Peer Mentor Reflection

Music has played an enormous role in my life over the years, in both professional and casual settings, but perhaps the most rewarding and memorable moments have been through outreach and working in my community. As a violinist in the highest level orchestra of the Portland Youth Philharmonic, I have worked to reach out to the younger students of the organization and mentor them in their musical journeys. Since my sophomore year of high school, I have attended rehearsals and guided elementary-age children as they begin to learn the foundations of orchestral playing. Also, through PYP, I have had the opportunity to teach “peer mentor” lessons to middle school age violinists who are unable to afford to pay for lessons of their own. Getting to know these amazing students and their deep love for music has helped me

For my project, I chose to create a short, 30 minute concert for elementary-age children in their after-care program at school. Including my string quartet that I regularly perform with, I will allow kids to experience music in a way they may never be able to outside of this program. Through mixed media slides, videos, live performances of famous classical and contemporary music, and engaging activities, these children will hopefully gain a foundational understanding of the importance of classical music and enter into a world of music they have never before. I am extremely excited to create this program, and hope to see positive results from my planning and performing. One of the hardest things for me to discuss, especially in peer groups, is failure. I am so easily caught up in what others think about me, and I have difficulty with opening up and sharing how I truly feel. In the past, my biggest failures have been certain orchestral auditions that have led to not moving up in seating. This year, I remembered those times and used them to my advantage, practicing harder than ever before and winning the concertmaster position. This has been