It all started in third grade, when I first heard Lindsey Stirling, my inspiration, playing Crystallize on the violin. Since then, I have been working toward reaching her skill level while also learning how to play a wide variety of music. I have been fortunate to learn from two incredible violin instructors throughout my journey. My first instructor worked with me for nearly six years and helped build the foundation that has brought me to where I am today. My current instructor continues to challenge me, encourage me, and help me grow as both a violinist and musician. I would not be where I am today without either of them. It is very important to have someone willing to push you to your absolute limit and explore music with you when learning an instrument. Having instructors who believe in you, challenge you, and encourage you to keep growing has been an important part of my journey.
In addition to my primary instrument, the violin, I have been learning the guitar and piano, as well as composing my own music and creating medleys and arrangements of pre-existing songs. It is a very fun and unique experience to create and play your own music. It lets you see music from different perspectives rather than just playing it or listening to it. I also find it particularly interesting and rewarding to play songs that I learned or attempted to play and found too challenging a year or so ago, to compare how much better I can play them now. It really helps to put things into perspective when I'm finding a piece to be extra difficult. It also teaches me to never give up. With the right practice, you can learn a seemingly impossible song in a matter of weeks...if not less! Practice is the other reason why I am where I am today. Trust me, to be a true instrumentalist, practice is everything. Never doubt yourself and never give up! This is how I turned my dream of playing the violin into a storm; a storm of music that now guides my life!
