Music
Kalena Bovell has been involved with music for over a decade. Kalena's first experience with music was in the third grade when the choir teacher at Marvin Elementary did in-class auditions for the school choir. Kalena was surprised that she had the talent of singing. Along with two other friends, Kalena was a part of a singing group which they called "Flavor Diamond." For the time that the group was together, three songs were written, one of which Kalena contributed to. It was in the sixth grade, however, at Webster Middle School where Kalena was introduced to the violin. She studied violin under Joseph Taylor and he would eventually become her violin teacher.
Kalena with her violin.
In high school at Los Angles Center for Enriched Studies, Kalena took part in the South East Symphony Association Music Conservatory. Here she was immersed in music with musicians of all ages and had the opportunity to perform concerts with the South East Symphony. In addition, she was also a part of the Sweet Strings program that was founded by Kika Keith.
Having played the violin for over a decade, Kalena has experienced many opportunities at a young age. She has played at the Hollywood Christmas Parade and with the orchestra for pop singer Leanne Rhimes. In 2006, Kalena was fortunate enough to perform with the Chapman Chamber Orchestra and Chapman University Choir in Miami, Florida for the American Choral Director Association Convention (ACDA). She has become a regular substitute member for the South East Symphony and the Angeles String Orchestra that was founded by Joseph Taylor. In addition, this past year Kalena performed an all Gershwin concert with the South East Symphony at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
Aside from playing the violin, Kalena has also taken an interest in conducting. She took her first conducting class in the Fall of 2006 with Robert Frelly Chapman University and fell in love with another aspect of music after having conducted the Chapman Symphony Orchestra. Kalena is currently studying conducting with Daniel Alfred Wachs.
Currently a senior at Chapman University, she will graduate this coming spring with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education. She will return to Chapman in the Fall to start the teaching credential program. Once her time at Chapman is done, Kalena wants to further her education by obtaining a master's degree in Music Education and Conducting.
Kalena hopes to become a music educator at the university level. In addition, she would like to start her own youth group within the inner city areas of Los Angeles and have a prosperous career as a violin player, teacher and conductor.
