UCLA Wind Ensemble and Palisades Charter High School Wind Ensemble

Travis J. Cross (he/him) serves as professor of music and director of bands at UCLA, where he conducts the Wind Ensemble and leads the graduate wind conducting program. He chaired the music department from 2018–2023 and was associate dean for academic mentoring and opportunity during the initial years of the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. He previously taught at Virginia Tech and Edina (Minn.) High School. Cross earned doctor and master of music degrees in conducting from Northwestern University and the bachelor of music degree cum laude in vocal and instrumental music education from St. Olaf College. His principal teachers were Mallory Thompson and Timothy Mahr. Cross has appeared as a guest conductor, composer, and clinician in nearly 40 states; Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates; as featured band clinician at the Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/Convention; and on several occasions at the Music for All National Festival and Midwest Clinic. Cross is a member of the Council of Korean Americans and a Yamaha Master Educator.

Peter Ye directs the concert bands and marching band program at Palisades Charter High School. He earned his B.A. in music education from UCLA as a percussionist, studying with Theresa Dimond and Gregory Goodall. As a proud alumnus, Ye is thrilled to return to the UCLA stage, having formerly performed as a member of the UCLA Wind Ensemble. Ye is an active member of SCSBOA and CBDA and performs regularly in his local church orchestra. He is deeply grateful for the mentorship of his UCLA professors and extends a heartfelt thank you to the UCLA music department for their unwavering support and solidarity during the recovery from the 2025 wildfires.

Andrew Fresquez is an educator, clinician, and adjudicator based out of Southern California. He is currently a graduate student at UCLA, pursuing a master of music in wind conducting, studying under Travis J. Cross. At UCLA, Fresquez collaborates with and serves as teaching assistant for the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and the “Solid Gold Sound” Bruin Marching Band. In addition, he also guest conducts the Brass Ensemble and uclaFLUX contemporary music ensemble. He received his bachelor of music in instrumental performance on bass trombone at California State University, Fullerton, with an emphasis in music education. Previous conducting instructors include Dustin Barr, Gregory Whitmore, and Jeff Malecki.

Cellist Ben Hong joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1993 at age 24 as a section player and six months later, he won the assistant principal cello position. He currently serves as associate principal cello, appointed by LA Phil Music Director Gustavo Dudamel in 2015. Hong also performs frequently as a soloist and as a member of chamber music ensembles. He has collaborated with such artists as Emanuel Ax, Yefim Bronfman, Janine Jansen, Lang Lang, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Sir Simon Rattle and Esa-Pekka Salonen. Concerto appearances with the LA Phil have included the U.S. premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s cello concerto Kai, with Rattle conducting at the Ojai Music Festival; the LA Phil premiere of Tan Dun’s Crouching Tiger Concerto, conducted by Long Yu at the Hollywood Bowl; and the U.S premiere of Bernd Alois Zimmermann’s concerto for cello and orchestra, en forme de pas de trois, conducted by Susanna Mälkki.

DreamWorks Pictures hired Hong to train Jamie Foxx and several other cast members of the 2009 film The Soloist. In addition, he was the featured soloist on the soundtrack, which was released on the Deutsche Grammophon label. In 2020, Hong was asked by the Los Angeles Lakers to perform a rendition of “Hallelujah” at the Staples Center as part of a pre-game tribute in memory of Kobe Bryant.

Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Hong won his native country’s national cello competition three years in a row before leaving home at age 13 for the Juilliard School. Later, he studied with Lynn Harrell at the USC School of Music before joining the LA Phil.