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One of my favorite things about music is that no two pieces have the same path. Everyone’s experience is so unique and individual and I am very excited that TRYPO has asked me to share mine. I began playing the violin in first grade and growing up, I was involved in school orchestras, county festival orchestras and the Lancaster Youth Symphony (Allegretto). I didn’t realize that going to college for music was something one could do until I was a sophomore in high school and I knew I wanted to teach orchestra. Somehow in my college search, I came across Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. As a 16 or 17 year old (and avid Steelers Fan) moving 4 hours away from home seemed perfect. Once I got to Duquesne, I quickly received a new appreciation for the positive role that Music Educators had in the lives of their students and knew I wanted to be that type of mentor and teacher for my future students. I began working with students in many different capacities including private teaching and working with TRYPO. These experiences only grew my love for teaching. While preparing for my junior recital (a music education requirement) I developed a new perspective toward my violin and performing. As senior year and graduation grew nearer, I feared that my violin playing would end. No more practicing, no more lessons, no more concerts. In truth, this scared me. After a heart to heart with my incredible violin professor, I was presented with the idea of going right into a masters degree in performance. I wrestled with this idea for a few reasons, one being that I didn’t know of anyone who did that and another being nervous to take the risk and go off the path that the music education had laid out for me. I only auditioned at Duquesne, because in my eyes, going to grad school was risky enough and I did not want to go on this adventure without my amazing violin professors. My two year masters degree was the two most formative years of my life. I was gaining experience performing, and auditioning for regional orchestras as well as more opportunities to teach and coach various ensembles. I began to realize how closely teaching and performing could be related. I had the opportunity to fuse my two passions together to make one awesome path and the best part is that my journey is only just beginning!
Written by Amaya Williams |