, ‘29) starred as Glinda in the Garry Marshall Theatre's production of “The Wizard of Oz" in June 2026.

California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley’s yearbook, Stargazer, was selected for inclusion in Varsity Yearbook’s distinguished Portfolio, a national showcase recognizing the most outstanding yearbooks produced by Varsity Yearbook. Among 686 schools featured in the 2026 edition, just 62 yearbooks earned a place in the highly coveted Anthology section, honoring the very finest in scholastic journalism, innovative design, and compelling storytelling.

California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley was selected as a 2026 National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) Exceptional Charter School in Special Education. This distinction is the highest level of recognition granted to charter schools that meet rigorous professional criteria and have demonstrated exceptional dedication, commitment, and achievement in the field of special education. CSArts-SGV was given this honor for the sixth consecutive year.

Maddalena Cano (VA, ‘25) self-published her debut novel "Power of Blood and Crowns," which she wrote during her time at CSArts-SGV. It is a YA dark-fantasy novel showcasing her passion for intricate storytelling in a world of vampires, royalty, and magic.

James Huffer (VA, ‘27) and Theodor Storc (VA, ‘27) hosted an off-campus gallery exhibition for DTLA Art Walk in June 2026. Located at the Los Angeles Makery, the event displayed the work of 12 students in the Visual Arts Conservatory and provided rising artists the chance to showcase and sell their work.

Anna Moya Gutierrez (MT, ‘29) was accepted to the National Hispanic Institute's Great Debate, which took place at the University of San Diego over the summer.