Our Mission Statement:
Chamber for a Cause is an organization that features high school and college musicians in the New Jersey area who want to make a difference with their music. The group focuses on promoting music to others in high school, and showing that they can make an impact on the people around them without having to pursue music as a profession. Chamber for a Cause musicians travel to hospitals, nursing homes, and other places in the hopes of spreading love through music. It is an organization focused on giving back to the community in which it has grown from, and its message is to spread love and joy to everyone.
Our Team:
High School Division:
President
Mason Kung:
Mason Kung is a student at Newark Academy. He has been playing cello since the age of 3. After studying cello for six years, he decided to attend the Manhattan School of Music. As a student at Manhattan School of Music, he studied with Nicholas Canellakis and Marion Feldman. Currently, he studies with Emirhan Tunca. An accomplished performer, Mason has branched out from just cello playing trombone, singing, and acting. He remains engaged in his school arts from playing Romeo in Romeo and Juliet to playing in the musical pit. He has also been a part of Newark Academy's ten time state champion band Chameleon, and went with them to the national jazz competition Essentially Ellington. Mason is also focused on helping other people reach their potential by participating in Newark Academy's TEDx committee which helped prepare his peers to give Ted talks. Focused on helping those around him, Mason frequently tutors others in music theory and ear training at Manhattan School of Music. Mason has a love for public speaking in politics and goes to model congress events. At the 2021 Princeton Model Congress, Mason won "Best Delegate." At the 2019 Yale Model Congress, Mason won an outstanding delegate award in his full committee. He also is one of the co-presidents of Ethics club, a club devoted to preparing students for the ethics bowl competition as well as discussing current and past ethical issues. During Summer of 2021, Mason interned at the Department of Homeland Security, and assisted in creating research packets for removal hearings. Currently, he serves as a Volunteer for an "Conversation to Remember", an organization that pairs high school students with individuals residing in assisted living communities. Mason looks forward to his weekly chats with and sharing his experiences and listening to his partner share his life stories. During his freshman and sophomore years, he enjoyed volunteering over 250+ hours with Liberty Science Center, in serving as a tour guide in explaining science exhibits to younger guests and their families.
Mason Kung is a student at Newark Academy. He has been playing cello since the age of 3. After studying cello for six years, he decided to attend the Manhattan School of Music. As a student at Manhattan School of Music, he studied with Nicholas Canellakis and Marion Feldman. Currently, he studies with Emirhan Tunca. An accomplished performer, Mason has branched out from just cello playing trombone, singing, and acting. He remains engaged in his school arts from playing Romeo in Romeo and Juliet to playing in the musical pit. He has also been a part of Newark Academy's ten time state champion band Chameleon, and went with them to the national jazz competition Essentially Ellington. Mason is also focused on helping other people reach their potential by participating in Newark Academy's TEDx committee which helped prepare his peers to give Ted talks. Focused on helping those around him, Mason frequently tutors others in music theory and ear training at Manhattan School of Music. Mason has a love for public speaking in politics and goes to model congress events. At the 2021 Princeton Model Congress, Mason won "Best Delegate." At the 2019 Yale Model Congress, Mason won an outstanding delegate award in his full committee. He also is one of the co-presidents of Ethics club, a club devoted to preparing students for the ethics bowl competition as well as discussing current and past ethical issues. During Summer of 2021, Mason interned at the Department of Homeland Security, and assisted in creating research packets for removal hearings. Currently, he serves as a Volunteer for an "Conversation to Remember", an organization that pairs high school students with individuals residing in assisted living communities. Mason looks forward to his weekly chats with and sharing his experiences and listening to his partner share his life stories. During his freshman and sophomore years, he enjoyed volunteering over 250+ hours with Liberty Science Center, in serving as a tour guide in explaining science exhibits to younger guests and their families.
Vice President
Siddarth Chalsani:
Siddarth Chalasani is a sophomore attending Newark Academy in Livingston, New Jersey. At the age of four, Sid fell in love with music and the trumpet. Sid studied at the Calderone School of Music for 8 years and has attended the Manhattan School of Music Summer Camp where he focused on classical trumpet. In the past, he has also participated in the New Jersey Region Band and Jazz Band — where he was first trumpet, respectively. More recently Sid has become a part of the Juilliard Music Advancement Program (as of Fall 2018), where he has been the principal trumpet player for his two years in the program. He has been studying under Mr. Sam Nester at this program. He also participated in the Interlochen Center for the Arts Summer Camp as the lead jazz trumpet and soloist. At this camp, he performed with musicians such as Jason Palmer and Amanda Monaco. He is also involved with his school’s ensembles. He performs with Newark Academy’s jazz band, Chameleon, as a soloist and has played for Newark Academy’s Wind Ensemble in the past. At Newark Academy, he studies with Mr. Nathan Eklund. He also took lessons for percussion for 5 years and enjoys playing the piano. As the new Vice-President of Chamber for A Cause, Sid looks forward to using his platform to further indulge his passion for music while giving back to the community.
