Notes you can hear: Connection you can feel.
Notes of Hope is a student-led organization dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals through the healing power of music.
Musicians: Isabella, Sebastian, Jabe, Sofia, Lucas, Antonio, Isabel
The Musicians
Board of Directors
President:
Olga Flores Chen
Treasurer/Secretary
Manuel Gamboa
Director:
Yesenia Ramirez
Music Instructors
Fernando Medina
Luis Fonseca
Carlos Amaro
Sofia Beatriz Gamboa Garcia, Founder (Bass/Guitarron)
Sofia is a vibrant multi-instrumentalist who brings joy everywhere she plays. She started piano lessons at 8 and has since grown into an advanced double-bass player, an enthusiastic guitarrón learner, and a musician who loves mariachi, classical, and a little pop sprinkled in.
Music has been her outlet, her motivation, and the place she’s found lifelong friends. With roots in Mexico and a home full of siblings, dogs, and stray cats, Sofia carries a deep lover for community, which is exactly what drew her to Notes of Hope. She’s passionate about giving music back to underserved audiences, inspired by the joy she saw in nursing home residents when she performed as a child.
When she’s not making music, Sofia is studying Environmental Science & Police at Smith College, learning about climate solutions, and trying cool foods everywhere she goes. She’s a vegetarian, a future mariachi-group founder, and someone who believes, “If you don’t try, you’ll never know.”
Isabella Nicole Chen, Co-Founder (Violin)
Isabella is a violinist with a quiet glow, the kind of musician who doesn’t need to be loud to make an impact. She started violin in middle school, via Teams, and has grown into a steady, expressive player who brings calm confidence to every rehearsal. Even when music gets tricky, she’s the one who keeps her cool, stays focused, and helps the section stay grounded.
She loves the feeling of playing in full ensemble, surrounded by friends who shared her love for music. Whether it’s a sweeping orchestral piece or lively concert moment, Isabella shows up with her signature mix of determination, grace, and a little bit of humor. She’s the kind of musician who makes the group better just by being there.
Outside of orchestra, Isabella is a high-achieving student, a thoughtful big sister, agile soccer player, and someone who manages school, family, and activities with impressive independence. She’s reliable, warm, and quietly hilarious, the friend who listens, the student who works hard, and the musician who brings heart to every performance.
Isabella’s journey is still unfolding, but one thing is clear: she’s building something beautiful, one note at a time.
Antonio David Chen (Violin)
Antonio picked up the violin five years, originally because he needed an art credit and decided to copy his sister. What started as a practical choice quickly turned into something he genuinely enjoys. Since then, he’s grown through ensembles at at Westbrook and Clear Brook, spent for summers at AFA Houston, performed with UH Mexica Mariachi Camp and All-Star Mariachi, and has recently joined Houston Youth Symphony Sinfonia.
Academics are a big part of who Antonio is, but music give him a different kind of challenge and excitement. He joined Notes of Hope because many of his friends were already part of the group, and he wanted to contribute something meaningful to the community. His goal is simple: to bring joy and energy to every audience.
Outside of music, Antonio enjoys math, physics, and a little soccer. A fun fact about him is that he studied Chinese for two years. Thoughtful, dedicated, and quietly funny, Antonio brings focus and heart to every performance.
Lucas Gamboa Garcia (Cello/Vihuela)
Lucas is a young musician with big energy and even bigger love for mariachi, classical, and pop. He started with piano lessons and soon picked up cello and vihuela, quickly learning that practice really does make your better.
Inspired by his sister Sofia and proud of his Mexican roots, Lucas joined Notes of Hope to help bring music to the community. He performs with CCISD Las Estrellas Mariachi and the Westbrook Orchestra, always showing up with curiosity, enthusiasm, and a smile.
Outside of music, Lucas is all about sports, roller coasters, video games, and one of his favorite thing in the worlds: dinosaurs. At twelve years old, he already knows that music should be fun and he bring that joy to every performance.
Isabel Nhú Nguyên (Violin)
Isabel has been making music for most of her life, staring piano lessons at fiver and later falling in love with the violin. Even though she learned her early violin skills over Microsoft teams, she worked her way all the way to symphony the next year. Her musical journey has been steady and full of curiosity, with guitar added along the way thanks to a little help from her uncle.
Music has always been Isabel’s safe place. Growing up around her family’s cover band, she was surrounded by live music and instruments, and that energy shaped who she is today. She joined Notes of Hope to spend time with friends while sharing the joy music brings her with others. She’s performed with Westbrook Orchestra, Clear Brook Orchestra, Youth All-Star Mariachi, and UH Mariachi Camp, and she loves connecting with audiences, especially when she sees her family cheering her on.
Outside of music, Isabel enjoys photography, pickleball, and hanging out with friends. A fun fact: she did karate for five years and studied Spanish for four. She’s Vietnamese, endlessly creative, and always ready to bring warmth and heart to every performance.
Sebastian Ramirez (Viola)
Sebastian is a dedicated violist who has been playing for five years, but his musical journey began much earlier. He started piano when he was very young, a spark that opened the door to orchestral music and eventually led him to pick up the viola at the start of middle school.
He loves performing baroque works by Bach and Beethoven, as well as modern pop pieces that let him explore a different side of his sound. His path hasn’t always been easy, especially beginning of high school, but the guidance of incredible teachers and the support of close friends helped push through every challenge (even the constant viola jokes).
Outside of orchestra, Sebastian is an active baseball player. He’s also a proud older brother to a younger brother and sister, and he has a playful puppy named Waffles who keeps life fun at home.
Music has taken Sebastian farther than he ever expected, and he continues to grow with passion, resilience, and gratitude for the community that has shaped him.
Jabe Alison (Cello)
Jabe is a musician with endless curiosity and a talent for making every rehearsal feel lighter and more fun. He started on violin ….
Baylor Hoang (Viola)
Baylor has been playing the viola for eight years, developing a deep passion for music after attending the AFA Summer Music Festival in high school. He performs at an advanced level and is especially drawn to classical repertoire. He has student with Kevan Clarkston and continues his musical training with Amber Archibald at the University of Houston.
His performance experience includes Clear Brook High School Chamber I, TMEA Region 17, the AFA Symphony Orchestra, the CCISD Symphony (Earthrise), Virtuosi of Houston, and the Clear Lake Symphony. Baylor first joined Notes of Hope as a substitute violist but quickly became a dedicate member who values the chamber-like communication essential to the ensemble’s style.
Originally from Park City, Utah, Baylor grew up skiing and mountain biking and still enjoys staying active. His biggest musical influence is Mr. Medina, and his greatest personal support comes from his mom. Through his playing, Baylor hopes to share the emotions and stories composers intended—always with passion.