Practice Challenge
Throughout November, Endpin Project students are transforming their practice hours into community impact. Each participant will gather pledges from family, friends, and supporters — either per hour practiced or as a one-time donation. For example, a donor might pledge $1 for every hour practiced, or contribute a flat $50 gift. Students will track their practice time throughout the month and share their totals with donors at the end.
Every hour of music — and every act of generosity — directly supports Endpin Project’s mission to empower young musicians and bring the healing power of music to our communities.
Join us in making every note count — all funds raised this November will support vital breast cancer research through UCI's Lawson Lab
Learn More at LawsonLab.org
Meet The Participants
Abigail
8th grade at Orange County School of the Arts
- Â I love history and writing; I got into State for the category of individual performance in the year 2024-2025 for National History Day.
- I enjoy helping little kids (I serve at the nursery in my church to take care of toddlers) and spending time with elders (I read English books with my Korean grandfather, teaching him literature).
- There's not much food I love, but if I do like something, I would probably eat it for a week straight (for example, Korean instant ramen, Neoguri is my favorite)
Asher
8th grade at Orchard Hills Middle School
- Loves to playing cello
- I like to play tennis
- Tinker with robotics
Bernard
11th grade at Fairmont Preparatory Academy
- Â I have two cats
- I can fluently speak Mandarin
- I’ve never broken a bone before
Bryan
10th grade at Sage Hill School
- I play volleyball
- I have two dogs
- I’ve played cello since I was 5
Caitlyn
Second year undergraduate at UC IrvineÂ
Double major in Cello Performance and Psychological Science
- I also play bass guitar,
- I have a show with UCI’s radio station
- I have 2 cats
Charlotte
12th grade at Orange County School of the Arts
- Comfort read is Anne of Green GablesÂ
- My favorite board game is Catan
- My go to study snack is almond butter and dark chocolate chips
Chelsea
- I am a dancer
- I like to compose music, read and write.
- I read through the Harry Potter series about 200 times.
Derek
Pre-k at The Pegasus School
1. I love ducks
2. My favorite food is strawberry ice creamÂ
3. I love Thomas the Tank EngineÂ
Ellie
Fifth-year undergratuate at UC Irvine.
 Triple majoring in Music (B.Mus), Psychological Science (B.A.), and Criminology, Law & Society (B.A.)
-  I’ve been playing the cello for about fifteen years, performing both as a soloist and in chamber and orchestral settings.
- Alongside music, I trained in classical ballet competitively from age six, later expanding into other genres like Martha Graham, jazz, and hip-hop.
- My creative interests center on how music, psychology, and society intersect, especially how emotions, memory, and history influence artistic expression. I’m fascinated by the ways music reveals the internal psyche of artists and captures the broader human experience.
Joseph
4th Grade at The Pegasus School
1. I can solve a Rubik’s cube in 34 secondsÂ
2. I want to build a solar powered car one day
3. I love kpop!
Kaitlyn
8th grade at Beacon Park
- 3 Cats named after music (Rondo, Capri, Chaconne)
- 3 violin siblings
- Plays volleyball
Kate
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My favorite author is Stuart Gibbs.
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I enjoy playing the piano.
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I love collecting interesting stickers.
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My favorite food is sushi.
Lauren
- Â I own a turtle named Isaac who does yoga.
- I love swimming even though I’m allergic to the pool chlorine.
- I love anything matcha.Â
Leo
Senior at Northwood High School
- Â I am on the school swim team.
- Â I have a pet dog.
- Â I like to play sports!
Lucas
10th grade at Arnold O. Beckman High School
1. I played ice hockey for the Junior Kings and was able to practice with players from the NHL.
2. My favorite food is kimchi stew.
3. My favorite subject is mathematics and I enjoy participating in school math competitions.
Mattea
12th grade at Beckman High School
- I like making paper stars.
- I’m a huge Star Wars fan.
- I think dark chocolate is better than milk chocolate.Â
Matthew
2nd grade at Red Hill Lutheran School
1. I love to read and write stories.
2. I enjoy making music on my cello every day.
3. I hope his cello practice will inspire you to donate to breast cancer research!
Melody
Second year undergratuate at UC Irvine.
Majorng in Music Performance
1. I have 2 Shiba Inus
2. I’m a digital artist
3. I can do tarot readings
Nina
12th grade at Portola High School
- I have two dogs named Comet and Binu
- I lived in Indiana for 10 years
- I love musicals (favorites are The Outsiders and Dear Evan Hansen)
Noah
11th grade at California School of the Arts
- Â I love to play basketball
- I have been to Bulgaria
- I have totaled two different cellos
Paul
2nd year undergraduate at UCI Irvine.
Double Majoring in Music Performance and Biological SciencesÂ
- I’ve played volleyball for 7 years!
- I have recently started golfing! (I’m terrible but working on it)
- I have two older brothers that both play string instruments too!
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Scott
3rd year undergraduate at UC Irvine.
Double majoring in Music Performance and Computer Science
1. I’m a trained percussionist in addition to the cello
2. My dad was my music director throughout all of high school
3. I can row an Italian gondola boat, and take out cruises in Newport Harbor as a job
Seojun
9th grade at Orange County School of the Arts
- My favorite piece of classical music is “Intermezzo” from the opera, Cavalleria Rusticana
- Â Other than the cello, I spend my time playing and watching soccer or studying my favorite subject, biology.
- I share the same birthday as Metro Boomin
Sophia S.
- I have two cats
- My favorite fruit is mango
- I can get my license in novemberÂ
Sophia Y.
- Â Used to own two freshwater pet shrimp.
- Favorite food is chicken katsu curry.
- Can hand whistle Mary had a little lamb.Â
Yul
Senior at Northwood High School
- Â I am on the school swim team.
- Â I have a pet dog.
- Â I like to play sports!