School: S.H Rider High School Grade: 11
How long have you been playing your instrument?
I have been playing the clarinet for about six and a half years.
What do you like about playing your instrument?
More so than playing my instrument as an individual, I enjoy the process of getting to use my abilities on my specific instrument in an ensemble setting, and how collaboration with other musicians can bring life to ink on a page.
How long have you played in YSO?
I have been playing in the YSO for about two years now.
What is your favorite thing about YSO?
I think my favorite thing about the YSO probably has to be the progress that I am able to see and participate in every week when I go to rehearsal. It’s really unique to experience the learning process of a few dozen teens first as individuals and then coming together to form music.
What are your favorite types of music?
My favorite types of music are classical, of course, specifically piano pieces and orchestral arrangements that heavily feature soloists and minor pieces of music. Especially in modern music, in genres such as pop and rock, I really do appreciate the melancholy undertones of what artists and musicians have to offer.
What is your favorite musical piece and/or your favorite composer?
As much of a mad man as John Makey is, I would have to say that he is probably one of my favorite composers, just because his work sometimes makes no sense, and I can say that from personal experience. As far as a favorite piece of mine though, I think I would probably have to say Waltz of the Sirens, by Alma Deutscher.
What are your future career aspirations?
I would like to enter the music realm full time and become an expert in everything that possibly can. However, at the moment, I have no idea what specifically in music I would like to do, I just know that I want to be constantly surrounded by music, and all of the wonderfully confusing elements that combine to make music.
When did your musical interests begin & what were they?
Music has been a part of my life since before I could remember. I played piano from age three to eight with some urgency at consuming as much knowledge as I could, but somewhere in there I stopped playing at the same rate I had previously been doing, and music started to fade from my life a little bit, but my mom always made sure that there was something related to music in my life. She took me to my first ballet, dozens of theatre productions over the younger periods of my life, and is the reason why I chose to play clarinet in middle school instead of following my older sister and joining the choir. From learning the clarinet and lots of self-teaching, my passion for music was brought forth once more, and, in the healthiest way possible, I was consumed by it, and I still am.
Despite all of the individual progress that I have made in my own music career up to this point, my mother is still the reason why I am even in the position that I am now because she was ultimately the first person who ever truly introduced me to the magical world that music is.
What clubs/organizations (in and out of school) do you belong to?
In school, I am a part of the Rider Marching Band, and am a two-year section leader and captain, as well as a one-year officer. I am also a member of NHS as of my sophomore year. Outside of school, I work at the Wichita Falls Music Academy as a clarinet instructor.
Anything else that you want to share?
As a young musician with little experience in the real orchestral world, I am thrilled and extremely excited to get the opportunity to learn and collaborate with seasoned musicians, and I cannot wait to dive into the learning process with these amazing musicians.
