Aurora Sandner has been playing viola for 10 years, while studying with both Leslie Bahler and Donna Lorenzo. Aurora has been a member of many school music clubs, including Clarence guitar club, chamber chorus and orchestra, and pit orchestra for two Clarence musicals. She is Co-President of Harmonies for Healing, a group that plays music for seniors in nursing homes. She has been a member of the Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra and Chamber Program for three years and currently is Associate Principal violist. Last summer, she attended the 2025 Philadelphia International Music Festival, where she was Principal violist in the symphonic orchestra and played in a masterclass with Kerri Ryan. She has also participated in the Bravo Chamber Camp for two summers. Aurora has had the privilege of playing in many All-County and State festivals, as well as attending NYSSMA Conference All State this year. Recently, she won the Silverman Strings Scholarship, as well as 3rd place in the Friends of the BPO Young Musician’s Scholarship. She has also won Best 20th Century Piece for the Anselmo Academy Music Competition for a performance of Shostakovich’s Viola Sonata. In college, Aurora plans to pursue a dual degree in Environmental Engineering and Viola Performance and has been accepted into the Eastman School of Music.