You Don’t Know Me…Yet

I.C. King, aka Christian McKinley, 16 years old, rap artist and classical pianist

The Story of Christian McKinley (I.C. King)

Christian McKinley’s fingers first touched piano keys before most children even learned to tie their shoes. His parents recall how, as a baby, he would hum along to melodies with uncanny rhythm, as if music was stitched into his very being. By the time he was old enough to sit upright at the piano bench, he was already shaping notes into something more than sound—something alive.

At 11 years old, when the world slowed down during the pandemic, Christian found another voice inside himself. He began rapping, blending the discipline of classical piano with the raw energy of hip-hop. It was a bold fusion, but for him, it felt natural. His classical training gave him precision, while rap gave him freedom. Together, they became his language.

By 2019, Christian was already producing beats, layering sounds with the same care he gave to Chopin études. He wasn’t just experimenting—he was building a bridge between two worlds. His music carried the elegance of a concert hall and the pulse of a street cypher.

In 2024, he released Somethings Over the Horizon, a piece that reflected his journey: a young artist looking forward, chasing dreams that seemed just out of reach yet always visible. The following year, his album The Inyoni Play (2025) showcased his growth, a tapestry of piano interludes and rap verses that spoke of resilience, hope, and the joy of creation.

Christian McKinley—known to the world as I.C. King—is proof that artistry isn’t about choosing one path. It’s about weaving them together, creating something new, something honest. At just 16, he’s already shown that music can be both delicate and fierce, classical and modern, timeless and fresh.

And as his horizon stretches wider, one thing is certain: his story is only beginning.

The reason Clazzical Notes’ "YOU DON'T KNOW ME YET!" campaign is a must-see isn't for the flawless technique or the polished presentation. It’s because you are witnessing the raw, unedited birth of the next generation of cultural innovators. You are catching the flicker of a fire before it becomes an inferno. It’s the classical pianist who refuses to stay in his lane, the poet who redefines rhythm, the singer who merges opera with indie rock.

By supporting this campaign, you aren't just giving to a program; you are buying the first ticket to a star’s career. You are watching history being written in real-time, one brilliant, undiscovered young artist at a time. Come to the show, or donate to the cause, because the next great voice in music, poetry, or art… you simply don’t know them yet!

Javier Pérez, Guitar

Born 2002 in San Salvador, El Salvador, Javier moved to CA in 2022 to start his goal of becoming a musician. Currently attending Pasadena City College, he finished his AA in Music in Fall 2025 where he focused on both jazz guitar and also composition. Javier always had a special love for music since he was a kid, starting to learn guitar at age 10 by himself. His passion grew stronger and decided to study music, being his main focus in the media composition and music production area, where he expects to transfer to a 4-year University soon and eventually work on film scoring and audio engineering.

Classical Guitar - Javier Pérez

Voice - Melissa Canil

Violin 1 - Daniel Diaz

Violin 2 - Darbe Lee

Viola - Andrew Pamintuan

Cello - Jasmin Lin

La Niece McKay, Jazz Singer

La Niece McKay is a vocalist who has moved fluidly between the stage and classroom. After her early studies at Pasadena City College and Berklee College of Music, she stepped away from academia to pursue her calling as a performer. Her journey led to being a background vocalist for Tito Jackson, Robin Thicke, and Jeffrey Osborne, performing and living in Japan, working in film and television, and achieving many other life-changing milestones, including becoming a wife and mother. Now, back at PCC and preparing to graduate in Spring of 2026 before continuing to a four-year university, La Niece brings to the stage a full-circle story shaped by lived experience, resilience, and a deepened purpose for sharing musical artistry with the next generation.

Jocelyn Segura, 17 years old, Spoken Word Artist

At just seventeen, Jocelyn already commands an audience with the power of her words. A creative writer and spoken word artist, she transforms everyday emotions into lyrical storytelling, blending rhythm and honesty in ways that leave listeners leaning in for more. Her notebook is her constant companion—filled with fragments of poems, short stories, and lines inspired by real conversations and late-night reflections. On stage, Jocelyn’s voice carries both confidence and vulnerability, proving that art knows no age when it comes from a genuine place. Her love for the arts extends to interning at the Getty Museum.

Saida

My name is Amarie Velarde, but I go by my artist name, Saida. I’m a 17-year-old songwriter born and raised in LA, in a small city called La Puente. Music has always been a constant in my life. I grew up surrounded by different sounds, from my mom’s cumbia playing around the house to my dad’s rock bands like Boston, along with whatever was popular on the radio.

Now, I’m actively chasing my dream of working as a musician. I currently attend an art school, where I’ve been given opportunities that I never thought I’d have. The connections I’ve made and the experiences I’ve gained there have shaped me into the artist I am today. Choosing to accept music has changed the course of my life entirely, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

My name is Arman Thoresen, and I am a 3rd year undergraduate student at UC Irvine, double-majoring in Applied Physics and Biochemistry. I have been playing cello for the past 12 years, and it has become a lifelong passion. Outside of school and playing cello, I also enjoy practicing piano, teaching martial arts, and going for hikes.

Singer/Songwriter and LA native Brighton Thomas blends her love of storytelling with an innate soulfulness to give listeners and viewers a rewarding musical experience. Melting warm velvet vocals with gritty guitar and soaring melodies, Brighton’s vintage alternative style is both nostalgic and refreshing. In 2016, Brighton Thomas was awarded the title of Youth Ambassador at Michael Feinstein's Great American Songbook Academy, and the following year she was named a Grand Prize Finalist for the Music Center Spotlight Program. She has performed in front of a variety of audiences, ranging from intimate rooms of 50, to crowds of 6,000. Brighton is currently working on her newest project, a series of original songs influenced by her love of Soul, Funk and Classic Rock. Keep an eye out for what comes next!

Jaxon is a singer who loves to play the guitar and occasionally write music in his free time. He plans to go to college to study music or musical theater.

My name is Lyric Mims and I am a Junior at Thurgood Marshall Secondary School. I’ve been doing musical theater for 10 years now, and I’ve been singing and dancing for 11. When I’m not performing, I’m drawing, writing, or curating playlists. I love being in spaces with other artists and I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity.

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YOU DON'T KNOW ME.....YET!

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