In 2024, something I had dreamed about for years finally became real: I earned second place in the Junior Division of the Eugene Symphony Guild Legacy Young Artist Competition, and with it came the opportunity to perform with the Eugene Symphony itself.
For me, that experience was more than just a competition — it was a doorway. The Eugene Symphony, based in Oregon, is a professional orchestra known not only for delivering world-class performances but also for embracing community outreach and music education. When I stepped onto the stage with them, I felt both awe and purpose.
I was sixteen at the time, a junior in high school, and for nearly ten years I had devoted myself to the violin. As the spotlight settled on me, I remembered every early morning rehearsal, every frustrating passage I had repeated hundreds of times, and every moment I wondered if I was good enough. Standing there, I realized that all of those struggles had led me to this point — not just to perform, but to express who I am through music.
Playing alongside professional musicians challenged me technically, but even more so emotionally. I learned that playing music isn’t just about perfect intonation or rhythm; it’s about communication — about creating something that speaks beyond words. I could feel the orchestra breathing together, responding to each phrase, shaping the music as one. It was the first time I truly understood what collaboration in art meant.
Beyond that performance, music has continued to shape who I am. Since 2021, I have served as the assistant principal second violin in the Portland Youth Philharmonic. I’ve also co-founded Euphonos Ensemble, a nonprofit group that performs at nursing homes and community centers to share the joy of live music. One of my most meaningful memories is seeing a resident’s face light up as she recognized a melody from her youth. In that moment, I understood that music’s power lies not only in performance, but in connection.
That night with the Eugene Symphony was a turning point — not an endpoint. It reminded me that I could step into spaces that once felt out of reach and belong there. As I look ahead to college, I want to continue growing both as a musician and as a person who uses music to connect, to serve, and to inspire. The notes I play will always tell part of my story — but I hope that story is one of empathy, collaboration, and possibility.
