Class of 2021 Senior Spotlight!

/by

Sofia Andersen Harrington, cello
Lake Champlain Waldorf

 
VT Youth Orchestra – 1 year
VT Youth Philharmonia – 2 years
Presto – 3 sessions

 

 

Why do you like your instrument & how did you choose it?

I love the tone of the cello. When I was three, I was a part of the Suzuki group in Indiana and there was a concert and I saw cellists sitting down while they played and I was jealous. When I was in first grade, I picked up the cello and have loved it ever since.

 

What role does music play in your life?

Music helps me stay grounded. It has always been a huge part in my life. Whether it is me playing my cello, singing in my car, listening to music and seeing concerts. Music is what keeps me going.

 

What has been your biggest musical challenge & how did you overcome it?

Staying motivated has been really hard. Remembering how much music has affected me throughout my life is how I overcame it. Yes, there are days when I don’t practice but when I do practice, I feel better. I just remember how much I love it and how it makes me feel and the joy it brings to others.

 

What advice would you give to younger music students as they strive to improve their skills?

Don’t give up when it is really hard. Playing my cello centers me and I really love it even when it is hard. Practice a little part over and over till you feel okay with it.

 

What is your favorite VYOA memory?

Going to Spain and Portugal the summer of my junior year was amazing. Being surrounded by a beautiful culture and going somewhere and doing something I love made my summer. Getting to go on the tour was an eye-opening experience and would love to do it again in the future.

 

What other activities or sports do you participate in?

I am a figure skater. I have been skating for 13 years, I am on a theater on Ice team and an Ice Dancer.

 

How has the pandemic effected your practice & performance of music or participation in your other activities?

Last March, everything went remote, and I lost the motivation. With everything online, it made it harder to do things because I was in my house and couldn’t leave and go do the things I love.

 

What are some of the things that you have done to help cope with the pandemic’s shutdown & quarantine requirements?

I have been listening to a lot of music, facetiming with friends and family to try and stay connected, and being active.

What college and what do you plan to study?

I will be studying American Sign Language and getting my phlebotomy license while attending the Community College of Vermont

 

Class of 2021 Senior Spotlight!

/by

Esther Koo, violin
South Burlington High

VT Youth Orchestra – 3 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why do you like your instrument & how did you choose it?

Violinists Sarah Chang and Ji-Hae Park opened my eyes to the beautiful instrument and inspired me with some of the most powerful, memorable pieces in the world, in my opinion.

 

What role does music play in your life?

I started playing the violin to praise God. I give thanks to God for giving me this gift of music and for allowing me to meet wonderful people through this art.

 

What has been your biggest musical challenge & how did you overcome it?

My family and I have always prioritized honoring God through music. At first, memorizing and performing music weekly at church seemed almost impossible. Through encouragement and lots of time spent focusing on my goal and practicing diligently, I have played solos/duets (with my mom, sister, and brother) for as long as I can remember. I cherish and value these times so very much and wish to continue playing music for God’s glory for many years to come. I have grown stronger musically and spiritually through my open-mindedness and persistence.

 

What advice would you give to younger music students as they strive to improve their skills?

A violin in its case is a gift you can open over and over again. There’s a reason (or five) why people have been playing it for over 400 years 🙂 Remember to always believe in yourself — confidence is a very important skill for success.

 

What other activities or sports do you participate in?

I enjoy biking with my family, getting lost in good books, listening to K-pop, and pursuing environmental scientific research. I also enjoy filming and editing videos in my free time.

 

Class of 2021 Senior Spotlight!

/by

Nora Cannizzaro, bassoon
Essex High

VT Youth Orchestra – 4 years
VT Youth Philharmonia – 1 ½  years

 

 

 

 

Why do you like your instrument & how did you choose it?

I started on piano and clarinet for 5 years, but after going to a rug concert where the bassoon was showcased, I fell in love with its low notes, and how beautiful it sounded. After that, I completely switched over to bassoon, and have been playing ever since.

 

What role does music play in your life?

Music plays an immense role in my life. I have grown up in the artistic community, and have always been passionate about making music, and the importance of having music in your life. I love to play, and can’t imagine a future where I am not playing.

 

What has been your biggest musical challenge & how did you overcome it?

The biggest musical challenge I have faced thus far is learning how to develop a good practice model. It took me some time to figure out how to practice efficiently and really work on what I need to improve. Now, though I am still learning, I have figured out a good practice structure that works for me, and has helped me be successful.

 

What advice would you give to younger music students as they strive to improve their skills?

Practice! It can be hard to get yourself started when you’re not motivated to practice, but even just playing around on your instrument a little every day will make you better. Go slowly, and try to have fun with your practice time. It’s easier to practice well once you’ve begun, and when you have a designated space to practice.

 

What is your favorite VYOA memory?

My favorite VYOA memory is when we were rehearsing Blue Danube, and our conductor had us sing our parts for the entire piece. We all thought we would only sing for a few measures, but we ended up going through the entire piece, and you don’t normally get to do that with your part, so it was really fun for us all to just have fun and sing through our parts.

 

How has the pandemic effected your practice & performance of music or participation in your other activities?

With my school being partly remote, I am at home three days of the week, so I have more time to practice. A lot of activities have been canceled this year, so I am so grateful that the VYOA has found a way to keep going.

 

What are some of the things that you have done to help cope with the pandemic’s shutdown & quarantine requirements?

To make up for the fact that I can’t really hang out with my friends inside as much, my friends and I find more activities to do outside now where we can distance ourselves. I have a group of buddies that I hike with in the warmer seasons, and now that it’s snowy we go skiing a lot together.

 

What do you plan to study in college?

I plan on going to college next year to double major in both math and music.

Class of 2021 Senior Spotlight!

/by

Jessy Chen, clarinet
Essex High

VT Youth Orchestra – 2 years
VT Youth Philharmonia – 2 years

 

Why do you like your instrument & how did you choose it?

I like the clarinet’s rich and unique tone. I appreciate it because I think that it is a very versatile instrument that can blend well into any type of ensemble. I picked up the clarinet in eighth grade, after learning more about the high school band. I was a keyboard player in the middle school band and I wanted to pursue band in high school as well. However, I learned that there was no position for piano. Since I hoped to continue my band experience, I started to learn to play the clarinet as a remedy. Most of my friends were clarinet players and their interest in the instrument encouraged me to pick it up as well.

 

What role does music play in your life?

Ever since I started playing piano at 5, music has been a big part of my life. While being a hobby, it has also encouraged me to become a more confident person and to learn to take initiative. Music has taught me the importance of persevering through hardships.

 

What has been your biggest musical challenge & how did you overcome it?

My biggest musical challenge was probably the switch from piano to clarinet. The musical concepts were the same but I had trouble with the practical skills. Finding an appropriate embouchure and maintaining it was very difficult for me as it was my first time playing a wind instrument. The only way I improved was through rigorous practice every day.

 

What advice would you give to younger music students as they strive to improve their skills?

In my opinion, perseverance is crucial to improvement. Getting frustrated when practicing and giving up is very easy. It’s totally normal to struggle and to take a break but it’s important to remember to come back and push through the annoyance and to keep working hard. After all, practice can only be beneficial.

 

What do you plan to study in college?

I plan to study biology in college. My father is a biologist and, since a very young age, his passion for his work has inspired me to pursue a career in the science field as well.