Harmonious Achievements: ESD Orchestra Reaches New Heights
February 26, 2026
The halls of The Episcopal School of Dallas are often filled with the faint, melodic hum of tuning violins and the deep resonance of cellos, but lately, that sound has carried a distinct note of triumph. This winter, the ESD orchestra program hit a high mark as several student-musicians earned prestigious spots in regional and state ensembles, proving that the road to artistic excellence is paved with early mornings and unwavering dedication.
Leading the charge is Elaine Yao ’28, whose violin has taken her on a whirlwind tour of Texas’s most elite stages. After kicking off the season in Richardson for the TPSMEA All-State Orchestra in late January, Yao traveled to San Antonio from February 11 through 14 to perform with the TMEA All-State Orchestra—a feat that required nearly a year of relentless preparation.
For Yao, the journey to All-State began long before the first note of the concert. Preparation started last May, with weekend rehearsals becoming a staple in September. The process is a rigorous gauntlet of region and area auditions and high-stakes chair rankings.
However, Yao isn’t the only one finding her rhythm. Four other standouts represented ESD at the TPSMEA North Region Orchestras:
- James H. ’33 (Violin) – Middle School Honor Orchestra
- Leo Chang ’28 (Violin) – High School Region Orchestra
- Rawaan Khan ’28 (Contrabass) – High School Region Orchestra
- Alan Kim ’28 (Violin) – High School Region Orchestra
Additionally, the spotlight turns to the strings of a different variety this weekend as William D. ’33 takes his guitar to the TPSMEA Solo and Ensemble Festival at Greenhill School on Saturday, February 29.
Beyond the Classroom
What makes these achievements particularly impressive is that the "heavy lifting" happens outside the traditional school day. While daily rehearsals focus on the full ensemble’s repertoire for upcoming ESD events, these students log countless hours in private lessons and weekend sessions to master their audition pieces.
Dr. Adrian Demian, ESD’s Middle and Upper School Orchestra Teacher, has been the steady hand guiding these young artists through the grueling audition season. For Demian, the goal is about more than just hitting the right notes.
“Above it all, students learn that hard work always pays off,” said Dr. Demian. “The lessons they learn from these experiences ripple far beyond the mere quality of their instrumental playing. For me, this is how I endeavor to ignite lives of purpose.”
As the competition season continues, the energy within the fine arts wing remains electric. Whether they are preparing for a solo festival or a state-wide concert, these students are proving that at ESD, the pursuit of excellence is always in harmony.
