In elementary school, I competed in sports that were believed to shape me into a
productive young man. However, I was not truly passionate during each passing hour of every
soccer or lacrosse game, track meet, or learning tae-kwondo. In hopes that I would find another
hobby, my parents placed me in an after school music program in elementary school that would
change my life forever. When I was first exposed to the violin, I couldn’t put it down. Creating
sounds through the touch of the fingerboard and the gliding of the bow on strings brought me a
sense of joy that nothing else could bring. I then spent countless hours practicing not because I
was forced to, but because I finally found something that I loved doing. My passion allowed me
to progress from a 4th grader performing in recitals in an after school music program, to
becoming a senior in his 2nd year as a first violinist for the Sacramento Youth Symphony’s
Premier orchestra. From the time that I made the decision to pick up the violin, the arts have
transformed me into a better human being in more impactful ways than any other extra curricular
activity could have.
One way that music has made me a better person is through community engagement.
When I discovered my love for the violin, I finally had something to share with the world.
Practicing the violin exposed me to various classical pieces throughout history, each with a
different story to tell, or theme to convey. When I mastered these, I was able to use vibrant tones
to paint pictures in the minds and hearts of audiences. This allowed me to connect with my
audiences on a deeply human level. For example, in 2023, I had the privilege of playing in the
Redfish Chamber Music Festival in a quartet, sextet, and orchestra along the Oregon Coast with
professional musicians. This experience allowed me to share the world of classical music to
community members, who were deeply moved by our dynamic performances. Beneath the laughter and tears present in each concert was human connection, which we used to promote a
love and appreciation for life itself.
In addition to becoming a more engaged community member, music has also transformed
me into a more disciplined individual. Spending multiple hours a day practicing various
repertoire, etudes, and scales has disciplined me to work through errors, no matter how long it
takes to correct. This discipline has brought forth successful auditions and performances that
have opened doors that I never knew would be possible. For example, year after year I obtained
seats in the first violin sections of all ensembles within the Sacramento Youth Symphony (SYS),
including its Premier Orchestra, the highest level ensemble in SYS, and have been a semifinalist
in the Premier Orchestra Concerto Competition. My youth symphony experience has shown me
what hard work can achieve and has inspired me to push myself whenever I have the opportunity
to excel.
My musical journey has shown me what focus and hard work can accomplish in all areas
of my life, and has given me a sense of purpose in my community that I will take with me
wherever I go in the future. In the next chapter of my life, I will be able to use these tools to aid
in my pursuit of an engineering degree from CSU Sacramento. I will also enjoy participating in
a two week orchestra tour with the Sacramento Youth Symphony in Hungary and Romania this
summer.