Students in The Webb School’s Honors Orchestra are earning international recognition for their talent, dedication and love of music.
Webb Sophomores Gabrielle Dooley and Juan’Daniel Arellano of Murfreesboro have been selected for the 2026 High School Honors Performance Series: an elite program that celebrates outstanding student-musicians from around the globe. As finalists, they will travel to London this summer to rehearse, collaborate and perform at one of the world’s premier classical music venues.
“Music has been a really big part of my life ever since I was a kid,” Arellano shared. “And when I came to Webb, I found my passion for the cello.”
Dooley echoed this same passion, describing what draws her to orchestral performance: “I really like all of the different instruments . . . we each have a different part, but it comes together and it’s so beautiful.”
For both, their time in London this June will include several days of rehearsals, cultural experiences and sightseeing before taking the stage for a culminating performance at the world-renowned Royal Festival Hall. Located within London’s Southbank Centre, the historical hall has hosted leading orchestras and performers since opening in 1951, and is celebrated for its acoustics and iconic design.
Freshman Charlotte Ring of Bell Buckle, who participated in the Honors Performance Series in New York City’s Carnegie Hall last summer, offered her insights and encouragement to this year’s Webb musicians.
“You are going to make really good connections,” said Ring, who still keeps in touch with students from her chaperone group.
She also emphasized the balance between rigor and enjoyment, noting that, even in the midst of intensive rehearsals, “they made sure we had time for fun things.”
For Dooley, this opportunity to travel abroad opens new doors for both musical growth and personal exploration. The trip to London marks her first-ever adventure in the U.K., a dream come true for a student who loves traveling.
“And, I’ve recently discovered that I love playing in symphonies,” the violinist said.
Webb’s Director of Orchestras, Dr. José Ottonello, praised the students’ growth and readiness for this level of performance.
“They are fantastic! I’m very proud of each one of them,” he said, remarking on the tremendous growth they’ve shown this academic year. “The tone, the quality, the precision—all completely different since August,” he added.
He noted that experiences like the Honors Performance Series extend far beyond the stage. With London ahead, these young musicians are preparing not only for a performance on one of the world’s greatest stages but for an experience that will shape their musical journeys forever.
“The energy that is in those particular moments of your life remains for years and years,” Ottonello said.
