Twelve graduating seniors earn more than $1.26 million in scholarship support and prepare for college, careers, and leadership through music.

Phoenix, Arizona — Phoenix Conservatory of Music (PCM) proudly celebrates the 2025–2026 graduating class of its College Preparatory Program (CPP), honoring twelve exceptional seniors whose dedication, artistry, leadership, and academic achievement reflect the heart of PCM’s mission to unleash the power of music.

As Arizona’s only affiliate of the Berklee City Music Network, PCM’s College Preparatory Program provides students with rigorous music training, college readiness, mentorship, and professional development opportunities that prepare them for success both on and off the stage.

This year’s graduating seniors represent excellence in music performance, scholarship, and perseverance. From full-tuition scholarships to Berklee College of Music to future engineers, music therapists, performers, producers, and educators, these students embody the future of music and leadership in Arizona and beyond.

Together, Phoenix Conservatory of Music’s Class of 2026 has earned more than $1.26 million in scholarship support over the next four years, including multiple full-ride and full-tuition awards to top music and academic institutions across the country.

“Our seniors represent everything Phoenix Conservatory of Music stands for—talent, resilience, discipline, and heart,” said Regina Nixon, Executive Director of Phoenix Conservatory of Music. “Watching these students grow from young musicians into confident leaders and artists is one of the greatest joys of our work. Their success is a reflection of their hard work, their families’ support, and the community that believes in them.”

 

Meet the Class of 2026

AJ Lizarraga

A graduate of Copper Canyon High School, AJ Lizarraga will attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles to study Musical Theatre. AJ was also accepted to Arizona State University and earned a $30,000 scholarship from AMDA along with a $7,000 scholarship from ASU. With a passion for performance and storytelling, AJ plans to major in Musical Theatre and minor in Content Creation, bringing creativity to both the stage and digital spaces.

Amayah Sanders

A graduate of Maricopa Institute of Technology, Amayah Sanders graduates in the Top 20% of her class and is a member of the National Honor Society and Honor Roll. She will attend Arizona State University to study Criminal Justice and Music Therapy. Accepted to six universities including Howard University and the University of California Irvine, Amayah earned multiple scholarships including the Obama Scholarship, Pell Grant, Provost Award, and additional merit support totaling more than $50,000 annually. Her goal is to combine leadership, advocacy, and music to serve others.

Brookelyn Nichols

Brookelyn Nichols graduates from Hamilton High School and plans to begin her college journey at Paradise Valley Community College before transferring to Berklee College of Music. She intends to major in Professional Music and minor in Music Production, with a long-term vision of building a career in performance and recording. This summer, Brookelyn will attend Berklee’s five-week performance intensive, continuing to sharpen her musicianship and prepare for the next chapter.

Cydney Williford

Cydney Williford, listed academically as Cydney Sinclair, graduates from Heritage Academy–Maricopa as a member of the International Thespian Society. She will attend Berklee College of Music to study Vocal Performance with a minor in Musical Theater on a full-ride scholarship valued at approximately $58,000 annually. Accepted to both Berklee and Arizona State University, Cydney continues to pursue her passion for voice and live performance at the highest level.

Ethan Chapital

Ethan Nathaniel Chapital graduates from Arizona School for the Arts, where he received the Black Student Union Award for serving as Vice President and organizing the school’s first Black Student Union Gospel Choir. He will attend Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock to study Music Business and Music Performance. Ethan also earned a $20,000 annual academic scholarship from Long Island University and an $11,000 annual band scholarship from Arkansas Baptist College. His leadership and musicianship continue to inspire both on stage and in community.

Gabi Pinilla

Gabi Pinilla will graduate this spring and continue her musical journey at Berklee College of Music on a full-tuition scholarship with housing support valued at approximately $58,000 annually. Her commitment to artistic excellence and academic achievement reflects the highest standards of the College Preparatory Program. Gabi’s next chapter represents an extraordinary accomplishment and a powerful example of what is possible through dedication, opportunity, and community support.

Arianna “Giselle” Chang

A graduate of Xavier College Preparatory, Arianna “Giselle” Chang has served as a Computer Science Honor Society board member, Robotics Coordinator, and earned her Fine Arts Proficiency Seal. She will attend Northern Arizona University and plans to major in Mechatronic Engineering with a minor in Sound Engineering. Giselle earned multiple presidential scholarships with an estimated value of $25,000 annually, along with additional awards from Penn State, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Wentworth Institute of Technology. Her path bridges technology, creativity, and innovation.

Kolton Koller

Kolton Koller graduates from Arizona School for the Arts and will attend Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts to study Guitar Performance and Contemporary Writing. This summer, he will participate in the Berklee ASPIRE Five-Week Program while also touring Boston with Phoenix Children’s Chorus. Kolton’s commitment to composition and performance continues to position him for a strong future in the music industry.

Lisette Chairez

Lisette Chairez graduates from Xavier College Preparatory with an exceptional list of honors including National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Founder and President of Pep Band, Vice President of Video Club, the President’s Award for Academic Excellence, and a Fine Arts Proficiency Seal in Music. She will attend Arizona State University through the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts to study Music Therapy with a minor in Business. Lisette earned multiple scholarships including the Berklee World Tour Scholarship and ASU merit awards.

Mary Helen Paschal

Mary Helen Paschal graduates from ThrivePoint High School and plans to begin at Paradise Valley Community College before transferring out of state to complete her studies at a major university or HBCU. She plans to major in Communication with a minor in Art. This summer, Mary Helen will volunteer with Feed My Starving Children and spend time preparing for her next academic chapter.

Sano Karamaga

Sano Karamaga graduates from ASU Prep as a member of the National Honor Society and will attend the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University. Sano plans to major in Robotics and Autonomous Systems with a minor in Musical Theatre and earned the Medallion Scholarship valued at $4,200 annually. Their journey reflects the powerful intersection of STEM, creativity, and performance.

TJ Ellman

TJ Ellman will graduate this spring and begin his next chapter at Estrella Mountain Community College before pursuing Music Industry Studies and building a career as a professional session musician. Known for his dedication to performance and growth as a working artist, TJ represents the spirit of persistence and passion that defines the College Preparatory Program.

 

 

Phoenix Conservatory of Music invites families, supporters, and the community to celebrate these seniors during the 2026 Scholarship Celebration Concert and Senior Showcase on May 16, 2026 at PCM. Get tickets to the Matinee Show (2PM) or Evening Show (6PM)

These students are not only graduating—they are launching careers, changing communities, and carrying music forward.

Because of music. Because of community. Because of them.

 

About Phoenix Conservatory of Music

Phoenix Conservatory of Music is a nonprofit community music school whose mission is to unleash the power of music by providing high-quality music education and experiences to students and families that are affordable and accessible. Through private lessons, after-school programs, summer camps, ensembles, and Arizona’s only Berklee City Music Network College Preparatory Program affiliate, PCM serves nearly 2,000 students annually across the Greater Phoenix area.

Media Contact

Regina Nixon
Executive Director
Phoenix Conservatory of Music
602.353.9900
regnixon@pcmrocks.org