PROGRAM

The First Noel

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Sleigh Ride

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch

In The Bleak Midwinter

Silver Bells

Christmas Time Is Here

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

White Christmas

Winter Wonderland

Let It Snow

I’ll Be Home For Christmas

All I Want For Christmas

Little Drummer Boy

Nutcracker Suite
i. March
ii. Dance of the Sugar Plums
iii. Trepak
iv. Chinese Dance
v. Waltz of the Flowers
 Born in Houston, Texas, Greg Von Notias
Shahid has played with several ensembles moved to California ten years ago and is a
across the Los Angeles area, including the graduate of California State University at
Bellflower Symphony Orchestra, San Northridge. He will be performing a Master’s
Fernando Symphony, Armenian Pops recital at CSUN in 2022. Greg is a composer
Orchestra, and the LA Symphonic Winds. He and huge opera lover who enjoys performing
has also played in pit orchestras for various chamber music and new pieces in all genres.
organizations, including Hussian College and He actively performs as a core violist in the
Performance Riverside. He currently plays Orchestra Santa Monica, first violinist with
principal flute with the Whittier Regional the CalTech Orchestra, and takes on
Symphony. As a flute ensemble enthusiast, freelance orchestral and chamber music
he has played with the Song of Angels Flute work when he can in Hollywood and for other
Orchestra, FluteSonic, the Silver Sounds ensembles. He passionately loves to teach
Flute Ensemble, and the Sterling Flute Choir. violin and viola in the greater Los Angeles
His flute ensemble arrangements and area.
compositions have been debuted through
performances at national venues, such as at
the 2019 National Flute Association Convention in Salt Lake City, UT, and also
virtually featured due to the recent pandemic. His most recent piece, a blues- Benz is an accomplished , classically-trained
inspired arrangement of “Amazing Grace”, has been featured by the Los cellist. He started his cello journey at The
Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. Shahid has taught across Southern Washington Conservatory of Music in
California through various music organizations, schools, and studios, including Washington DC, where he was also a
the Assistance League of Flintridge, the CSUN Youth Orchestras, Ontario High member of the National Symphony
School, Thousand Oaks High School, La Crescenta High School, AZG Music Orchestra fellowship program in DC. In 2015
School, Guitar Center, and many more! He loves teaching students of all levels Benz moved to Los Angeles to continue with
and ages. Currently, Shahid is the Flute Teaching Artist at the Laby Harmony his music endeavors. Benz served as the
Project which operates in Ventura, CA under the New West Symphony, as well cellist for the CSUN Honors String Quartet
as teaching privately at MozArt Music Academy in Tarzana, CA and Dave and principal cello of CSUN symphony under
Janssen’s School of Music in Simi Valley, CA. guidance of Diane Roscetti. After obtaining
his Bachelors in Music, Benz has continued
A native of Los Angeles, California, Logan to pursue his professional trajectory with the
grew up around the arts from a young age. mentoring and training from LA Phil cellist,
He began studying violin in his school music Ben Hong. Benz has performed with
program at the age of 8, where he was accomplished artists like Serj Tankian, Aida
encouraged to begin taking lessons under Cuevas, Luciana Souza, La Marisoul, and many more. Benz continues to serve
Heather Crawford. Under her direction, he as an educator and leader, and aims to advocate for diversity in symphony
was able to attend Hamilton High School’s orchestras and bring the joy of classical music and cello to underserved
Academy of Music and Performing Arts, minority communities. Benz currently works for Laby Harmony Project of New
where he additionally played under Susan West Symphony as a site coordinator. Benz holds a Bachelors in Music and
Thiroux, Stephen McDonough, and Jim teaches in the LA area and is a cellist for California’s Young Artist Symphony.
Foschia. During his time here he got the
opportunity to play with LA Opera, Fox
Studios, fundraisers for various politicians,
and at a variety of other events throughout
the Los Angeles area. At 16 he was accepted
into the CSUN Youth Orchestra led by Dr.
John Roscigno, where he decided that he wanted to continue furthering his
studies in music. Since then, he has continued performing and has
occasionally played with the American Youth Symphony. Logan is currently a
third year undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Violin Performance,
studying with Lorenz Gamma.