Siddarth Chalasani is a sophomore attending Newark Academy in Livingston, New Jersey. At the age of four, Sid fell in love with music and the trumpet. Sid studied at the Calderone School of Music for 8 years and has attended the Manhattan School of Music Summer Camp where he focused on classical trumpet. In the past, he has also participated in the New Jersey Region Band and Jazz Band — where he was first trumpet, respectively. More recently Sid has become a part of the Juilliard Music Advancement Program (as of Fall 2018), where he has been the principal trumpet player for his two years in the program. He has been studying under Mr. Sam Nester at this program. He also participated in the Interlochen Center for the Arts Summer Camp as the lead jazz trumpet and soloist. At this camp, he performed with musicians such as Jason Palmer and Amanda Monaco. He is also involved with his school’s ensembles. He performs with Newark Academy’s jazz band, Chameleon, as a soloist and has played for Newark Academy’s Wind Ensemble in the past. At Newark Academy, he studies with Mr. Nathan Eklund. He also took lessons for percussion for 5 years and enjoys playing the piano. As the new Vice-President of Chamber for A Cause, Sid looks forward to using his platform to further indulge his passion for music while giving back to the community.
College Division:
President/Co-founder
Jeanna Qiu:
Jeanna Qiu is a student in Harvard College studying Chemical and Physical Biology with a secondary in Sociology. She is a graduate of Manhattan School of Music Precollege, where she studied cello under David Geber. She has been studying cello since the age of 9. Jeanna has served as principal and assistant principal cellist of the Manhattan School of Music Repertory and Symphony Orchestras, Boston University Tanglewood Institute's Young Artists Orchestra, and New Jersey Regions and All-State Orchestras. She played with Lang Lang, Sting, and Alec Baldwin at the United Nations in an international youth orchestra for the United Nations Day 2014 concert entitled “Lang Lang and Friends.” She has performed in master classes with Norman Fischer and Bonnie Hampton. Jeanna is a member of the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra, serving as the orchestra's Social Chair. In addition to music, Jeanna is greatly involved in the scientific community at Harvard, conducting research at Harvard Medical School and serving on the executive board of Harvard Undergraduate Science Olympiad. Jeanna is excited to oversee and expand CFC's involvement in the local New Jersey community, especially through the development of CFC's College Division.
Jeanna Qiu is a student in Harvard College studying Chemical and Physical Biology with a secondary in Sociology. She is a graduate of Manhattan School of Music Precollege, where she studied cello under David Geber. She has been studying cello since the age of 9. Jeanna has served as principal and assistant principal cellist of the Manhattan School of Music Repertory and Symphony Orchestras, Boston University Tanglewood Institute's Young Artists Orchestra, and New Jersey Regions and All-State Orchestras. She played with Lang Lang, Sting, and Alec Baldwin at the United Nations in an international youth orchestra for the United Nations Day 2014 concert entitled “Lang Lang and Friends.” She has performed in master classes with Norman Fischer and Bonnie Hampton. Jeanna is a member of the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra, serving as the orchestra's Social Chair. In addition to music, Jeanna is greatly involved in the scientific community at Harvard, conducting research at Harvard Medical School and serving on the executive board of Harvard Undergraduate Science Olympiad. Jeanna is excited to oversee and expand CFC's involvement in the local New Jersey community, especially through the development of CFC's College Division.
College President/ Community Outreach Coordinator
Tyler Kung:
Tyler Kung is currently a junior and a pre-med at Washington University in St. Louis, pursuing a double major in Anthropology and Economics. At WASHU, Tyler is a Chemistry Laboratory Undergraduate Course Mentor and assists undergraduates with general chemistry lab concepts. Having served as a First-Year Executive Board Member, Tyler and the other board members supervised a team of student leaders responsible for setting up first-year orientation for over 5,000 incoming first-year students. For the past two summers, Tyler has worked for Novartis as a Marketing intern, involved in the multiple sclerosis portfolio. He was responsible for drafting tactical memos and objection handles for use by representatives and brand strategy presentations for senior leadership. Currently, Tyler is a research assistant with the St. Louis Children's Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department. He is involved in all facets of clinical research, including study design and enrollment, and interacts with patients interested in becoming part of the clinical research. In summer 2021, Tyler worked as a Program Services Assistant at Arden Courts Memory Care Community, an assisted living facility, creating appropriate activities for the residents living with dementia. Currently, Tyler is a research assistant at the Miller Laboratory for Dr. Timonthy Miller. His research is focused on translational neuroscience to find new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, especially amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and dementia.
Tyler graduated from the Manhattan School of Music Precollege program under the tutelage of Brad Siroky. Tyler has been pursuing his interest in trumpet for the past 15 years as a member of the Newark Academy Chameleon Jazz Band and the New Jersey Youth Symphony. Tyler was a member of the Washington University Symphony Orchestra and currently still performs with the Pep Band. Outside of music, Tyler played soccer for four years at Newark Academy. He served as co-chair of the Overlook Foundation Junior Board and was a volunteer ambassador at the Liberty Science Center. Tyler is excited to serve as both President and Community Outreach Coordinator to foster the love of music among the community by bringing CFC to reach larger audiences and the community.
