Earning a spot in the prestigious Honor Band of America is a significant achievement for any student musician. For two students from the same school to be selected is even more remarkable. For twin brothers to earn that distinction together is truly exceptional.
Eastside High School juniors (and twins) Derek and Daniel Ai were both selected to the 2026 Honor Band of America through a rigorous audition process that required them to submit recordings demonstrating a range of their musical abilities. Their selection places them among the best young clarinet players in the nation.
“I knew they had the caliber to do it,” said Professor Chip A.F. Powell II, director of the EHS Band. “It’s a great honor to be part of such an esteemed group of students, to have gone through the audition process and been selected out of so many.”
As members of the Honor Band, the twins recently traveled to Indianapolis to participate in the Music for All National Festival. There, they took part in intensive rehearsals and workshops led by some of the nation’s top music educators, collaborated with fellow musicians from across the country, and performed in the festival’s final concert.
“I was able to meet a lot a people that are just as passionate about music as I am,” said Derek. “It was really nice to be able to play such difficult pieces in such a short amount of time with such talented musicians.”
“It was really enriching to meet such talented people from all over the country,” said Daniel. “It was really exciting working with them and playing with them.”
The Ai brothers have been immersed in music from an early age. Both began playing piano as children and took up the clarinet in fourth grade with encouragement from their older sister. They continued developing their skills at Lincoln Middle School and now serve in leadership roles in the Eastside High School Band—Derek as clarinet section leader and Daniel as assistant section leader.
“They have a very amiable competition with each other,” said Powell. “If one has it and the other doesn’t, that kind of lights a fire under the one that doesn’t to make sure that he gets it. But they also help each other, they work with each other, which then translates to the rest of the band, where they help everyone out.”
In addition to their musical accomplishments, Derek and Daniel are enrolled in Eastside’s rigorous International Baccalaureate program. They also participate in Model United Nations, are members of the swim team, and perform with the Alachua County Youth Orchestra.
Both credit music with helping them build meaningful connections.
“Many of my friends I met through the band and orchestra,” said Daniel. “I really feel that music has helped me branch out and meet people I might not have met.”
“Music is a language everyone can understand,” said Derek. “When I play I feel I’m interconnected with a larger web of people I closely identify with.”
While the twins both plan to pursue careers in medicine, they agree that music will continue to be a part of their lives.
“I plan to be a doctor, but I see definitely see myself continuing music as a hobby and participating in ensembles in college,” said Derek.
“Music has been such an integral part of my life, and giving it up completely as an adult would be giving up an important part of my personality and history,” said Daniel. “Music will still be a pastime for me and a part of my life in the future.”