Carly Nelson ’25 has been passionate about singing for as long as she can remember. Last semester, she had the honor of sharing her voice in a deeply meaningful way—performing the National Anthem for 50 new American citizens from 24 countries at a U.S. Naturalization Ceremony at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas.

“It was surreal,” Carly recalled. “Seeing people stand as their country was called, holding little American flags, and following along with the lyrics as I sang was really special.”

Choral Director Ms. Carrie Dietsch, who extended the invitation, saw Carly as a perfect fit for the occasion.

“Carly was a natural choice for this opportunity. She’s an exceptional soloist, but beyond that, she has the kindest heart,” shared Dietsch. “She treats every performance with respect, care, and dignity, but especially this one. I am certain that it was a highlight of the ceremony for those in attendance.”

Carly's love for music began at an early age. She has been singing since she could talk, belting out songs from Katy Perry, Pink, and Bruno Mars—whether at home, at school, or in the backseat of her mom’s car. Her passion for singing showed up at talent shows and elementary school musicals, eventually leading her to join Viewpoint’s Upper School Concert Choir and Voices Now.

Before she graduates, Carly will take the stage for her final Viewpoint performance, starring as Donna in Mamma Mia! running from April 25-27.

“Singing has always been such a big part of my life, and I can’t imagine not continuing it in some way after high school,” Carly said. “Whether it’s through choir, musical theater, or simply performing for fun, I know music will always be a part of my life.”

In addition to her dedication to music, Carly has never let go of her other passion: playing softball. For years, she has balanced her time between the stage and the field, a juggling act that required communication, sacrifice, and resilience.

“I didn’t want to give up one for the other,” she explained. “I had to prioritize big events in each, sometimes missing a practice for rehearsal or a rehearsal for a game. But I always made sure to stay committed to both.”

That commitment has paid off. This fall, she will continue her softball career at New York University (NYU) as a Division III athlete while majoring in Liberal Studies, with plans to transfer to Vocal Performance in the Steinhardt School.

“Being in the city will open up so many job opportunities and career paths,” she said. “I want to be involved in musicals, join an acapella group, and explore music internships.”

For Carly, every performance is an opportunity to grow, and she approaches each with gratitude and enthusiasm.

“I try to take on every opportunity I’m offered because it’s always a learning experience,” she said. “The Naturalization Ceremony was something I’ll remember forever, and I know it’s just the beginning. I’m excited for what’s next.”

Watch Carly’s full performance at the U.S. Naturalization Ceremony here. 

For Connor Wycoff ’25, storytelling runs in his DNA. Inspired by his family's creative roots—a brother in theater, an uncle in cinematography, and a father in commercial acting—Connor found his passion behind the camera. This drive earned him recognition as a 2025 National YoungArts Award Winner in Film for his deeply personal film, “The Sound of Fury and Solace,” selected from over 800 students nationwide through a highly competitive process.

“The Sound of Fury and Solace” tells the story of a guitar prodigy who progressively loses his hearing, inspired by Connor’s own experience with hearing loss. Born deaf in his left ear, Connor channeled his personal journey into the film, using sound design techniques to replicate the muffled auditory experiences that mirror his reality.

“I wanted to convey the horrors of hearing loss and help people empathize with something they might never experience firsthand,” Connor shared. “The process was cathartic and meaningful to me.”

“Connor has a unique voice as a filmmaker, and his ability to translate personal experiences into powerful, visual storytelling is remarkable,” added Film Teacher Monica Hoenig.

Connor’s path to filmmaking was influenced not just by his family but also by his love of movies and the introspective process of storytelling. 

“I love being able to tap into my own mind and create work that's personal. I don’t make films for validation, I make them for myself. If others connect with them, that’s a bonus,” he explained.

Creating “The Sound of Fury and Solace” was an extensive process, which began in October of his Junior year. Connor wrote, directed, produced, edited, and even shot much of the film himself, with assistance from his classmate Sam Green ’25. 

“Producing was tough, but it taught me a lot,” said Connor. “Ultimately, writing remains my favorite part because it allows me to express myself poetically and authentically.”

Beyond the award, Connor’s film has been featured in several film festivals, including the Calabasas and Topanga Film Festivals. One memorable moment occurred when a festival host was moved to tears after viewing his film.

