- My name is Yadiel Roman Martinez.

I go to Ellenville High School and I play the flute.

(tranquil flute music) The piece that I played today was "Syrinx" by Claude Debussy.

I would describe this piece really fairytale like, almost very spiritual.

I like this piece because it's really fun, it's really technical and I just like how gorgeous it sounds.

(tranquil flute music) The most difficult thing is the breaths because it's very easy to run out of breath in long notes.

(tranquil flute music) I've been playing for over eight years now, 10 almost.

And I do plan going to music school after high school.

I see myself playing in a symphony, teaching privately, hopefully.

(tranquil flute music) My practice routine usually starts with scales for like about 30 minutes and then I move to like etudes to get my fingers flowing and I would start playing all the pieces that I would have to prepare.

(tranquil flute music) My private lesson teacher, Caitlin Ippolito, she recommended me this piece.

She's the reason why I got nominated for this.

(tranquil flute music) I wanna thank my parents for always supporting me.

I want to thank my private lesson teacher again, Caitlin.

I wanna thank my music teachers in high school and my former band teachers, Ms. Laurie Worden, Christina Schoonmaker, and Linda Gillette.

(tranquil flute music)