Tyler Kung is currently a junior and a pre-med at Washington University in St. Louis, pursuing a double major in Anthropology and Economics. At WASHU, Tyler is a Chemistry Laboratory Undergraduate Course Mentor and assists undergraduates with general chemistry lab concepts. Having served as a First-Year Executive Board Member, Tyler and the other board members supervised a team of student leaders responsible for setting up first-year orientation for over 5,000 incoming first-year students. For the past two summers, Tyler has worked for Novartis as a Marketing intern, involved in the multiple sclerosis portfolio. He was responsible for drafting tactical memos and objection handles for use by representatives and brand strategy presentations for senior leadership. Currently, Tyler is a research assistant with the St. Louis Children's Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department. He is involved in all facets of clinical research, including study design and enrollment, and interacts with patients interested in becoming part of the clinical research. In summer 2021, Tyler worked as a Program Services Assistant at Arden Courts Memory Care Community, an assisted living facility, creating appropriate activities for the residents living with dementia. Currently, Tyler is a research assistant at the Miller Laboratory for Dr. Timonthy Miller. His research is focused on translational neuroscience to find new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, especially amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and dementia.
Tyler graduated from the Manhattan School of Music Precollege program under the tutelage of Brad Siroky. Tyler has been pursuing his interest in trumpet for the past 15 years as a member of the Newark Academy Chameleon Jazz Band and the New Jersey Youth Symphony. Tyler was a member of the Washington University Symphony Orchestra and currently still performs with the Pep Band. Outside of music, Tyler played soccer for four years at Newark Academy. He served as co-chair of the Overlook Foundation Junior Board and was a volunteer ambassador at the Liberty Science Center. Tyler is excited to serve as both President and Community Outreach Coordinator to foster the love of music among the community by bringing CFC to reach larger audiences and the community.
Co-Vice President
Jessica Li:
Jessica Li has been immersed in music from a young age, starting piano in early elementary school and violin soon after. Later, she discovered her passion for viola, and went on to participate in the youth orchestra NJYS for two years, along with Regions/All-State Orchestras throughout middle school and high school. She is also involved in her school ensembles, leading principal viola in Concert Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra at LHS. In addition to being a musician, she is also an avid writer, garnering awards and recognition from Scholastic Art and Writing, the NJCTE Contest in poetry, Rider University, among others.She was the Vice President of Chamber for a Cause, and looks forward to promoting more music in the community and beyond.
Jessica Li has been immersed in music from a young age, starting piano in early elementary school and violin soon after. Later, she discovered her passion for viola, and went on to participate in the youth orchestra NJYS for two years, along with Regions/All-State Orchestras throughout middle school and high school. She is also involved in her school ensembles, leading principal viola in Concert Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra at LHS. In addition to being a musician, she is also an avid writer, garnering awards and recognition from Scholastic Art and Writing, the NJCTE Contest in poetry, Rider University, among others.She was the Vice President of Chamber for a Cause, and looks forward to promoting more music in the community and beyond.
Co-Vice President
Danielle Lee is a cellist, studying under NJSO Principal Jonathan Spitz. She has been involved with music from a young age, starting piano when she was four years old and transitioning to the cello at the age of 8. She is currently the principal cellist of the NJSO Youth Orchestra, the LHS Chamber Orchestra, and the LHS Pit Orchestra. She has also been a member of the New Jersey Regions and All-State Orchestras throughout middle school and high school. More recently, she has become involved in a collaborative online production company called HitRecord, through which her cello recordings have been used in an Emmy™ award-winning television show and a commercial for Samsung. Danielle is excited to create music with her peers and share music with the community through this organization.
Web Director
Mallissa Vuong:
Mallissa Vuong is an AP Studio Art student at Livingston High School and has been painting and drawing since pre-school. She officially began pursuing art in 6th grade and has been developing her skills since then. As a part of the National Art Honor Society and as a teacher of an Arts and Crafts class at the local Chinese School, Mallissa has had her work displayed at the Morris Museum of Art, the Town Hall, and in the annual art show at the Livingston Mall. Mallissa has also won several art awards, including Honorable Mention from the International Fund for Animal Welfare Art Contest, an Honorable Mention by the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, and first place from the Creative Therapy Store Calendar Contest. Mallissa has also been recognized with a silver key from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards for a writing piece and has played the viola in the Northern New Jersey Regional Orchestra and New Jersey All State Orchestra. She is excited to apply her art skills to developing the website and creating the image of the organization.
Mallissa Vuong is an AP Studio Art student at Livingston High School and has been painting and drawing since pre-school. She officially began pursuing art in 6th grade and has been developing her skills since then. As a part of the National Art Honor Society and as a teacher of an Arts and Crafts class at the local Chinese School, Mallissa has had her work displayed at the Morris Museum of Art, the Town Hall, and in the annual art show at the Livingston Mall. Mallissa has also won several art awards, including Honorable Mention from the International Fund for Animal Welfare Art Contest, an Honorable Mention by the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, and first place from the Creative Therapy Store Calendar Contest. Mallissa has also been recognized with a silver key from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards for a writing piece and has played the viola in the Northern New Jersey Regional Orchestra and New Jersey All State Orchestra. She is excited to apply her art skills to developing the website and creating the image of the organization.
