Violinist Sofia Castanho-Bollinger, 17, of Brookfield, is a senior at Bridges Virtual Academy. She has been playing violin for 14 years and studies with Colleen Fitzgerald of the Barcel Suzuki String Academy. At MYSO, Sofia is one of the concertmasters of Senior Symphony and also participates in the Chamber Orchestra. She has been in MYSO since 2018 and has had many opportunities to grow in her leadership capabilities. Sofia was runner-up of the 2020 Metropolitan Symphony Concerto Competition, and honorable mention of Senior Symphony's Concerto Competition twice, in 2021 and 2022. This year, she was selected as an honorable mention at both the Madison Symphony's Bolz Young Artist Competition and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's Stars of Tomorrow competition. In 2016, she was one of the eight winners of the MSO's Bach Double Competition, and performed the Bach "Double" concerto with the Milwaukee Symphony. She has played for Sibbi Bernhardsson, Ilana Setapen, Frank Almond, Paul Hauer, Kathy Rollins, and Carol Dallinger.

At MYSO, Sofia also loves mentoring young violin students in the Progressions program and supporting them as they learn to love music. Outside of violin, Sofia is a member of the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center Student Advisory Board and her school's chapter of the National Honors Society. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and being outside. This coming year, Sofia plans to continue studying music and pursue a degree in violin performance.