“Seeing someone have such a raw emotional response to my work was incredibly validating. It reminded me why I love storytelling—to connect with people on a deeper level,” he shared.

As a YoungArts winner, Connor will have the opportunity to participate in interdisciplinary programs in Los Angeles, New York City, or Nashville, while connecting with a vibrant community of artists through YoungArts Post. In addition, each award winner will receive a $250 monetary prize.

Looking ahead, Connor plans to pursue film and marketing in college, with aspirations of becoming a writer in the film industry. We look forward to seeing where his creativity and passion take him next.

For the 20th time since 2004, Viewpoint’s music community welcomed student musicians, guest conductors, and an enthusiastic audience to its campus for the annual CAIS Honors Music Festival, culminating in two outstanding concerts on Saturday, February 1.

“Close to 300 students participated in the festival, and Viewpoint was well represented in all five ensembles—treble and concert choirs, concert band, and chamber and string orchestras,” said Dr. Kristin Herkstroeter, Music Department Chair at Viewpoint and Director of the festival.

The treble choir, led by guest conductor Mr. Tyler Berg from California State University Long Beach, performed five incredible selections, accompanied on the piano by Viewpoint’s Ms. Patricia Mabee. Dr. Ernest Harrison, music professor at Cal Poly Pomona, conducted the concert choir in six diverse and engaging pieces. The Concert Choir was accompanied by Viewpoint’s collaborative pianist Mr. Kyle de Tarnowsky and Dr. Lauralie Pow from Mirman School.

The Instrumental Concert opened with the Concert Band, directed by Dr. Phoenix Delgado. This is Dr. Delagado’s third time conducting an instrumental ensemble at the festival and it was very exciting to have him back. Showcasing a variety of musical styles, the students performed five selections, closing with Skydance by Robert Sheldon.

For the second consecutive year, the festival featured two orchestras. The Chamber Orchestra, led by Mr. Christopher Costanza, delivered captivating performances of Simple Symphony and Last Rounds. Mr. Constanza is a faculty member at Stanford University where he teaches cello and coaches chamber music. The festival concluded on a high note with the String Orchestra’s outstanding renditions of Concerto for Strings in Sol Minore, RV 156 by Antonio Vivaldi, Romanian Folk Dances by Béla Bartók, and Andante Festivo by Jean Sibelius, under the direction of Ms. Pola Benke. Locally Ms. Benke conducts the Riverside and Long Beach Symphonies. 

This festival provides students with a unique opportunity to learn and perform music beyond what is typically possible in their school ensembles. The festival repertoire is often more challenging and requires larger ensembles than those found in most Independent School music programs. Students also had the privilege of working with some outstanding guest conductors. 

Last semester, 12 Juniors and Seniors in the Hispanic Culture and Conversation class explored social justice through art. Co-taught by Marissa Alvarez and Manny Garcia, the course culminated in an Art and Advocacy Project, where students addressed Latinx social issues through visual storytelling and awareness campaigns.

For their projects, students tackled topics such as underrepresentation in Hollywood, gender-based violence, racial discrimination in sports, and immigrant rights, presenting their work entirely in Spanish.

"For me, the goal has always been to show students why this matters beyond the classroom," Garcia explained. "I think each of them took away something meaningful from this experience, something they wouldn’t have learned just by hearing about it."

A few standout projects include Jack Whigham ’26’s film strip visualization, which highlighted the lack of Hispanic representation in Hollywood by comparing current industry figures to the U.S. Hispanic population. Jake Roth ’26 designed a mural concept addressing social inequalities, with plans to pitch it as a public art installation in Houston.

"I think this project helped our students realize that they have the power to communicate in Spanish at a high level about real societal issues," Alvarez said. "Social justice is important in almost every field, no matter where these students go in their professional lives."

In addition to their individual work, students participated in roundtable discussions where they practiced academic discourse in Spanish, expressing opinions, citing sources, and debating respectfully even on politically charged topics.

"One of my students told me, ‘I don’t think I’ve ever spoken or presented this much in any class before,’” Alvarez shared. “It was a big step in developing their confidence and communication skills."

"We wanted them to do more than just identify an issue," Garcia added. "We wanted them to consider how their work could spark meaningful conversations and have an impact."

Congratulations to our students for using their voices and creativity to advocate for change, embodying what it means to be world-ready and prepared to make a difference at Viewpoint and beyond.